Google RCS for Business vs SimplyRCS

Google RCS for Business lets brands send rich-media messages to customers on Android and iOS, including read receipts, analytics, and a Verified icon. Agents can send one-way notifications or support two-way conversations about transactions, customer service, promotions, and other business needs. Rich cards, media, and suggested interactions can guide users through conversations. Agents send messages through an API using HTTP requests with JSON payloads; configured webhooks deliver user messages and events. Agent logic can use a natural language understanding module such as Dialogflow to choose responses. Google lists one-time password, transactional, promotional, and multi-use agent categories, with rules that may vary by country. Businesses typically work with messaging partners to build and maintain agents, and launches require brand verification and approval by Google, carriers, or both. Carriers set rates through their rate cards; billing methods differ for conversational and non-conversational messages, and no fixed public price is listed. Unsupported devices receive a 404 response, so agents should use another channel such as SMS. RBM does not provide end-to-end encryption, and Google says it is not HIPAA compliant.

SimplyRCS is a US-focused platform for sending verified branded RCS, SMS, and MMS business messages. It supports broadcasts to lists or segments, two-way conversations, and automatic fallback from RCS to MMS or SMS. Users can describe a bot in plain English, then edit the AI-assembled bot on a visual canvas. Analytics cover delivery, reads, taps, conversions, and cost, with CSV exports and scheduled reports. Named integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Shopify, scheduling and EHR systems, and helpdesks; a REST API with webhooks is also available. The public API documents 195 endpoints across messaging, sender IDs, bots, contacts, compliance, analytics, and webhooks. SimplyRCS says it checks consent before sends, honors STOP and HELP immediately, enforces quiet hours, and logs consent events. The free plan has no platform charge, with messaging at published rates; paid plans start at $20 a month. Separate sender fees include an annual 200.00 USD Aegis review and a one-time 500.00 USD T-Mobile activation.