Burst SMS is reliable for one-way broadcasts. Monster SMS adds AI auto-reply agents, a free plan, and a proper two-way inbox so your SMS campaigns actually convert.
Start Free — No Card Needed View PricingBurst SMS has no AI capability. Monster SMS handles inbound customer replies with conversational AI agents, 24 hours a day, included from $50/mo.
Burst SMS is PAYG only. Monster SMS gives you 100 messages on sign-up (one-off) to run a real test campaign at no cost before committing to a plan.
Burst SMS is primarily built for outbound blasts. Monster SMS includes a full two-way inbox with AI-assisted reply handling, contact history, and conversation threads.
| Feature | Monster SMS | Burst SMS |
|---|---|---|
| AI auto-reply agents | ✓ Built-in, Azure AI | ✗ Not available |
| Free plan | ✓ 100 messages on sign-up (one-off) | ✗ PAYG only, no free tier |
| Two-way SMS inbox | ✓ Full inbox, AI-assisted | ⚠ Basic reply handling |
| Fixed monthly subscription | ✓ From $50/mo | ⚠ Primarily PAYG |
| Bulk SMS campaigns | ✓ | ✓ Good deliverability |
| Australian Spam Act 2003 compliance | ✓ Built-in | ✓ AU platform |
| Multi-tenant agency workspaces | ✓ Every plan | ⚠ Limited |
| Twilio number import | ✓ | ✗ |
| No-code campaign builder | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contact management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analytics and reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| REST API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Opt-out management | ✓ Automatic | ✓ |
| 24/7 automated responses | ✓ | ✗ |
| Predictable monthly pricing | ✓ | ⚠ Credit-based, variable |
| Volume / month | Monster SMS (AUD) | Burst SMS (est. AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 messages | $50/mo (5.0c/SMS, AI included) | ~$60/mo (~6c PAYG, no AI) |
| 5,000 messages | ~$138/mo (Pro + top-up, AI included) | ~$180–$220/mo (volume credits, no AI) |
| 15,000 messages | $600/mo (4.0c/SMS, all features) | ~$450–$560/mo (bulk rate, no AI agents) |
Burst SMS estimates based on published PAYG rates. Monster SMS prices fixed AUD ex GST with all features included.
Preview per-list contacts, keyword replies, and supported opt-out handling before you import anything into MonsterSMS.ai.
Need the broader checklist too? Follow our SMS migration guide.
Open BurstSMS Migration Tool"We switched from Burst SMS in an afternoon. The AI auto-reply alone saved us 3 hours a week."
"Finally a platform that doesn't require a developer. Set up our first campaign in 20 minutes."
"The pricing is transparent and the AI actually works. No nasty surprises on the bill."
Yes. Export your contacts from Burst SMS as a CSV and import them directly into Monster SMS. The process takes a few minutes.
Yes. Monster SMS uses Australian carrier-grade routing for reliable SMS delivery. Deliverability is on par with other major AU platforms including Burst SMS.
Yes. You get 100 messages on sign-up (one-off) at no cost, no credit card required. Burst SMS has no equivalent free tier.
One-way blast platforms send messages but aren't designed to manage replies. Monster SMS includes a full two-way inbox with conversation threads, AI-assisted replies, and contact history. When a customer replies to your campaign, Monster SMS handles it automatically or routes it to your team.