SMS buying guide
SMSFlow’s standard rate is 16c per SMS part excluding VAT, or 18.4c including VAT. Sending one short, one-part SMS to 1,000 people costs R184 including VAT. If every message uses two parts, the same send costs R368.
What will my bulk SMS campaign cost?
Multiply the number of recipients by the number of SMS parts each person will receive, then multiply by R0.184 for the VAT-inclusive total. If message lengths vary, work out each group separately and add the totals.
For example, if 750 people receive a one-part message and 250 receive a two-part message, you pay for 1,250 parts. That’s R200 excluding VAT or R230 including VAT.
| Campaign | Parts charged | Total incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 250 people, one part each | 250 | R46.00 |
| 1,000 people, one part each | 1,000 | R184.00 |
| 750 one-part and 250 two-part messages | 1,250 | R230.00 |
| 1,000 people, two parts each | 2,000 | R368.00 |
What counts as one SMS part?
A part, also called a segment, is one billable unit. A longer message can arrive as one text on the phone and still use two or more billable parts. For supported GSM text, 160 character units fit in one part. At 161 units, the message needs two parts.
Emojis, some special characters and personalised names can change the count. Preview your final message in the portal using realistic names or references before you set the budget.
How many credits should I buy?
Start with the parts you expect to send, then check the available purchase options and the final total in your account. The examples above estimate sending costs. The portal shows the credit purchase options available to you.
SMS credits expire 12 months after purchase unless your ordering terms say otherwise. If you have an agreed rate, use it in the same calculation.