Almost everyone in today’s era is aware of the use of mobile phones. Since, the world is now fast-paced and to grab customer’s attention and their engagement, sending alerts, reminders, OTPs – WhatsApp, RCS and Bulk SMS are among the most used message communication platforms.
Though each of them have their unique features having their own advantages and disadvantages, they can be used according to the users requirement and demands.

In this particular article, we will help you out to know the difference between WhatsApp, RCS and Bulk SMS, and also let you know which platform will be most suitable according to user’s requirement.

1. WhatsApp – The most popular Application for personal use and for business

WhatsApp being the most popular among 3 million users across 180 countries, has a large audience. It is mostly used for personal and for businesses with features involving group chats, media transfer, video-calling etc. Its end-to-end encryption has made this communication platform reliable, trustworthy and secure for the users.

Let’s look into some of its advantages and limitations.

1. Advantages:
   1. End- to-end encryption: Its means the message is only read by the sender and the receiver, no service provider has the access to read the message, making it secure and trustworthy.
   2. Global reach: Since it is widely used globally, the WhatsApp message gets delivered to large mass of people, helping to engage its target audience at higher rate.
   3. Multimedia supported: One can easily send high quality video- audio files, including photos and text, making it attractive and easier for the conversion rate.
   4. Business profile: WhatsApp allow businesses to set up their Business Profile using API allowing to reach in bulk to its users.
2. Limitations:
   1. Application installation: WhatsApp messages gets delivered only to the mobile phones who has installed the application and is limited to the smart phones.
   2. Internet connectivity: WhatsApp messages depends upon the internet connection, which means, if the network is low and have no internet connection, then the possibility is that the  messages will not get delivered.

2. RCS – Enhanced messaging protocol with better conversion rate

RCS, which stands for “Rich Communication Service” is been an advanced form of SMS which includes all the features like an internet based communication. With message getting delivered to the default messaging app, one can receive a high quality media video- audio transfer, cards, carousels making customers more engaged to its businesses.

Let’s have a look into some of it’s advantages and limitations.

1.  Advantages:
   1. No application installed: There is no need to install special application to receive the RCS message, it gets delivered to the default messaging app, hence making it easy to reach to its customers.
   2. Typing indicator’s: You can easily see whether the other person has read the message, or is typing etc. just like an internet based application.
   3. Rich media supported: Since rich card, carousels and high quality media is supported, the engagement of customer is increased and the CTA (call-to-action) button helps in better conversion rate in less time.
   4. Verified Sender ID: Message is sent from verified Sender Id, ensuring customer’s safety and building up trust with them.
2. Limitations:
   1. Internet connection: Internet connection is required for sending RCS message.
   2. RCS-enabled phones: RCS message is only delivered to RCS enabled mobile phones.

3. Bulk SMS – traditional but the most reliable and wide reach platform

As everyone has the mobile phones including dumbphone , Bulk SMS has the largest audience. For instant alert or OTP message to get delivered, business still stick to Bulk SMS as the message can be sent to a large section of people as it works on the cellular networks.

Here are some of the advantages and limitations of Bulk SMS.

1. Advantages:
   1. Large audience: It has the wide audience as the message gets delivered even to the areas where the internet connection is low.
   2. Reliable delivery:  Since message gets received to all the phones, it is the most reliable way for the SMS to gets delivered.
2. Limitations:
   1. Character limitations: The character is limited to 160 characters per SMS.
   2. Media limitation: Only text is supported.

SUMMARY:

BEST IN USE:

For personalized communication, customer support, promotions and for audience who are  mostly in urban area you can use WhatsApp.

For business that needs high media interaction using rich cards and customers engagement, you can use RCS.

For reliable, universal, text based notification, you can use Bulk SMS.

Fast2SMS provides all the above platforms, according to your requirement you can choose any of them, or can use all services simultaneously.
Register with Fast2SMS and boost your business target with us.