There are two main differences between text message broadcasts and group texts. First, a broadcast can reach far more people than a normal group text. Those are usually limited to between ten and fifty people whereas broadcasts can reach a virtually unlimited number of recipients. The second is that with a broadcast text, group details and individual contact information is not shared unlike group texts where everyone can see who else is in the group.

Sending text message broadcasts is actually pretty cost effective, especially given the fact that 98% of texts are read. Most texting services offer various plan levels so you can scale up down based on your needs. With most you can get started for less than $30 per month.

Yes and no. Yes you can technically send broadcasts to anyone however those people must have explicitly opted in to receive your text messages. The fines for unsolicited text messages in the US are fairly steep so it's in your best interest to capture the proper consent.

Yes, broadcast text messaging is 100% legal. With that said, in order for your messages to be legal, you must have consent from each recipient before you begin sending them texts.

There are a few different number types you have access to when sending text broadcasts. You can choose between a short code, toll-free, and 10DLC (local number). Each have their pros and cons and will vary in terms of how fast and how much you can send in a single broadcast. Most organizations these days use toll-free because of the minimal cost and ability to send at fast rates.

As long as you have the proper sending number, you shouldn't experience any volume limits when sending broadcasts. Each number type can support a different level of messaging volume. If you're looking to send broadcasts to hundreds of thousands at once, a short code is best. If you're not in need of that much throughput, a normal toll-free number will work just fine.