What actually differs
Cost is charged differently
SMS bills per message and per segment, so a long message costs several times a short one. WhatsApp bills per 24-hour conversation by category, so a long exchange can cost less than a single SMS.
SMS is one-way in practice
Replies land in a queue nobody reads. On WhatsApp the reply is the point, and it opens a window for free follow-up.
No media, no buttons in SMS
SMS cannot carry a catalog, a document, a location or a tappable button — all of which shorten the path to a purchase.
How to choose
- 01
Where SMS still wins
Recipients with no smartphone or no data, and critical alerts that must arrive regardless of app installation. We will say so rather than sell you the wrong channel.
- 02
Where WhatsApp wins
Anything conversational: bookings, order updates a customer might question, support, catalog browsing, and payment links.
- 03
Delivery you can see
WhatsApp reports sent, delivered and read. SMS reports delivered at best.
- 04
The switch
Most businesses keep SMS for one-time codes and move marketing and service conversations to WhatsApp.
What you get
- Broadcast campaigns
- Delivery and read reporting
- Two-way shared inbox
- Rich media and interactive buttons
- Consent and opt-out handling
Questions
Is WhatsApp cheaper than SMS?
Usually for conversations, because WhatsApp charges per 24-hour window rather than per message — but not always. A single short alert to a non-smartphone user is cheaper by SMS.
Can I use both?
Yes, and most do: SMS for one-time codes and critical alerts, WhatsApp for anything the customer might reply to.
Do I need opt-in for WhatsApp?
Yes, and it is enforced more strictly than for SMS. Sending without it damages your number's quality rating.