- SMS: Text-only messages up to 160 characters.
- MMS: Multimedia messages like images, videos, and audio, with no strict character limit.
- Content Type: SMS supports only text, while MMS supports multimedia content.
- Character Limit: SMS is limited to 160 characters, whereas MMS allows up to 1,600 characters.
- Cost: Sending MMS messages typically costs more than SMS due to the larger data size.
- SMS: Ideal for quick alerts, reminders, and notifications. For instance, appointment reminders or order confirmations.
- MMS: Great for more engaging content like product demos, promotional videos, or event invitations.
- SMS: Perfect for simple, quick messages like “I’m on my way” or “Call me when you’re free.”
- MMS: Useful for sharing personal photos, videos, or audio messages with friends and family.
- SMS: Effective for sending brief promotional messages or links to landing pages. Research shows that 74% of customers have zero unread text messages, making SMS a reliable way to ensure your message is seen.
- MMS: Ideal for marketing campaigns that require visual elements. Retailers can send images of new products, discount codes, or even animated holiday greetings to capture customer interest.
- iMessage is exclusive to iOS devices and automatically switches to SMS if the recipient is not using an iPhone.
- WhatsApp is widely used globally, allowing users to send texts, images, videos, and even make voice and video calls.
- WeChat dominates the Chinese market with similar functionalities to WhatsApp, but also integrates social media and payment services.
- Facebook Messenger connects seamlessly with Facebook, providing a robust platform for messaging, media sharing, and video calls.
- Internet Connection: OTT apps require an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to send and receive messages.
- Mobile Network: SMS and MMS rely on cellular networks and don’t require an internet connection. This makes SMS a universal technology available on all modern mobile phones.
- App Downloads: OTT apps must be downloaded and installed from app stores, while SMS/MMS are built into the phone’s native messaging app.
- Universal Technology: SMS is supported on all mobile devices without needing additional apps. This makes it ideal for reaching a broad audience.
- Walled Gardens: OTT apps create closed ecosystems where users can only communicate with others using the same app. For instance, a WhatsApp user can’t text someone on WeChat.
- Free Usage: OTT apps are generally free to use and offer rich features like group chats, media sharing, and video calls. SMS/MMS may incur costs depending on the carrier plan.
- Security: OTT apps often provide enhanced security features like encryption, which are not typically available with SMS.
- WhatsApp: With over 1 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app, especially in countries like India and Brazil. In these regions, mobile operators rarely offer unlimited texting plans, so the free nature of WhatsApp makes it an attractive alternative to SMS.
- WeChat: In China, WeChat dominates the messaging landscape with almost 500 million users. Similar to WhatsApp, WeChat offers a plethora of features beyond just messaging, such as payments and social media integration, making it a versatile tool for users.
Our platform ensures that your communication services remain resilient and reliable. With Flowroute, you can count on uninterrupted service, even during peak times or unexpected disruptions.
With higher open rates compared to email, SMS and MMS offer a direct line to your customers. Use these tools for order confirmations, alerts, reminders, and promotional messages to keep your audience engaged.
Flowroute’s pricing models are designed to be cost-effective, allowing you to maximize your marketing budget. Whether you’re sending simple SMS alerts or rich MMS content, you’ll find a plan that suits your needs.

Mitch leads the Sales team at BCM One, overseeing revenue growth through cloud voice services across brands like SIPTRUNK, SIP.US, and Flowroute. With a focus on partner enablement and customer success, he helps businesses identify the right communication solutions within BCM One’s extensive portfolio. Mitch brings years of experience in channel sales and cloud-based telecom to every conversation.