Comparison

WhatsApp vs SMS Marketing

WhatsApp supports rich media, AI chatbots, and two-way conversations — all free to receive, vs per-message SMS charges.

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Feature SMS Marketing Boltly
Rich media (images, video) ✗ ✓
Per-message cost Paid per SMS Free to receive
AI chatbot ✗ ✓ Built-in
Two-way conversations Limited ✓ Native
Read receipts ✗ ✓
Open rate ~98% ~98%

Why Boltly

Why SMBs Choose Boltly

  • Send images, PDFs, videos, and buttons — not just plain text.

  • No per-message fees for received messages — customers can reply freely.

  • AI chatbot handles incoming replies automatically, 24/7.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WhatsApp better than SMS for marketing?
WhatsApp offers richer features than SMS — media attachments, read receipts, two-way conversations, and AI chatbots. For businesses with an existing WhatsApp customer base, it's typically more effective and cost-efficient.
What is the cost difference between WhatsApp and SMS?
SMS charges per message sent and received. WhatsApp Business API charges per conversation (24-hour window), not per message. For high-volume two-way conversations, WhatsApp is typically much cheaper.

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