SERVICES | SMS | SHORT CODES

Boost Your Brand with a Dedicated SMS Short Code

Get a dedicated 4-digit, 5-digit or 6-digit SMS short code, matched to how you'll use it.

A dedicated SMS short code is a short, memorable number that only your business uses. Customers can text it to enter a promotion, ask for information, or send feedback.

You control how the number is used, with clear pricing and support based in New Zealand.

Send SMS using a short code number

How Does a Dedicated Short Code Work?

A dedicated short code is a unique 4-digit, 5-digit or 6-digit text number assigned exclusively to your business for SMS messaging with New Zealand mobiles.

Because the number is assigned exclusively to your business, you can run several campaigns at once without them clashing. It suits businesses that want a recognisable number and messaging that stays simple to manage.

Dedicated short code benefit

Send links

A dedicated short code can be configured to whitelist all links sent from that number. This avoids individual approval for websites, forms, payment pages, app links and customer-specific destinations.

Exclusive Use

Your short code is unique to your business, ensuring your customers always reach you directly.

Brand Recognition

A fixed, memorable number builds trust and reinforces your brand.

Two-Way Communication

Allow mobiles to text you anytime, making it easy for them to interact with your business.

NZ Mobile Support

Communicate reliably with New Zealand mobiles.

Consistent Sending Number

Your sending number stays the same, so recipients learn to recognise it.

Unlimited SMS Keywords

Set up keyword campaigns: "Text INFO to learn more"

Automated Opt-Outs

Stay Spam Act compliant and automatically track Stop, Unsubscribe and OptOut messages.

Promotions & Competitions

Using an Absorb Costs Short Code, send marketing and promotional SMS messages to New Zealand mobiles.

Get the Right Number

4, 5, and 6-Digit Short Codes

Short codes come in various lengths. Functionally, they're identical.

A 4-digit code is the premium option for brand-led campaigns. The 5-digit and 6-digit options provide the same features at an economical price.

Read the full short code guide

Gold Standard

4-Digit Short Codes

Example number 8008
$299 month ($599 setup)

Best when the number needs to be short and memorable, positioning your brand as premium. A shorter code is easier to remember and useful in a simple call-to-action like Text WIN to 4004.

  • Premium brand recall
  • Strong fit for public campaigns
  • Higher setup and monthly cost
Silver Standard

5-Digit Short Codes

Example number 80080
$99 month ($320 setup)

A practical choice when you want the same messaging functionality as a 6-digit code in a shorter, more memorable format. Five digits can also suit a vanity short code that represents a word on a phone keypad, such as 43556 for HELLO.

  • Same functionality as a 6-digit code
  • Great vanity code options
  • Mid-range setup and monthly cost
Bronze Standard

6-Digit Short Codes

Example number 800800
$89 month ($299 setup)

A cost-effective choice when number length is less important than price. You get the same dedicated inbound and outbound SMS functionality as the shorter options, at the lowest setup and monthly cost.

  • Lowest setup and monthly cost
  • Same features as the 4- and 5-digit options
  • Good fit for operational campaigns
Same functionality at every length

The number changes. The messaging doesn’t.

Choose the number length that suits your brand and budget. Each option can support promotions, customer updates, reminders and the same dedicated short code features.

Illustrative examples only. Every code length supports the same message types and features. Real messages should also contain an Identifier and Unsubscribe instruction.

Illustrative phone showing messages from 4-, 5- and 6-digit short codes
8008Promotion

Text WIN to enter our promotion.

80080Delivery update

Your parcel is on its way. Track it: yourbusiness.nz/track/123

800800Reminder

Your appointment is tomorrow at 10:30am.

Who Pays for Inbound Texts?

Standard Rate vs Free-to-Text

Both options have the same outbound SMS charges.

The difference is who pays when a mobile sends a text to your short code.

Standard Rate

The mobile user pays

Incoming texts are free for your business. The mobile user pays $0.20 per SMS part.

Best for: Alerts, reminders and services where few replies are expected.

Free-to-Text

Your business pays

Incoming texts are free for the mobile user. Your business pays $0.10 per received SMS part.

Best for: Promotions, competitions, customer support, opt-outs and services where customers shouldn’t pay to reply.

Android warning that sending a message to a short code may cause charges
Another reason to choose Free-to-Text

Help customers understand whether a reply will cost them.

Android phones may show a warning before sending a message to a short code if the phone cannot confidently identify how the message will be charged.

Some 3- and 4-digit New Zealand short-code ranges are harder for phones to classify. The charging type is clearer for 5- and 6-digit short codes.

If free replies and reducing uncertainty are priorities, choose a 5- or 6-digit Free-to-Text code. Phones can more reliably recognise this combination, although no code can guarantee that the warning will never appear.

Why phones show this warning

Ready to Choose?

Choose Your Short Code in Two Steps

Now that you know the available inbound rate models and number lengths, combine the two choices to find the right short code for your campaign.

1. Choose the Number Length

Number length affects memorability and price, not messaging functionality.

4-digit
Most memorable

Best for prominent campaigns where the code is part of your brand. $599 setup and $299 per month.

5-digit
Short and vanity-friendly

A shorter, memorable option at a mid-range price. $320 setup and $99 per month.

6-digit
Lowest fixed cost

Best when keeping setup and monthly costs low is the priority. $299 setup and $89 per month.

2. Choose the Inbound Text Rate

This determines who pays when a mobile sends a message to your short code. Outbound SMS pricing is unchanged.

Standard Rate
The Mobile Pays

You receive inbound texts at no charge. The mobile user pays $0.20 per SMS part.

Free-to-Text
Your Business Pays

The mobile user texts your code for free. You pay $0.10 per received SMS part.

Quick Recommendation

  1. Is maximum memorability or prominent branding the priority?Choose a 4-digit code.
  2. Want a shorter, vanity-friendly code without the premium 4-digit price?Choose a 5-digit code.
  3. Is the lowest setup and monthly price the priority?Choose a 6-digit code.
  4. Should sending a reply be free for the mobile user?Choose Free-to-Text. Otherwise, choose Standard Rate when the mobile's standard charge is acceptable.
  5. Is reducing the chance of a phone displaying a charge warning important?Choose a 5- or 6-digit Free-to-Text code.
COMPARE PRICING

Pricing

* SMS Keyword Campaigns are excluded from the standard $20 Plan:

Feature 4-Digit
Standard Rate		 4-Digit
Free-to-Text		 5-Digit
Standard Rate		 5-Digit
Free-to-Text		 6-Digit
Standard Rate		 6-Digit
Free-to-Text
Setup Time 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks
Setup Fee (One-time) $599 $599 $320 $320 $299 $299
Monthly Fee $299 $299 $99 $99 $89 $89
SMS Sent (per SMS Part) $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10
SMS Received (per SMS Part) Free for you (mobile pays $0.20) $0.10 (free for the mobile) Free for you (mobile pays $0.20) $0.10 (free for the mobile) Free for you (mobile pays $0.20) $0.10 (free for the mobile)
Keyword Allowance Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Exclusive Use
Best Fit Memorable sender for alerts, reminders, and reply workflows. Premium campaigns where mobile replies should be free. Dedicated routing and keywords at a middle price point. Free-to-Text campaigns at a middle price point. Dedicated routing and keywords at the lowest monthly cost. Lower-cost marketing, opt-out, and response campaigns.
NZD excl. GST. Message costs reference one SMS Part on the Starter Plan.

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