GoHighLevel SMS Cost Guide

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GoHighLevel SMS Cost Guide

If you are managing client communication across tools like ClickUp and CRM platforms, understanding how GoHighLevel calculates SMS and MMS costs is essential for accurate billing and budgeting. This guide walks you step by step through how message segments work, how carrier fees are applied, and how to verify your costs inside the system.

The information in this article is based on the official documentation, which you can review directly on the GoHighLevel SMS and MMS cost help page. Use this how-to guide to quickly calculate approximate charges before sending campaigns or enabling automated workflows.

How GoHighLevel Calculates SMS and MMS Costs

GoHighLevel uses Twilio and LC Phone infrastructure behind the scenes, so every SMS or MMS you send is billed based on message segments plus any applicable carrier surcharges. Each message is broken into one or more segments, and each segment is charged separately.

To estimate the cost for a single message from your GoHighLevel account, you need to understand:

  • How many segments the message contains
  • Whether it is SMS or MMS
  • Whether it is inbound or outbound
  • Which country the recipient is in
  • Carrier fees or regulatory charges that might apply

Key Concepts for SMS Segments in GoHighLevel

Inside GoHighLevel, SMS messages are not billed as one flat unit. Instead, the system counts the number of segments a message uses based on character limits and encoding.

Standard character limits in GoHighLevel SMS

For most standard GSM-encoded messages, GoHighLevel uses:

  • Up to 160 characters for a single segment SMS
  • More than 160 characters will be broken into multiple segments

When messages are concatenated into multiple segments, the effective character limit per segment can decrease because of headers used to join the message. That means a longer text may end up being billed as two, three, or more segments, even if it does not look excessively long to the recipient.

Special characters and Unicode in GoHighLevel messages

If a message includes emojis or special characters, the encoding can switch to Unicode, which has a lower character limit per segment. As a result, GoHighLevel may count more segments than you expect from the visible character count.

This matters because the total SMS cost is calculated as:

Total cost = (Number of segments) × (Per-segment price) + (Carrier or compliance fees, if any)

Understanding GoHighLevel MMS Cost Calculation

MMS messages sent through GoHighLevel are usually billed at a different flat rate per message, not per standard character segment. The cost depends on:

  • Country and carrier of the recipient
  • Message direction (inbound or outbound)
  • Media type and size limits defined by the underlying carrier setup

Even though MMS does not use the same character segment rules as SMS, it is still treated as a separate, billable event. The rate per MMS is higher than a single SMS segment, so switching templates from MMS to SMS where possible can reduce costs.

Step-by-Step: How to Calculate SMS Costs in GoHighLevel

Use the following process to estimate the cost of a campaign or automation in GoHighLevel before sending:

Step 1: Determine SMS or MMS in GoHighLevel

  1. Identify whether the message is plain text (SMS) or contains media such as images or videos (MMS).
  2. Confirm this in the workflow, bulk actions, or conversation screen where you compose the message.

Step 2: Count your SMS segments in GoHighLevel

  1. Copy the exact message body you plan to send.
  2. Check the character count, including spaces and line breaks.
  3. Identify whether you are using emojis or special characters that trigger Unicode.
  4. Convert the total characters into segments based on the limits (e.g., up to 160 for standard GSM; fewer for Unicode or concatenated messages).

Many users will quickly test the message by sending it to themselves from GoHighLevel first, then viewing the message detail to verify how many segments were used.

Step 3: Find the per-segment price in GoHighLevel

  1. Log into your GoHighLevel account.
  2. Navigate to your sub-account or agency-level phone settings, depending on your setup.
  3. Review the pricing details inherited from Twilio or LC Phone for the relevant country and message direction.

The underlying per-segment price can vary based on country, number type, and whether you are sending local, toll-free, or short code messages.

Step 4: Include carrier and regulatory fees

In some regions, additional carrier, compliance, or A2P registration fees may apply. These are usually listed in the carrier or provider pricing documentation that GoHighLevel relies on.

To estimate:

  • Identify any extra per-message or per-segment surcharges.
  • Add them to the base segment rate for a complete per-message estimate.

Step 5: Multiply for bulk or automated sends

Once you know the cost for a single message, multiply by the total number of:

  • Contacts receiving the broadcast or campaign
  • Automated workflow steps that send SMS or MMS
  • Expected two-way conversation replies, if you plan to cover inbound messages as well

The final formula for a campaign can be structured as:

Estimated campaign cost = (Cost per message) × (Number of recipients) × (Number of sends per recipient)

Where to Verify SMS and MMS Costs in GoHighLevel

To reconcile estimates with real billing inside GoHighLevel, you can use built-in reporting and provider views.

Check message logs inside GoHighLevel

  • Open the conversations or reporting area.
  • Locate a specific SMS or MMS and review the details.
  • Confirm whether the message was split into segments or processed as MMS.

By reviewing real message logs, you can fine-tune your estimates for future campaigns and reduce unexpected overages.

Use provider-level reports with GoHighLevel

If your GoHighLevel account is connected to Twilio or LC Phone, you can also log in to those platforms to view:

  • Per-message cost breakdowns
  • Carrier surcharges
  • Country-specific pricing

This cross-checking process ensures that your GoHighLevel billing aligns with the underlying provider charges.

Best Practices to Control GoHighLevel SMS Costs

To keep your communication budget under control while using GoHighLevel, apply the following best practices:

  • Keep SMS concise: Aim to stay within a single segment where possible.
  • Limit emojis and special characters: Avoid automatic switches to Unicode when not necessary.
  • Use MMS strategically: Reserve MMS for high-value campaigns where rich media is justified.
  • Test messages first: Send test texts to confirm how many segments are used before large broadcasts.
  • Monitor reports regularly: Compare your estimates with actual billing, then adjust templates and workflows accordingly.

More Help with GoHighLevel Configuration

If you want expert assistance setting up messaging strategies, funnels, and automation around GoHighLevel, you can explore professional implementation and training resources at Consultevo. Combining a clear understanding of message costs with optimized workflows ensures that your campaigns remain profitable while fully leveraging GoHighLevel.

For the latest rules and examples, always confirm details on the official GoHighLevel SMS and MMS cost documentation, as carrier pricing and compliance requirements can change over time.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.

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