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It's a split decision.
Choose ClickSend if you want published per-SMS tiers, MMS pricing, and unlimited users without seat charges. Its listed rates range from $0.0287 to $0.0094 per SMS, with minimum top-ups from $20 to $2,000. Choose BulkSMS if two-year prepaid credits and SMS, RCS, and WhatsApp messaging fit your needs; its listed US bundles start at $184.60 for 5,000 credits. Neither has a free plan, and BulkSMS does not publish a per-message starting rate.
01Side by side
| BulkSMS | ClickSend | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | 5,000 US credits cost $184.60 | $0.0287 per SMS; $20 minimum top-up |
| Free plan | No free plan; 5 test credits after verification | No free plan; trial duration not published |
| Best for | Prepaid messaging with SMS, RCS, and WhatsApp | Tiered SMS volume, MMS, and API messaging |
| Core strength | Two-year credit validity and rich messaging channels | Published SMS tiers, MMS rates, and campaign tracking |
| Learning curve | Ease-of-use review score: 6/10 | Ease-of-use review score: 6/10 |
| Integrations/data | REST API for websites, apps, and CRM platforms | Marketplace integrations and API examples in seven languages |
| Team/seat costs | Seat pricing not published | Unlimited users; no extra seat charges |
| Support | Review support score: 5/10 | Review support score: 4/10 |
BulkSMS Choose BulkSMS if
- Choose BulkSMS if two-year credit validity matters.
- Choose BulkSMS if you need SMS, RCS, and WhatsApp.
- Choose BulkSMS if you want incoming long-number options.
ClickSend Choose ClickSend if
- Choose ClickSend if you want published per-SMS price tiers.
- Choose ClickSend if MMS is part of your messaging mix.
- Choose ClickSend if you need unlimited users without seat charges.
02Pricing compared
ClickSend publishes per-SMS rates, from $0.0287 with a $20 minimum top-up to $0.0094 with a $2,000 minimum. The pricing page also lists $0.0205 per SMS with a $100 minimum and $0.0132 with a $1,000 minimum. These are prepaid top-ups, not monthly subscriptions; additional carrier fees apply, but amounts are not listed.
BulkSMS sells prepaid credits, not recurring plans. Its listed US bundles are $184.60 for 5,000 credits and $335 for 10,000; credits remain valid for two years. BulkSMS does not publish a per-message starting rate. Neither product has a free plan. ClickSend lists a free trial without a published duration; BulkSMS offers five test credits after mobile verification.
03Features and depth
Both products cover business messaging through a dashboard and API. BulkSMS’s listed tools include a REST API, scheduled messages, OTP authentication, two-way SMS and incoming long numbers. It also supports RCS and WhatsApp for notifications, marketing and support, which may matter if SMS alone is not enough.
ClickSend offers SMS and MMS, plus rich messaging through RCS and messaging apps. Its homepage lists MMS messages up to 1,600 characters, and its pricing lists outbound MMS at $0.0373; inbound MMS is free. ClickSend also lists campaign tracking for MMS, SMS and MMS APIs with code examples in seven languages, and a marketplace for business-app integrations.
The practical distinction is the documented mix: BulkSMS calls out WhatsApp, OTPs and scheduled messaging, while ClickSend publishes MMS pricing, campaign tracking and per-SMS volume tiers. Compare the specific channels and workflows you need rather than treating either feature list as a blanket win.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Both offer a dashboard as well as API access, so the choice depends partly on whether your team sends campaigns directly or connects messaging to existing software. BulkSMS lists scheduled messages, OTP authentication and two-way SMS; ClickSend lists campaign tracking, developer APIs and business-app integrations.
The available details do not establish which dashboard is easier to learn. Before switching, check whether your workflow needs incoming long numbers, WhatsApp or RCS, MMS tracking, or a specific integration. If developers will handle setup, compare the API documentation and code examples for your use case. If nontechnical staff will send messages, confirm the dashboard supports their campaign and approval process.
Questions people ask
Which is cheaper, BulkSMS or ClickSend?
ClickSend publishes per-SMS rates from $0.0287 to $0.0094, with minimum top-ups ranging from $20 to $2,000. BulkSMS lists US bundles at $184.60 for 5,000 credits and $335 for 10,000, but does not publish a starting per-message rate. Compare your destination and total fees before deciding.
Does BulkSMS support WhatsApp?
Yes. BulkSMS lists WhatsApp for notifications, marketing and support, alongside SMS and RCS. ClickSend’s published product details mention RCS and messaging apps but do not specifically list WhatsApp, so confirm that channel directly with ClickSend if it is a requirement.
Do BulkSMS or ClickSend require a monthly subscription?
Neither lists recurring monthly or annual plans. BulkSMS sells prepaid credit bundles, and ClickSend charges per SMS from prepaid top-ups. ClickSend lists minimum top-ups by tier; BulkSMS credits remain valid for two years. Additional carrier fees may apply to ClickSend, with amounts not published.
Which service supports MMS, and what does it cost?
ClickSend lists outbound MMS at $0.0373 per message and says inbound MMS is free. Its homepage lists support for messages up to 1,600 characters. The published BulkSMS details cover SMS, RCS and WhatsApp, but do not list MMS pricing or support.