When exploring marketing channels, you might come across SMS marketing and WhatsApp marketing, and picking one over the other can be challenging.

Both platforms offer direct communication, high open rates, and precise result tracking, which sounds promising for marketers!

However, beneath their similarities lie subtle differences that could sway your choice in 2024.

This article examines SMS and WhatsApp marketing, aiding you in finding the ideal fit for your business requirements.

Comparing SMS and WhatsApp Marketing

We’ll evaluate SMS and WhatsApp across four key areas: reach, effectiveness, pricing, and ease of use, to unveil the better option for your marketing needs.

Reach

SMS, a fundamental mobile communication tool, is available on almost every phone, reaching a vast audience.

With over 5.3 billion regular users worldwide, SMS doesn’t need an internet connection for delivery, making it handy for rural areas and urgent updates.

WhatsApp, boasting over 2 billion monthly active users, serves as a platform for both personal and business interactions. However, it requires internet access and separate installation, potentially limiting its reach.

Winner: SMS wins for its broad accessibility.

Effectiveness

In terms of open rates, SMS leads with an impressive 98%, while WhatsApp stands at 58%. Although WhatsApp offers a higher click-through rate at 15%, its engagement features surpass SMS with rich media sharing, business profiles, and automated interactions.

Winner: WhatsApp for its engagement features.

Pricing

SMS marketing typically involves a monthly subscription fee with message costs ranging from $0.0079 to $0.05, while WhatsApp marketing charges $0.025 per marketing conversation along with a per-message fee, making it slightly more complex.

Winner: WhatsApp, offering a range of options including a free tier.

Ease of Use

SMS marketing is straightforward, requiring a provider and phone numbers. WhatsApp marketing demands setting up a business account and managing content and communication, making it more time-consuming.

Winner: SMS for its simplicity.

Conclusion

SMS excels in universal reach and clarity in regulations, while WhatsApp shines in engagement and personalization.

Choose SMS for time-sensitive campaigns and simple support, and WhatsApp for post-sales engagement and personalized marketing.

Combining both platforms can create a robust communication strategy catering to diverse audience needs.