Top 10: Omnichannel communication platforms

Updated: February 02, 2024

Omnichannel communication platforms are sophisticated digital solutions that provide seamless and consistent customer interactions across multiple communication channels. These platforms integrate various communication channels, such as email, chat, social media, SMS, and voice, into a centralized system, allowing businesses to engage with customers in their preferred communication channels. Omnichannel communication platforms offer features like unified customer profiles, intelligent routing, and cross-channel synchronization, enabling customers to transition between channels without losing context or information. By providing a unified and personalized customer experience, omnichannel communication platforms empower businesses to deliver exceptional customer service, build stronger customer relationships, and drive customer loyalty. Moreover, these platforms offer valuable insights and analytics, helping businesses gain a better understanding of customer behavior and preferences, enabling data-driven decision-making to optimize communication strategies and enhance overall customer satisfaction. Some of the most popular omnichannel communication platforms are listed below.

See also: Top 10 Call Center software

2024. MessageBird rebrands as Bird, and slashes prices by 90% on SMS to take on Twilio



MessageBird, the cloud communications platform catering to enterprises, has undergone a significant transformation by acquiring the domain Bird.com and rebranding as Bird. In a strategic move to compete with industry rivals like Twilio, the company is introducing a series of new products and implementing substantial price reductions. The Bird CRM, designed for marketing, sales, and payments across email, SMS, and WhatsApp, will now feature discounts ranging from 40-90%, with SMS charges slashed by a remarkable 90%. This shift is noteworthy, particularly considering that a $100,000 expenditure on SMS or email with competitors like Twilio, Klaviyo, or Attentive could equate to a $10,000 investment. The company emphasizes the need to move beyond the realm of API providers atop channels, asserting that channel capabilities matter more than the channels themselves. By essentially giving away channel costs, Bird aims to differentiate itself from other providers and reshape the dynamics of the market.


2021. MessageBird acquires SparkPost for $600M



MessageBird, a communication platform based in the Netherlands, made two significant announcements today. Firstly, the company secured an extension of $800 million for its existing $200 million Series C funding round. Subsequently, MessageBird utilized $600 million from the extension to acquire SparkPost, an email marketing platform. While MessageBird already had an email component, the opportunity to acquire the world's largest email provider was too compelling to ignore. With the addition of SparkPost to its portfolio, MessageBird gains a stronger foothold in the U.S. market, expanding its presence beyond Europe and Asia.


2021. Messaging platform Gupshup raises $100 million



Conversational messaging platform Gupshup has successfully raised $100 million in its Series F funding round. With a user base exceeding 100,000 businesses and developers, Gupshup offers a robust platform that empowers users to create personalized messaging and conversational experiences for their customers. The startup is dedicated to providing businesses with the necessary tools to effectively engage customers through mobile messaging and enhance their conversational interactions.


2020. MessageBird acquires real-time notifications and in-app messaging platform Pusher



MessageBird, the omnichannel cloud communications platform, has recently acquired Pusher, a real-time web technologies company, in a deal worth $35 million. MessageBird plans to maintain Pusher as an independent entity to serve its existing customer base. The acquisition of Pusher fills a crucial gap in MessageBird's communication platform, which primarily focuses on SMS and messaging-first channels like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Line, and WeChat. Pusher's expertise in in-app notifications, along with its developer-friendly API and SDKs centered around "push" technology, will enhance MessageBird's capabilities. Notable features that Pusher brings to the table include in-app messaging, push notifications, and location tracking.


2018. Twilio acquired email API platform SendGrid



The communications platform Twilio recently completed the acquisition of the API-centric email platform SendGrid for approximately $2 billion. Twilio's primary emphasis lies in omnichannel communication, with email constituting a significant component of its offerings. While Twilio already provides a wide range of services encompassing voice, video, and chat, it had not prioritized email to the same extent. With this acquisition, Twilio gains the ability to swiftly develop expertise in email-related technologies and expand its services in that domain.


2015. Oracle acquired cloud-based marketing provider Maxymiser



Oracle has completed the acquisition of Maxymiser, a leading provider of cloud-based marketing tools. With a workforce of over 400 employees, Maxymiser offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based marketing tools that enable users to enhance customer experience and boost user retention through omnichannel analysis and marketing automation. Notable clients of Maxymiser include prominent names such as EasyJet, HSBC, and Lacoste, a renowned French clothing retailer. Following the acquisition, Maxymiser's offerings will be seamlessly integrated into the Oracle Marketing Cloud, which already comprises a range of tools previously acquired by Oracle, including Eloqua and Responsys.