Bulk SMS costs range between Ksh 0.4 and Ksh 1 per SMS based on the volume of SMS a client purchases. The more SMS a client buys the cheaper the cost.
Every Bulk SMS Company in Kenya has set its pricing for SMS depending on the number of SMS a client orders. Based on the volumes, clients who purchase more than 500,000 SMS usually pay an average of Ksh 0.4 per SMS.Clients purchasing below 50,000 SMS pay Ksh 0.8 to Ksh1 per SMS.Those buying SMS between 100,000 and 500,000 pay 0.5 and 0.8 per SMS.
Sometimes, pricing depends on agreement between the service provider and a client. There are clients who stick with the company for long—loyal customers, such clients pay as little as Ksh 0.3 per SMS as long as they buy more than 500,000 SMS regularly.
Bulk SMS companies act like agents for telecom companies. Safaricom and Airtel are the main providers of bulk SMS. They (bulk SMS companies) buy SMS in millions which they sell to their clients. The companies must earn a profit, which is why they can’t set the price below Ksh 0.3 per SMS.
Here is the amount some of the bulk SMS companies in Kenya charge:
- Celcom Africa Ltd
The cost of units depends on the amount you order with prices ranging from KSH. 0.4 to 0.8 .
- Movetech
Safaricom—Ksh0.65 per SMS
Airtel—Ksh0.85 per SMS
Orange—Ksh0.65 per SMS
- Uwazii Mobile
Local Bulk SMS Pricing
| Recharge Amount | Price per SMS | Price per SMS | Price per SMS |
| KSh. 1 – 12,500 | Ksh 0.75 | USD 0.0072 | EUR 0.0066 |
| KSh. 12,501 – 25,000 | Ksh 0.70 | USD 0.0067 | EUR 0.0061 |
| KSh. 25,001 – 50,000 | Ksh 0.65 | USD 0.0063 | EUR 0.0057 |
| KSh. 50,001 – 100,000 | Ksh 0.60 | USD 0.0058 | EUR 0.0053 |
| KSh. 100,001 – 175,000 | Ksh 0.50 | USD 0.0048 | EUR 0.0044 |
- Africa’s Talking
|
Basic Plan KES 0 – 19,999 |
Plus Plan KES 20,000 – 99,999 |
Premium Plan KES 100,000 – 399,999 |
Max Plan KES 400,000+ | |
| Safaricom | KES 0.8 | KES 0.7 | KES 0.6 | KES 0.4 |
| Airtel Kenya (Local Traffic) | KES 0.8 | KES 0.8 | KES 0.7 | KES 0.6 |
| Airtel Kenya (International Traffic)* | USD 0.056 | |||
| Other Kenyan Telcos | KES 0.8 | KES 0.8 | KES 0.7 | KES 0.6 |
| International Markets | View price list |
Some companies charge set up costs and monthly maintenance costs. Set up costs are normal but monthly maintenance fee should not be included. Before you pay for bulk SMS remember to ask whether they charge monthly maintenance fee. Don’t accept to pay monthly maintenance fee—choose a company without monthly maintenance fee.
Another thing, even if the company has fixed SMS rates, try to negotiate. The rates displayed on the website are on the higher side.