SMS pricing.
Direct UK & international text message pricing
Whether you're sending to UK mobiles or messaging globally, our pricing is clear and competitive. Pay as you go with volume discounts, no contracts and no hidden fees: just straightforward per-credit pricing that scales with your business.
Credit Balance
5.0p per credit
Variable rate
Choose Your Route
UK SMS pricing
Direct from the mobile networks, not third-party aggregators. Tiered pricing from 3.0p per credit with volume discounts that scale automatically. Use our interactive slider to calculate your exact price.
International SMS pricing
Direct carrier routes to 230+ countries worldwide with competitive per-country, per-network pricing. Search any destination to see exact rates, toggle between GBP and EUR, and review local SMS regulations before you send.
Features
Pay-as-you-go
No contracts, no monthly fees. Top up your credits whenever you need them and use at your own pace.
Volume discounts
The more credits you buy, the less you pay per message. Rates step down automatically at each tier.
Credits don't expire
Your purchased credits remain in your account for as long as it stays active. Use them whenever you're ready, no rush.
Full reporting
Track delivery status for every message. Full reporting on sent, delivered, and failed messages in real time.
Compare
UK vs International.
Both routes use the same credit system and platform. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | UK Direct | International |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per-credit, tiered | Per-country, per-network |
| Starting from | 3.0p per credit | 1.5p per credit |
| Coverage | All UK networks | 230+ countries |
| Direct carrier routes | ||
| Sender ID | Alphanumeric (11 chars) | Varies by country |
| Volume discounts | ||
| Credits expire | — | — |
| Free replies | — | |
| Interactive calculator | — | |
| Currency toggle (GBP/EUR) | — | |
| Country search & filter | — | |
| Fixed country rates | — | |
| Delivery reporting |
Credit System
How credits work.
Each credit equals one standard SMS of up to 160 characters. Longer messages use additional credits as shown below.
Standard messaging
| Characters | Credits |
|---|---|
| Up to 160 | 1 |
| Up to 306 | 2 |
| Up to 459 | 3 |
| Up to 612 | 4 |
| Up to 765 | 5 |
| Up to 918 | 6 |
Unicode characters
| Characters | Credits |
|---|---|
| Up to 70 | 1 |
| Up to 134 | 2 |
| Up to 201 | 3 |
| Up to 268 | 4 |
| Up to 335 | 5 |
| Up to 402 | 6 |
SMS regulations & conditions
Recipient opt-in is required for marketing messages. The UK is governed by PECR and GDPR. International destinations are subject to their own local regulations, including sender ID restrictions, content filtering, and registration requirements that vary by country. Always check the rules for each destination before sending.
Extended characters
The following each count as 2 characters: [ ] { } \ ^ ~ | €
Unicode encoding
Any non-GSM character (emoji, accented letters, non-Latin scripts) switches the entire message to Unicode, reducing capacity from 160 to 70 characters per credit.
Concatenation headers
Multi-part messages use a header, reducing each part from 160 to 153 characters (GSM) or 70 to 67 characters (Unicode).
Smart quotes and em dashes
Curly quotes and em dashes are not GSM characters and will trigger Unicode encoding. Use straight quotes and hyphens instead.
UK prices exclusive of VAT at 20%. International pricing may be subject to local taxes or surcharges depending on the destination country. 1 credit = 1 standard SMS (160 characters). International pricing may vary by destination network and is subject to change.
Flexible Add-ons
Enhance your messaging.
Some are included as standard, others are available at an additional cost.
Reply numbers
Assign a dedicated reply number as the sender ID so customers can reply straight back to your messages.
Keywords
Create GDPR-compliant opt-ins by asking customers to reply with a keyword. Build address book groups from responses.
Short-codes
Rent memorable 5, 6, or 8-digit short-code numbers for sender IDs or capturing inbound texts.
HLR lookup
Check if mobile numbers are still live before broadcasting. Clean your database and reduce failed sends.
Mini URL generator
Create shortened, trackable links for your messages. Full click analytics and reporting included.
Email forwarding
Forward all SMS replies to a nominated email address, with the original outbound message attached.
Automated replies
Send fully automated SMS replies to acknowledge receipt and improve the customer journey.
SMPP connection
High-volume? Send up to 600 messages per second via our secure, direct SMPP 3.4 connection.
Custom development
Bespoke scripts and integrations to get the most from your SMS setup. Often more affordable than you'd expect.
SIM hosting
Use your own SIM card for replies. We host it on your behalf so all inbound messages are recorded to your account.
QR codes
Bespoke QR codes for print and online advertising. Let customers subscribe by scanning with their phone.
Managed services
Need a hand getting started? Our free managed service handles your SMS requirements while you get up to speed.
Add-ons are available with your Faretext account. Some may carry an additional charge. Contact us to discuss.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about our pricing.
Yes! When you register for a new account you receive 25 free credits to test our service. There is no commitment or obligation. After that, the minimum purchase is 1,000 credits.
Both UK Direct and International use direct carrier routes, not third-party aggregators. UK Direct is optimised for UK mobile networks with tiered volume discounts. International covers 230+ countries with per-country, per-network pricing. Both use the same credit system. One credit equals one standard SMS.
We accept payment via GoCardless Direct Debit, making top-ups quick and easy. Simply choose how many credits you need, and payment is taken securely. There are no setup fees or recurring charges. You only pay for the credits you purchase.
No. Your purchased credits remain in your account with no expiry date, provided your account remains active. Use them whenever you need, there is no time pressure.
Absolutely. If you send large volumes, whether UK or international, we can offer bespoke rates. Visit the UK pricing or international pricing pages to request a quote, or contact us directly.
Ready to get started?
Connect with Faretext today. Register for your free account in 60 seconds.
No commitment required. 25 free credits. UK-based support.