How to text more than 30 people at once.
Phones cap a group text at roughly 20 to 30 people, and the exact limit depends on the phone, the carrier and the messaging app. Even below the limit, a big group text means reply-all floods and everyone seeing everyone’s number. Here are your options, and the simplest way to reach a big group privately.
Use a group texting service that sends each person their own copy of your message. Write it once, send it to everyone, and replies come back only to you. With SMSGO it’s $0.03 per text segment, and nobody needs an app.
A group text is a room. A big group needs a megaphone.
Group texts are great for a handful of friends. Past a couple dozen people, they start working against you.
Size limits
Most phones stop you somewhere around 20 to 30 people, and the limit changes with the phone, the carrier and the app.
Reply-all floods
Every “👍” and “Who is this?” goes to everyone, and the message that matters gets buried.
Numbers on display
Everyone in the thread sees everyone else’s phone number, including people who barely know each other.
Mixed phones
iPhone and Android users in the same thread can see photos, reactions and replies differently, or not at all.
Four ways to reach a big group.
Text your whole group in five steps.
- Create your account and add $5About 166 standard text segments. No subscription.
- Bring in your peopleSend us your list and we import it free, upload a CSV, or share your Join page and QR code. Phone numbers you add get a free text to confirm with YES.
- Write your message onceSMSGO counts the characters and segments as you type.
- Check the count and cost, then sendEveryone, one group or one person. Each person gets their own copy, by text or email.
- Read replies privatelyAnswers come only to you, in your inbox, your email or your phone.
From your phone, the same send is one text: #all Practice moved to 7 tonight. SMSGO shows the count and cost, and sends when you reply YES.
Pay per message, not per month.
One-segment message, everyone by text. Members who choose email cost $0.003 each.
$0.03 per text segment, carrier fees included. Replies texted back are $0.03 per segment, and replies by email are free. Estimate your month.
Make big-group messages work better.
Big group text questions.
How many people can be in a group text?
It depends on the phone, the carrier and the messaging app, but most group texts top out somewhere around 20 to 30 people. To reach more, use a group texting service that sends each person their own copy.
How do I text a large group without a group chat?
Use a service like SMSGO. You write one message, and each person receives it as their own private text or email. Replies come back only to you, and nobody sees anyone else’s number.
Is there a limit on how many people SMSGO can text?
There are no per-contact fees. We import lists of any size for free, CSV uploads take up to 5,000 rows at a time, and the text-to-join limit is 200 by default and can be raised in Settings up to 10,000.
Do people need to download an app?
No. They get a normal text or email and reply the same way. There’s no app, account or password for them.
Will people see each other’s phone numbers?
No. Each person gets their own copy, so numbers and email addresses stay private, and replies come only to you.
Can people reply?
Yes. Replies land in your SMSGO inbox, and SMSGO can forward them to your phone, your email, or both. Only you see them.
Do I need permission to text people?
Yes, and SMSGO builds it in. People can join themselves with your Join page, QR code or JOIN code. Phone numbers you add get a free text asking them to confirm with YES, and anyone can text STOP to stop.
Can I send from my own phone?
Yes. Text a command like #all followed by your message to 240-786-1112 from the phone number on your account. SMSGO shows the count and cost, and sends when you reply YES. Messages go out from SMSGO’s registered number.
How much does it cost to text 100 people?
A one-segment text to 100 people is $3.00 at $0.03 per text segment. Members on email cost $0.003 each, replies texted back are $0.03 per segment, and there’s no monthly fee.
Where to next.
Text your whole group today.
Send us your list and we’ll import it free. Then write once and reach everyone.
Pay as you go · Text or email · Real support when you need it
