A broadcast in Aloware sends the same text message to many contacts at once.
The broadcast cost calculator estimates what a broadcast will cost before you send it, including any carrier surcharges, so you can budget your Aloware credits and avoid unexpected charges.
This article explains what the calculator accounts for and why broadcast pricing can change.
What the broadcast cost calculator estimates
The calculator estimates the total cost of a broadcast based on several factors.
Emojis in your message can increase the cost, and the cost may be higher if messages send as MMS (multimedia messages, which include images or media) instead of SMS (plain-text messages).
The sending line matters too: the type of phone number you send from, such as a toll-free number, can affect the cost.
The calculator also includes the additional fees mobile carriers charge, giving you an overall estimate. For details, see carrier fees for SMS and MMS on A2P campaigns.
Why use the broadcast cost calculator
Running a broadcast through the calculator first shows both the base cost and any carrier surcharges. This lets you plan larger sends and know what to expect on your credit balance before you review it later.
With this tool, you can plan your Broadcasts more effectively and manage your costs better.
Why does pricing fluctuate when broadcasting a message?
Pricing fluctuations during SMS message broadcasts are a common concern, and they arise due to several calculable factors. They are influenced by the number of contacts in your broadcast list and by specific characteristics of the message content. Understanding these elements can help you control costs effectively.
Number of contacts
The broader your broadcast list, the higher the cost as each contact represents an individual message sent. Pricing is usually calculated per message per contact, so targeting a larger audience directly increases your total expense.
Message size and content
The size of your text plays a key role in determining the number of segments your message occupies.
Standard SMS messages are typically limited to 160 characters per segment for plain text. Messages exceeding this limit or containing special characters such as emojis or symbols may be segmented into smaller parts, each counted as an additional message.
This segmentation can significantly increase costs. For example, emojis and symbols often use a different encoding system (e.g., UCS-2 instead of GSM-7), which increases the message size and therefore the number of segments.
Carrier fees can also vary and should be factored into your total cost. To keep broadcast costs down, stay within 160 characters, avoid emojis and special characters, and send to a focused contact list.