Every bulk SMS platform asks you to pick a message type — and picking wrong means blocked messages or wasted spend. Here's the 5-minute version of how promotional, transactional and OTP SMS differ in India.
Promotional SMS
Marketing content: offers, sales, product launches, event invites. On standard DLT routes these are blocked to DND (Do Not Disturb) numbers and restricted to 9 AM–9 PM delivery. On no-DLT routes, these restrictions are the platform's problem, not yours — which is exactly why fast-moving marketers use them.
Transactional SMS
Operational messages a customer expects: order confirmations, delivery updates, payment receipts, appointment reminders. They deliver 24×7 and reach DND numbers, because the recipient has a relationship with you. Misusing transactional routes for marketing is the fastest way to get an account suspended anywhere.
OTP SMS
One-time passwords for login, signup and payment verification. The highest-priority route there is — delivery speed is the whole product. If your OTPs take more than ~10 seconds, users abandon the flow; aim for 2–6 second delivery.
Quick decision guide
- Selling something or announcing an offer → Promotional.
- Confirming something the user did (order, booking, payment) → Transactional.
- Verifying identity with a code → OTP.
- Mixed campaign with variables from a CSV (name, amount, link) → any type; personalization works on all three.
What they cost
On CheapBulkSMS everything rides the same simple pricing: ₹0.80 per SMS without DLT registration (and ₹1.50 per RCS message), 5,000-SMS minimum, credits that never expire. One rate, no template approvals, delivery in 2–6 seconds.
Send your first campaign in 5 minutes
Bulk SMS without DLT at ₹0.80/SMS — CSV upload, variables, delivery reports. Try a free test SMS right now, no signup needed.