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Attentive pricing isn’t listed publicly, which leaves many brands hesitant to commit. Critical details regarding fees, message rates, and contractual obligations often appear later than expected.

Pricing is often the first roadblock that ecommerce teams face when researching any tool. When pricing is hidden, planning becomes challenging. Budgets, forecasts, and growth plans all rely on clear costs. 

This uncertainty creates risk, especially for growing ecommerce brands that are watching their cash flow closely.

This article breaks down Attentive pricing in simple terms. We’ll show you realistic cost ranges, common contract structures, and fees that are easy to miss. 

We’ll also look at return on investment and how Attentive pricing stacks up against tools like Omnisend and Klaviyo.

Attentive SMS pricing at a glance

If you’re thinking about using Attentive for SMS marketing, it helps to know its pricing structure.

Attentive focuses on SMS-first customer engagement for ecommerce. The platform helps brands send targeted SMS and MMS messages. 

It also combines email marketing and automation based on customer behavior. It’s perfect for stores looking to drive repeat purchases and increase conversion rates.

Unfortunately, Attentive pricing isn’t transparent, and you need to contact sales for a quote. This makes it hard to know the true cost of your campaigns. Attentive pricing is determined by factors such as platform usage, message volume, and compliance fees.

While the platform is powerful, the lack of clarity often surprises new users. We’ll break down typical cost ranges later based on public benchmarks, customer reports, and comparisons. 

What does Attentive do?

Attentive is designed for ecommerce brands that want direct, personalized messaging. It focuses on:

• SMS and MMS marketing campaigns
• Automated workflows
• Integrations with Shopify, BigCommerce, and other platforms
• Customer segmentation recommendations

In short, it’s a mobile marketing hub. Brands can combine SMS with email campaigns and A/B test messages to increase engagement. It also tracks ROI, allowing businesses to measure the effectiveness of every message sent.

Why Attentive SMS pricing is hard to find

Unlike some competitors, Attentive SMS pricing isn’t listed on its website. You typically need a custom quote, which can include:

• Platform fees for account access and features
• Per-message charges for SMS and MMS sends
• Additional fees for compliance, short codes, and add-ons

A Capterra reviewer said: “I disliked the requirement to sign long-term agreements to get decent pricing. Additionally, some of the sales presentations had carrier charges listed in a small, grey text that made it more difficult to see the overall cost per SMS.”

This pricing model is why many brands struggle to budget accurately. Without clear figures in Attentive mobile pricing or general pricing, teams often face unexpected costs that disrupt marketing plans.

In later sections, we’ll share practical cost ranges to help you plan campaigns confidently.

Full Attentive pricing breakdown: Platform, SMS, and email costs

If you’ve ever wondered exactly how Attentive pricing works, you’re not alone. Ecommerce brands struggle when choosing this tool because details are hidden behind custom quotes. 

Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you. We’ll show you typical ranges for platform fees, Attentive SMS cost, MMS, and email. We’ll also display example scenarios to help you estimate your monthly spend.

Understanding the full cost matters. Platform fees alone can be misleading. Once you factor in SMS volume, MMS surcharges, and email sends, expenses can add up quickly.

Platform and account fees

Many brands report paying a minimum monthly or quarterly fee to access Attentive’s dashboard and tools. Exact numbers depend on contract size and messaging volume. Here’s what typical Attentive pricing looks like:

• Minimum spend: Usually $2,000–$3,000 per quarter (varies widely)
• Seat or user fees: Sometimes included in platform fees
• Billing: Monthly or quarterly, with contracts lasting six to 12 months

Based on a Trustpilot review, a user mentioned being surprised by the monthly fees and limited exit options.

Attentive SMS and MMS pricing (per-message ranges)

Attentive SMS pricing generally depends on message volume and carrier costs. Estimates from customer reviews and case studies show the following pricing: 

• SMS per-message: Roughly $0.01–$0.03 in the US
• MMS per-message: Around $0.02–$0.03
• Carrier surcharges and 10DLC: An additional of $0.002–$0.005/message
• International SMS: Varies by country

Example monthly costs

Attentive email pricing and how it compares

Email pricing is often bundled with SMS. However, some contracts charge separately for email sends. Customer reports suggest the following Attentive pricing: 

• Small to mid-sized ecommerce stores: $200–$500/month for SMS+email
• Larger stores: $1,000+/month depending on contact list size and send volume

For comparison, Omnisend publishes transparent SMS + email pricing. All features are included, so it’s easier to estimate costs. Klaviyo, by contrast, is typically more expensive at similar sending volumes.

Hidden costs and contract terms to watch for

Understanding Attentive pricing isn’t just about per-message fees. Many ecommerce brands focus only on SMS rates. This can cause you to overlook hidden costs, platform fees, and contract rules that can push your Attentive pricing higher than expected and impact the total spend. 

These extra charges often surprise teams that are new to mobile-first marketing. Below are the key costs you should watch closely.

Quarterly minimums and contract length

Attentive typically requires six to 12-month commitments. Most contracts include a quarterly minimum spend. You must pay a set amount even if your message volume falls below expectations.

• This affects cash flow for startups, seasonal brands, or businesses experimenting with campaigns
• Early cancellation may trigger penalties or leftover fees
• For some brands, the quarterly minimum can be more than expected when accounting for SMS and email together

What to review before committing:

• Minimum monthly/quarterly spend
• Contract length and renewal terms
• Early termination penalties
• Whether quarterly minimums are adjustable based on growth or not

Omnisend offers month-to-month, cancel-anytime plans with no quarterly minimums. With this, businesses can easily plan budgets and avoid unexpected charges.

A G2 reviewer of Attentive mentioned they “were surprised by the rigid quarterly minimums” and struggled to adjust spend to match seasonal demand.

Short code leasing, 10DLC, and compliance costs

Dedicated short codes can add high recurring costs to Attentive’s SMS programs. Additionally, 10DLC registration, brand fees, and campaign fees are required for carrier compliance.

• These fees vary by campaign and country, so Attentive SMS pricing may differ based on location. For instance, a US short code may cost $500–$1,000/month.
• Compliance tools may be necessary to avoid delivery issues or fines. Examples include Twilio Compliance, Sinch, and MessageMedia’s compliance tools.
• International SMS programs can add costs beyond the US. Fees vary depending on the country and carrier.

For comparison, Omnisend provides transparent SMS compliance guidance with its SMS compliance checklist. Businesses can easily stay compliant without hidden charges.

Overages, add-ons, and implementation fees

Exceeding agreed-upon SMS volumes triggers overage charges, which are usually higher than standard rates.

Other potential costs include:

• Premium support tiers for faster response or dedicated success managers
• Advanced analytics or reporting tools to track campaign performance
• Additional channels like MMS, push notifications, or mobile app messaging
• Setup or implementation fees for onboarding, integrations, or multi-store campaigns

Example: According to a Capterra review, some brands report setup fees during onboarding, especially for large contact lists or complex integrations. While negotiable, these costs still require careful planning to understand the true Attentive cost.

What to review before committing:

• Overage rates per message
• Optional add-ons and premium features
• Setup and onboarding costs
• Any additional fees incurred for international SMS or multi-channel campaigns

By understanding these hidden costs, you can accurately estimate your Attentive SMS cost and overall spend. 

Unlike Attentive, Omnisend provides all-in-one plans with no hidden fees, predictable SMS pricing, and month-to-month flexibility. 

With Omnisend, it’s easier for businesses of all sizes to budget while still delivering advanced SMS and email marketing capabilities.

Total cost of ownership: Attentive vs. Omnisend vs. Klaviyo

When it comes to Attentive pricing, you must understand the total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes platform fees, per-message charges, contract commitments, and the time required to see results. 

Looking at costs alone can be misleading. By examining three typical scenarios (startup, growth, enterprise), you can see how Attentive compares with Omnisend and Klaviyo when it comes to pricing.

Cost comparison: Attentive vs. Omnisend

Startup scenario: 3,000 contacts, 10K SMS/month

• Attentive: $450–$650/month, depending on quarterly minimums and overages
• Omnisend: $50–$60/month, all ecommerce features included, no hidden fees

Notes: Omnisend’s transparent pricing and month-to-month plans reduce budget risk

Growth scenario: 25K contacts, 50K SMS/month

• Attentive: $2,500–$3,500/month, higher if 10DLC or short code fees apply
• Omnisend: $150–$200/month, includes SMS, email, automation, and reporting

Notes: Omnisend makes costs easier to plan. Attentive’s fees can increase with contracts and extra charges

Enterprise scenario: 100K contacts, 200K SMS/month

• Attentive: $10,000–$15,000/month, contract-style pricing, minimum spend, and overages
• Omnisend: $600–$800/month, full access to ecommerce SMS marketing tools

Notes: Omnisend delivers a high ROI of $68 per $1 spent without locking brands into rigid contracts

Cost comparison: Attentive vs. Klaviyo

Klaviyo tends to be more expensive than Attentive for the same contact and SMS volumes. Below are Klaviyo’s plans: 

• Startup: $500–$700/month
• Growth: $2,800–$3,800/month
• Enterprise: $12,000–$18,000/month

Klaviyo charges separately for email and SMS with tiered plans that can quickly become expensive as your list grows. Many brands end up paying for features they rarely or never use, which makes budgeting tricky. 

Omnisend takes a different approach. All ecommerce-focused tools, including SMS, email automation, and reporting, are bundled under a single plan. 

This way, costs become more predictable, allowing brands to plan their budgets confidently. They can focus on growing their store rather than worrying about hidden fees.

Beyond price: Support, channels, and scalability

Cost is only one aspect of TCO. Omnisend offers 24/7 award-winning support, global SMS coverage, and seamless ecommerce integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and Bigcommerce.

Meanwhile, Attentive delivers SMS-first functionality, but hidden fees, contracts, and international limitations increase TCO. For growing brands, predictable costs, transparent pricing, and fully included features make Omnisend a more flexible and valuable option.

Comparison table (estimated monthly TCO):

For brands looking for predictability and clear TCO, SMS marketing pricing is an area where Omnisend stands out.

ROI analysis by business size (<5K, 5K–50K, 50K+ contacts)

When understanding Attentive pricing, factor in hidden fees and overages to ensure accuracy in total cost. Also, check your ROI, as this shows whether your investment is worth it.

Let’s break down possible ROI by business size. We’ll see how Attentive compares to Omnisend.

Small businesses: Under 5K contacts

For brands with fewer than 5,000 contacts, estimating Attentive pricing can be challenging. Typical monthly costs start around $450–$650, before overages or 10DLC fees.

• Break-even example: If your SMS program costs $500/month and you earn an average profit of $1 per message, you would need 500 purchases just to break even.

Omnisend’s free and entry-level plans provide access to SMS, email, and automation at much lower costs. ROI is often achieved faster with smaller lists because there are no rigid quarterly minimums.

Smaller brands can also use targeted email marketing to increase revenue per contact. This makes the ROI from Omnisend even more significant.

Mid-market brands: 5K–50K contacts

Growing ecommerce brands typically send 50,000 SMS/month. With Attentive SMS cost, the monthly spend can reach $2,500–$3,500.

• Sample break-even calculation: Revenue from SMS must cover platform fees plus overages to break even. For example, if total spend is $3,000/month, your SMS-driven profit should at least match that figure.

Omnisend plans for this segment cost around $150–$200/month while offering full access to SMS, email, and automation. This delivers higher ROI with predictable pricing.

At this scale, Omnisend’s intuitive automation and segmentation help brands maximize every message, improving efficiency and profit.

Enterprise ecommerce: 50K+ contacts

For enterprises sending 200K+ messages monthly, Attentive pricing can reach $10,000–$15,000/month. Large, SMS-heavy programs may justify Attentive if maximum volume and dedicated short codes are critical.

• Break-even sample: To justify a spending of $12,000/month, SMS revenue must exceed this amount significantly.

Omnisend, however, provides $68 back for every $1 spent (as recorded through its US clients), even at high volumes. It also includes ecommerce-focused features on all plans. 

With Omnisend, flexible month-to-month pricing, global SMS, and integrated automation make scaling easier without contract constraints.

For all business sizes, understanding Attentive pricing alongside ROI ensures you invest in the right platform for your list. Omnisend’s transparency and inclusions simplify planning and help brands see real returns faster.

Pricing transparency: Why it matters more than you think

When choosing a marketing platform, Attentive pricing transparency can make or break your budget. Brands often compare Attentive pricing with Omnisend to see which platform offers better ROI.

Without clear numbers, ecommerce brands risk unexpected fees, over-commitments, and misalignments. Many companies find themselves scrambling to adjust their plans mid-quarter because they didn’t know the full cost upfront.

Attentive’s opaque pricing model

Attentive uses a “request a quote” system, so pricing isn’t made public. Businesses must contact sales to get an estimate for the services they need.

• Monthly minimums, carrier fees, and compliance costs often appear only after discussions with the sales team
• Some brands report being surprised by quarterly commitments or high per-message charges
• Estimating Attentive pricing becomes difficult for smaller brands or new ecommerce stores

Reviews on platforms like G2 and Capterra highlight this issue. Users note that unexpected costs can lead to tricky budgeting and slow planning.

Omnisend’s transparent pricing model

In contrast, Omnisend publishes its pricing prominently. The free plan includes all ecommerce-focused features, and each paid tier lists its inclusions clearly.

• Month-to-month billing, no extra or over fees, and no quarterly minimums make forecasting simple
• Even at higher volumes, brands know exactly what they’ll spend on SMS, email, and automation
• Omnisend delivers Attentive email pricing alternatives for companies looking to compare, with predictable costs that enable fast decision-making

Klaviyo sits in the middle. While its pricing is published, features like advanced automation and SMS reporting cost much more than Omnisend at similar volumes.

Benefits of transparent pricing:

• Accurate cash flow planning
• No surprise fees
• Easier ROI calculations
• Flexible scaling without penalty

Knowing your total spend upfront supports smart decisions, reduces stress, and keeps campaigns running smoothly. 

With Omnisend, brands focus on growth, not chasing hidden costs.

How to estimate your Attentive SMS costs (simple framework)

It can be tricky to estimate Attentive pricing. By applying our framework, you can see exactly how Attentive’s pricing stacks up against Omnisend. 

Let’s break it down step by step so you can see your potential spend and compare it with Omnisend.

Step 1: Map your SMS and email volumes

Start by listing your messaging needs, such as:

• Promotional campaigns per month
• Transactional messages (order confirmations, shipping updates)
• Automated sequences and follow-ups
• Email volumes integrated with SMS campaigns

This gives a clear picture of total monthly and quarterly messaging requirements.

Step 2: Estimate Attentive costs

Next, apply conservative ranges for Attentive SMS cost and Attentive email pricing:

• SMS: Approximately five to eight cents per message
• MMS: 10–15 cents per message
• Email: Bundled with SMS or charged separately
• Add carrier/10DLC fees, short code leases, and compliance costs

Example: If you send 10K SMS per month at six to eight cents each, your monthly SMS cost would be $600–$800, plus any additional fees.

Step 3: Compare with Omnisend using the same data

Finally, take the same volumes and compare them with Omnisend’s transparent SMS marketing pricing structure. With Omnisend, it’s simpler to forecast costs, with all ecommerce features included.

Tip: Track all figures in a spreadsheet or a simple calculator. Shorten message length with text abbreviations to reduce costs.

This helps you see what you’d actually spend with Attentive compared to Omnisend. By mapping volumes and applying ranges, you can make smarter budgeting decisions without surprises.

When Attentive makes sense — and when Omnisend is a better fit

Choosing between Attentive and Omnisend depends on your business size, budget, and messaging needs. Let’s break it down.

When Attentive can be the right fit

Attentive works best for large, SMS-heavy enterprises. These brands often need:

• High-volume SMS campaigns with complex automation
• Customized SMS strategy services bundled with the platform
• Dedicated account management and premium support tiers
• Sufficient budget to meet quarterly minimums

Many brands report that Attentive SMS pricing can make sense if their monthly messaging volumes justify the platform fees and custom services. 

Attentive is ideal when you can commit to quarterly minimums and want a tailored SMS solution. Some companies also consider Attentive alternatives like Omnisend to find the best fit for heavy SMS programs.

Why most ecommerce brands get better value with Omnisend

For small to mid-market ecommerce brands, Omnisend provides a clearer price-to-value ratio, offering the following features:

• Full access to all ecommerce-focused features, even on the free plan
• Integrated SMS + email with global reach
• Award-winning 24/7 customer support
• Easy setup and intuitive interface

Compared to Attentive cost, Omnisend offers predictable expenses and better ROI. Brands comparing options often look a SMSBump alternatives or a Yotpo vs Omnisend comparison to see how Omnisend balances cost, flexibility, and ROI.

For most growing ecommerce brands, Omnisend offers a transparent, flexible, and ROI-focused solution. That’s why it’s the practical choice over Attentive for most businesses.

Conclusion

Attentive pricing can be confusing. Hidden fees, long contracts, and per-message charges make it hard to know what you’ll actually pay. You really should understand the total cost before signing anything.

Omnisend takes a different approach. Pricing is clear, plans are month-to-month, and all ecommerce features are included from the start, even global SMS. You can see exactly what you’re getting and plan your budget without second-guessing.

For most small and growing ecommerce brands, Omnisend offers better value. Strong ROI, flexible pricing, and simple setup make it easier to grow without unexpected costs. 

When you compare the numbers side by side, the difference is clear. Brands move away from complex models like Attentive pricing. They want a platform they can trust long term.

FAQs

This article originally appeared on Omnisend and is available here for further discovery.