Quick answer. RCS is priced per message, with the rate depending on the message type and the destination carrier. Simple branded text typically costs about the same as SMS — on the order of $0.008 per message — while rich media messages (carousels, video, cards) cost more, often around $0.02–$0.03 each. On top of the per-message rate sit per-message carrier surcharges and one-time registration and vetting fees. So the all-in cost is the message rate plus carrier fees plus registration, plus any platform fee and applicable telecom taxes.
As a current reference point, one major CPaaS provider lists RCS basic text at $0.0083 to send or receive (the same as its SMS rate) and rich media at $0.0220 to send / $0.0165 to receive, plus automatic per-message carrier fees. Rates vary by provider, volume, and carrier.
The single most important thing to understand about RCS cost is that the headline per-message rate is only one layer. A fair comparison has to include carrier surcharges, registration and vetting, any setup or RCS-sender fees a provider charges, the platform/software fee, and taxes — which is exactly what the Billing Transparency page itemizes.
Key facts
- Basic/branded RCS text ≈ SMS pricing (
$0.008/msg at one major provider, 2026); rich media higher ($0.0165–$0.022/msg). - Per-message carrier surcharges (all four US carriers,
$0.003–$0.005) apply on top, plus a failed-message fee at some providers ($0.001). - One-time/recurring registration: TCR brand (
$4.50), brand vetting ($41.50; enhanced ~$95), campaign vetting ($15), monthly campaign ($1.50–$10).