Last Updated on September 19, 2024
Thinking about sending an SMS in Microsoft Teams?
In this guide, you will learn why integrating SMS into Microsoft Teams is a great idea, and my hand-picked best tools for doing so.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents:
Why Integrate SMS Into Microsoft Teams
You might already be using Microsoft Teams, a robust platform that allows for seamless chatting, video conferencing, and file sharing.
But have you ever considered integrating SMS—short message service—into your Microsoft Teams workflow?
If not, well, here are reasons why integrating SMS into Microsoft Teams can be a powerful move for your organization:
1. Streamlined Communication
When you integrate SMS into Microsoft Teams, you bring all your communication channels under one roof.
You no longer need to toggle between apps or platforms to reach team members, clients, or vendors.
An SMS integration lets you send text messages directly from the Microsoft Teams interface. 👍
2. Improved Workflow
Think about those times when an urgent issue arises and you need to reach someone immediately.
Maybe they’re not online on Teams, but a quick text could resolve the situation swiftly.
With SMS, you enable instant outreach that can be particularly helpful in time-sensitive scenarios.
This helps a lot in decision-making and problem-solving and even improves your workflow.
3. Team Collaboration
Collaboration is the bedrock of any successful team, and integrating SMS into Microsoft Teams improves this aspect as well.
With this Microsoft Teams SMS integration, you can easily do the following:
- Loop in team members on SMS threads
- Share important updates via text
- Ensure that everyone is on the same page
All that regardless of whether they’re actively using Teams at that moment.
4. Reduced Software Clutter
The more apps and software solutions you have, the more complicated your tech ecosystem becomes.
Each new tool requires its own set of logins, user permissions, and so forth.
By bringing SMS into your Microsoft Teams environment:
You simplify your tech stack, making it easier for your IT department to manage and secure your software tools.
5. High Accessibility and Open Rates
SMS messages have extraordinarily high open rates compared to other forms of communication like email.
This means that your messages are sent and read, making it a highly reliable form of communication.
Moreover, since most people carry their mobile phones with them all the time:
SMS messages can be accessed and read almost immediately, further boosting their effectiveness.
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Top 5 Tools for Sending SMS in Microsoft Teams
With that said, here are the best tools you can use to send SMS in Microsoft Teams:
1. Clerk Chat
I highly recommend Clerk Chat — in fact, I got this configured and it works pretty well.
Clerk Chat is designed to be user-friendly, enabling you to connect with customers and clients using voice and SMS in just minutes.
You can choose your own phone number or bring your existing one from Twilio, RingCentral, or VoIP.
Here are the pros and cons of Clerk Chat:
| Pros | Cons |
| Saves time | Slow |
| User-friendly | Technical issues |
| All in one place | |
| Integration | |
| Pricing |
Key Features:
- Send and receive SMS/MMS: Communicate via text messages directly within your existing Microsoft Teams
- Carrier integration: Integrate with major carriers like Twilio, RingCentral, and ZoomPhone to route your existing SMS solution to Microsoft Teams
- Number management: Purchase new numbers right from the Clerk or bring your existing numbers
- VoIP & Non-VoIP numbers for SMS verification: Utilize various phone numbers for SMS verification purposes
- CRM integration: Bring contacts from major CRMs like HubSpot and GSuite for streamlined communication
Pricing:
Clerk Chat offers flexible pricing options to suit different needs:
| Plan | Price (User/Month) | Features |
| Free | $0 | 100 SMS, limited to 1 number, bring your own number |
| Starter | $9.99 | 50 SMS/user, multiple numbers, bring your own number |
| Unlimited | $19.99 | Unlimited SMS, multiple numbers, bring your own number |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Customized limits, whiteglove onboarding, premium support |
Clerk Chat is a reliable tool for business SMS communication within Microsoft Teams.
2. YakChat
YakChat allows you to effortlessly add SMS capability to your Microsoft Teams.
With this tool, you can engage in SMS conversations right from your MS Teams desktop or mobile app.
It offers a bridge between your MS Teams channels and SMS for instant connectivity in the following channels:
- Outlook
- Active Directory
- SharePoint
- Within your MS Teams channels
YakChat stands out for its ability to provide a dedicated number for each of your personal or shared inboxes.
Here are the pros and cons of YakChat:
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple setup | Outdated user interface |
| Individual or group numbers | Limited group messaging |
| Porting numbers |
Key Features:
- Two-way SMS: Send and receive SMS from Microsoft Teams Chat and Channels
- Shared or personal number: Opt for a shared SMS number for a group of users or a personal SMS number for each user
- Admin console: Easy user set-up and management through a user-friendly admin console
- Integration: Deep integration with Microsoft 365 allows seamless SMS texting with your contacts on various Microsoft platforms
- Mobile app : Send and receive messages on your iOS and Android mobile device using the same number you use on your Microsoft 365 desktop.
Pricing:
Here are the pricing options for YakChat:
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Features |
| Personal (Annual Term) | $11.95 | – 1 user – 1 number – 200 free texts/month – 1 campaign (10DLC) |
| Shared (Annual Term) | $39.95 | – 10 users – 1 number – 1,000 free texts/month – 1 campaign (10DLC) |
| MFA (Annual Term) | $47.94 | – Unlimited MFA users – 1 number – Unlimited inbound texts(for Microsoft Teams Channel members, inbound texts only) |
Both personal and shared plans have additional standard texts cost:
- Inbound SMS texts: $0.01
- Outbound SMS texts: $0.013
- Inbound/outbound MMS texts: $0.03
Additional number options:
- SMS Office: SMS-enable your existing number (free)
- SMS Teams: Calls and SMS on one unified Microsoft Teams number (price on application)
3. Falkon SMS
Falkon SMS can level up your texting experience by text-enabling your MS Teams number with just a few minutes of setup.
This application-based messaging platform enables you to send and receive text messages using any of the following:
- Your existing landline
- VoIP
- MS Teams number
It’s particularly designed to cater to business communication needs.
It’s a user-friendly and feature-rich SMS marketing app that empowers effective engagement with customers.
Here are the pros and cons of Falkon SMS:
| Pros | Cons |
| Simplicity and ease of use | Pricing |
| Visually appealing user-friendly Interface | Learning curve |
| Feature-rich platform |
Key Features
- Seamless texting: Send messages effortlessly from your desktop, mobile, or web-based Teams applications to any device supporting SMS
- ImprovedvVisibility: With a 90% open rate within 3 minutes of receipt, SMS ensures your message gets the prompt attention it deserves
- Text automation: Automate SMS campaigns with scheduled messaging, keyword replies, and auto-replies for a better user experience
- Real-time usage monitoring: Keep track of your usage in real-time to manage your texting campaigns efficiently
- Group messaging and scheduled messaging: Manage group texts and schedule messages for timely communication
Pricing:
Falkon SMS offers transparent pricing with no setup fees, no surprise fees, and no hidden charges.
Here are the pricing plans:
| Plan | Price | Features |
| Basic Plan | $39.99/month | 1-1 Texting (1000 credits), group texting (500 credits), up to 3 users, message scheduling, MMS enabled, auto replies |
| Premium Plan | $89.99/month | 1-1 Texting (unlimited*), group texting (2500 credits), up to 5 users, message scheduling, MMS enabled, auto replies |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom Pricing | Custom texting requirements, custom number of users, custom features similar to other plans |
Additionally, if you run out of credits, you can recharge with add-on credits priced at $29.99 for either 1-1 Texting or Group Text.
4. RingCentral
RingCentral is a comprehensive cloud-based Voice over IP (VoIP) service provider designed to improve business communications.
It facilitates:
- Various communication channels including voice, video, and messaging
- Collaboration across different devices
All of these without necessitating new hardware, making it a popular and cost-effective choice for businesses of varying sizes.
However, it may become expensive for larger enterprises.
Here are the pros and cons of RingCentral:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup | Complex setup for advanced users |
| Scalability | Contract limitations |
| Remote-friendly | Call quality and customer service issues |
| Integration | |
| 24/7 Customer support |
Key Features:
- Multi-level interactive voice response (IVR): A system that guides callers through options to direct them to the appropriate department or individual
- Internet fax: Send and receive faxes online, reducing the need for traditional fax machines
- Audio and video conferencing: Conduct meetings remotely with audio and video capabilities
- Cloud private branch exchange (PBX): A phone system hosted in the cloud, eliminating the need for expensive hardware and maintenance
- Auto-receptionist: Automatically greets callers and directs them according to their needs
Pricing:
RingCentral offers four pricing tiers, billed per user per month.
They offer potential discounts for annual subscriptions or plans with over 100 members.
Here’s a brief breakdown:
| Plan | Price (Annual) | Key Features |
| Core | $20/user/month | Unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, IVR, Google and Microsoft apps access, single sign-on, analytics for IT administrators |
| Advanced | $25/user/month | Everything in core plus: auto call recording, advanced call monitoring and handling, multi-site management, Salesforce and Zendesk access, internet fax, essential business analytics |
| Ultra | $35/user/month | Everything in advanced plus: unlimited enterprise-grade HD video, whiteboards, messaging, customizable business insights, unlimited file-sharing, unlimited storage for files and recordings, enhanced business analytic suite |
Each plan offers a different level of functionality, catering to varying business needs and sizes.
RingCentral’s pricing is competitive compared to other VoIP providers.
5. Heymarket
Heymarket is a business text messaging solution designed for secure and reliable texting between your employees and customers.
It allows for the easy sending of personalized text messages at scale and helps obtain rapid responses.
It centralizes all your business SMS and text conversations in one place, including integrations with other platforms.
Here are the pros and cons of Heymarket:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | No email management feature |
| Time-saving templates | Can be glitchy |
| Good customer service | Syncing with the server can take some time |
Key Features:
- 1-to-Many texting: Engage with multiple customers simultaneously using Heymarket’s list-building tools and send bulk messages while maintaining personalization through dynamic custom fields
- Advanced text automations: Automate workflows based on message content, timing, channel, etc., to enhance team efficiency
- Integration with business apps: Connect data from your CRM and other platforms while messaging in Microsoft Teams, centralizing tools and keeping crucial information up-to-date
- Detailed reporting and administration: Measure customer satisfaction, response times, and team productivity to evaluate the impact of your business texting strategy and make informed decisions
- Security and compliance: Ensure business texts are secure and compliant with enterprise-grade security features, including SOC 2 Type 2 and TCPA compliance
Pricing:
Heymarket offers four main pricing tiers:
| Plan | Price | Features |
| Standard | $19/user/month (billed annually) | – 2-way messaging – Shared inbox – Conversation management – Unlimited contacts – Templates and tags – Basic reporting |
| Plus | $39/user/month (billed annually) | – All standard plan features – Lists and campaigns – Automations – Advanced reporting and analytics – Integrations (excludes Salesforce) |
| Pro | $59/user/month (billed annually) | – All plus plan features – Access to API – Sentiment analysis – Advanced administration and security – Salesforce add-on available ($7.50 per user, per month) |
| Enterprise | Contact for pricing | – Custom users – All pro plan features – Custom feature configuration – Concierge onboarding – Additional training resources – Priority support services – High volume messaging available |
Additionally, they offer customized pricing that scales with you.
They have message bundles where the cost is $0.03 per message segment.
That’s inclusive of all carrier fees, MMS, and WhatsApp messaging fees for the US and Canada.
Integrating SMS into Teams
Choosing the right SMS integration tool for Microsoft Teams can significantly enhance your team’s communication and workflow.
With that, here are my final recommendations:
| Tool | Needs | Explanation |
| Clerk Chat | User-friendly, budget-friendly | Ideal for those who want a straightforward, user-friendly interface along with competitive pricing options. |
| YakChat | Flexibility, individual or group numbers | Great if you need the option to assign individual or shared numbers and don’t mind an outdated interface. |
| Falkon SMS | Feature-rich, easy to use | Best for organizations looking for a comprehensive set of features and an intuitive interface. |
| RingCentral | Scalability, multiple communication channels | Perfect for growing businesses that need a robust, all-in-one communication solution. |
| Heymarket | Customer engagement, automation | Suited for businesses focusing on customer engagement and seeking advanced automation features. |
Anyway, do you have any questions about sending SMS in Microsoft Teams? Let me know below.
For any business-related queries or concerns, contact me through the contact form. I always reply. 🙂
very helpful, thank you for this post!