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Pony Express HQ
What Pony Express HQ is
Pony Express HQ is a web-based SMS marketing platform for businesses and organizations that send group messages and manage replies. It supports two-way SMS and MMS, scheduled texts, contact groups, keyword auto-replies, CSV imports, and an embeddable opt-in widget. Unlimited team logins and members can use a shared inbox for replies. Each active account includes one dedicated US local or toll-free number at no monthly charge. The free signup credit provides 100 credits with no card required; prepaid bundles start at $13, paid once for 250 credits. An SMS segment uses one credit and an MMS uses two, while long texts and emoji may consume multiple SMS segments. Credits remain while an account is active, defined as sending a group message within the previous six months. The service requires recipient consent, processes STOP opt-outs, and prohibits purchased or scraped lists. It connects to Zapier for message and contact triggers and SMS or broadcast actions, but requires a Zapier account.
Who it suits
It suits non-technical teams at churches, HOAs, tutoring centers, small businesses, campaigns, and other organizations that need group messaging and shared reply management. Its web platform and audience segmentation may suit teams coordinating consent-based SMS or MMS outreach.
What it does well
- Two-way SMS and MMS with scheduled texts.
- Unlimited team members share a reply inbox.
- 100 signup credits require no card.
- One dedicated US number while account remains active.
- STOP opt-outs are handled automatically.
What to know first
- 250 messages per month listed as the limit.
- No workflow automation.
- Zapier connection requires a separate Zapier account.
- SMS segments and MMS consume credits.
Limits
The free plan provides 100 credits, and the listed message limit is 250 messages per month. SMS segments use one credit and MMS uses two; long messages and emoji can use multiple SMS segments. Credits stay on the account while active, defined as sending at least one group message in the prior six months.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 100 free credits | One-time signup credit; no card required · 100 credits · no subscription · credits stay while account is active | Free |
| 250 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 250 credits · 5.2¢ per text | $13, paid once |
| 5,000 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 5,000 credits · 3.58¢ per text | $179, paid once |
| 100,000 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 100,000 credits · 1.99¢ per text | $1,990, paid once |
| 500 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 500 credits · 4.8¢ per text | $24, paid once |
| 10,000 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 10,000 credits · 3.39¢ per text | $339, paid once |
| 1,000 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 1,000 credits · 4.3¢ per text | $43, paid once |
| 25,000 credits | Prepaid credit bundle · 25,000 credits · 2.46¢ per text | $614, paid once |
The first 8 of 10 plans, as getponyexpress.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Getting started
- Open the Pony Express HQ website.
- Sign up for the 100 free credits; no card is required.
- Use the web platform to create contact groups or import contacts from CSV.
- Set up the opt-in widget or keyword auto-replies and send group messages.
- Connect the Zapier app with a Zapier account if you need its listed triggers or actions.
Verdict
Pony Express HQ combines group messaging, shared replies, and opt-in tools with prepaid credit bundles. Check the 250-message monthly limit and credit use against your planned SMS and MMS volume.
Questions
Is Pony Express HQ free?
It offers 100 free credits as a one-time signup credit, with no card required and no subscription. Paid prepaid bundles start at $13.00 per once for 250 credits.
What does a credit cover?
One SMS segment costs one credit and an MMS costs two credits. Long texts and emoji can split an SMS into multiple segments.
Which platforms does it support?
The listed platform is web.
Does it support incoming replies and team access?
Yes. It supports two-way messaging, and unlimited team members can manage replies in a shared inbox.
Does it integrate with Zapier?
Yes. The Zapier app includes triggers for incoming messages, new contacts, new subscribers, and opt-outs, plus actions such as sending SMS and group broadcasts. It requires a Zapier account.
What consent rules apply to contact lists?
Recipients must have consented. The service automatically handles STOP opt-outs and prohibits purchased and scraped lists.
Facts from Pony Express HQ's own pages
- Company
- The service is operated by Pony Express HQ, INC., and the privacy policy identifies the company as based in San Mateo, California. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Credit expiry
- Credits stay on the account while active, defined as sending at least one group message in the prior six months. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Credit usage
- An SMS segment costs one credit and an MMS costs two credits; long messages and emoji can split an SMS into multiple segments. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Data sharing
- The privacy policy says the company does not sell personal information or share customer data with third parties for advertising purposes. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- San Mateo, California, USA · getponyexpress.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integration limit
- The maker says the Zapier connection requires a Zapier account and is an extra step compared with a native integration. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The product offers a Zapier app with triggers for incoming messages, new contacts, new subscribers, and opt-outs, plus actions including sending SMS and group broadcasts. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the product as built for non-technical teams and lists churches, HOAs, tutoring centers, small businesses, campaigns, and other organizations as use cases. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- The platform supports two-way SMS, MMS, scheduled texts, contact groups, keyword auto-replies, CSV imports, and an embeddable web opt-in widget. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Number
- Each account includes one dedicated US local or toll-free number at no monthly charge while the account is active. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Opt-in compliance
- The service requires recipient consent and automatically handles STOP opt-outs; purchased and scraped lists are prohibited. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The maker says customer data is encrypted in transit with TLS and at rest with AES-256, passwords are hashed and salted, and infrastructure is hosted in the United States. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- Pony Express HQ is an online SMS marketing platform for businesses and organizations to send messages to groups and manage replies. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Customers can contact a person through the dashboard chat or contact page, and the maker lists [email protected] and +1 855 611 8895. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Team
- Team logins and team members are unlimited, and replies appear in a shared inbox. · getponyexpress.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where Pony Express HQ stands on Freedom251
- SMS Marketing Software#8 of 50