Sticky SMS vs Blackleaf: pick the dispensary texting that fits how you send
On a per-message plan, the fees around the rate decide what a text costs you. Blackleaf publishes SMS and MMS rates [1], then adds a platform fee and a 10% compliance fee on usage [2] [3]. Sticky SMS files your 10DLC registration at no charge and runs month-to-month, with credits that never expire.
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Sticky SMS is the texting product by Sticky Cards, the loyalty and marketing platform for cannabis dispensaries.
Blackleaf describes itself as a customer messaging platform for regulated retailers, with SMS and MMS campaigns, automations, two-way messaging, landing pages and reporting [4]. It began in 2017 as an internal texting tool for five dispensaries [5].
Blackleaf publishes its per-message rates
- Blackleaf publishes its per-message SMS and MMS rates by plan [1], with carrier fees included [6].
- Staff can answer customer replies from a shared inbox [7].
- Where purchase data is connected, its reports show attributed transactions and revenue [8], and it says plainly that attribution is an association rather than proof of cause [9].
- A support phone line is listed seven days a week [10], and Blackleaf says it supports messaging in the US and Canada [11].
Blackleaf adds a 10% compliance fee to texting usage
| Sticky SMS | Blackleaf | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Quoted on the call, priced on your store count and volume. Credits never expire. | A monthly platform fee plus per-message rates by plan [2] [1], plus a 10% compliance fee on usage [3]. |
| 10DLC registration | We file your 10DLC registration with TCR, at no charge for the number or the registration. Most stores are live in 1 to 2 days. | A one-time fee on Launch and Boost, included on Scale, and confirmed in the quote on Enterprise [12]. |
| Number types | 10DLC, toll-free and US short code numbers, and a short code for Canada, filed for you. | Local numbers, with dedicated infrastructure on Enterprise [13]. |
| Replies | Reads keyword replies (JOIN, YES, STOP and your own keywords), sends an automated templated reply and can start an automation. STOP and HELP are handled automatically. There is no inbox for back-and-forth conversations. | A shared two-way inbox [7]. |
| Other channels | Email, and the Sticky Card in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, on the same customer record. | SMS and MMS campaigns, replies and landing pages [4], with loyalty fields such as points insertable into texts [14]. |
| Automations | Automations that run on a trigger, built in Playmaker. | Workflow automation starts on the Boost plan [15]. |
| Revenue tracking | Your POS shows which customers received, clicked and bought after a text, with custom attribution windows. Delivery rates are reported too. | Attributed transactions and revenue where purchase data is connected [8]. |
| Setup and support | Support teams in the US and Canada, on 1-855-9-STICKY. First response under 2 hours, often within 20 minutes. | A support line seven days a week [10]. An onboarding specialist on Scale, and a dedicated success manager and white-glove onboarding on Enterprise [16]. |
| Canada | Yes. Canadian texts are held to the same strict content rules as US texts. | Supports US and Canadian programs [11]. |
Blackleaf fits stores whose staff answer customer replies by text
- You want published per-message rates you can check today [1].
- Your staff answer customer replies by text, from a shared inbox [7].
- A managed service that plans and runs campaigns for you suits your team better than running them yourself [17].
Sticky SMS gets your store approved under its own brand
- Your brand on the registration. We work with carriers and their partners to get your store approved under its own brand and legal name, then get later message types and updates approved under that name too.
- There is no charge for the number, the registration or any other setup to get a 10DLC number approved. You pay only for the texts you send.
- Custom MMS images are approved on the spot by an AI compliance check before sending, to lower the chance of carrier filtering.
- Email and the Sticky Card in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet run from the same customer record as your texts.
- Revenue and delivery you can see. Your POS shows which customers received a text, clicked and bought, with attribution windows you set, and delivery rates show your texts arrive.
- Support and terms. Support teams in the US and Canada, on 1-855-9-STICKY. First response under 2 hours, usually within 20 minutes. Billing is month-to-month with no setup fee, and credits never expire.
We move your lists, loyalty balances and creative
We also bring in 6 months of order history from your POS as standard. If you are inside a term with your current provider, switching early means paying both for a stretch. Find your renewal date and notice period first and time the migration to it.
The steps are in how to switch from Blackleaf.
Book a demo with your current send volume in hand, and leave the call with a Sticky SMS quote to set beside what you pay now.
Build your text program with us
Book a time and we will walk through your list, your POS and the texts you want to send, on a video call with a real person.
Book a demoFrequently asked questions
Is Sticky SMS cheaper than Blackleaf?
It depends on your send volume, because Blackleaf publishes per-message rates and Sticky SMS is quoted on the call. On top of its rates, Blackleaf adds a platform fee and a 10% compliance fee. Sticky SMS has no setup fee, and credits never expire.
Can staff reply to customers in Sticky SMS?
Not in a conversation. Sticky SMS reads keyword replies such as JOIN, YES and STOP, plus your own keywords, sends an automated templated reply and can start an automation. It has no inbox for back-and-forth conversations. If staff need to answer customers by text, Blackleaf offers a shared inbox.
Do both work in Canada?
Yes. Blackleaf supports Canadian programs. Sticky SMS holds Canadian texts to the same strict content rules as US texts.
Does Sticky SMS charge for 10DLC registration?
No. There is no charge for the number, the registration or any other setup to get a 10DLC number approved, and you pay only for the texts you send. Blackleaf charges a one-time registration fee on its Launch and Boost plans.
Sources
Competitor facts on this page
- Blackleaf's published per-message rates are SMS $0.05 / MMS $0.07 (Launch), $0.04 / $0.06 (Boost), $0.03 / $0.05 (Scale) and $0.015 / $0.035 (Enterprise). Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf's platform fee is $20, $60 and $100 per month (annual billing) or $25, $75 and $125 (monthly billing) for Launch, Boost and Scale; Enterprise is $3,000 per month on annual billing and quoted on monthly billing. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf adds a 10% compliance fee to SMS and MMS usage, which does not apply to the platform subscription. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf describes itself as a customer messaging platform for regulated retailers, combining SMS and MMS campaigns, automations, two-way messaging, audiences, landing pages and reporting. Blackleaf FAQ (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf says it began in 2017 as an internal texting tool for five ShowGrow dispensaries and became an independent company in 2019. About Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf states carrier fees are included in its published SMS and MMS rates. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf provides a shared inbox where staff answer customer replies, and says it helps draft responses while staff stay in control. Blackleaf homepage: The easiest dispensary text marketing platform (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf reports delivery, clicks and cost, plus attributed transactions and revenue where purchase data is connected. Blackleaf homepage: The easiest dispensary text marketing platform (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf describes revenue attribution as an analytical association rather than proof a message caused a purchase. Blackleaf FAQ (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf lists a support phone line available seven days a week, plus email support. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf states it supports messaging programs in the United States and Canada. Blackleaf FAQ (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf charges a one-time 10DLC registration fee of $99 on Launch and $49 on Boost; it is included on Scale and confirmed in the quote on Enterprise. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf plans are built on local numbers: a local textable number on Launch, local high-volume numbers on Boost and Scale, and dedicated sending infrastructure on Enterprise. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Blackleaf's composer can insert loyalty fields such as points and loyalty level into texts. Blackleaf FAQ (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Workflow automation is not included on Launch and starts on the Boost plan. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 18, 2026
- Higher Blackleaf tiers add support: an onboarding specialist on Scale, and a dedicated success manager, white-glove onboarding and priority support on Enterprise. Launch and Boost list none of these. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026
- Blackleaf Managed is a separate, custom-priced service in which Blackleaf plans, builds, launches and measures campaigns; qualified operators can start with a 30-day revenue pilot at one store. Dispensary SMS Pricing: Plans, Messaging Rates, and Expected ROI Drivers | Blackleaf (opens in a new tab), accessed October 29, 2026