Text Message Marketing
Top Companies in 2026
Podium vs SlickText
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- Centralized inbox for texts, reviews, and payments
- Strong tools for gathering and managing reviews
- AI tools for message drafting and automated replies
- List-building tools like QR codes and text-to-join
- SMS payment links for faster customer checkout
- Multi-channel subscriber growth
- Advanced workflow automation
- Smart reply message routing
- E-commerce behavior triggers
- No public pricing; all plans require a sales quote
- Unclear cancellation and refund terms
- Some reports of slower support responses
- Unpredictable credit consumption
- Limited keyword management tools
- Delays from compliance and number registration
- Legacy feature dependencies
Podium was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. They first entered the market as a communication and reputation tool for local businesses, then expanded into messaging, payments, automation, and text message marketing as more companies needed faster ways to reach customers. Their platform brings texting, reviews, webchat, and payments into one dashboard, giving teams a simple way to manage conversations and follow-ups. Key features include AI-assisted message creation, automated sequences, list-building tools such as QR codes and text to join, and the ability to send secure payment links by text. Customer feedback varies across platforms. Many users highlight the convenience of keeping all communication in one place and note that texting often leads to faster replies compared with email. Others mention concerns about pricing transparency, long contracts, and slower support responses. Podium holds a B rating on the Better Business Bureau website, and they have earned recognition on industry lists like the Forbes Cloud 100.
Founded in 2012 in Jamestown, New York, and now operating from both Jamestown and Nashville, SlickText has steadily developed into a widely recognized provider of SMS and MMS marketing solutions across the United States and Canada. They serve a broad spectrum of users, including retailers, nonprofits, restaurants, healthcare organizations, schools, and enterprise teams that rely on text messaging for timely communication and audience engagement. Their platform focuses on list growth, automation, segmentation, and reliable message delivery, supported by tools such as QR code sign-ups, branded web forms, multi-step workflow builders, review request triggers, and detailed performance analytics. They also give users the flexibility to choose from toll-free numbers, local 10DLC, or dedicated short codes, which helps businesses tailor their approach based on volume and compliance requirements. Customer feedback remains highly positive on platforms like G2 and Capterra, where thousands of reviewers note strong usability and responsive support, although some raise concerns about credit consumption, number registration delays, or limits tied to legacy features. While they do not hold an accredited BBB profile, they are still widely regarded as a credible and established player in the text-marketing space.
- Pricing : Custom quote
- Free Trial : 14 days, includes full platform access
- Customer Experience : Good
- AI Features : Available (review replies and message suggestions)
- International Messaging : Available (US & Canada)
- BBB Rating : B
- Text-to-Pay : True
- Pricing : Starts at $29/month for 500 credits
- Free Trial : 14 days
- Customer Experience : Excellent
- AI Features : Unavailable
- International Messaging : Unavailable
- BBB Rating : N/R
- Text-to-Pay : False
- Unified dashboard for messaging, reviews, payments, and chat
- AI assistant for replies and after-hours conversations
- Built-in text-to-pay tools that streamline billing
- Automated review workflows that boost online visibility
- Automated review request system
- Text-to-landline messaging
- Built-in promotional engagement tools
- Flexible sending number options
- Android Mobile App
- iOS Mobile App
- Role-Based Permissions
- Team Inbox
- Android Mobile App
- iOS Mobile App
- Role-Based Permissions
- Team Inbox
- Bank Transfers
- Cryptocurrency
- Major Credit Cards
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing
- PayPal
- Renewal Reminders—Undisclosed
- Bank Transfers
- Cryptocurrency
- Major Credit Cards
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing
- PayPal
- Renewal Reminders
- API Access
- App Integrations (e.g., CRM, Zapier)
- Workflow Automation
- API Access
- App Integrations (e.g., CRM, Zapier)
- Workflow Automation
- 24/7 Support Availability
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Center / Knowledge Base
- Live Chat
- Phone
- 24/7 Support Availability
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Center / Knowledge Base
- Live Chat
- Phone
- AI-Powered Messaging
- Bulk SMS
- Compliance Tools (TCPA, A2P 10DLC, GDPR)
- Contact Segmentation
- Drip Campaigns
- Exportable Reports Reports
- Keyword Shortcodes
- MMS Support
- Opt-In Tools (e.g., Keywords, Web Forms)
- Real-Time Analytics
- Scheduled Campaigns
- Text-to-Pay Support
- Two-Way Messaging
- UTM Tracking
- AI-Powered Messaging
- Bulk SMS
- Compliance Tools (TCPA, A2P 10DLC, GDPR)
- Contact Segmentation
- Drip Campaigns
- Exportable Reports Reports
- Keyword Shortcodes
- MMS Support
- Opt-In Tools (e.g., Keywords, Web Forms)
- Real-Time Analytics
- Scheduled Campaigns
- Text-to-Pay Support
- Two-Way Messaging
- UTM Tracking

