Short Codes
Want a short, easy-to-remember number for your people to text?
Need a fast and reliable way to send hundreds or thousands of texts?
A five-digit short code might be the perfect fit for you.
What is a short code?
A short code is a five or six-digit number used for texting. They are distributed by the Short Code Registry, and we're one of their Premier Partners.
Compared to standard 10-digit numbers, short codes are much faster, easier to remember, and experience less filtering with wireless carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, etc.). If you're mass texting at a large scale, a short code is the best option.
What are the benefits of a short code?
Short & Easy to Remember
A five-digit number is easier to remember and text in to than a 10-digit number. Many churches invite people to text a keyword during announcements to fill out a connect card, or get information. With short codes, it's quick and easy!
Fast Message Delivery
Short codes deliver texts significantly faster than a local or toll-free number. Send texts to thousands or tens of thousands almost instantly.
Less Carrier Filtering
With short codes, you don't have to worry about carrier filtering. Short codes go through an extensive vetting process, which results in significantly higher delivery rates and almost zero filtering.
Two-Way Texting
Most short codes don't allow you to receive incoming messages. But with Clearstream, your short code is two-way enabled. People can reply back with questions or prayer requests, and you can easily manage your conversations with our powerful inbox.
Full Texting Functionality
You'll have full access to all of our features, including video and picture texting, live polls, personalized messages, custom reports, dedicated subaccounts for your ministries or campuses, and more. Check out more of our great features here!
What does a short code cost?
A short code costs $500 a month. Or if you want a custom number, it's $1,000. There is also a one-time $1,100 connection fee.
With Clearstream, there's no hosting fee like with most providers (Twilio charges an extra $500 a month just to "manage" your short code). We don't bill you any additional fees for set up, maintenance, cancellation, or support. With Clearstream, what you see is what you get.
Why choose Clearstream?
We're a Premier Partner with the Short Code Registry (meaning we're short code experts). We'll handle the lengthy registration process for you and ensure your short code is in compliance with laws and regulations.
Our team works fast to get your short code connected in 2-4 weeks — opposed to the industry standard of 8-12. 🎉
After you're set up, our team will still be here to help. We offer great customer support at no extra cost with an average response time of 2-3 minutes. Compare that to Twilio, who charges an extra $1,500 a month just to get a response within three hours. Ouch.
Why the largest churches trust Clearstream
Our Team
We're a product-focused team that's completely dedicated to building reliable and powerful communication software for the church. And we've been doing this for 12 years.
Cost
There is no other SMS provider in the U.S. that offers better dedicated short code pricing than Clearstream. No "short code management fees" and no carrier surcharges passed on to you.
Carrier Connection
We use a direct Tier 1 aggregator for our carrier connections (we're not built on an SMS API like Twilio). This results in higher throughput, faster troubleshooting directly with carriers, and more insight into message delivery.
Customer Support
We consider support a part of our product. Our team is extremely knowledgeable and insanely fast through live chat, video calls, or pigeon post. Read our customer reviews.
Message Deliverability
We're connected to all carriers in the U.S. (minus a few tiny regional carriers). We even automatically reroute failed messages through a local phone number should a subscriber not receive your short code messages.
Ready to get started?
Click the button below to connect a new short code for your church. If you have questions, email us at shortcodes@clearstream.io.