Numbers
Learn about 10DLC vs toll-free numbers.
When creating a messaging campaign, you must choose between a 10DLC or toll-free number. This article explains the differences between the two number types.
10DLC numbers
10DLC stands for 10-digit long code and refers to phone numbers with local U.S. area codes. 10DLC numbers are the most common type of phone number for application-to-person messaging. They are also the most cost-effective option for sending messages.
10DLC numbers are subject to new A2P 10DLC regulations, which require senders to share information about their company and messaging use case with the cell carrires for approval before sending messages. This process is called 10DLC registration, and you can read our guide here. For each campaign you create, the cell carriers charge an initial creation fee of $20 and recurring monthly fee of $10 while the campaign is active.
It usually takes 2-3 business days for the cell carriers to approve your 10DLC registration. Until this happens, any messages sent from your number will be blocked.
Toll-free numbers
Toll-free numbers are an alternative to 10DLC numbers that start in 8XX area codes. Messages sent through toll-free numbers are slightly more expensive than 10DLC.
Campaigns created with a toll-free number are subject to the process, which requires senders to share information about their company and messaging use case with a third party for approval before sending messages. Unlike 10DLC campaigns, there are no fees associated with toll-free verification. This means it may be a good option for individuals and hobbyists with low traffic who want to avoid monthly fees.
It may take upwards of 3-4 weeks for for your toll-free verification to be approved. Until this happens, messages sent from your number will be blocked. Because of this long delay, we recommend 10DLC numbers for companies that need to send messages quickly.
Short codes
A short code is a 5 or 6 digit phone number that is used to send text messages at scale. They have the highest throughput (messages per second) and are the least likely to experience carrier filtering. However, they cost between $500 and $1,000 per month to lease and require a lengthy provisioning process that often takes 6-8 weeks.
Like local and toll-free numbers, new short codes must be reviewed and approved by the cell carriers before they can be used to send messages. You must share details about your company and specific messaging use case as part of the provisioning process.
Short code campaign registrations are not currently available through the Sendo dashboard, but we are working on adding support in the future. In the meantime, please contact us if you are interested in using a short code or learning more about the process.
Price comparison
The following table shows the cost of sending messages with 10DLC and toll-free numbers. There is a recurring charge of $2 per month for both number types.
| Message type | 10DLC | Toll-free | Short code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound SMS | $0.004 | $0.006 | Pending |
| Inbound SMS | $0.004 | $0.006 | Pending |
| Outbound MMS | $0.01 | $0.012 | Pending |
| Inbound MMS | $0.006 | $0.008 | Pending |
FAQs
Does the API treat these numbers differently?
No, when you register either a 10DLC or toll-free campaign, you will receive a campaignId on your dashboard that you can use to send messages with the /message/send route. The API does not treat these numbers differently when sending messages.
Can one campaign have multiple numbers?
Yes, you can add multiple numbers to a single campaign. At the moment, this is not possible via the Sendo dashboard but our team can add numbers to your campaign manually. Please contact us if you would like to add multiple numbers to a campaign.
It’s important to note that adding multiple numbers to one campaign will not improve your messaging throughput or reduce the likelihood of carrier filtering, as those limits are applied at the campaign level. The main benefit of adding multiple numbers is that you can send messages from different area codes, to appear more local to your recipients.
What is the throughput for 10DLC numbers?
When your 10DLC campaign is approved, you will be assigned messaging throughput limits to AT&T recipients. For most smaller companies, this limit will be roughly 75 SMS messages or 50 MMS messages per minute. Larger companies can get higher limits of up up 4,500 SMS messages or 2,400 MMS messages per minute. Please contact us if you have questions about your campaign’s throughput or need to request a higher limit.
What if someone calls my number?
Because Sendo currently does not support voice calling features, any calls to your 10DLC or toll-free numbers will be rejected. However, please contact us if you would like us to set up an inbound route that forwards the calls to a different number you control.