Text messaging usage fees appear on your CoolFocus invoice in addition to your subscription package. This short guide lists what counts as a text message so your team knows which actions can be charged as texting usage.
Important: A charge applies when CoolFocus sends or receives an actual text message (SMS or MMS) on your organization's texting number or through CoolFocus. Turning a setting on alone does not bill you; each message that goes out or comes in, however, can.
Usage is on top of the Core, Plus, or Premium subscriptions. The actions listed below are not free of charge just because you are subscribed to a certain package.
SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a standard text message made of words, numbers, symbols, and emoji — no photo or video attachment. Carriers bill SMS by segment (about 150–160 characters per segment).
MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. It is a text that includes media such as a photo, video, or GIF. Carriers bill MMS per message, not by character segments the way SMS is billed. MMS usually costs more than a plain SMS.
Text usage is billed per segment for SMS and per message for MMS:
• SMS outgoing — $0.025 per segment
• SMS incoming — $0.025 per segment
• MMS outgoing — $0.07 per message
• MMS incoming — $0.05 per message
These rates apply whenever a listed action below results in an actual SMS or MMS. For package rates, voice minutes, and the one-time texting setup fee, see Your CoolFocus Invoice.
The following can generate a text messaging usage fee on your next invoice, regardless of the CoolFocus package you subscribe to:
• Appointment reminder & confirmation texts and their replies (automatic and manual)
• Texts tied to online-scheduled appointments (for example, booking confirmation texts when they are sent to clients)
• Sending mobile forms and consents, when CoolFocus texts the client a link (and intro message) to complete intake forms or consent documents on their phone
• SMS text notifications to CoolFocus users, texts to a user’s phone from Profile → Your notifications when that person turns on SMS for an event in CoolFocus
• Inbox SMS, everyday text messages (including symbols and emoji), incoming and outgoing
• Inbox MMS, texts with photos, videos, or GIFs, incoming and outgoing
• Client portal access codes and secure-message alerts, or other portal-related texts when a text is actually sent
• Donor portal texts, when a text is actually sent for portal access or related alerts
• Volunteer portal texts, when a text is actually sent for portal access or related alerts
Website chat widget messages that are delivered as text, incoming and outgoing
Staff tip: The SMS selection on Your notifications is not the same as the in-app bell. Each staff SMS text notification can count toward usage the same way that client text messages do.
• Your monthly package rate (Core, Plus, or Premium subscriptions)
• Phone / voice minute charges (when your plan includes calling and you use it)
• The one-time texting setup fee for turning on two-way messaging (Plus and Premium subscriptions)
For the full picture of subscription plus usage on the invoice, see Your CoolFocus Invoice.
• Notification Channels: In-App, SMS & Email
