The business world isn’t much different from your personal life in that texting has quickly become a preferred way to communicate. When clients reach for their phones in the workplace, they may be looking to text before they call. Finding the best business texting app for your team is an ideal way to save time on communication and still be more responsive.
Ready to move on from a landline, desk phone, or any texting system that creates more problems than solutions? We’ll explain what you need to consider before selecting your business text messaging app, then introduce you to six options that may suit your needs.
6 best business texting apps
The best business texting apps for 2023 include:
Each of these apps offers a variety of features that can help your business communicate with clients, but the right one for you can depend on your specific use case. We’ll do a deeper dive into each of these texting apps later in this blog post to help you decide the right text messaging service for your team.
The best business texting apps: A closer look
Now that you know what you’re looking for from your business texting app, here are six services that can help you streamline your texting communication.
1. OpenPhone: Top option for small businesses and growing teams
OpenPhone is a VoIP phone service that’s packed with time-saving features. You can automate with integrations and auto-replies, speed up your responses with snippets, and even collaborate with your team through internal threads.
When you have a local or toll-free number with OpenPhone, you can share access to a business number with as many team members as you need. Shared numbers let your team share responsibility for incoming messages; anyone with access can call and text from a shared OpenPhone number.
You can also give each team member their own unique number so they have direct lines.
Whether you want to message a client, a team member, or a whole group, you can use OpenPhone to have meaningful conversations with whoever you need to reach on any device. Plus, you’ll get free texting and calling in the US and Canada (and affordable rates for international texts that are a fraction of the cost compared to traditional carriers).
As you scale your company, OpenPhone can scale with you. You can upgrade your plan at any time to access more powerful features, including more integrations and analytics, so you never outgrow our business phone app. This way, you don’t have to go through the hassle of switching to another platform when you’re no longer a small business.
Pricing starts at $15 per user per month. You can try out OpenPhone first for free with a seven-day free trial.
Key features:
- SMS and MMS (including group messaging)
- US, Canadian, and toll-free numbers
- Shared phone numbers
- Schedule text messages
- Snippets
- Auto-replies
- Integrations with Zapier, HubSpot CRM, Slack, and more
2. SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting is a popular text message marketing platform that lets you send and schedule bulk SMS messages using a dedicated short code, registered local number, or toll-free number. It’s best known for its marketing tools. For instance, you can automate birthday texts, set up SMS sweepstakes, or schedule drip campaigns (which are a series of texts, sent over a specific time period).
However, SimpleTexting isn’t great for growing teams. No matter what plan you have, you can only add five users. It isn’t great for small businesses either. While SimpleTexting technically offers integrations with over 400 apps, you can’t access them unless you start paying for expensive plans — we’re talking $229 per month or more.
Unless you’re just getting incoming SMS messages, texting isn’t free. Pricing starts at $29 per month for 500 message credits. Each outgoing SMS message costs one credit, while each MMS message costs three credits.
Key features:
- SMS and MMS (including group messaging)
- Shared phone numbers
- Mass texting
- Auto-replies
- Scheduled texts
- Integrations with Zapier, HubSpot, and more (upgrade required)
Learn more about SimpleTexting
3. EZ Texting
EZ Texting is another SMS marketing platform often used for promotional texts. You can use it to send auto-replies, schedule drip campaigns, and more. You can also build your contact list with opt-in forms provided by the platform.
The biggest downside? EZ Texting pricing can be confusing and packed with fees. While pricing starts at $24 per month, you’ll need to pay an extra $25 per month if you plan to send a high volume of texts — unless you upgrade to a Premium plan. EZ Texting includes three or fewer users depending on the plan. If you want more, you’ll have to add $20 per user per month.
All plans only come with 200 credits per month (enough for 200 SMS or less than 70 MMS messages). Any more, once again, comes with extra costs.
Key features:
- SMS and MMS (including group messaging)
- Mass texting
- Auto-replies
- Schedule texts
- Integrations with Zapier, HubSpot, and more
4. Sakari
Sakari is a business texting app that offers basic promotional and conversational texting functionality. It’s not the most advanced at either, but you can get the features you need to do both — like sending bulk texts and creating text message templates — for a lower cost than SimpleTexting and EZ Texting.
However, Sakari charges for both outbound and inbound messages, and this extra cost can add up quickly. Plus, MMS is only available in the US and Canada. Never being able to send pictures to international clients can really put a damper on your conversations.
Pricing starts at $16 per month for 500 SMS messages. All additional texts will cost you at least 3.2 cents each.
Key features:
- SMS and MMS (MMS only in US and Canada)
- Text message templates
- Mass texting
- Integrations with Zapier, HubSpot, and more
5. Google Voice
Google Voice for Google Workspace is a well-known VoIP service that offers texting and calling features, much like OpenPhone. You can get SMS in the US. However, you’ll have to pay for your texts outside of the country. Google Voice also limits the files you can send to pictures, videos, and GIFs that you have to upload as attachments.
Google Voice texting limitations also cap your group chats at eight users max.
While small businesses may feel drawn to Google Voice for its affordable starting price ($10 per user per month), it’s worth noting there’ll be limitations on your texting capabilities, no matter how much you upgrade. Even when you start managing more and more text conversations, you won’t be able to automate anything.
Their base plan is also only available for up to 10 users. Any more than that and Google Voice makes you upgrade to their Standard or higher plan ($20 per user per month).
Key features:
- SMS (US only)
- Limited MMS support (US only)
- Text forwarding (only to the email address on file with your account)
- Group messaging (eight users max)
6. TextMagic
TextMagic is a texting app that’s free to sign up for, making it an appealing option for small businesses. Any user can access its premium features. Still, TextMagic can be a costlier option than other business texting apps, depending on how many texts you send. Though incoming messages are free, you’ll have to pay 4 cents for every outgoing text.
TextMagic can support up to 10,000 bulk SMS messages at once — or you can chat with clients using your inbox. Keep in mind you won’t get any group messaging capabilities at all.
Key features:
- SMS and MMS (no group messaging)
- Mass texting
- Auto-replies
- Schedule texts
- Integration with Zapier
8 things to consider when selecting a business texting app
Most of the best business texting apps these days offer both SMS and MMS messages, which means you can use standard text messaging and picture messaging features (not to mention, send videos, GIFs, and audio). In today’s world, multimedia is a necessity for every team.
While finding a service that supports both SMS and MMS can be easy, you should ask yourself these eight questions to identify all of the functionality you need from your texting app.
1. What devices do you wish to text from?
When you’re texting in your day-to-day life, you’re probably doing so from your smartphone. But when you’re on the clock, being able to send SMS texts from your primary work devices — which may include computers, tablets, and Android and iOS phones — can make your work life as flexible as possible. Your team members can quickly switch between emailing and texting clients when working on a desktop, or they can take their text conversations on the go by downloading a mobile app.
The best business texting apps (like OpenPhone) offer mobile, desktop, and web apps to ensure you can use all your devices. 📱🖥️
2. Who on your team will be texting?
A text messaging service built for solopreneurs isn’t always ideal for a growing team. Whether you want multiple people managing one phone number or one person managing multiple numbers, you’ll need a texting app that supports your needs.
Take note of how many people will need access to your business texting app and what departments they’re in. Then, find a platform that meets your collaboration needs.
For instance, two co-owners of a small business may simply need a shared inbox to centralize all their text conversations. On the other hand, sales and customer support teams may need a way to assign texts to specific team members and see when coworkers are typing so they don’t miss an incoming message (or respond twice).
Your business texting app should support your company’s growth, too. While you may be a small business now, a text messaging service that maxes out at five users won’t help you scale for long.
3. How easy is the app to use?
You don’t want to dedicate a lot of time teaching your team members how to use a texting solution. Your text messaging service should be user-friendly and intuitive for the average cell phone user.
The best business texting apps provide an experience that reminds smartphone users of the default texting app on their mobile devices.
4. What kinds of messages will you be sending and receiving?
Different types of text messages call for different types of business SMS services.
If you’re mainly texting to have conversations with your employees and clients — for instance, to answer support questions or onboard new customers — the best business texting apps should offer an organized inbox that your team members can tackle together. You’ll want features that help you efficiently manage multiple conversations.
Great conversational text message apps let you save text message templates (aka snippets), so you can respond to common questions fast. With OpenPhone, you can also share business contacts lists — including all your notes ✍️ — to keep the customer experience consistent no matter who’s responding.
Transactional text messages are a little more complex to set up. If you want to send clients timely, informative alerts like appointment reminders and account updates, you may need advanced integrations and automation features.
But say you want to hook up your website or app to your texting platform, which is a must to set up instant order confirmations, delivery notifications, and other automatic texts. You’ll want a texting service that integrates with a workflow automation tool like Zapier or offers access to an Application Programming Interface (API).
Finally, if you want to send promotional text messages, which are large-scale marketing campaigns, you need an SMS marketing platform that supports mass texting. Being able to schedule messages to send to hundreds (or even thousands) of contacts at once is key.
Bulk messaging also requires a compliant platform that supports carrier-verified application-to-person (A2P) marketing campaigns, and lets clients opt in and out of texts.
5. Do you need a short code, local number, or toll-free number?
Many businesses use short codes to send a high volume of text messages in a short period of time. These memorable five- to six-digit phone numbers are pre-approved by carriers, so your SMS marketing is less likely to be flagged as spam.
The downside is, short codes don’t support two-way text messaging, which means you can’t build relationships with your clients or provide them the help they may need. Plus, many carriers are phasing out short codes.
Local and toll-free numbers are better two-way texting solutions. Local area codes are ideal for building trust in local markets, which is perfect for most small businesses. Toll-free phone numbers are recognized across North America, which can help you grow an international client base.
Like short codes, local phone numbers require carrier approval if you send over 3,000 text messages per day. This involves registering your business and 10-digit phone number through The Campaign Registry, which passes your info to major carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. If you don’t use an approved 10-digit long code (10DLC) for a high volume of texts, you may be subject to extra fees.
Toll-free numbers don’t have to worry about 10DLC requirements, making mass texting simpler for small businesses. However, not every business texting app that offers toll-free numbers supports toll-free texting. (OpenPhone is one that does. 🙌)
If you want to sign up for a new text messaging app but keep your current number, make sure your service provider supports phone number porting — ideally, for free.
6. What automations do you need?
Manually typing every text you send can lead to a long workday and plenty of unanswered texts. Choosing a service that offers the right text message automations can help you speed up your workflow and avoid typing the same messages over and over.
Some texting automations that your business may need include:
- Auto-replies: Use certain events to trigger texts, like a missed call, a voicemail, or a form fill. Auto-replies can help you set expectations — for instance, by telling clients your business hours or average response time. They can also make your clients feel acknowledged at any hour of the day, so you have peace of mind even when you’re asleep.
- Text message scheduling: Set one-time messages to send at a specific time. This is a great way to ensure you’re sending texts at an appropriate time, even if you’re working after hours or your clients are in a completely different time zone.
- Snippets: Save text message templates to respond quickly and efficiently when you’re having similar conversations with customers. With snippets, you can customize your response before sending, so all of your texts still feel personalized.
7. Does the business texting app integrate with other tools you already use?
One of the biggest perks of online text messaging platforms is integrating with other software, including CRMs and email services. When you connect your business tools, you can streamline your workflows and save time on recurring tasks.
Most businesses can benefit from integrations with email providers like Gmail, as well as business communication platforms like Slack. If you’re in sales, look for a business texting app that can hook up to your CRM software. OpenPhone, for instance, can integrate with HubSpot CRM and Salesforce. Some platforms may also offer webhooks to automatically log all texts in your CRM.
Want to get more automated SMS messaging features? Whether you own a large or small business, you’ll love a texting platform that integrates with Zapier, which lets activity from other apps trigger text messages.⚡
Here are a few examples of how our Zapier integration can make your life easier:
- Trigger OpenPhone SMS messages when new Typeform forms are filled out
- Automatic texts in OpenPhone based on new Calendly events
- SMS messages that go out automatically when new customers abandon shopping carts in Shopify
- Send SMS messages in OpenPhone to new leads in Zoho CRM
8. How simple does the app make it to meet US carrier requirements?
The large US cell carriers have pushed for new regulations that require anyone sending texts to any US number to complete an additional verification step. Each virtual phone service has a different process for submitting this information. Some providers may have the option to text disabled until you are registered.
With OpenPhone, all you need to do is complete our US carrier registration form to get verified.
The best business texting app: OpenPhone
If you want to give your clients the support they need, build customer relationships, or collaborate with your team, OpenPhone may be the best business texting app for you.
OpenPhone offers plenty of integrations and automation features to make your life easier, so you can focus on your leads and customers. Plus, with free texting in the US and Canada, you won’t have to worry about tracking text message credits every time you start a chat.
Start your free trial of OpenPhone.
Emily is a freelance business and marketing writer based in the desert, though her writing is anything but dry. Her passion is writing compelling, human-friendly content that helps growing businesses perform better.
