Quick Summary

SMS open rates remain above 95%, making business texting essential in 2026. This guide breaks down the top 10 texting platforms, the features that matter most, and the emerging trends (like RCS, AI Agents, and conversational commerce) reshaping the landscape.

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Customers typically check their phones more than 200 times each day.

When you send a text, 90% of recipients read your message within minutes. In comparison, email open rates are around 20%, making texting the clear choice.

However, most "best texting software" lists overlook a critical point: the right platform varies by use case. A solution suited for large e-commerce brands may not meet the sales team's needs, and tools designed for developers require technical expertise.

And the platforms that dominated in the past? Many haven't kept up.

AI Agents now qualify leads while you sleep. RCS messaging brings app-like experiences directly to the native inbox. Two-way conversational texting has replaced the old "blast and pray" approach.

If you're evaluating texting software for your business or wondering if your current platform still cuts it, this guide is for you.

We'll cover the criteria that matter most, break down the top 10 platforms, and highlight the trends you can't afford to ignore.

What to Look for in Business Texting Software in 2026

Before diving into specific platforms, here's what separates the leaders from the rest.

AI-Powered Automation and Chatbot Capabilities

AI Agents are the biggest shift in business texting. In 2026, the most effective AI Agents (automated software that can simulate human conversation) actually deliver on their promises.

The best platforms don't just send automated replies. They hold conversations, qualify leads, book meetings, and answer FAQs with context-aware responses trained on your business documents.

If a platform doesn't offer some form of AI automation, it's already behind.

Look for AI that integrates with your CRM data. The best AI Agents pull in contact history, deal stages, and previous conversations to personalize every response. If a platform's "AI" is just keyword-triggered auto-replies, you're not getting the real thing.

Compliance Features (TCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, 10DLC)

Compliance is the foundation. Everything else falls apart without it.

Carriers continue tightening restrictions on business texting. If your platform doesn't handle 10DLC registration, opt-in management, and automated opt-out processing, you're risking deliverability issues and potential fines.

Some platforms make you figure out 10DLC on your own. Others walk you through every step with guided registration. When you're choosing, ask exactly what the registration process looks like.

CRM and Marketing Platform Integrations

Your texting platform should plug directly into your existing stack.

The best platforms offer native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, Pipedrive, and other popular CRMs. That means every text syncs automatically. No manual exporting, no lost conversations.

Two-way sync matters. If your platform only pushes data in one direction, you're missing half the picture.

Keep in mind, a "Zapier integration" isn't the same as a native integration. Native means your texts show up in the CRM timeline automatically. No extra setup, or broken connections.

Two-Way Conversational Messaging

One-way blasts are dead.

Customers expect to text back. They expect real conversations. The platforms winning in 2026 support true two-way messaging with shared inboxes, conversation threading, and team collaboration tools.

If you can't reply to a customer text from the same inbox your whole team uses, you're leaving engagement on the table.

Texting AND Calling in One Place

Here's something most comparison lists skip. What happens when a text conversation needs to become a phone call?

If your texting platform doesn't include calling, you're switching between tools mid-conversation. That's friction for your team and confusion for your customers.

The best platforms handle both, with features such as call recording, transcripts, and AI summaries that sync with your CRM.

Multi-Channel Capabilities (SMS, MMS, RCS, WhatsApp)

SMS gets the job done. RCS takes it further.

RCS brings app-like features directly into the native messaging app. High-res images, carousels, action buttons, verified branding. With Apple now supporting RCS in iOS 18, it's no longer an Android-only play.

The best platforms are already rolling out RCS support alongside SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp integration.

Advanced Segmentation and Personalization

Sending the same message to your entire list? That's 2019 thinking.

Top platforms let you segment by behavior, purchase history, deal stage, location, and custom CRM properties. Then they let you personalize every message with merge fields that pull in real data.

The result is messages that feel like one-on-one texts, not mass broadcasts.

Analytics and ROI Tracking

If you can't measure it, you can't improve it.

Look for platforms that track delivery rates, response rates, click-through rates, opt-outs, and revenue attribution. The best tools tie texting performance directly back to deals closed and dollars earned.

Scalability for Growing Contact Lists

What works for 500 contacts might break at 50,000.

Before committing to a platform, understand its pricing model at scale. Is it credit-based, per-message, or tiered subscription? Some platforms get dramatically more expensive as your list grows. Others stay manageable.

Ask what happens when you double your contact list. If the price more than doubles, that's a red flag.

The right platform in 2026 isn't just a texting tool. It's an AI-powered, compliance-ready, CRM-integrated conversation engine that scales with your business.

The Top 10 Texting Software Platforms for 2026

Here's our breakdown of the best business texting platforms heading into 2026, including where each one shines and where it falls short.

1. Salesmsg

Best for: Sales, marketing, and support teams using HubSpot, Salesforce, or ActiveCampaign who need texting and calling in one platform.

Salesmsg is built for teams that want to move fast without sacrificing depth.

It's one of the few platforms that combines business texting, calling, and AI Agents in a single dashboard. And its deep CRM integrations (especially with HubSpot) make it a natural fit for sales, marketing, and support teams already living in their CRM.

Whether you're a growing business, an enterprise organization, or an agency managing multiple clients, Salesmsg scales to fit your needs. The multi-organization environment lets agencies oversee dozens of client accounts from one login. Enterprise teams get the compliance tools, shared inboxes, and workflow automation they need to operate at scale.

What sets Salesmsg apart is its AI Agents. These aren't basic auto-responders. They're trainable assistants that use your knowledge base to qualify leads, answer questions, and book meetings. 24/7, across every time zone.

Key Features

• Two-way SMS/MMS texting with shared team inboxes
• AI Agents for instant lead response and qualification
• Native HubSpot, Salesforce, and ActiveCampaign integrations
• SMS workflows and drip campaigns
• International texting to 200+ countries
• Built-in calling with Voice Intelligence (call transcripts, AI summaries)
• Multi-organization environment for agencies and franchises
• 10DLC compliance tools and guided registration

What Stands Out

The Booking AI Agent connects directly to Calendly to automate meeting scheduling, follow-ups, and lead engagement without human intervention. And unlike most platforms on this list, you get texting AND calling in the same inbox, so your team never has to switch tools mid-conversation.

Pricing

Credit-based pricing with plans that scale based on message volume and features. Custom solutions available for enterprise and agency accounts.

Who’s it For?

Teams of any size that want texting, calling, and AI automation in one place. Especially powerful for HubSpot and Salesforce users, agencies managing multiple clients, and enterprises needing advanced compliance and workflow tools.

How Salesmsg makes this work: The multi-organization environment lets agencies manage multiple client accounts from a single dashboard. And the HubSpot widget means you never have to leave your CRM to send a text.

2. Attentive

Best for enterprise e-commerce brands driving revenue through personalized SMS and email

Attentive is the heavyweight for enterprise e-commerce. It's trusted by over 8,000 brands to drive billions in online revenue.

The platform's AI-powered personalization engine analyzes customer behavior and automatically optimizes message timing, content, and audience targeting. Attentive also launched RCS Business Messaging in 2025.

Key Features

• AI-powered SMS and email personalization
• Two-tap mobile opt-in for fast subscriber growth
• Advanced segmentation based on behavior and purchase history
• RCS Business Messaging support
• Conversational AI for real-time buyer questions
• Integrations with Klaviyo, Shopify, and 100+ platforms

Standout Feature

Attentive Signal identifies and engages anonymous website visitors, converting browsers into subscribers.

Where It Falls Short

Attentive is built for e-commerce, not general business use. If you're running a sales team, service business, or agency, this isn't your tool. No calling functionality. And pricing is enterprise-level, so expect custom quotes that assume a large marketing budget. Teams that need texting AND calling in one place will need to look elsewhere.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on business size and message volume.

Who’s it For?

Enterprise e-commerce brands with large lists that need advanced AI personalization at scale.

3. SimpleTexting

Best for small businesses and marketing teams who want an easy-to-use SMS marketing platform

SimpleTexting lives up to its name. It's one of the most intuitive platforms on the market, making it a solid choice for teams that don't want a steep learning curve.

The platform covers the essentials well. Mass texting, two-way conversations, automation, and integrations with tools like Mailchimp and Zapier. It's particularly popular among retail, restaurant, and appointment-based businesses.

Key Features

• Mass texting and scheduled campaigns
• Two-way inbox for real-time conversations
• Keywords and autoresponders
• Integrations via Zapier and native connections
• Link tracking and analytics
• 10DLC registration support

Standout Feature

Shutterstock image library integration for easy MMS creation.

Where It Falls Short

No AI Agents for lead qualification or automated conversations. No calling functionality. CRM integrations rely heavily on Zapier rather than native connections, which means extra setup and potential sync issues. If you need deep HubSpot or Salesforce integration with two-way data sync, you'll hit walls quickly.

Pricing

Plans start at $39/month for 500 messages. Credit rollover available.

Who’s it For?

Small businesses new to SMS marketing who prioritize simplicity over advanced features.

4. SlickText

Best for growing businesses focused on list building and subscriber engagement

SlickText excels at helping businesses grow their SMS subscriber lists. From website popups and QR codes to text-to-join keywords and social media integrations, it provides multiple tools to capture new contacts.

The platform also shines in segmentation and automation, making it easy to send targeted campaigns based on subscriber behavior.

Key Features

• Text-to-join keywords and QR codes
• Advanced segmentation and tagging
• Automated workflows and drip campaigns
• MMS support with media library
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• Native integrations with HubSpot, Shopify, and more

Standout Feature

G2 awards for Best Support across small business, mid-market, and enterprise segments.

Where It Falls Short

No AI Agents for lead qualification or real-time automated conversations. No calling functionality. While list-building tools are strong, the platform lacks the depth for complex sales workflows or multi-team collaboration. If your use case extends beyond marketing into sales and support, you'll outgrow it.

Pricing

Starts at $29/month for 500 messages. Volume discounts available.

Who’s it For?

Marketing teams focused on growing and engaging SMS subscriber lists.

5. Klaviyo

Best for e-commerce brands wanting unified email and SMS marketing with deep Shopify integration

Klaviyo has become synonymous with e-commerce email marketing. And its SMS capabilities have matured significantly.

The platform excels at unifying email and SMS into cohesive customer journeys. Its deep Shopify integration means you can trigger texts based on cart abandonment, purchase behavior, and browsing history without leaving the platform.

Key Features

• Combined email and SMS marketing automation
• Advanced customer segmentation and predictive analytics
• Deep Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce integrations
• SMS flows triggered by customer behavior
• A/B testing for message improvement
• Revenue attribution and ROI tracking

Standout Feature

Klaviyo's predictive analytics forecast customer lifetime value and churn risk, helping you prioritize high-value contacts.

Where It Falls Short

SMS is currently limited to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. No international texting beyond those markets. No calling. No AI Agents for real-time lead qualification. And if you're not running an e-commerce business, the platform's strengths don't translate. Sales teams, agencies, and service businesses will find it limiting.

Pricing

Free up to 250 contacts. Email plans start at $20/month. SMS credits start at $15/month for 1,250 credits.

Who’s it For?

E-commerce brands already using Klaviyo for email who want to add SMS without switching platforms.

6. EZ Texting

Best for small to medium businesses needing a reliable, no-frills SMS marketing tool

EZ Texting has been in the game since 2005, making it one of the oldest and most established platforms. That longevity translates to stability, high deliverability, and a proven track record.

The platform offers all the core features. Bulk SMS, two-way texting, automation, keywords, and integrations. It's particularly strong for appointment reminders, notifications, and straightforward marketing campaigns.

Key Features

• Bulk SMS and MMS distribution
• Two-way texting and inbox management
• SMS automation and keywords
• Shutterstock image library integration
• Compliance tools for TCPA and 10DLC
• Call forwarding and webhooks

Standout Feature

Industry-leading speed and deliverability backed by nearly 20 years of carrier relationships.

Where It Falls Short

The platform feels dated compared to newer competitors. No AI Agents for automated conversations or lead qualification. Limited CRM integrations, so you'll rely on Zapier for most connections. No native calling beyond basic call forwarding. Teams that want texting and calling unified in one inbox will need to look elsewhere.

Pricing

Plans start at $25/month with 500 monthly credits.

Who’s it For?

Established small businesses that value reliability and simplicity over cutting-edge features.

7. Textedly

Best for SMBs wanting affordable mass texting with built-in payment collection

Textedly offers a balance of affordability and functionality that appeals to budget-conscious businesses. The standout feature is text-to-pay, which lets you collect payments directly through text messages.

The platform also offers solid mass texting, scheduling, and automation, making it a practical choice for businesses that need to send at scale without breaking the bank.

Key Features

• Mass texting with scheduling
• Text-to-pay for in-message payment collection
• Keyword opt-in campaigns
• Extended character limits for longer messages
• Integrations with CRMs and marketing tools
• Online review management

Standout Feature

Text-to-pay functionality lets customers complete transactions without leaving the messaging app.

Where It Falls Short

No AI Agents for automated conversations. No calling functionality. CRM integrations are limited. The platform is built for one-way marketing, not two-way sales conversations or complex workflows. If you need to qualify leads, book meetings, or have real conversations at scale, you'll need more than that.

Pricing

Plans start at $26/month for 600 messages when paid annually.

Who’s it For?

Small businesses that want affordable texting with the ability to collect payments via SMS.

8. Podium

Best for local and service-based businesses focused on reviews, payments, and customer communication.

Podium isn't just a texting platform. It's a customer interaction hub. It combines SMS marketing with review management, payments, and web chat, making it particularly powerful for local businesses.

If your business relies on Google reviews and local reputation, Podium's integrated approach makes a lot of sense.

Key Features

• Two-way texting and team inbox
• Review generation and management
• Text-to-pay and invoicing
• Web chat that converts to SMS
• Integration with Google, Facebook, and CRMs
• Multi-location management

Standout Feature

Unified inbox that brings together texts, reviews, and web chats in one place.

Where It Falls Short

Podium is built for local businesses like healthcare, automotive, and home services. If you're a SaaS company, agency, or sales team, the feature set doesn't align with yours. AI capabilities are limited compared to dedicated AI Agent platforms. And pricing is mid-market, so expect higher costs than simpler alternatives. No native CRM integrations with HubSpot or Salesforce at the depth you'd find elsewhere.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on features and locations. Generally positioned for mid-market budgets.

Who’s it For?

Local businesses (healthcare, automotive, home services) that prioritize reviews and reputation alongside texting.

9. Twilio

Best for developers and enterprises building custom communication solutions

Twilio isn't a plug-and-play texting platform. It's an API-first communication infrastructure that lets developers build custom SMS, voice, and messaging solutions.

If you have engineering resources and need maximum flexibility, Twilio offers unmatched control. But if you want a ready-to-use dashboard, look elsewhere.

Key Features

• Programmable SMS and MMS APIs
• Global reach to 180+ countries
• Voice, video, and WhatsApp APIs
• Robust developer documentation
• Pay-as-you-go pricing
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Standout Feature

Twilio Flex enables businesses to build fully customized contact centers that support SMS, voice, and chat.

Where It Falls Short

Requires developers to build and maintain. No out-of-the-box dashboard for non-technical teams. No AI Agents unless you build them yourself. No ready-made CRM integrations. If you don't have engineering resources, Twilio creates more problems than it solves. Most businesses are better served by a platform that works out of the box.

Pricing

Pay-as-you-go starting at $0.0079/SMS sent or received in the US.

Who’s it For?

Enterprises and tech companies with development teams that need to build custom communication solutions.

10. Omnisend

Best for e-commerce brands wanting affordable omnichannel marketing (email, SMS, push)

Omnisend positions itself as a more affordable alternative for growing e-commerce brands. It combines email, SMS, and push notifications on a single platform, with pricing that doesn't spike as aggressively as competitors'.

The platform integrates well with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms, making it easy to trigger automated campaigns based on customer behavior.

Key Features

• Combined email, SMS, and push notification marketing
• Pre-built automation workflows for e-commerce
• Advanced segmentation and customer insights
• Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce integrations
• A/B testing and campaign analytics
• Landing page builder

Standout Feature

Campaigns combining SMS and email are 429% more likely to convert than email alone, according to Omnisend's data.

Where It Falls Short

No AI Agents for automated conversations or lead qualification. No calling functionality. Like Klaviyo, it's e-commerce focused. Sales teams and service businesses won't find what they need here. International SMS support is limited compared to dedicated platforms like Salesmsg.

Pricing

Free plan available. Paid plans start at $16/month for 500 contacts.

Who’s it For?

E-commerce brands looking for solid functionality at a lower price point.

Emerging Trends Shaping Business Texting in 2026

The platforms above are responding to massive shifts in how businesses communicate. Here's what's driving the change.

AI-Powered Conversational Commerce

AI Agents aren't just answering questions anymore. They're selling.

The best AI chatbots now understand context, emotion, and intent. They can recommend products, handle objections, and close sales within a text conversation. For businesses, this means 24/7 revenue generation without adding headcount.

RCS (Rich Communication Services)

RCS is the biggest messaging upgrade since MMS.

With Apple finally supporting RCS in iOS 18, businesses can now send interactive messages with carousels, high-res images, action buttons, and verified branding directly in the native messaging app. No app downloads required.

RCS business messaging traffic is projected to reach 50 billion messages globally in 2025, with rapid growth expected through 2026 and beyond. The rich communication services market is forecasted to grow from $2.87 billion in 2025 to $8.89 billion by 2030.

Hyper-Personalization with Real-Time Triggers

Generic broadcasts don't cut it anymore.

In 2026, the winning platforms use real-time behavioral triggers and predictive analytics to send the right message at the right moment. That means texts are triggered by website visits, cart abandonment, deal stage changes, and even sentiment analysis.

Omnichannel Orchestration

SMS doesn't exist in a vacuum.

The best platforms now coordinate messaging across SMS, email, push notifications, and voice. They create seamless customer journeys that adapt to each person's preferred communication style.

Enhanced Compliance Features

Regulations are tightening, not loosening.

Expect more focus on automated consent management, audit trails, and carrier-level verification. Platforms that make compliance easy will win over those that treat it as an afterthought.

Integration Depth

Surface-level integrations don't work anymore.

In 2026, the platforms that win offer deep, bi-directional integrations with CRMs, helpdesks, and marketing automation tools. That means every text, call, and conversation automatically syncs to the right contact record with full context.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business

With 10 strong options on the table, how do you pick the right one? Start by asking the right questions.

Questions to Ask Vendors

Before signing up, get clear answers on these.

• How does 10DLC registration work, and how long does it take?
• What's the true cost at my expected message volume?
• How deep is the integration with my CRM? Native or Zapier?
• Does the platform support AI automation, or is it just keyword auto-replies?
• Can I text AND call from the same platform?
• What's the roadmap for RCS support?
• How does the platform handle opt-in/opt-out compliance?

Take the Free Trial Seriously

Most platforms offer 14-day trials. Use them.

Send real messages. Test the integrations. Evaluate the inbox experience. See how easy (or hard) it is to set up automation.

The best platform is the one your team will actually use.

Consider Your Growth Trajectory

What works today might not work in 12 months.

If you're planning to scale your list, add team members, or expand into new channels, make sure the platform can grow with you. Switching platforms mid-growth is painful and expensive.

What’s the Best Texting Software in 2026?

Business texting in 2026 isn't what it was even two years ago.

AI Agents are handling conversations that used to require human reps. RCS is transforming plain texts into rich, interactive experiences. And the platforms that win are the ones that integrate deeply with your CRM, automate the busywork, and handle compliance without you thinking about it.

Most platforms on this list do one or two things well. Few do everything.

If you need texting only, several options work. If you need texting, calling, AI Agents, deep CRM integration, and the ability to scale without stitching together multiple tools, your options narrow quickly.

The right platform won't just help you send messages. It'll help you capture leads faster, convert more customers, and build relationships that drive revenue.

Ready to see what Salesmsg can do for your business? Sign up for a free demo or get started with a 14-day free trial today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best business texting software in 2026?

The best platform depends on your needs. For e-commerce, Attentive or Klaviyo excel. For developers, Twilio offers flexibility. For sales, marketing, and support teams that need texting, calling, and AI in a single CRM-integrated platform, Salesmsg covers more ground than any other option on this list. Evaluate based on your CRM, team size, and primary use case.

What is RCS messaging, and why does it matter?

RCS is the next evolution of SMS. It brings app-like features (images, carousels, buttons, verified branding) directly into the native messaging app. With Apple now supporting RCS, it's becoming a must-have channel for businesses that want to stand out in the inbox.

How much does business texting software cost?

Pricing varies widely. Entry-level plans start around $25-40/month for 500 messages. Enterprise platforms offer custom pricing. Most platforms use credit-based or tiered pricing that scales with message volume.

Can I use AI to respond to text messages?

Yes, but quality varies dramatically. Basic platforms offer keyword auto-replies. Advanced platforms like Salesmsg offer AI Agents trained on your business content that can qualify leads, answer FAQs, and book meetings without human intervention. The best AI Agents are trained on your business content for accurate, context-aware responses.

Do I need separate tools for texting and calling?

Not necessarily. Most platforms on this list are texting-only, which means you'll need a separate tool for calls. A few, like Salesmsg, combine texting and calling in one inbox so your team doesn't have to switch tools mid-conversation.

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