--- title: Why choose Text-to-Church when sending texts description: What is the difference between Text-to-Church and sending messages via the mobile carrier email gateway? --- [Skip to content](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/what-is-the-difference-between-text-to-church-and-free-texting#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![Churchteams Logo](https://help.churchteams.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CT%20Churchteams%20Logo.png?width=320&height=62&name=CT%20Churchteams%20Logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://go.churchteams.com/contact/) [Contact us](https://go.churchteams.com/contact/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Communicate](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/communicate?hsLang=en) 3. [Text-To-Church](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/communicate?hsLang=en#text-to-church) # Why choose Text-to-Church when sending texts ## What is the difference between Text-to-Church and sending messages via the mobile carrier email gateway? In years past, most companies and non-profit organizations used Application to Person (A2P) messaging, which was available for thousands of dollars for using shortcodes or using mobile carriers' email gateways to send texts.  That left a wide gap for the innovation of 10-digit long code (10DLC) texting, which rolled out in 2021. Churchteams provides both free (through mobile carrier email gateways) and paid (through 10DLC) texting.  We have branded this paid service as Text-to-Church. Text-to-Church messages have a higher deliverability rate because they are being sent from a 10-digit phone number that has been registered and approved by the major carriers. Free text messages are sent through mobile carrier email gateways and have a higher likelihood of being blocked, similar to the way your personal email filters out bulk spam messages.  500 outgoing texts sent through Text-to-Church are included when you have the All-Pro or MVP subscription.  Additional texts are 2 cents each.  There is no charge for incoming texts.  Learn more about fees and what's included [here](https://help.churchteams.com/knowledge/are-there-fees-associated-with-text-to?hsLang=en). **As of 6/17/2025:** AT&T no longer offers free texting via email gateways, meaning if you select "Free Texting via Email," this will not text any receipts that have AT&T as their mobile carrier. 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