SMS Messaging for Churches

Ekkli sends SMS for churches as a separate, metered feature. A rota reminder, a last-minute service change, or a quick "we're cancelling due to snow" alert: these are the situations SMS is the obvious channel for, and this page explains how SMS billing works in Ekkli, what consent means, and why it isn't part of the free trial.

The trial doesn't include SMS

SMS is not included in the six-month free trial. The trial covers the whole platform for up to 50 people, with push notifications standing in for short, urgent alerts during that period. SMS becomes available from your first paid plan.

How SMS billing works

SMS is paid for with credits you buy in advance, at your country's price. That means you only ever spend an SMS package you've already paid for, instead of getting a usage-based bill at the end of the month — no surprise invoice.

Separate consent, kept apart from email

Sending SMS requires a recipient's separate consent, independent of email consent. Agreeing to receive SMS doesn't automatically mean agreeing to email campaigns, and the reverse is also true.

SMS alongside push notifications and email

For most of what churches reach for SMS to do, Ekkli already offers another route. Push notifications through Ekkli's installable app are included on every plan, including the trial, and reach anyone who's installed the app. From the Growing plan, email campaigns add consent-aware sending with an automatic suppression list. SMS complements both where a message has to land immediately, including with people who haven't installed the app and don't check email right away — SMS lands straight on a locked phone screen.

If you need two-way conversational texting

Ekkli's SMS is built for reminders and broadcast-style alerts. If your church specifically needs ongoing two-way text conversations — a prayer-request line, or automated follow-up sequences for first-time visitors — dedicated platforms like Clearstream, Flocknote, or Text In Church are built around exactly that and go deeper than Ekkli's messaging does. For rota reminders, service changes, and one-off alerts, Ekkli's SMS covers the same ground without adding another system to your church's stack.

Frequently asked questions

Is SMS included in the free trial?

No. Use push notifications during the trial instead; SMS becomes available from your first paid plan.

How is SMS billed?

By credits you buy in advance, at your country's price. There's no surprise usage bill — you're only ever spending a package you've already paid for.