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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.
| Feature | SMS | RCS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
