Attentive pricing Guide (2026): Plans, Costs & Value
Executive Summary: Attentive pricing
Understanding Attentive pricing structure is crucial before committing to this SMS and email marketing platform. Attentive operates on a custom pricing model based on contact volume and message sends. Consequently, there’s no public pricing page with fixed rates.
Compared to competitors like Klaviyo or Postscript, Attentive pricing sits in the premium tier. Expect to invest significantly more than budget alternatives. However, enterprise brands often justify costs through advanced segmentation and compliance features.
Plan Overview
| Plan Type | Starting Price | Best For | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Not Available | N/A | No free tier offered |
| Growth | Contact Sales (Est. $2,000+/mo) | Mid-market brands | Volume-based pricing |
| Enterprise | Contact Sales (Est. $10,000+/mo) | Large retailers | Custom contracts only |
Free Plan Details
No free tier available. Attentive requires all customers to contact their sales team for custom quotes. Additionally, there’s no self-service trial without speaking to a representative first. This approach targets established businesses rather than startups testing the waters.
Paid Plans Deep Dive
Growth Plan (Est. $2,000-$5,000/month)
The entry-level option for Attentive pricing typically starts around $2,000 monthly for mid-sized brands. Pricing scales based on:
- Number of SMS subscribers in your database
- Monthly message volume sent
- Email contacts (if using email features)
- Advanced AI features and segmentation tools
This tier suits e-commerce brands generating $5M-$50M annually. However, expect costs to climb rapidly as your list grows beyond 50,000 subscribers.
Enterprise Plan (Est. $10,000-$50,000+/month)
Large retailers and brands exceeding $50M revenue typically land here. Consequently, pricing becomes highly negotiable based on:
- Multi-brand or multi-location requirements
- Dedicated customer success manager
- Custom API integrations and webhooks
- Priority support with guaranteed SLA
- Advanced compliance and legal review
Additionally, annual contracts often secure 10-15% discounts versus month-to-month arrangements. Implementation fees can add $5,000-$25,000 upfront depending on complexity.
Hidden Costs and Add-Ons
Beyond base Attentive pricing, budget for these common expenses:
- SMS carrier fees: $0.0079-$0.015 per message sent (not included in platform fees)
- Short code leasing: $500-$1,000 monthly for dedicated numbers
- Professional services: Strategy consulting at $200-$300/hour
- Compliance review: Legal vetting for TCPA adherence ($2,000-$10,000 one-time)
- Integration development: Custom Shopify or Salesforce connectors ($3,000-$15,000)
Is It Worth the Money?
Attentive delivers strong ROI for brands already generating substantial revenue. Industry benchmarks show SMS marketing returns $20-$40 per dollar spent. However, smaller businesses struggle to justify the investment.
The platform excels at compliance automation and two-way conversational messaging. Consequently, brands in regulated industries or those facing frequent TCPA concerns find value. Additionally, the AI-powered send-time optimization genuinely improves conversion rates by 15-30%.
Value Verdict
For brands under $5M annual revenue, Attentive pricing rarely makes financial sense. Alternatives like Postscript or SMSBump offer 60-70% cost savings. Conversely, enterprise retailers appreciate white-glove service and advanced segmentation despite premium costs.
Calculate break-even by estimating 3-5% of subscribers converting monthly at your average order value. If projected revenue exceeds monthly costs by 5x, Attentive justifies the investment. Otherwise, consider more affordable platforms first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does Attentive offer a free trial?
No traditional free trial exists. However, sales teams occasionally provide 30-day pilot programs for qualified prospects. Expect to sign an NDA and provide revenue documentation before accessing trial accounts.
2. Are there any hidden setup fees?
Yes. Implementation typically costs $5,000-$25,000 depending on integration complexity. Additionally, budget for short code provisioning ($500-$1,000 monthly) and initial compliance review. These aren’t always disclosed upfront during sales conversations.
3. Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Most contracts require 12-month commitments with 60-90 day cancellation notice. Month-to-month arrangements exist but cost 20-30% more. Consequently, negotiate exit terms carefully before signing.
4. How does pricing compare to Klaviyo?
Attentive pricing runs 2-3x higher than Klaviyo for equivalent contact volumes. However, Attentive specializes in SMS while Klaviyo focuses on email. For SMS-first strategies, the comparison isn’t direct.
5. What payment methods does Attentive accept?
Enterprise contracts typically require ACH transfers or wire payments. Credit card processing is available but may incur 2-3% processing fees on top of subscription costs.
Conclusion
Attentive pricing reflects its positioning as a premium SMS marketing platform. While costs exceed budget alternatives significantly, enterprise brands benefit from robust compliance tools and dedicated support. Nevertheless, carefully evaluate whether your revenue justifies the investment before committing.
For detailed comparisons of marketing automation platforms, visit Attentive’s official site or explore comprehensive SaaS reviews at CloudKitly.
