SimpleTexting vs EZTexting vs TextMagic for Spiritual Practitioners

SMS opens at 98%. Email opens at 20-30%. That gap is why practitioners who run session-based businesses - where a missed appointment costs real money - reach for text messaging.

The platform choice depends almost entirely on volume. A practitioner sending appointment reminders to 30 clients per month needs a completely different tool than one running weekly Full Moon campaigns to 800 subscribers. Getting this wrong means paying $39/month for 500 SMS credits when you're sending 80 messages.

All pricing figures are from 2026 sources. EZTexting's pricing changes frequently - treat those numbers as directional and verify at eztexting.com before committing.

Platform Comparison

For TextMagic: at 100 SMS, cost = 100 x $0.049 = $4.90. At 500 SMS, cost = 500 x $0.049 = $24.50. No monthly fee, credits do not expire.

For SimpleTexting: $39/month includes 500 SMS credits. One standard SMS (up to 160 characters) = 1 credit. An extended SMS (up to 306 characters) = 2 credits. An MMS = 3 credits. Going over 500 credits: $0.055-0.08 per additional credit depending on plan.

The Break-Even Between TextMagic and SimpleTexting

At what volume does SimpleTexting become cheaper than TextMagic?

Formula: TextMagic_cost = volume x $0.049; SimpleTexting_min = $39

$39 / $0.049 = approximately 796 SMS per month

Below 796 SMS: TextMagic is cheaper. Above 796 SMS: SimpleTexting's flat rate saves money. At exactly 500 SMS per month, TextMagic costs $24.50 versus SimpleTexting's $39 - a $14.50/month difference, or $174/year.

For a practitioner with 40 active clients sending two messages each per month (appointment reminder + follow-up), that is 80 SMS. TextMagic costs $3.92. SimpleTexting costs $39. The right tool depends on volume.

SimpleTexting: Best for Campaigns and Recurring Sends

SimpleTexting's $39/month plan includes 500 credits plus two-way messaging, automated campaigns, keyword triggers, and integrations with Mailchimp, Zapier, and a handful of CRMs. The 20% annual billing discount brings the effective rate to $31.20/month.

For a practitioner running regular SMS marketing - a Full Moon reading special, a weekly astrology tip, a New Moon offer - SimpleTexting's campaign builder handles the scheduling. A contact sends "MOON" to your number and they're automatically added to your Moon cycle update list. This keyword opt-in functionality costs nothing extra and is built into every plan.

The limitation: 500 credits evaporate fast if you use MMS (images, GIFs) or send extended messages. Plan the character count before you send - a 180-character message costs 2 credits, not 1.

EZTexting: Mid-Range with Unpredictable Pricing

EZTexting has historically positioned itself between TextMagic's pay-per-message simplicity and SimpleTexting's campaign feature set. Entry plans have run in the $25-30/month range, sometimes with an additional telecom fee on top. However, EZTexting adjusts its pricing structure periodically, and the figures available in third-party sources in early 2026 may not reflect the current offering.

Before choosing EZTexting, check eztexting.com directly for current plan details and any mandatory fees beyond the headline rate.

TextMagic: Best for Low-Volume, Occasional Sends

TextMagic's pay-as-you-go model at $0.049 per US SMS is the clearest option for low-volume senders. No monthly commitment, no credits that expire at month end, no minimum spend. If you send nothing in December because client bookings are slow, you pay nothing in December.

For a practitioner sending appointment reminders to 20 clients twice per month: 40 SMS x $0.049 = $1.96/month. That is the entire cost.

TextMagic also provides a 2-way messaging interface, contact lists, and basic scheduling. It is not a campaign platform - it does not have keyword opt-in or the kind of automation SimpleTexting provides. But for appointment reminders and one-off announcements, it handles everything most small practices actually need.

Twilio: Only If You Have Technical Help

Twilio at $0.0083/SMS is far cheaper at any volume. At 500 SMS: $4.15 versus TextMagic's $24.50 or SimpleTexting's $39. The problem is that Twilio is an API, not a point-and-click tool. There is no built-in campaign UI, no contact list management, no opt-in keyword handling without code. Using Twilio means building those pieces yourself or paying a developer to build them. For practitioners without a technical team, Twilio is not the right starting point.

Twilio does power the SMS add-on inside Acuity Scheduling - that is a different use case where Twilio runs quietly in the background and you never touch the API directly. See SMS marketing for spiritual practitioners for how that integration works.

Compliance: A2P 10DLC Registration (Required in the US)

Since 2023, all business SMS sent through US carriers requires A2P 10DLC registration - registering your brand and campaign type with the carrier networks. All three platforms (SimpleTexting, EZTexting, TextMagic) support this registration.

The costs are modest but non-negotiable:

- Brand registration: approximately $4-5, one-time
- Campaign registration: approximately $10-15, one-time

Without registration, your SMS messages are filtered or blocked by carriers. This is not a platform-level decision - it is a carrier-level requirement. Register before sending your first campaign.

TCPA rules also apply: every marketing SMS requires prior explicit written consent from the recipient. Someone giving you their phone number at booking is not the same as giving consent to receive marketing texts. A checkbox on your booking form - "I agree to receive SMS marketing from [your name]" - handles this.

For a complete guide on SMS marketing strategy, sequences, and compliance, see SMS marketing for spiritual practitioners. For alternatives that use different messaging channels, see WhatsApp Business vs Telegram for client communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SMS credit versus an SMS message?

On SimpleTexting: one credit equals one standard SMS of up to 160 characters. If your message is 161-306 characters, it costs 2 credits. An MMS (image or video) costs 3 credits. A 500-credit plan is not necessarily 500 messages if you send longer texts or include images.

Can I send SMS from a local number rather than a short code?

Yes. Both SimpleTexting and TextMagic support 10-digit local phone numbers (10DLC) for business SMS. Short codes (5-6 digit numbers) are also available but cost more to register. For a solo practitioner, a 10DLC number works fine and is indistinguishable to recipients from a real local number.

What happens to subscribers if I switch platforms?

Opt-in consent is tied to your content and brand, not to the platform. You can export your contact list and import it into a new platform - but you should send a re-confirmation message after switching if there is any gap in service. Contacts who already opted in remain opted in; no need to re-collect consent just for a platform migration.

How do I grow an SMS subscriber list?

Keyword opt-in is the standard: share your number and a keyword ("Text MOON to [number]") in your Instagram bio, email signature, or booking confirmation. Anyone who texts that keyword is automatically added to your list. SimpleTexting and EZTexting both handle keyword opt-in natively. TextMagic does not have the same keyword automation - it is better for lists you build manually.

Are there any content restrictions for spiritual or psychic SMS?

The TCPA regulates the timing and consent requirements for all SMS, regardless of content. Carriers can filter messages that look like spam. Esoteric content itself - astrology tips, reading offers, moon phase updates - is not restricted. The restrictions that apply to spiritual businesses come from payment platforms, not SMS carriers. Keep messages relevant to what subscribers opted in for and maintain low unsubscribe rates (under 3%) to stay in good standing with carriers.