SMS-MMS-How-Are-They-Different

SMS vs MMS: How These Messages Are Different

SMS and MMS are both acronyms of different types of text messages. This article will take a look at both how they are similar as well as their differences.

What are SMS & MMS and How Do They Differ?

Texting is a part of everyday life for nearly everyone today. In your daily life, you are most likely sending and receiving both SMS and MMS, and may not even know what they are or how they differ. Sometimes these terms are misunderstood and are often used incorrectly.

Both SMS and MMS serve as convenient means of communication through mobile devices. While SMS stands for Short Message Service and MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service, they share commonalities in terms of technology and accessibility. Both messaging formats rely on cellular networks for transmission, ensuring reliable communication for users. Furthermore, the usage requirements for SMS and MMS are straightforward – users only need a compatible cellphone and a wireless plan to send and receive messages. Most modern phones support both SMS and MMS, making these services widely available to cellphone owners.

This article aims to explain what each of these messaging types are, weighing their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to effectively use each. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

  • The Definitions of SMS and MMS
  • SMS and MMS side-by-side Comparison
  • Best Use Cases for SMS and MMS

What is SMS?

SMS is an acronym for Short Message (Messaging) Service, is a text messaging service component of most telephone, internet and mobile device systems. SMS have a character limit of 160, and are typically consisting of text messages and emoji’s.

SMS messages are a versatile and valuable tool for various communication needs. When it comes to short and concise messages, under the 160-character limit, SMS is the perfect choice. It excels in delivering important information quickly and efficiently.

One of the key areas where SMS shines is in appointment reminders or confirmations. By sending a simple text, you can ensure that your clients or customers stay on track and don’t miss any important meetings or events. Additionally, post-purchase thank you messages can be easily conveyed through SMS, allowing you to express gratitude and strengthen customer relationships.

For businesses that rely on orders and deliveries, SMS messages are ideal for order confirmations and package tracking information. Customers appreciate being kept in the loop, and SMS provides a convenient way to provide real-time updates on their purchases.

Automation is another area where SMS messages excel. Automated responses to inquiries can be set up to handle common questions or requests, saving time for both the sender and the recipient. Furthermore, sending payment reminders before processing a scheduled payment ensures that customers stay informed and avoid any unnecessary hassles.

 

What is MMS?

MMS is short for Multimedia Message (Messaging) Service, and has the capacity of 1,600 characters. MMS and it’s larger capacity, is often used to send and receive video, photos, GIFs, audio, and much more. MMS was developed as part of the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Program) project.

It provides a larger capacity than traditional SMS messaging, allowing users to share rich multimedia experiences with their contacts. By leveraging MMS, users can seamlessly transmit multimedia content through text messages, expanding communication possibilities beyond simple text-based conversations. Different phones and platforms support different file types. Typically, you can send files in the following formats: JPEG, PNG, and GIF. In general, all messages must be smaller than 5 MB.

    SMS and MMS
    A Side by Side Comparison

    SMS

    SMS-VS-MMS

    Advantages of SMS

    • SMS messages boast a 98% open rate. That’ far exceeds email’s which yeild about 40% open rates.
    • SMS messages are cheaper to send to your audience than MMS.
    • Most cell phone carriers in the United States offer plans with unlimited texting, which means your SMS messages will likely not cost your audience a penny.

     

    Disadvantages of SMS

    •  SMS are limited to 160 characters.  Exceeding this limit will divide the message into multiple parts to accommodate the excess characters. Alternatively, in certain cases, the message may be automatically converted into an MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) format. To avoid any complications or unexpected charges, it is always recommended to double-check the length of your SMS before sending it, ensuring it remains within the character limit.
    • Limitations on texts and emoji’s, without the ability to add more exciting media.

     

     

    MMS

    MMS-VS-SMS

    Advantages of MMS

    • MMS are often times more attention grabbing and visually impressive with the ability to include images and videos.
    • MMS is fully compatible with more than 98% of all mobile devices.
    • With MMS, click-through rates are greater. Average click-through increase by 60%.
    • MMS offers you more characters. How many more?  How does 1,600 characters per message sound?  

    Disadvantages of MMS

    • MMS messages have the ability to send images and videos, but that additional data being sent comes with a higher cost of delivery.
    • 98% of people can recieve MMS, but unfortunately there are still people in your audience who may not be able to recieve MMS. Some carriers allow thier customers to turn off MMS messaging.
    • When sending images or videos via MMS, it is important to ensure that your media is high-quality and well-designed. This might require having a member of your team dedicated to designing visuals.
    • Not all phones support MMS

    Price Discrepancies

    The cost difference between SMS and MMS messages can vary depending on the service provider. In the case of SimpleTexting’s text messaging platform, MMS messages cost 3 credits per message, while SMS messages cost 1 credit per message. This means that sending an MMS message, which can include multimedia content such as pictures, videos, or audio files, is three times more expensive than sending a regular SMS message. However, what sets SimpleTexting apart is that you have flexibility in how you allocate your credits. For instance, let’s say you opt for a 1,000-credit plan. With this plan, you can choose to send 400 SMS messages and 200 MMS messages. By doing so, you can ensure that your messaging strategy fits your needs and budget. Ultimately, the ability to mix and match SMS and MMS messages allows for greater customization and cost control.

     

    When SMS Works Best:

    SMS is the ‘bread and butter’ for text messaging and text message marketing and should be used when concise and immediate communication is necessary. Whenever a short message, under the 160 characters allowed, can be used then SMS is the clear choice.  They are particularly effective for conveying important details such as order confirmations and time-sensitive alerts.

    • Appointment reminders or confirmations
    • Post-purchase thank you messages
    • Order confirmations and package tracking information
    • Automated responses to inquiries
    • Payment reminders before processing a scheduled payment
    • High-volume text blasts

     

    When MMS Works Best:

    MMS messages are the perfect choice when you need to grab the attention of your audience. With visually captivating content, MMS ensures your message stands out and resonates with recipients.

    Here are several uses for MMS:

    • Sending a digital promotion or flyer.  The inclusion of high-quality pictures or videos can effectively convey your message and entice recipients to take action.
    • Sending a Mobile CouponBy including a compelling image or a video showcasing the discount offer, you can make the coupon more visually appealing and increase the likelihood of recipients redeeming it.
    • VIP invitations to events or exclusive deals. Consumers will remember 65% of a piece of information if an image is attached, but only 10% if it has no visuals. You can generate excitement and encourage recipients to engage with your brand by sending visual invitations or exclusive deal announcements via MMS.
    • Showcase your new product with a high-quality picture or video. Color on collateral helps generate up to 80% more sales. By including captivating visuals, you can effectively communicate your product’s value and capture potential customers’ interest.
    • Political MMS with a picture of a candidate or a political flyer. 60% of all emoji-users are likely to open push notifications that contain emojis. By sending MMS messages with impactful visuals, such as candidate pictures or political flyers, you can effectively convey your message and rally support.

    Sending SMS and MMS Messages with CloudContactAI

    CloudContactAI is a premium texting service which helps businesses to manage customer engagement through text messaging.

    It provides a range of features for managing customer conversations, including automated responses, multi–channel support, surveys, and analytics.

    It also provides tools for creating targeted campaigns and segmenting customers. CloudContactAI is designed to help businesses keep customers informed, engaged, and loyal.

    MMS-and-SMS

    Track User Engagement

    Detailed user engagement reporting and analytics for individuals, departments, locations, and more.

    Data in Real-Time

    Stay informed with accurate data reporting and alaytics in real time.

    Delivery Report Notifications

    Receive notifications for successful deliveries, errors, and more. Fully customizable to meet your specific needs.

    Not sure if you’re ready to revolutionize the way your business communicates? Sign up for our 14-day free trial!

    What do you have to lose?

    Cody Kelly

    Cody Kelly

    Cody is an experienced Marketing Specialist with over a decade worth of experience in marketing and client success. He creates and optimizes content, articles and guides to help businesses of all sizes grow. With a background in marketing, hospitality, and finance, Cody has consistently increased profitability for clients with strategic planning while delivering first class service.

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