Frequently asked questions
The questions every new customer asks — answered honestly. Can't find what you need? Message us on WhatsApp.
- Not illegal. Operating a SIM card for customer messaging is legally permissible. It may, however, violate your mobile provider's acceptable use policy if you push very high volumes through a single SIM — which is why we batch-send and recommend a SIM plan with high SMS allowance.
- It depends on your jurisdiction. Most countries prohibit unsolicited commercial SMS. As long as you have consent, identify your business, and provide an opt-out, you're fine. Compliance is your responsibility — we don't police messages.
- Commercial text messages promoting products, services or financial opportunities. These are subject to regulation. Transactional messages — receipts, shipping updates, appointment confirmations — are generally exempt.
- Only after the recipient has consented to receive marketing from you, you've identified your business in the message, and you've provided an unsubscribe mechanism (typically reply STOP).
- No. The platform does not monitor message content for compliance. You bear full responsibility under our Terms & Conditions for following the rules in your country.
- Yes. Inst8 is decentralised — it runs on any Android phone with any SIM card, anywhere. We recommend a SIM plan with unlimited or very-high domestic SMS.
- We ship native integrations for HighLevel, HubSpot, Zoho and Zapier. Zapier connects you to 6,000+ other apps. Custom integrations are available — get in touch.
- Yes. Each SIM on your plan can be bound to a different sub-account — and because most Android phones are dual-SIM, a single device can serve two sub-accounts at once. Devices and SIMs share your plan's monthly credits. Higher tiers include more devices and more sub-accounts.
- We batch-send 30–40 messages every 10 minutes to stay inside carrier fair-use limits. Higher tiers also let you distribute across multiple devices to spread load further.
- No. Apple restricts third-party SMS access, which makes an iOS gateway app effectively impossible. Android is the only practical option for the inst8 architecture.
- Messages send from the SIM's mobile number — recipients see your real number. Calls to that number are received on the phone itself. They don't route into HighLevel, so we recommend a forwarding setup if needed.
- Plans start at $47/month for one device and unlimited SMS. SIM cards are separate — typically $10–$20/month for a plan with unlimited domestic SMS, sometimes cheaper.
- Inst8's subscription covers the cloud gateway, API, dashboard, CRM integrations and support — the infrastructure that turns your phone into a CRM-connected messaging endpoint.
- Anytime, from your dashboard. Upgrades apply immediately with the new device allocation. Downgrades take effect at the end of your billing cycle.
- Month-to-month with no contract. Cancel anytime through the Gateway Dashboard — no penalty, no clawback.
Is using a SIM card for messaging illegal?
Is SMS marketing legal?
What qualifies as SMS marketing?
When can I send SMS marketing?
Will you stop me from sending unsolicited messages?
Will it work in my country?
Will it work with my CRM?
Can I use it across multiple HighLevel sub-accounts?
Will my SIM card get blocked at high volumes?
Do you have an iOS app?
What number shows on outbound messages, and can I receive calls?
How much does it cost?
Why is there a cost if I'm using my own SIM card?
Can I upgrade my plan later?
How do I cancel?
Still got a question?
Message us on WhatsApp — usually answered in under an hour.