How much does it cost to send a text message, and what is a segment?

In the United States a text message (SMS) costs 1 cent and a picture message (MMS) costs 2 cents, per segment. International prices vary by country: click the info button on the Usage page to see them. WhatsApp messages are billed at what WhatsApp charges, about half a cent per message.

Billing is per segment, not per message. One segment holds up to 160 characters, so a 162 character text is one message but two segments, and it costs double. The app warns you when a message will be two segments. Keeping texts within 160 characters matters most in automations that text many people.

You pay only for the messages you send. Flat-rate texting plans that bundle a block of messages only cost less per message if you use nearly the whole block. If you send high volumes, contact Votel to discuss custom pricing.