What’s the difference? Comparing Business Messaging Channels: SMS vs RCS vs WhatsApp

Feature | SMS | RCS | WhatsApp

Message Type: Text only | Text, images, videos, carousels | Text, images, videos

Character Limit: 160 characters | Up to 2000 characters or more | 4096 characters

Read Receipts: No | Yes | Yes

Rich Media Support: No | Yes | Yes

Interactive Buttons: No | Yes | Yes

Branded Messaging: No | Yes, with custom branding options | Yes, with custom branding options

Trust Marks: No | Yes, verified business badge | Yes, verified business badge

Network Dependency: Works on any mobile network | Requires RCS-enabled mobile network and device | Requires internet connection and WhatsApp installed on device

User Base: Global | Global but currently only available on Android mobile devices; Apple due to roll-out RCS Business Messaging in 2025. | Over 2 billion users

Cost for business: Generally low, per-message cost | Variable per-message cost, depends on the mobile network provider; set-up fees. | Higher fees for marketing messages than transactions; set-up fees.

Opt-in (Consent): Required, managed by business – often via SMS or web form | Required, managed by business – often via SMS or web form | Required, managed via WhatsApp.

Buttons: No | Yes | Yes

Carousels: No | Yes | Yes

You will note that the rich business messaging channels offers significant advances for both how and what mobile communications can deliver to your target audience.

Now that you have an idea of the differences between the rich business messaging channels of RCS Business Messaging and WhatsApp Business API compared to the traditional SMS offering are you ready to take your business communication to the next level? Explore the possibilities of Rich Business Messaging with us and see how this innovative technology can benefit your business.

For more information visit our Rich Business Messaging page.