The Cellcast Alternative — SMS at Just 3¢
Cellcast advertises SMS 'from 2¢' — but that's a first-purchase promo. Standard rates are 2.9¢ to 4.7¢. Texto's 3¢ flat rate is simpler and cheaper for most volumes.
About Cellcast
Cellcast is a Sydney-based Australian SMS provider offering bulk SMS, MMS, and marketing automation tools. They're one of the more price-competitive players in the Australian market, with standard rates that genuinely approach Texto's pricing at higher volumes. Cellcast also offers marketing features like drip campaigns and landing pages alongside their core SMS service.
Cellcast Pricing vs Texto
Here's what you'd actually pay at different volumes. No tricks, no hidden tiers.
| Messages | Texto (3¢) | Cellcast ("from 2¢") | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $15.00 | $23.50 | $8.50 (36%) |
| 1,000 | $30.00 | $37.00 | $7.00 (19%) |
| 5,000 | $150.00 | $155.00 | $5.00 (3%) |
| 10,000 | $300.00 | $290.00 | — |
| 50,000 | $1,500.00 | $1,400.00 | — |
Optional Texto Dedicated Number: $15/month. Cellcast pricing is based on published tiers. Prices shown exclude GST; longer messages may use more than one SMS part.
Watch out for the volume trick
Cellcast's '2¢ per SMS' is a first-purchase promo. Standard rates are 2.9¢ to 4.7¢. At low-to-mid volumes, Texto's 3¢ flat rate is simpler and often cheaper.
Worth knowing
Cellcast is genuinely competitive on price — one of the few providers whose standard rates come close to Texto's. At very high volumes (10K+), Cellcast edges ahead slightly. At lower volumes, Texto's 3¢ flat rate wins. Both are Aussie-owned with no contracts. If price is your main driver and you're sending 10K+ per month, Cellcast is worth a look. For everyone else, Texto's simplicity and flat pricing makes life easier.
Why choose Texto over Cellcast
- Simpler flat pricing — no need to calculate which volume tier you'll fall into
- MCP server for AI integration, which Cellcast doesn't offer
- Cheaper at low-to-mid volumes where most small businesses operate
- 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 Cellcast might suit you
- Slightly cheaper than Texto at very high volumes (10K+ messages per month)
- Offers marketing automation features like drip campaigns and landing pages
What you actually need
Both platforms send SMS. But here's where they differ.
Using AI to get work done?
Texto has an MCP server for connecting AI agents to SMS workflows. See the setup guide for supported tools.
If you're building with AI tools like Claude, Cursor, or your own agents, Texto's the platform built for that.
The verdict
Cellcast is one of the few competitors we genuinely respect on price. At high volumes, they're slightly cheaper. But for the majority of businesses sending under 10,000 messages a month, Texto's flat 3¢ rate is both cheaper and simpler. Both are proudly Aussie-owned.
Frequently asked questions
Already got credits with Cellcast?
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 Cellcast. Pricing information may change without notice. Last reviewed March 2026.