Pricing & How-To
RapBooster Growth Team
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the modern upgrade to SMS. It lets businesses send images, videos, carousels, buttons and suggested replies, with a verified brand name and logo, directly to the phone's default messaging app, with no app download needed. Not every phone can receive RCS yet, so keep another channel ready.
SMS vs RCS in one table
| Feature | SMS | RCS |
|---|---|---|
| Text length | 160 characters per segment | Long messages |
| Images and video | No | Yes |
| Carousels | No | Yes |
| Buttons (call, visit, reply) | No | Yes |
| Verified sender with logo | No (just a header ID) | Yes |
| Read receipts | No | Yes |
| Analytics | Delivery only | Delivery, read, clicks |
| App needed | None | None (default messaging app) |
Why businesses care about RCS
1. Trust. SMS headers are easy to spoof, and customers know it. RCS agents are verified, show your logo, and display a verified badge.
2. Rich experiences. Show a product carousel, let people tap "Book now", or share a boarding pass, all inside the inbox.
3. Measurability. Read receipts and click tracking tell you what's working, unlike SMS.
4. No install. Unlike app-based channels, RCS reaches people in the messaging app already on their phone.
What can you send with RCS?
- Promotions: a carousel of offers with "Shop now" buttons
- Transactional updates: order status with a "Track" button
- Appointment reminders: with "Confirm" and "Reschedule" suggested replies
- Boarding passes and tickets: rich cards with QR codes
- Surveys: tap-to-answer suggested replies
Who can receive it?
RCS works on Android phones using Google Messages, and Apple added RCS support in iOS 18, subject to carrier support. Business messaging availability varies by country and carrier. Plan a follow-up on another channel for phones that can't receive RCS.
What does RCS cost?
On RapBooster the RCS app is free and each message is paid from credits (excl. GST), with no monthly plan.
Per-message rates in India: ₹0.30 basic, ₹0.45 rich, ₹0.60 conversational. International rates are higher. See RCS pricing by country.
How do you get started?
- Register your brand as an RCS agent (logo, colours, description, contact).
- Get verified. See RCS brand verification.
- Design your first rich card or carousel.
- Test on real devices.
- Launch to opted-in customers and watch read and click rates.
RCS vs WhatsApp: do you need both?
They complement each other. WhatsApp is great for two-way conversations and customers who already chat with you. RCS reaches people in their default inbox, with carrier delivery. Many brands use RCS for alerts and promos, and WhatsApp for conversations. See RCS vs SMS vs WhatsApp.
Real-world RCS use cases by industry
| Industry | RCS message | Why RCS beats SMS here |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Carousel of new arrivals with "Shop now" buttons | Visual products sell visually |
| Banking and fintech | Verified transaction alert with "Not me?" button | The verified sender fights spoofing |
| Travel | Boarding pass card with "Check-in" and "Seat map" | Everything in one message |
| Healthcare | Appointment reminder with "Confirm" and "Reschedule" | One-tap responses cut no-shows |
| Education | Result announcement with "View scorecard" | Branded, trustworthy delivery |
| Automobiles | Service reminder with "Book a slot" and a location pin | Faster bookings |
How does an RCS conversation work?
- Your RCS agent sends a rich card to a customer's default messaging app.
- The customer sees your logo, brand name and verified badge at the top.
- They tap a suggested reply ("Book now") or an action (call, open a link, add to calendar).
- Your system receives the response and replies automatically or routes it to your team.
- If their phone doesn't support RCS, send the offer on another channel such as WhatsApp or email.
Getting the most from your first campaign
- Start with an audience that already knows you. Recent customers respond best.
- Use one strong visual rather than a busy collage.
- Give two or three clear actions, not ten.
- Measure read and click rates, then compare them with your old SMS campaigns.
- Keep consent records. RCS is a business channel with rules, just like SMS and WhatsApp.
Does RCS work for GCC and international audiences?
Yes. RapBooster supports RCS in many countries, including the UAE (₹0.90 basic) and Saudi Arabia (₹0.85 basic). Coverage depends on devices and carriers in each market, so check reach before large campaigns.
The bottom line
RCS makes the humble text message look like an app: branded, verified, rich and trackable. If your customers are on Android (most of India is), it's worth a test. Start with one rich card campaign and compare it with your old SMS numbers.
Questions first? Chat with us on WhatsApp