What is the difference between sms and mms text messages

We discuss what each of these terms mean and the differences in the technologies powering them. Invented in the s and defined in the GSM standards, it is one of the oldest texting technologies. It is also the most widespread and frequently used. Because SMS and MMS are sent over a cellular network, they only require a wireless plan from cellular carriers to get started.

Standard SMS messages are limited to characters per message. If a message exceeds this limit, it is broken up into multiple segments of characters each, depending on its length. Most carriers today automatically chain these messages together to ensure they arrive in the order they are sent. While their maximum size depends on the carrier and the device receiving the message, KB is often mentioned as the largest size most carriers will reliably handle.

To send and receive texts using these apps, your device needs to be connected to the internet, either over WiFi or via a mobile internet connection. Otherwise, it falls back to regular SMS.

Once installed, these apps will identify every phone number in your contact list that uses the same application and allow you to send messages and multimedia to those contacts. Because OTT applications and SMS use completely different protocols to send messages, each has different platform and network requirements. As a result, each has its own relative advantages and disadvantages.

SMS is a universal technology supported by every single mobile network and device today. They both need to be using the same apps. They also have more features like group messaging, message broadcasting, and audio and video calling. Unlimited texting plans are less common in other parts of the world. This is the primary reason why messaging apps like WhatsApp and WeChat gained such a significant foothold in these markets. WhatsApp is by far the most popular messaging application in the world today, with more than 1 billion people using it at least once a month.

Person-to-person SMS usage in countries like India and Brazil — where mobile operators rarely offer unlimited texting plans — has been largely replaced by the free-to-use WhatsApp. Resembling WhatsApp, WeChat also needs to be installed from the app store and has similar communications capabilities. People are spending a significant amount of time on their phones these days: the average American adult uses a mobile device nearly 3 hours every day.

Another difference is that SMS messaging limits texts to just characters while MMS messaging can include up to KB of data 1, words and up to 30 seconds of audio or video. Generally, SMS messaging is cheaper to send than the equivalent in MMS messaging, though the final cost does depend on your messaging provider. While both SMS and MMS messaging allow you to reach your customers at any time whether you're providing customer service or reaching out with the details on your newest promotion, there are very different uses for each of the protocols.

That means which one you go with depends on the objectives of your campaign and what you're trying to send. For example, if you have a smaller budget, you'll want to stick with SMS messaging.

They're cheaper to send, meaning that it scales better than MMS messaging so that you can save more on those delivery costs. Informational messages are also better sent via SMS because the text should be all you need, though if you have a promotional offer it may be better to consider an MMS message.

MMS messages are also better for lengthy messages as you won't be able to send more than characters in an SMS. If you have an urgent need to send a sentence or two of information, you'll probably do better with an SMS.

Things such as appointment confirmations, reminders and adjustments are also ideal candidates for SMS messaging, as are system alerts and delivery tracking. Basically, if you're dealing with an existing customer and you just need to provide a quick bit of information, an SMS is your best bet.

Since MMS messaging allows you to enhance your messages with rich media and other elements, you'll have more opportunities to impress with MMS. Whether it's with flashy graphics, a branded logo or even intricate artwork, MMS messaging goes a lot farther than SMS. Not only do you have the ability to embed links and other rich media such as videos and GIFs, but you can even customize the look of the message with certain colors and accents that you could never do with the lowly SMS protocol.

Everything from animated thank-you cards and holiday messages to sharing business card information and various promotions and coupons are all possible with MMS. Better yet, you can make your coupons scannable directly from a customer's device by including a QR code right in the MMS message itself so that there's nothing to print out or bring when they want to redeem the offer. And if you want to share a helpful instructional video or an audio clip, MMS can do that, too. Text-Em-All's mass texting and automated calling service help organizations deliver important messages quickly and maintain better engagement with contacts.

We're different because of our culture. SMS marketing is a great channel for communicating with your customers. Learn more about SMS Marketing from best practices to benefits and strategy.

Read more here! With any marketing campaign you need quantifiable ways to measure success. Learn the SMS marketing benchmarks to look out for in a healthy campaign. Never miss out on a lead because you didn't provide the right contact method.

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