---
"@context": https://schema.org
"@type": TechArticle
"@id": https://www.twilio.com/docs/numbers-and-senders/choose-sender-type#article
headline: Choose a Number or Sender type
description: Compare Twilio number and sender types, including phone numbers, short codes, alphanumeric sender IDs, RCS, and WhatsApp, to pick the right one.
url: https://www.twilio.com/docs/numbers-and-senders/choose-sender-type
inLanguage: en
dateModified: 2026-10-07T05:21:12.000Z
author:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio Developer Education Team
publisher:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio
---

# Choose a Number or Sender type

Each number and sender type has distinct capabilities, use cases, and setup requirements. You can manage all of them from the **Numbers and Senders** or **Products and Services** page in the Twilio Console.

## Choosing a number or sender type

To determine which number or sender type best suits your needs, review the following tabs, which outline the capabilities and uses of each available sender type.

### Numbers

To send and receive messages and calls from numeric senders like phone numbers and short codes, use the following sender types:

## Phone numbers

Gives you access to local, national, mobile, 10DLC, and toll-free numbers for voice and messaging applications. Use [phone numbers](/docs/numbers-and-senders/phone-number-senders) to place calls, send SMS or MMS messages, and reach customers globally.

## Short codes

Lets you send high-volume, two-way SMS and MMS messages. [Short codes](/docs/numbers-and-senders/short-codes) are three- to seven-digit numeric sender IDs designed for throughput-intensive messaging.

### Alphanumeric sender IDs

[Alphanumeric sender IDs](/docs/numbers-and-senders/alphanumeric-senders) are custom sender IDs for *outbound-only* messaging. Recipients *cannot* reply to messages sent from alphanumeric sender IDs.

## Alphanumeric sender IDs

Send messages with a custom sender ID of up to 11 alphanumeric characters (letters, numbers, and spaces). This option lets you send messages from a branded sender ID that recipients can recognize.

##  

{/* Empty tab to align with other TabGroup */}

### Programmable messaging senders

To send messages to customers across different channels with one API, you can use the following Programmable Messaging senders. These senders require additional setup and approval.

## Rich Communication Services (RCS)

Send messages through the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol by using Twilio APIs. [RCS senders](/docs/numbers-and-senders/rcs-senders) enhance traditional SMS and MMS, letting you send branded, interactive messages to customers. You can send longer texts, large media files, turn on read receipts, and more within your device's default messaging app.

RCS messaging is only available certain countries, and is subject to local regulations. For country-specific availability and requirements, see the [RCS Guidelines](/docs/rcs/regional). For more detail and steps on how to get started with RCS, see [Get Started with branded RCS messaging](/docs/rcs/onboarding).

## WhatsApp

You can use a phone number linked to a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA), to send and receive messages, deliver notifications, and provide customer support on WhatsApp. Using WhatsApp lets you deliver messages through the WhatsApp Business Platform using Twilio APIs. For details on how to get started with WhatsApp senders, see [Get Started with WhatsApp](/docs/whatsapp#get-started-with-whatsapp).

This is available to Direct Customers only. If you're an [Independent Software Vendor (ISV)](https://help.twilio.com/articles/4402930862747?_gl=1*1ng9r2v*_gcl_au*MTA4MzMyMzM1Ni4xNzYyODkwNzkw*_ga*NTQ5NDQxNzQyLjE3MzY4Nzk3MjA.*_ga_RRP8K4M4F3*czE3Njg0NzY0NjMkbzYzJGcxJHQxNzY4NDc2ODcyJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..), see the [WhatsApp for ISVs](/docs/whatsapp/isv/register-senders) documentation.

## Facebook Messenger

Integrate Facebook Messenger with Flex, Conversations, and other Twilio APIs to send and receive messages on the Messenger channel. Facebook Messenger is an alternative to SMS messaging as it supports more content types, and can cost less for high-volume messaging. For more detail, see [Get Started with Facebook Messenger](/docs/messaging/channels/facebook-messenger).