The BulkSMS Alternative — SMS at Just 3¢
BulkSMS charges 4.3¢ to 4.9¢ per SMS in Australia. Texto's 3¢ flat rate saves you up to 40% — and you get Aussie-based support.
About BulkSMS
BulkSMS is a South African company that's been providing SMS services globally since 2000. They offer a straightforward web portal and API for sending bulk SMS, with pricing that varies by country. For Australian SMS, their rates sit at 4.3–4.9¢ per message. As a South African company, their support hours and local market knowledge may not align with Australian business needs.
BulkSMS Pricing vs Texto
Here's what you'd actually pay at different volumes. No tricks, no hidden tiers.
| Messages | Texto (3¢) | BulkSMS (~4.3–4.9¢) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $15.00 | $24.50 | $9.50 (39%) |
| 1,000 | $30.00 | $49.00 | $19.00 (39%) |
| 5,000 | $150.00 | $230.00 | $80.00 (35%) |
| 10,000 | $300.00 | $450.00 | $150.00 (33%) |
| 50,000 | $1,500.00 | $2,150.00 | $650.00 (30%) |
Plus $15/month for a dedicated Texto number. BulkSMS pricing sourced from publicly available data.
Why choose Texto over BulkSMS
- 30–40% cheaper — 3¢ flat vs BulkSMS's 4.3–4.9¢
- Australian owned with local support during Australian business hours
- MCP server for AI integration, which BulkSMS doesn't offer
- Automatic 90-day data deletion — once messages are no longer needed for replies and reporting, your customer data is removed, reducing your exposure if a platform is ever breached
Where BulkSMS might suit you
- Long-established global platform with 20+ years in the SMS business
- Simple, no-frills approach that's easy to understand
What you actually need
Both platforms send SMS. But here's where they differ.
Using AI to get work done?
Texto's got an MCP server — plug it into your AI agents and automate SMS without writing integration code. BulkSMS doesn't have one.
If you're building with AI tools like Claude, Cursor, or your own agents, Texto's the platform built for that.
Aussie owned and operated
Texto's built and run right here in Australia. BulkSMS is owned by BulkSMS (Pty) Ltd, based in South Africa. No overseas head office, no currency conversion dramas.
The verdict
BulkSMS is a reliable, no-frills SMS platform. But at 4.3–4.9¢ per message, you're paying 30–40% more than Texto. Add in the lack of local Australian support, and Texto is the clear winner for Aussie businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Already got credits with BulkSMS?
We might be able to sort that out for you.
Other SMS provider comparisons
Start sending at 3¢
No contracts. No volume tricks. Just 3¢ per SMS, from your very first message.
Get Started FreeTexto has no affiliation with BulkSMS or BulkSMS (Pty) Ltd. All pricing information on this page is sourced from publicly available data and may change without notice. Last reviewed March 2026.