SMS Services: Quick Guide, Pricing, and Template Setup

SMS is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to reach customers. When used with CallHippo, it becomes a simple, scalable communication channel—managed directly from your VoIP dashboard or mobile app.

What Is SMS?

SMS (Short Message Service) lets you send short text messages (up to 160 characters) directly to mobile phones. With CallHippo, you can send and receive SMS using your business numbers, all from one place.

Why Use SMS with CallHippo?

  • Fast Delivery & High Open Rates
    SMS messages are typically read within minutes—ideal for alerts, reminders, and updates.

  • Customer-Friendly Communication
    Less intrusive than calls and quicker than email, SMS is a preferred choice for many customers.

  • Two-Way Messaging
    Engage in real-time conversations for support, confirmations, and follow-ups.

  • Cost-Effective & Scalable
    Suitable for everything from service notifications to marketing, whether you’re a small team or scaling fast.

  • Easy Automation & Integration
    Automate messages, connect SMS with your CRM, and build workflows to save time.

SMS Pricing & Charges

SMS charges in CallHippo depend on the destination country and the length of your message.

  • Outbound SMS:
     Pricing varies by country. Some CallHippo plans include a fixed number of SMS/MMS.

  • Incoming SMS:
     Incoming messages are typically charged at around $0.01 per SMS.

  • Character-Based Billing:
     One SMS equals 160 characters. Messages longer than this are billed in 160-character segments
     (for example, a 600-character message is billed as 4 SMS).

    For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing details, please refer to the SMS Pricing Page.

How to check if the number that I am adding provides SMS services?

  • When adding a number, you can check if the number is SMS service enabled or not from the ‘add number’ section as below:

How to check which of the available numbers in my account are SMS service-enabled?

  • You will be able to see the SMS capability from the list of available active numbers in your account.

How to check SMS logs and received/incoming SMS in the dialer?

1. Log in to your CallHippo dialer.

2. Click on the Main Menu icon.

3. Click on the “SMS / MMS” option.

The SMS logs will be visible to you.

How to send SMS from the dialer?

4. Click on the new SMS icon.

5. Enter the number and the  SMS content that you want to send in the respective areas.

6. Select from the allocated numbers from which you want to send the SMS.

7. You can also choose from other options available.

8. Click on the “Send” button to send the SMS.

You will receive a confirmation of the SMS sent.

You will be able to see the SMS that you sent on the same screen.

SMS template:

SMS templates in CallHippo help you send predefined messages quickly and consistently. They’re ideal for sharing routine updates, reminders, or alerts—without having to type the same message repeatedly.

Each SMS template supports up to 600 characters, giving you enough space to create clear, well-structured messages while keeping your customer communication consistent and professional.

How to create an SMS template:

1. Click on the template icon visible on the dialer when sending SMS.

2. Click on the “Add template” button, or select from the available already created templates to add it to your ‘send SMS’ content.

3. After clicking on the add template, you can enter the title of the template, along with its content.

You can also select to save the template for only you or for other users as well.

Once the need is done, click on “Save” to save the template created.

You can now use the template from the same template icon in the dialer when sending SMS.

Important:

  • Using emojis in SMS messages may increase the character count more than expected, as each emoji can consume multiple characters instead of just one. 

  • This can affect the total number of SMS segments billed, potentially increasing message costs. It is recommended to use emojis sparingly and be mindful of their impact on SMS length and billing.

How to check the SMS status?

You can check the SMS status directly from the dashboard, from the SMS/MMS logs section, as visible in the screenshot below:

FAQs: SMS Services

Q: How much does it cost to send an SMS via CallHippo?
 A: Outbound SMS pricing depends on the destination country. Some CallHippo plans include a set number of SMS/MMS. For complete details, please refer to CallHippo’s SMS pricing page.

Q: Is there a charge for receiving SMS messages?
 A: Yes. Incoming SMS messages are typically charged at around $0.01 per message.

Q: What is the maximum length of an SMS?
 A: One SMS equals 160 characters. Messages can be up to 1,600 characters and are billed per 160-character segment.

Q: How are SMS templates billed?
 A: Creating or using a template is free. However, messages sent using templates are billed per 160-character segment. For example, a 600-character message is billed as four SMS segments.

Q: Can I choose the sender number for an SMS?
 A: Yes. You can select from your allocated business numbers when sending an SMS from the dialer.

Q: Does CallHippo support bulk SMS or MMS?
 A: No. CallHippo does not support bulk SMS or MMS sending.



If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].