Shared short codes were discontinued by major U.S. carriers in 2021, leaving thousands of small businesses scrambling for affordable text marketing solutions. Dedicated short codes cost $500-$1,000+ monthly—out of reach for most local businesses—while newer platforms offer 10-digit numbers with varying capabilities.
Bottom line: The best short code alternative depends on your business size and technical needs. For local businesses under 100,000 subscribers who need built-in CRM and unlimited keywords without developer resources, Referrizer offers the most complete package at $0.0065 per text (cheaper than Twilio’s $0.0083). Developers needing API flexibility benefit from Twilio. For straightforward campaigns with solid support, SimpleTexting or EZ Texting work well.
We’ve compared the leading alternatives across pricing, 2-way messaging, keyword limits, and CRM integration to help you choose the right fit.
Quick Comparison: Top Short Code Alternatives
| Platform | Best For | Cost per SMS | 2-Way Messaging | Keyword Limit | Built-in CRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referrizer | Local businesses needing full CRM | $0.0065/text | ✓ | Unlimited | ✓ |
| Twilio | Developers with custom needs | $0.0083/text | ✓ | N/A (API-based) | ✗ |
| SimpleTexting | Basic campaigns with support | $0.02-$0.055/credit | ✓ | Unlimited | ✗ |
| EZ Texting | High-volume senders | $0.01-$0.03/credit | ✓ | Unlimited | ✗ |
Why Shared Short Codes Were Discontinued
When multiple brands sent messages from the same 5-6 digit number, these appeared as a single conversation in customers’ phones with no way to distinguish between companies. If one business violated TCPA regulations, the entire shared code got blocked—punishing compliant businesses using that same number.
Carriers stopped approving new shared short codes in 2021 and have shut down existing ones as users transitioned away. The industry moved toward dedicated sending numbers where each business owns its communication channel.
What to Look for in a Short Code Alternative
10-Digit Numbers vs Dedicated Short Codes
10-digit numbers (A2P 10DLC) work like regular phone numbers but are registered for business messaging. They’re affordable ($1-10/month for the number itself) and can send thousands of messages daily—enough for most small businesses.
Dedicated short codes still exist but cost $500-$1,000+ monthly. They offer high throughput (hundreds of thousands of messages per hour) but only make sense for enterprises or very high-volume senders.
Keyword Flexibility Requirements
With shared short codes, popular keywords were often taken by other businesses. Your alternative should offer unlimited keywords so you can run multiple campaigns (SALE, DISCOUNT, VIP, REWARDS) without conflicts or additional fees.
2-Way Messaging vs Broadcast-Only
Shared short codes couldn’t receive replies—messages went into a void. True 2-way messaging lets customers respond to your texts, ask questions, and have conversations. This dramatically improves engagement and builds relationships instead of blasting promotions.
Standalone Tool vs Integrated CRM
Most SMS platforms are standalone—you text people, but their contact info, purchase history, and preferences live in separate systems. Built-in CRM means everything connects: when someone opts in via text, you can segment them, track their journey, and trigger automated follow-ups based on their behavior.
Top 4 Short Code Alternatives Compared
Referrizer: Best for Local Businesses Needing Full CRM
Referrizer replaces short code functionality with dedicated 10-digit phone numbers that only your business uses, and at $0.0065 per text, it’s cheaper than developer-focused platforms like Twilio ($0.0083/text). Unlike shared codes where keywords were limited and constantly taken, you get unlimited keywords for free—segment your audience however you need.
What makes Referrizer different:
Lowest per-text cost without sacrificing features. At $0.0065 per message, you’ll save $18 on every 10,000 texts compared to Twilio—and that’s before factoring in the time saved by not needing developer resources. Run multiple campaigns monthly and those savings compound into hundreds per year.
True 2-way conversations, not broadcasts. When customers text your keyword, you can reply from desktop, phone, or tablet through Referrizer’s unified inbox. Shared short codes couldn’t do this—replies disappeared into the void. You build actual relationships through text instead of one-sided promotions.
Built-in CRM eliminates disconnected tools. Your contacts, their opt-in source (which keyword they texted), purchase history, and engagement—all in one system. With shared short codes, you’d need separate software to track who opted in from what campaign. Referrizer automatically segments based on keywords, so your NEWCUSTOMER list is separate from VIP or REWARDS.
Unlimited keywords at no extra cost. Run seasonal campaigns (SUMMER, FALL, HOLIDAY), location-specific keywords (DOWNTOWN, WESTSIDE), or offer-based keywords (DISCOUNT, FREESHIP) without paying per keyword. This was impossible with shared short codes where keywords were first-come, first-served across all users.
Complete marketing suite, not isolated texting. Referrizer includes email marketing, loyalty programs, referral tracking, reputation management, and review requests in one platform. You’re not paying for SMS + separate CRM + separate email tool + separate loyalty software. Everything connects.
Ready-to-send campaign templates. Referrizer’s free marketplace offers pre-built templates for appointment reminders, flash sales, reactivation campaigns, review requests, and more. No copywriting required—pick, customize, and launch.
Seamless integrations for service businesses. Connects with scheduling and POS systems like MindBody, Booker, ClubReady, and others. Customer books an appointment? Automatically add them to your SMS list and trigger reminder sequences.
Who it’s for: Local businesses (retail, restaurants, service providers, gyms, salons) with 1,000-100,000 contacts who want text marketing integrated with customer relationship management. If you’re tired of juggling separate tools for texting, CRM, email, and loyalty programs, Referrizer consolidates everything at a lower per-message cost than standalone SMS platforms.
Real-world savings example:
- Send 10,000 texts/month on Referrizer: $65
- Same volume on Twilio: $83
- Monthly savings: $18
- Annual savings: $216 (before factoring in eliminated tool costs)
Schedule a demo to see if Referrizer fits your business needs.
Twilio: Best for Developers with Custom Needs
Twilio operates on pure pay-as-you-go pricing—$0.0083 per SMS sent or received in the U.S., plus monthly number costs ($1-3 for local numbers). There’s no platform, no interface, no pre-built tools—it’s an API you build on.
What it excels at: Flexibility for developers. If you’re building a custom app, need to integrate SMS into complex workflows, or want programmatic control over every message, Twilio’s API is industry-standard. Volume discounts automatically apply as you scale, making it cost-effective at extremely high volumes (millions of messages).
Who it’s for: Companies with in-house developers or agencies building custom solutions. Not recommended for non-technical users—there’s no dashboard to “send a campaign.”
Limitations: Additional carrier fees, delivery receipt charges, and number rental costs add up beyond the base per-message price. You’ll need to build your own contact management, keyword handling, and 2-way messaging workflows. No CRM, no templates, no hand-holding. At typical small business volumes, Referrizer’s $0.0065/text beats Twilio’s pricing while offering a complete platform.
SimpleTexting: Best for Basic Campaigns with Strong Support
SimpleTexting offers tiered plans from $29/month (500 credits) to $899/month (50,000 credits). SMS costs 1 credit, extended messages (161-306 characters) cost 2 credits, and MMS costs 3 credits.
What it excels at: User-friendly platform with excellent customer support. All features (unlimited keywords, autoresponders, templates, segments) come with every plan—no tiered feature restrictions. Nonprofit discount of 15% available.
Who it’s for: Small businesses that want straightforward text marketing without learning curves. Good balance of features and simplicity for 1,000-25,000 contact lists.
Limitations: Some users report costs add up quickly as volume increases, and MMS pricing at 3 credits per message can get expensive. No built-in CRM—you’ll need Zapier to connect with other tools. Credits roll over for one month only, so unused credits expire.
EZ Texting: Best for High-Volume Senders
EZ Texting plans range from $25/month for entry-level to $500+ for high-volume needs. Like SimpleTexting, 1 SMS = 1 credit, 1 MMS = 3 credits.
What it excels at: Advanced features like AI-powered message compose, Shutterstock integration for images, and automated workflows available across plans. Strong deliverability and carrier registration included at no extra cost (other providers charge separately).
Who it’s for: Businesses sending 10,000+ messages monthly who want more sophisticated tools than basic platforms but don’t need full CRM.
Limitations: Can become expensive at very high volumes compared to alternatives. Fewer native integrations—most connections require Zapier. No built-in CRM for contact management beyond basic lists.
Why Most Small Businesses Choose Referrizer
The fundamental problem with replacing shared short codes isn’t finding a new number type—it’s replacing the ecosystem short codes existed within. You had a number, keywords, and broadcast capability. Now you need:
- A compliant sending number (10-digit or dedicated short code)
- Keyword management and auto-responses
- 2-way messaging capability
- Contact database and segmentation
- Integration with your other marketing channels
- Compliance tools (opt-out handling, consent records)
Referrizer solves this as an all-in-one platform rather than forcing you to duct-tape multiple tools together. You’re not paying Twilio for messages + Salesforce for CRM + Zapier for integrations + Mailchimp for email. You get one system that handles customer relationships across text, email, and loyalty programs.
For businesses that previously used shared short codes (typically local businesses, not enterprises), this integrated approach makes more sense than cobbling together API-first tools designed for developers.
Feature Breakdown: What You Actually Get
Dedicated numbers with unlimited keywords: No sharing, no conflicts, no limits. Run seasonal campaigns, location-based offers, and product-specific keywords at the same time.
Unified inbox across channels: Customer texts you? Reply from the same inbox where you handle their emails and see their purchase history. Context matters in customer service.
Automated campaigns triggered by behavior: Someone texts NEWCUSTOMER? Automatically add them to your welcome series, send a first-purchase discount, and schedule a follow-up text in 3 days. This level of automation typically requires expensive enterprise software.
CRM built for local businesses: Track which customers came from which campaign, their lifetime value, visit frequency, and preferences. Segment for targeted campaigns without exporting CSVs or managing multiple databases.
Review and loyalty management: Text marketing doesn’t exist in a vacuum—connect it to reputation management and customer retention programs.
Making the Switch: From Short Code to Modern Alternatives
Step 1: Export Your Contact List (If Possible)
If you still have access to your shared short code provider, export your opted-in contacts. You’ll need to re-verify opt-ins on your new platform to stay TCPA compliant—people consented to the old number, not your new one.
Step 2: Choose Your Number Type
For most small businesses: 10-digit local or toll-free number ($1-10/month)
- Can send thousands of messages daily
- Affordable and quick to set up
- Customers can call the same number
For enterprises or very high volume: Dedicated short code ($500-1,000+/month)
- High throughput (100,000+ messages/hour)
- 8-week setup time
- Only makes sense if sending millions of messages monthly
Step 3: Set Up Keywords and Auto-Responses
Recreate your keyword campaigns. If customers knew to text DEALS to your old short code, they’ll need to text DEALS to your new number. Plan a transition announcement: text your existing list from the old code while it still works, announcing the new number and keywords.
Step 4: Update Marketing Materials
Everywhere you promoted your short code (website, social media, print materials, ads), update to your new number and keywords. QR codes make this easier—scan to automatically populate the text message.
Step 5: Monitor and Optimize
Track opt-in rates, reply rates, and conversions on your new platform. 2-way messaging will likely show higher engagement than broadcast-only short codes—customers can interact with you now.
FAQ
What is short code text messaging?
Also known as short code texting—is a type of commercial SMS and MMS messaging. With it, you can handle high volumes of business texts per second. This is why it’s ideal for time-sensitive promotions, alerts, notifications, and large-scale customer service interactions.
To make it work, businesses lease short codes from wireless carriers or through specialized providers (aggregators). For your short code to campaign to be legal in the United States, you must include a clear opt-in consent option for your customers. Otherwise, you’re in breach of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Why are shared short codes no longer possible?
Because they’re easy for SMS scammers to take advantage of, shared short code numbers posed risks for both carriers and businesses. All it takes is one business to send a broadcast that isn’t compliant and that short code gets blocked. This negatively impacts the law-abiding businesses sharing that code. Not to mention bad customer experience across the board, as nobody’s messages will get through.
