SMS revenue benchmarks for 2026
Reply rates, conversion, and ROI by industry - and where the best programs pull ahead.
Benchmarks turn “is this good?” into a number. Here’s how strong SMS programs are performing in 2026, and where the best pull ahead.
Reply rate
Healthy programs see reply rates between 8% and 25%, depending on industry and message type. Reminders and confirmations sit high; broad promotions sit lower. If you’re under 5%, the issue is usually list quality or relevance, not the channel.
Click rate
Branded links in well-segmented sends commonly land 9% to 18% click rates - several times what the same audience does on email. The lever is segmentation: the tighter the audience, the higher the click.
Conversion and ROI
Top programs report 4x to 8x ROI once attribution is in place. The spread comes down to two things: sending to engaged, consented contacts, and running the automated journeys that capture intent at the right moment.
Where the best pull ahead
- They attribute revenue, so budget flows to winners.
- They lean on journeys, not just one-off blasts.
- They prune unengaged contacts instead of paying to text them.
Benchmarks are a starting line, not a finish. The point is to find your gaps and close them.