Skip to content
Book a demoStart free

Glossary · 40 terms

What Is RCS (Rich Communication Services)?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) upgrades SMS with images, carousels, buttons, read receipts and verified brand senders in the default messaging app.

DefinitionRCS

RCS (Rich Communication Services) upgrades SMS with images, carousels, buttons, read receipts and verified brand senders in the default messaging app.

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the next-generation standard for text messaging. It upgrades SMS with images, videos, carousels, buttons, suggested replies, read receipts and verified brand identities, delivered to the phone's default messaging app (such as Google Messages) with no extra app to install.

Why it matters

For businesses, RCS makes texts look and act like mini-apps:

  • Trust: verified agents show your logo, name and a verified badge
  • Engagement: rich cards and buttons invite action
  • Measurement: read and click tracking, which SMS lacks
  • Reach: works in the default inbox of supported phones

Cost example

On RapBooster the RCS app is free and messages are paid from credits; India rates are ₹0.30 basic, ₹0.45 rich and ₹0.60 conversational (excl. GST).

Example

An airline sends a verified RCS message with a boarding-pass card and buttons for "Check-in" and "Seat map", instead of a plain SMS with a long link.

Rich card · SMS fallback · Sender ID

Guide: what is RCS messaging?

Keep going

The next word along.

← Previous termOpen rateOpen rate is the percentage of delivered messages that recipients opened. It's a common engagement metric for email, WhatsApp and RCS.Next term →Rich cardAn RCS rich card is a message unit combining media, a title, a description and action buttons, which can be stacked into a swipeable carousel.

Theory’s done. Let’s grow.

Every plan has a 14-day free trial and no card is needed. Set it up with our team on a demo if you like.

Start free trialBook a demo