Best SMS Marketing Software 2021

SlickText Competitors & Alternatives

Are you considering purchasing SlickText to manage your SMS marketing needs? Before making the purchase, it’s best to learn about SlickText’s top competitors. The eight best alternatives are listed below, along with details on their features and pricing.

SlickText is one of the most popular SMS marketing solutions on the market today. That market, however, is competitive. Therefore, we recommend comparing SlickText against its top competitors before purchasing.

There are many excellent competitors in the SMS marketing space that are worth considering. Most of SlickText’s top competitors offer less robust features at more affordable prices. Some, however, fall short in both of these categories.

Software CompanyAnalyst RatingFeaturesUsabilityPricingCustomer Support
SlickText9010988.5
SMSBump88998.59
SimpleTexting87898.59
Emotive879979.5
Postscript858899.5
Avochato8487.5810
ZipWhip837999
EZ Texting827.59710
Textedly8178.597

Throughout this article, we’ll provide an overview of the main SlickText competitors and alternatives, which are:

  • SMSBump
  • SimpleTexting
  • Emotive
  • Postscript
  • Avochato
  • ZipWhip
  • EZ Texting
  • Textedly

In this guide, we examine SlickText’s features and pricing, and compare these factors against competitors. To gain a better understanding of SlickText as a solution, you can read our in-depth SlickText review.

All of the information in this article is based upon research, discussions with SMS marketers, and dozens of hours spent hand-testing the leader SMS marketing software platforms. To learn more about our research and reviews, read about our unbiased review process.

Table of Contents

SlickText Features

Before we compare SlickText against its competitors, it’s important to understand the features included in SlickText. As a more expensive platform, SlickText offers the most robust versions of all the must-have SMS marketing features.

The seven most important features that SlickText offers are described in the table below. SlickText’s campaign creator is its most unique feature. This is because it is the only all-in-one solution we analyzed that could both capture and utilize customer data through its campaigns.

FeatureDescription
Subscriber List BuildingSlickText offers a wide range of subscriber list building tools. Its web form creator can be combined with its unlimited custom fields to capture subscriber data.
SegmentationSlickText’s segmentation has a numerous amount of relevant dimensions to segment your subscribers by. These include customer activity, contact information, and demographic.
Message CreationMessage creation in SlickText comes with a number of features helpful for your business. These included unlimited custom fields, trackable short links, and coupon codes. It also features dynamic expiration dates. These allow you to add urgency to your calls-to-action and are particularly helpful for retail and ecommerce businesses.
Campaign BuildingSlickText has the best campaigns we’ve analyzed of any other SMS marketing solution. This is primarily because its text surveys can capture both quantitative and qualitative data about your subscribers, whereas most alternatives can’t capture data at all.
Two-Way ConversationsSlickText’s inbox is comparable to what you would usually find in other solutions. You have access to relevant info such as what list subscribers are in, when they first subscribed, and your entire chat history with them. Additionally, you can add team members and delegate specific inboxes to them for customer support.
Automated MessagesSlickText’s automated messages include drip campaigns and opt-in keyword autoresponders. Its drip campaigns can be linked with its robust segmentation to create highly targeted customer retention strategies for your business.
AnalyticsSlickText’s analytics dashboard has excellent drill down capabilities and relevant reports about your business. Every campaign, coupon, contest, survey, and loyalty program you’ve created with SlickText features its own analytics page.

SlickText Competitor Overview: Features

Below is a chart that compares each platform’s features and affordability. They differ primarily based on how advanced each platform is and the user base each is best suited for. For example, solutions like Textedly do not support robust segmentation. This means they are best suited for businesses looking to send text blasts rather than targeted marketing strategies. This contrasts with SlickText, which is the most robust all-in-one solution we’ve evaluated.

We also recommend looking into tools that are specialized for specific industries. For example, SMSBump and Postscript might both have the same features as alternative tools, but these features are designed specifically for ecommerce businesses integrated with Shopify or BigCommerce. This contrasts with SlickText, which is more of an all-in-one solution for a variety of businesses.

SMS Marketing Competitors Feature Chart

SlickText Competitor Overview: Pricing

SlickText’s pricing begins at $29 per month. There are no subscription add-ons. Compared to its competitors’ pricing, SlickText generally falls in the more expensive range of SMS marketing tools. This is especially true if you are planning on sending more than 10,000 messages per month.

Here are the prices of SlickText and its top competitors based on the amount of messages sent per month:

CompanyPrice for 500 MessagesPrice for 5,000 MessagesPrice for 10,000 MessagesPrice for 25,000 Messages
SlickText$29$189$350$750
SMSBump$26$93$168$391
SimpleTexting$25$155$195$375
Emotive$210$300$400$700
Postscript$25$50$100$250
Avochato$92$182$332$782
ZipWhip$30$60$60$60
EZ Texting$42$224$424$1,024
Textedly$24$70$140$350

Top SlickText Competitors

Below are one-to-one comparisons between SlickText and the top alternatives. SlickText is best for marketers who want the most powerful all-in-one SMS marketing solution for their business and don’t prioritize budget. We’ve ranked SlickText’s top eight competitors based on their features, pricing, and usability.

#1: SMSBump

SMSBump is an alternative to SlickText dedicated specifically for ecommerce businesses. That means that businesses who do not own a Shopify or BigCommerce store will find solutions like SimpleTexting more relevant for their needs.

We do, however, believe that SMSBump is a worthy alternative to SlickText for ecommerce businesses. This is because it is more specialized for their needs and more affordable. SMSBump is the top rated solution we evaluated for ecommerce businesses.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You are any business other than an ecommerce store
  • You want to capture customer data for personalized campaigns and messages
  • You want to utilize unique campaigns for engagement such as text surveys
You'll prefer SMSBump if:

  • You are an ecommerce business looking for a solution designed specifically for your industry
  • You want to leverage advanced segmentation based on your customers and their store activity
  • You want to create complex flows for customer acquisition and retention strategies
SMSBump
Rating: 88
Starting Price: $0.0149 per message

SMSBump is a SMS marketing platform for Shopify and BigCommerce used by over 90,000 businesses. Standout features like campaign flows, segmentations, and automations make SMSBump the most powerful text marketing solution for ecommerce businesses.

Pros:
  • SMSBump's flow builder is one of the most powerful SMS marketing campaign builders
  • SMSBump has a plethora of segment conditions specific to ecommerce businesses
  • Relevant and helpful templates are provided for both segmentations and automations
Cons:
  • Flow building and A/B testing are not available for BigCommerce
  • Custom fields cannot be created to store alternative customer information
  • A/B testing is only available in SMSBump's most expensive plan

#2: SimpleTexting

SimpleTexting is the competitor on this list that’s closest to SlickText in terms of the user experience and included features. SlickText has more advanced features across the board. Although SimpleTexting is more affordable, it received a lower rating compared to SlickText because its segmentation functionality and customer data collection methods are weak in comparison.

For more details, read our in-depth analysis of SlickText vs. SimpleTexting.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You want multiple ways to collect subscriber data for targeted messages
  • You need to leverage advanced segmentation to target your subscribers
  • You want to creatively acquire subscribers with QR codes and poster
You'll prefer SimpleTexting if:

  • You are looking for an affordable SMS marketing solution
  • You need unlimited keywords and custom fields for subscriber list building
  • You utilize SMS marketing more for mass texting than two-way engagement
SimpleTexting
Rating: 87
Starting Price: $25 per month

SimpleTexting is a SMS marketing platform used by a diverse range of businesses. SimpleTexting is ideal for small businesses new to SMS marketing due to affordability, accessiblity, and an attentive customer service team. Businesses looking for a more powerful solution will find SimpleTexting's subscriber data storage and segmentation opportunities limiting.

Pros:
  • SimpleTexting is one of the more affordable SMS marketing solutions
  • SimpleTexting's learning curve is very accessible for businesses new to SMS marketing
  • SimpleTexting offers a multitude of prebuilt, engaging campaigns to choose from
Cons:
  • Segments cannot be grouped together with and-or statements, which limits targeted marketing
  • There are few opportunities to capture subscriber data in SimpleTexting
  • Analytics are very basic for ecommerce and retail businesses

#3: Emotive

Emotive is an alternative to SlickText designed specifically for fast growing ecommerce businesses. We recommend SlickText if you're looking for the most powerful all-in-one solution for a wide range of businesses. However, Emotive is ideal for ecommerce stores who want powerful segmentation, automated messaging, and dedicated customer success managers.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You are looking for the most powerful general SMS marketing solutions
  • You want to capture customer data for personalized campaigns and messages
  • You want to utilize unique campaigns for engagement such as text surveys
You'll prefer Emotive if:

  • You want a dedicated customer success manager and copywriter for your business
  • You leverage segment dimensions related to customer activity
  • You do not need a dedicated analytics dashboard
Emotive
Rating: 87
Starting Price: $200 per month

Emotive is an SMS marketing platform for fast-growing ecommerce businesses looking to execute successful SMS marketing campaigns. Over 750 businesses have used Emotive for their ecommerce stores. Its standout features are its segmentation and automated messaging flows.

Pros:
  • Emotive offers a dedicated customer success manager and copywriter for your business
  • Emotive comes with a plethora of segment dimensions related to customer activity
  • Emotive’s automated messaging features are very powerful
Cons:
  • Emotive is generally more expensive than SMSBump and Postscript
  • Unique custom fields cannot be created in Emotive
  • Emotive does not have an analytics dashboard and instead offers downloadable reports

#4: Postscript

Postscript is similar to SMSBump in that it is designed specifically for ecommerce businesses. It is the most affordable SMS marketing tool for ecommerce businesses. We still recommend ecommerce businesses consider SlickText in comparison with Postscript because SlickText is overall the more robust solution.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You need to use custom fields and segmentation for targeted marketing
  • You want to creatively acquire subscribers with QR codes and posters
  • You want robust analytics related to your business
You'll prefer Postscript if:

  • You are looking for the most affordable SMS marketing solution for ecommerce businesses
  • You primarily send text blasts or general automations like abandoned cart messages
  • You don’t need robust analytics
Postscript
Rating: 85
Starting Price: $25 per month

Postscript is a SMS marketing tool for Shopify that has been used by over 1,000 businesses. It is ideal for Shopify businesses looking for an effective yet affordable SMS marketing solution designed specifically for ecommerce businesses.

Pros:
  • Postscript is the most budget-friendly SMS marketing tool for Shopify businesses
  • Prebuilt automations are robust and designed specifically for ecommerce businesses
  • Shopify businesses will find ecommerce-specific segment conditions very helpful
Cons:
  • Campaign creation options are limited to solely custom campaign creation
  • Many crucial analytics for Shopify businesses are not available
  • There are very few custom fields for personalized messages

#5: Avochato

Avochato is a similarly priced SMS marketing tool that is slightly more affordable than SlickText. Its strong points are its unlimited subscriber opt-in keywords and website widgets. Ultimately, however, its lack of a proper segmentation feature and comparatively less robust drip campaigns make SlickText the better tool.

For more details, read our in-depth analysis of SlickText vs. Avochato.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You want multiple ways to collect subscriber data for targeted messages
  • You need to leverage advanced segmentation to target your subscribers
  • You want to utilize complex drip campaigns for customer retention
You'll prefer Avochato if:

  • You want to send more than 5,000 messages per month
  • You leverage SMS marketing more for two-way conversations
  • You want unlimited opt-in keywords for subscriber list building
Avochato
Rating: 84
Starting Price: $92 per month

Avochato is an affordable SMS marketing solution currently used by over 1,000 businesses. Avochato offers common SMS marketing software features such as customer list building, segmentation, and campaigns. Its standout features are its two-way messaging capabilities and list building options.

Pros:
  • Avochato's plans all include 2000 messages per month
  • Avochato allows you to create unlimited keywords that subscribers can text to opt-in
  • Avochato's text surveys and website widgets are very effective for capturing subscriber information
Cons:
  • You cannot send MMS messages in keyword autoresponders and custom campaigns
  • Segments cannot be stored in Avochato's system and must be exported as .csv files instead
  • There are few drill down opportunities available in Avochato's analytics reports

#6: ZipWhip

ZipWhip is an alternative to SlickText dedicated specifically for business communications. A primary use case, for example, might be a company that has a customer support team carrying out their communications through text. Because this is the case, their plans starting from $60 dollars a month include unlimited messages.

Marketers who want to take advantage of unlimited messages, however, should note that ZipWhip does not feature segmentation. Its analytics are also not up to par with competitors.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You utilize SMS marketing for targeted marketing
  • You often don’t need to take advantage of two-way messaging for communication
  • You want robust and relevant analytics
You'll prefer ZipWhip if:

  • You are a business that leverages SMS marketing primarily for business communications
  • You want unlimited messages per month
  • You want the most affordable SMS marketing solution
ZipWhip
Rating: 83
Starting Price: $30 per month

ZipWhip is an SMS marketing platform currently used by over 40,000 businesses. It includes a majority of features most SMS marketing tools have, excluding segmentation. Its standout points are its mass texting and two-way messaging capabilities.

Pros:
  • ZipWhip is one of the best SMS marketing tools for customer service
  • All plans over $60 per month come with unlimited messaging
  • ZipWhip’s inbox is very user-friendly for two-way messaging
Cons:
  • Automations and integrations are only available with ZipWhip's most expensive plan
  • You cannot sign up for ZipWhip with a number that is already text enabled
  • Segmentation is not available in ZipWhip, which limits targeted marketing

#7: EZ Texting

EZ Texting is one of the more popular all-in-one SMS marketing solutions on the market today. It offers the standard features found in SMS marketing tools, but its segmentation is not up to par with more affordable alternatives. Ultimately, SlickText has a wider, more powerful breadth of features for a more affordable price than EZ Texting.

For more details, read our in-depth analysis of SlickText vs. EZ Texting.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You want multiple ways to collect subscriber data for targeted messages
  • You need to leverage advanced segmentation to target your subscribers
  • You want to utilize complex drip campaigns for customer retention
You'll prefer EZ Texting if:

  • You want to send MMS auto-replies for your opt-in keywords
  • You want to leverage unique list builders such as QR codes or posters
  • You utilize SMS marketing for mass texting more than targeted marketing
EZ Texting
Rating: 82
Starting Price: $24 per month

EZ Texting is an intuitive SMS marketing solution currently used by over 30,000 businesses. It includes a majority of features most SMS marketing tools have, including customer list building, segmentation, and campaigns. Its strongest feature is its custom campaign builder.

Pros:
  • EZ Texting is one of the best SMS marketing tools for text blasts
  • EZ Texting’s web form creator helps your business gain new subscribers and subscriber information
  • There is a diverse range of engaging campaigns to choose from
Cons:
  • EZ Texting is one of the more expensive SMS marketing solutions
  • You can only segment customers by their opt-in sources
  • Drip campaigns have limited scheduling options for more experienced marketers

#8: Textedly

Textedly is one of the most affordable solutions we’ve evaluated in the SMS marketing space. It is, however, far less robust than SlickText and not designed for targeted marketing. Its standout feature is its 455 single text character limit. If your main priority is finding an affordable alternative to SlickText, we suggest SimpleTexting over Textedly.

You'll prefer SlickText if:

  • You prefer leveraging SMS marketing for targeted marketing opportunities
  • You need advanced segment dimensions to target subscribers
  • You want custom fields to add personalization to your campaigns and messages
You'll prefer Textedly if:

  • You want one of the most affordable SMS marketing solutions
  • You do not need segmentation for subscriber targeting
  • You want to send single text messages up to 455 characters long
Textedly
Rating: 81
Starting Price: $24 per month

Textedly is a SMS marketing platform used by a diverse range of businesses. Textedly offers common SMS marketing software features like customer list building, segmentation, and campaigns. These features are serviceable for businesses new to SMS marketing. Businesses looking to leverage diverse campaigns and segmentation will find Textedly limiting.

Pros:
  • Textedly is one of the more affordable SMS marketing solutions on the market today
  • Textedly's inbox helps facilitate two-way conversations between your business and customers
  • Textedly is one of the only solutions that can send single texts up to 455 characters long
Cons:
  • Custom fields, drip campaigns, and autoresponders all must be purchased for seperate one time fees
  • Segments cannot be stored in Textedly’s system and must be exported as .csv files instead
  • There are very few statistics and drill down opportunities available in Textedly's analytics section

Bottom Line

SlickText is a valuable tool for small businesses looking to build SMS subscriber lists and engage their customer bases. Its data collection methods are excellent, and can be leveraged in every aspect of its product, from campaigns to automated messages.

These strengths earned SlickText the highest rating of all products in our SMS marketing category. In general, it is more advanced and slightly more expensive than most alternatives.

Before you make your purchase, we also suggest comparing SlickText to other highly rated platforms:

  • SimpleTexting is best for marketers looking for a more affordable solution that still allows you to collect and leverage detailed customer data for targeted campaigns.
  • SMSBump is best for Shopify and BigCommerce businesses looking for a solution that is specialized for eCommerce.
  • Avochato is ideal for marketers with more simple marketing needs who still want a solution with drip campaigns.
Yousef Fatehpour

Yousef Fatehpour is a Junior Research Analyst at SoftwarePundit. He graduated from University of California, San Diego, where he studied Human Centered Design and Communications. His work at UCSD's Design Lab emphasized UX research and product management.

Yousef's primary areas of interest are software design, user journeys, and how user experience is handled across software markets. Yousef also has experience in product design and multimedia content production. You can connect with Yousef on LinkedIn.

Yousef is an expert in several software categories including:

  • SMS marketing software
  • Document management software
  • Human resource software
  • Applicant tracking software
  • Design software

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