What is the difference between SMS & MMS?

Although today there are many other platforms to keep us in touch, the use of text messages is still essential for certain cases. We usually resort to texting when we have run out of data. Probably if you do not own a smartphone yet, you use text messages daily.

However, could you tell or describe the difference between an SMS and an MMS?

Although we usually simply use the phrase “text messages” to refer to both, it must be understood that they are not the same, and in particular, that they do not cost the same.

By understanding the difference, we can predict which one will be better to use depending on what message we want to convey and to whom we are addressing.

Continue reading the article and find more information about SMS and MMS.

What is an SMS?

Let’s start by understanding what SMS stands for. It is the acronym for Short Message Service. It means that what we usually call “text message” is the same as SMS.

A text message has a length limit of 160 characters, including letters, numbers, and spaces. Of course, you can write more than that, however, if your message exceeds the limit, it will arrive separately and you will be charged for the total number of messages sent. Do not worry about spending more than what you had planned. Your messaging application will show you how many messages will be sent so you can decide whether to send them or not.

As we already mentioned, each text message has a price. If you send many text messages a day, you could get a plan that includes unlimited SMS or a considerable amount for you to use for the whole month. If you do not use it too much (or never), you can keep your regular data or call plan and when you send an SMS it will be deducted from your balance.

We recommend that you check with your operator in advance what costs are per text message.

What is an MMS?

On the other hand, MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. As you can guess, if you send a photo or video through your messaging app, you will be sending an MMS.

However, there is much more that you can do with an MMS. You can also send audio clips, GIFs, stickers, and of course, text! You can send a message of up to 1600 characters. So we could say that an MMS gives us more options than an SMS.

Your cellular carrier probably offers packages with different services, including MMS. If it does not include it, then you should ask for the price of individual messages.

Now you know a little bit more about each of the terms, however, we will go a little further and show you other differences that you may not have thought of yet.

What is the difference?

Let’s highlight what we already know. The difference between the two terms is simple. The easiest way to differentiate them is that SMS refers simply to text and MMS includes other types of content, such as photos and videos.

Now, are there other differences? Let’s detail this:

Character Limitations

Admittedly, 160 characters may be little on some occasions, especially if some carriers admit up to 1600 characters for MMS. We could say that for a message it is almost unlimited. So if you want to send long messages without thinking about the length, MMS messages give you that freedom.

Media

We must admit that sharing our daily lives with our friends and loved ones are becoming more and more common. All the time we are sharing multimedia content that enriches our communication. Besides this, just sending text sound very boring. Having the opportunity to share other types of content helps us to stay in touch and maintain better communication.

Price

Of course that the cost will be different from provider to provider. However, we can affirm that the common denominator is that an MMS costs a bit more than an SMS. This is because sending videos and photos requires the transmission of more data than just sending a standard message.

(Dis)Advantages of SMS

Advantages

• It is not an app that you need to download or update; it simply comes with your cellphone. This means that anyone with a cell phone can send a text message.
• It does not take much time to send a text message. It is versatile and reliable.
• Many companies provide unlimited text messages, so you will not need to care about the number of messages you are sending.

Disadvantages

• You are limited to just sending text, which can be impractical depending on your lifestyle.
• The character limit could be a problem if you tend to send long messages.

(Dis)Advantages of MMS

Advantages

• They are more attractive due to the exchange of multimedia content (videos, photos, and audios). If you have a company and want to send content that is more eye-catching for your clients, MMS messages are a good option.
• MMS messages give you the freedom of sending a large amount of content.

Disadvantages

• Not everybody can receive an MMS message. Only people with smartphones can receive them, and they have to have MMS enabled.
• It costs more than a text message, so you need to be careful if you send many MMS messages and you are on a tight budget.

If you have a business and you want to engage with your clients using the standard messaging app, you need to understand what the best way to communicate with them is. SMS and MMS are both great options. SMS messages are affordable and good for quick messages and MMS messages are excellent to share more content to grab other people’s attention.

Just remember that not everybody can receive an MMS message and that it will cost a little bit more money.

We hope that in this article you could understand that both options have pros and cons, and having an idea of what the differences are, you can choose the best option to transmit your message in the best way possible.

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