Messages are a common communication method a while ago. However, many people still use messages to convey important information, communicate purpose, and even stay in touch with each other.
Although, these are replaced by the latest social media apps that have an option of chatting and staying in touch with each other. SMS and MMS are some of the messaging options.
Key Takeaways
- SMS supports text messages only, while MMS enables sending images, videos, and audio files.
- MMS messages have a larger file size limit than SMS messages.
- SMS has wider device compatibility and coverage, as MMS requires a data connection.
SMS vs MMS
The difference between SMS and MMS is that SMS stands for ‘Short Message Service’, while MMS stands for ‘Multimedia Message Service’. Secondly, SMS can only send text, while MMS can send text as well as pictures, videos, and audio. Thirdly, the character limit of SMS is 160. Meanwhile, the character limit of MMS is 1600. Fourthly, SMS cost less, while MMS cost more than SMS. Lastly, SMS is compatible with most devices. Meanwhile, MMS may or may not be compatible with every device.
SMS refers to ‘Short Message Service’. It is used to send text messages to one another, although it is constricted to text only. Moreover, the character limit of SMS is 160.
And the cost of SMS is quite minimal and there’s no data limit for sending an SMS. Additionally, It is compatible with all devices.
MMS refers to ‘Multimedia Message Service’. It is used to send text messages along with pictures, videos, or audio to one another. Moreover, the character limit of MMS is 1600.
And the cost of SMS is quite pricey and there’s a data limit for sending an MMS. Additionally, It may or may not be compatible with all devices.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | SMS | MMS |
|---|---|---|
| Refers | SMS stands for ‘Short Message Service’.. | MMS stands for ‘Multimedia Message Service’. |
| Work | SMS can only send a text. | MMS can send text as well as pictures, videos, and audio. |
| Character Limit | The character limit of SMS is 160. | The character limit of MMS is 1600. |
| Cost | SMS costs less. | MMS costs more than SMS. |
| Data limitation | SMS doesn’t have a data limitation. | MMS has a data limitation. |
| Compatability | SMS is compatible with most devices. | MMS may or may not be compatible with every device. |
What is SMS?
Sending a message through different types of modes. Yet, it was common to send messages in older days as well as in these days.
However, a message was sent through an SMS in older days. And now, there’re other options to communicate with each other.
An SMS stands for ‘ Short Message Service’ that was used to send a text message to one another. Yet, it was constricted for sending a text-only.
In a cellular mobile phone, Only an SMS and an MMS were a way for communication. But, nowadays, many apps have been developed for communication purposes.
There was no specific app downloaded for an SMS. Apparently, there was a default messaging app that allows users to send a text to one another.
Moreover, there is a limit to sending characters in a text. It was limited to the 160 character limit which is quite short.
And this type of messaging was available on every available device and there’s no need to download another app to do so. Even a smartphone is not necessary to send an SMS.
Besides, a text can be sent through an SMS and nothing other than that. A picture or a video cannot be sent through an SMS.
And the cost of an SMS is quite minimal and there’s no requirement of data to send an SMS.
What is MMS?
Sending a picture and video could be done through different types of modes. Yet, it was not that common to send messages along with other content in older days as well as in these days.
However, a message was sent through an SMS and other content through MMS in older days. And now, there’re other options to communicate with each other.
An MMS stands for ‘ Multimedia Message Service’ that was used to send a text message along with other content to one another. Besides, it was constricted for sending text along with pictures or videos.
In a cellular mobile phone, Only an SMS and an MMS were a way for communication. But, nowadays, many apps have been developed for communication purposes.
There was no specific app downloaded for an SMS and an MMS. Apparently, there was a default messaging app that allows users to send a text to one another and pictures and videos along with it.
Moreover, there is a limit to sending characters in a text and a data limitation for sending a picture or a video. It was limited to the 1600 character limit which is quite long. And this MMS was available on every available device not only on smartphones and there’s no need to download another app to do so
Besides, an MMS costing was quite pricey than that of SMS. With that, there’s a limit of data that can be sent through an MMS.
Main Difference Between SMS and MMS
Messaging is kind of used for personal, interpersonal, and business purposes. However, other apps are replacing the oldest type of communication methods, such as MMS and SMS.
Yet, these are still in use but it is less frequent than other chatting apps. However, they are used for communicating.
Moreover, SMS and MMS are very different from each other but people tend to interchangeably use them without realizing they are two different services.
- SMS stands for ‘Short Message Service’, while MMS stands for ‘Multimedia Message Service’.
- SMS can only send text, while MMS can send text as well as pictures, videos, and audio.
- The character limit of SMS is 160. Meanwhile, the character limit of MMS is 1600.
- SMS costs less, while MMS costs more than SMS.
- SMS doesn’t have a data limitation, while MMS has a data limitation.
- SMS is compatible with most devices. Meanwhile, MMS may or may not be compatible with every device.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=P0xs_9NSIy8C&oi=fnd&pg=PR13&dq=SMS+vs+MMS&ots=Ne7FbD1Ou5&sig=5un1GYi1SUeaXxayZ5LgOoxwzKs
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wiVz8dDW8-cC&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=SMS+vs+MMS&ots=1YCUNY9g6e&sig=YNYpBXRb5ZBZ1_iFOnfvv1oEhNY
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
