Cost Calculator

Planning your texting or calling budget in advance? Our Cost Calculator can help you estimate your ThruText or ThruTalk usage costs. Whether you're preparing a campaign or reviewing past activity, this tool helps you quickly see how much your messaging or calling might cost based on your contract rates.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


How the Calculator Works

Before you get started, you’ll need the following:

  • Your contract billing rates
  • Estimated quantities for texts or dials
  • (Optional) Your current prepay balance

If you're not sure where to find your billing rates, check out our guide: Using Method to View Billing Details.


Accessing the Cost Calculator

You can open the calculator here: Cost Calculator


This tool helps estimate your ThruText or ThruTalk costs based on your usage and your contract rates.


Entering Your Usage Details

At the top of the calculator, you'll see fields where you can enter quantities for each message type or dial you want to estimate. 

Screenshot of 5 text entry boxes in a line horizontally, with their cost calculator types labeled above.

These fields include:

  • MMS Quantity — Number of multimedia messages sent
  • SMS Per Message Quantity — Number of standard SMS messages
  • SMS Per Segment Quantity — Number of segments (each SMS can contain multiple segments)
  • SMS Per Contact Quantity — Number of contacts messaged (for per-contact billing)
  • ThruTalk Dial Quantity — Number of calls made

You can fill out the fields that apply to your usage and leave others blank. 


Review your Usage Analytics page for a nightly updated usage table. See our guide Usage Analytics for details.


Entering Your Contract Rates

Next, enter the billing rates from your GetThru contract.

Screenshot of 5 text entry boxes in a line horizontally, each with a numerical value with a decimal point.

These fields include:

  • MMS Rate — Rate per multimedia message
  • SMS Rate — Rate per message
  • Segment Rate — Rate per segment
  • Contact Rate — Rate per contact messaged
  • Dial Rate — Rate per phone call made (ThruTalk)

Use the same units as listed in your contract to ensure the estimate is accurate.


Reviewing the Estimated Costs

Once you enter your usage and rates, the calculator automatically displays your estimated costs by type:

  • MMS Total Estimated Cost
  • SMS Total Estimated Cost
  • Segment Total Estimated Cost
  • Contact Total Estimated Cost
  • Dial Total Estimated Cost

The calculator totals your estimated cost based on your inputs. You can also enter a prepay balance to see how much will remain after your estimated usage.

Screenshot of 5 numbers in a row horizontally representing the number of each type multiplied by the corresponding rate for each. The total is presented at the bottom.

Understanding the Prepay Balance

If you have a prepay balance, enter the amount in the "Prepay Balance Previous Month" field. The calculator will subtract your estimated cost from the balance and display your Remaining Prepay Balance.


This gives you a quick view of how much prepay balance you’ll have left after your estimated usage.


Finding Your Billing Rate

To find your contract rates:

  • Check your signed contract or a previous invoice.
  • Use the Method Portal to view your current rates and invoice details.

For more help, see our guide: Using Method to View Billing Details.


If you're unable to locate your rates, reach out to your billing contact or email billing@getthru.io for assistance.