You’ve likely heard of SMS and MMS in reference to text messaging. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not as similar as you might think they are.
SMS contains text only and is limited to 160 characters. MMS incorporates images, GIFs, and videos alongside text. SMS and MMS messaging are both sent over a cellular network, meaning you must have a provider to send or receive these types of messages. TapOnIt is here to break it down further, so you can better understand the differences when weighing their pros and cons. We want to help you make an informed decision about which method of mobile advertising is a better fit for your brand.
What Is SMS Messaging?
SMS is an abbreviation for Short Message Service, which is a fancy way of saying text message. SMS is likely the type of messaging you’re most familiar with because it’s been around the longest. It was invented in the 1980s and is the messaging offered by a multitude of networks and devices (yes, even flip phones). SMS is as plain as it gets (you can’t even express yourself with emojis), but it gets the job done. When you send an SMS with more than 160 characters, it gets sent in multiple messages. The recipient will still receive the entire message, but how annoying is it to receive a chain of broken messages?
What Is MMS Messaging?
MMS is short for Multimedia Message Service. MMS messaging takes SMS messaging to the next level, allowing users to send and receive messages that include images, animated GIFs, videos, and audio files. MMS messages can contain up to 1,600 characters. Maximum file sizes that can be sent via MMS depend on your provider and the device receiving the message. Most carriers can support up to 500 KB of data, which is enough for short audio and video clips. MMS allows brands to create fun, colorful, and attention-grabbing content that is relatable and shareable. Find your brand’s voice and tell your unique story using all the emojis and images you desire with MMS!