Jumper actually started out as SMS. It operated solely on SMS for about 2 months, but the unpredictable message delivery, high cost or messages (esp. images) and lack of access to user profiles made me switch.

Is there another chat platform you'd prefer to use? Slack? Google Hangouts? Telegram?

Not the person you're responding to, but aren't there service plans with unlimited texting and images? I'd definitely use this service if I could text.

No unlimited plans from Twilio, unfortunately. https://www.twilio.com/sms/pricing

Maybe another SMS service offers that? If so, I'd certainly consider SMS again.

I'd be fine paying for it to cover the cost of SMS. Like parent, I'm not willing to use facebook to get access, even for free.

One option would be to re-enable the SMS option for people who deposit money to cover the SMS fees. Mark them up 100% (so 2c per SMS or something) and you'll have a built-in profit margin.

That's not a bad idea. If people covered the cost I'd have no problem adding SMS back!

Everyone I know uses whatsapp exclusively.