Political campaigns can feel like a real rush. Parties need to understand voter sentiment quickly and clearly, and they need to be able to be in touch directly with their communities to encourage trust and loyalty. Here’s where SMS texting may come in as a powerful tool to make your campaign even more successful.
Aside from supporting business operations, SMS and voicemail services can help you connect directly with your voters, send out important reminders and communications, and develop a real, trusted presence in your community. But when it comes to choosing the right service for your needs, there’s more than one factor to consider. After all, you’ll want to prioritise quality, privacy, compliance, and efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best texting and voter outreach platforms for your next campaign. Let’s dive in!
1. FullPAC (gotv.com)
Best for: White-label SMS Texting for Political Campaigns and Consultants
FullPAC is one of the most trusted and comprehensive SMS texting service providers out there. The platform does more than just allowing you to send out texts during your campaign: it also provides white-label services that adjust to your specific needs and integrates AI opposition research.
FullPAC runs peer-to-peer and it is fully compliant. It sends SMS with 10DCL registration and makes it easy for clients to opt out, ensuring you are running your campaigns in line with the latest regulations. Today, over 6000 campaigns have run on this platform, which offers wholesale rates and different use options, from self-serve to fully managed.
Pros:
- Peer-to-peer & broadcast SMS options
- 10DLC compliance & automated opt-out in-platform
- White-label and reseller programs at wholesale rates
- High delivery rates (more than 98.7%), used by over 6,000 campaigns
- Responsive partner support
Cons:
- May have a learning curve for new users
- White-labeling may cost extra
2. Tatango
Best for: Large-Scale Political SMS Fundraising
Tatango is a comprehensive fundraising channel that can be used to engage with donors or, for political campaigns, voters. It allows organizations and parties to send out texts on a large scale and promises an opening rate of 99%. Tatango also uses AI capabilities to help build a contact list and supports a wide range of integrations, helping organizations streamline their efforts and take advantage of cutting-edge automation tools.
Pros:
- Advanced fundraising integrations
- Automated compliance features
- Includes a comprehensive analytics dashboard
- Supports large-scale texting
Cons:
- Higher pricing for premium features
- Focus on fundraising, not specifically on political campaigns
3. RumbleUp
Best for: Engaging Voters with Personal Peer-to-Peer Texts
RumbleUp is one of the best-rated peer-to-peer texting platforms out there. It is suitable for both organizations looking to level up their outreach and political campaigns trying to connect with their voters. The platform’s capabilities include high levels of compliance, streamlined onboarding processes, and a wide range of integration possibilities (including CRM systems). Some of the advantages of RumbleUp include easy set up, data acquisition options, and robust client support.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Fast campaign setup
- Integrates with major CRM platforms
- Focus on engagement and acquisition
Cons:
- Best suited for peer-to-peer (not broadcast)
- Opening rates average at 95%, which is lower than what is stated by other competitors
4. Hustle
Best for: Two-Way Voter Conversations at Scale
Hustle is an employee-owned mobile communication platform. It offers broadcast services and can support sending thousands of messages simultaneously. Some capabilities include automating custom responses and enabling live 1:1 conversations. The platform supports broadcast, P2P, and video messaging, with use cases spanning across several verticals, including commercial, education, nonprofit, government, and political campaigns.
Pros:
- Two-way texting capabilities integrated in the platform
- Real-time analytics
- Availability of templates for campaigns
- Focus on connecting organizations with their audiences
- High standards of compliance
Cons:
- Can be costly for large lists
- Annual commitments can be costly
5. GetThru
Best for: Nonprofits and Advocacy Campaigns
GetThru brings together P2P texting and voice calls capabilities. It is suitable for a wide range of use cases, from fundraising initiatives to education organizations and political campaigns. The platforms uphold high standards of compliance, including easy-to-use opt outs.
The services offered by GetThru (ThruTalk and ThruText) have customizable and versatile pricing packages, so users can adjust their budget and monitor usage over time.
Pros:
- User-friendly peer-to-peer texting
- Multilingual support
- Transparent pricing
- Solid compliance tools
Cons:
- Limited broadcast texting features
- Fewer customization options
6. Opn Sesame
Best for: Multi-Channel Outreach
Opn Sesame is a well known provider of peer-to-peer texting, The main benefits of this platform include an easy-to-use dashboard, quick to set up campaigns, and streamlined integrations with a range of systems, including CRM solutions. It has been widely used by a range of political action groups, especially in conservative settings, as well as in fundraising initiatives.
Pros:
- Multiple outreach channels in one platform
- Options for MMS and emoji
- Custom branding
- Integrated tracking and analytics capabilities
Cons:
- For lower volumes, the price may not be competitive
- Reputation may be influenced by the use of this platform in specific campaigns
7. CallHub
Best for: Integrated Calling & Texting for GOTV Efforts
CallHub is a cloud-based platform offering a wide range of communication and texting services. This service provider offers call, text, and email initiatives in a single platform, giving campaigners multiple outreach options. Integration among multiple channels makes it easier for campaign managers to coordinate their GOTV efforts. With features like automated workflows, list segmentation, and campaign tracking, CallHub is suitable for political campaigns, unions, advocacy, and nonprofit initiatives looking to better manage their large-scale outreach.
Pros:
- Combines calling, texting, and email outreach
- It offers global outreach options
- Integrations with several tools, including CRM systems
- Automated workflows
Cons:
- Interface less modern
- Mobile options limited
Choosing the Best Political Texting Platform for Your Campaign
When it comes to selecting the best political texting platform for your campaign, you’ll want to find a service that meets your needs in terms of budget and goals. Ensure that your chosen service is compliant with the latest privacy regulations and meets your campaign needs. Spending some time now reviewing the best services out there can help you make a confident, informed decision.
