SMS vs RCS

RCS is SMS
version 2.0

Same phone, same inbox, same reach you already trust - but a completely different message. RCS replaces the 30-year-old SMS with verified branding, images, buttons, read receipts and analytics. And when a phone can’t receive RCS yet, it automatically falls back to SMS.

Get started See the difference
SMS vs RCS What RCS adds Same message Reach & fallback
Head to head

SMS vs RCS, side by side

SMS hasn’t changed since 1992. RCS is the upgrade your customers’ phones are already waiting for. Same number, same inbox - everything else is better.

SMS

The 1992 standard

Yesterday
  • Anonymous number or cryptic short code - no brand, no trust
  • Capped at 160 characters per message
  • Plain text only - no images, video or carousels
  • No buttons or quick replies - customers must copy links by hand
  • No read receipts and no analytics - you’re flying blind
  • Unverified - easy for scammers to spoof your name
THE UPGRADE

RCS

SMS, reinvented

Today
  • Verified brand name & logo with an official badge in the header
  • Rich, long-form text with headlines - no 160-character limit
  • Images, video & carousels rendered right inside the message
  • Buttons & quick replies - “Buy now”, “Book” or “Call” in one tap
  • Read receipts & real-time analytics on every campaign
  • Verified & encrypted - built-in protection against spoofing

No app download for your customers - RCS arrives in the messaging app they already use every day.

What RCS adds

Everything SMS could never do

RCS keeps what works about SMS - the native inbox, the universal reach - and adds the capabilities of a modern messaging app on top.

Your brand, not a number

With SMS, customers see an anonymous number and wonder if it’s legit. RCS shows your verified company name, logo and an official badge - instant recognition and trust.

No 160-character ceiling

Say what you actually need to say. RCS supports eye-catching headlines and long-form text, so your message never gets split into cryptic, expensive multi-part SMS.

Rich Media & carousels

High-resolution images, video and swipeable product carousels render directly in the chat. Showcase your products as they truly look - no external links needed.

Tap-to-action buttons

“Buy now”, “Book appointment”, “Track order”, “Call us” - one tap is all it takes. Pre-defined quick replies let customers respond by tapping instead of typing.

Read receipts & analytics

See delivered, read, clicked and converted in real time. SMS only tells you a message was sent - RCS shows you what actually happened, so you can optimise every campaign.

Verified & protected

Because every sender is verified, fraudsters can’t impersonate your brand the way they spoof SMS sender IDs. Customers know a message from you is really from you.

See the difference

The same message, worlds apart

Here’s the same shoe-sale promotion - first as plain SMS, then as RCS. Which one would you tap?

As plain SMS
+44 7700 900123
Get yourself a special discount on all shoes! Save 20% to 80% on thousands of selected models. Grab them quickly, while stocks last: https://exmpl.co/shoes — Reply STOP to opt out
Delivered
As RCS
The same shoe-sale promotion as an RCS message - product image, 'Up to 80% off' badge and All shoes on sale button
Reach

“But does everyone have RCS?”

It’s the one thing SMS still has going for it: it reaches every phone. The good news - with SendRCS you don’t have to choose. RCS already reaches around 85% of recipients in Europe, and for the rest, your message is automatically delivered as SMS. One API call, 100% reach.

  • Automatic detection of each recipient’s RCS capability
  • Seamless SMS fallback with no delay and no manual work
  • Pay per channel - RCS rates for RCS, SMS rates for fallback
  • The more RCS grows, the more of your traffic upgrades automatically
How SMS fallback works
100%
of your customers reached
~85% RCS
~15% SMS fallback
35%

Click-through rates up to 35% - far above plain SMS

∞

No 160-character limit - rich, long-form messages

0

Apps to download - RCS lives in the native inbox

100%

Reach with automatic SMS fallback built in

Learn more

Go deeper on RCS

RCS Messaging

See every RCS message type in action: Rich Cards, Carousels, Buttons and more.

SMS Gateway

Automatic SMS fallback so you reach 100% of your customers, every time.

Pricing

Transparent pay-as-you-go pricing for RCS and SMS - no subscription.

Ready to leave plain SMS behind?

Upgrade to RCS and keep 100% of your reach with built-in SMS fallback. Send your first message in minutes.

Get started View pricing
  • No subscription
  • No commitment
  • Pay as you go
  • Free trial