There are now several proper ways to send SMS from Zoho CRM, both native and third-party, replacing older workaround-style setups using external automation tools.
Zoho's native option: SMS for Zoho CRM by Zoho Voice
Zoho's own extension lets you send and receive SMS to Leads and other records using voice and SMS-enabled local phone numbers. Two-way local SMS currently covers the USA and Canada, while outbound SMS is supported to 100+ countries. This extension is available for Enterprise edition and above, and its functionality is included natively on Ultimate edition without needing to install it separately.
Note: Zoho has also been rolling out a separate Notification SMS feature for transactional, workflow-triggered messages, country by country, starting with India, then the US, with Mexico, Colombia, and the EU following. Availability depends on local regulatory requirements, such as sender ID registration, so check current availability for your country before assuming this covers your use case.
Third-party options on Zoho Marketplace
- 360 SMS App. Two-way texting, bulk SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp, with AI features such as an autonomous chat agent and AI-generated templates.
- ABR SMS Extension. Sends and receives SMS via a RingCentral number, with support for SMS drip campaigns and Cliq notifications for incoming messages.
- Twilio SMS Extension. Connects your existing Twilio account for sending SMS from CRM records.
- Direct SMS. Sends individual or bulk SMS to Leads, Contacts, and Deals, with automation rule support and opt-out logging.
It's worth searching Zoho Marketplace for "SMS" to compare current options directly, since new extensions and features in this space have appeared regularly.
Need help? 1 Cloud Consultants can help you choose and set up the right SMS solution for Zoho CRM based on your country, volume, and automation needs.
Book a discovery call with 1 Cloud Consultants.