Account Balance and Segments
Introduction to account balance and how it ties up with segments.
Overview
Your account balance is a prepaid fund that covers text messages (SMS & MMS), voice calls, pass-through fees (carrier surcharges, A2P 10DLC), and optional services like AvoAI. Balance is deducted in real time based on usage.
Messaging and calls are measured in segments — the standard billing unit for SMS and voice. See Segments below for how character count and call minutes map to cost.
Account Balance
The account balance is designed to streamline billing and reduce administrative burden. Balance covers texts, voice calls, and optional services like AvoAI — you choose how much to load onto your account.
Real-time tracking keeps your balance updated as messages are sent and received (view details in Billing → Balance and Usage). Enable Auto-fill so you never run out of balance.
How messaging and call segments are calculated
When you send or receive a message, your balance is deducted by: (segment cost × number of segments) + carrier fees.
For voice calls, each minute consumed counts as one segment. Calls are rounded up to the nearest minute — a 2-minute, 30-second call uses 3 segments.
Carrier pass-through fees average ~$0.003–$0.01 per segment and vary by carrier, direction, and message type. See full rate breakdown →
SMS are charged per segment (160 characters). Messages over 160 characters count as multiple segments. Prices may change without notice.
Carrier Fees & Broadcast Cost Example
Scenario: You send a 1-segment Broadcast (120 characters) to 100 contacts using a 10-digit long code. Your segment rate is $0.03/segment.
Balance used:
- Segments: $3.00 (100 segments × $0.03)
- Half of your contacts have version, half have AT&T
- Verizon pass-through fees: $0.20 (50 segments × $0.004)
- AT&T pass-through fees: $0.175 (50 segments × $0.0035)
- Total Broadcast cost: $3.375
Avochato provides an estimate of the Broadcast's segment-only cost before sending.
Segments
A standard SMS segment is up to 160 characters. Messages longer than 160 characters are split into multiple segments of 153 characters each (7 characters are reserved for multipart headers).
1–160 char = 1 seg | 161–306 char = 2 segs | 307–459 char = 3 segs |
460–612 char = 4 segs | 613–765 char = 5 segs | 766–918 char = 6 segs |
Multi-segment messages are delivered as a single message to the recipient.
Special characters
The 160-character limit applies only when all characters are standard (letters, numbers, basic punctuation). If a message includes any special character — emojis, accents, or non-alphanumeric characters — the segment limit drops to 70 characters.
Attachments (MMS)
MMS attachments like photos or GIFs are considered 1 segment. Avochato will automatically resize images to stay within carrier file-size limits.
Phone calls
Outbound calls are charged per minute, where each minute equals one segment. Partial minutes are rounded up — for example, a 4-minute, 15-second call uses 5 segments.
AvoAI
AvoAI is Avochato's suite of AI-powered features. AvoAI usage is billed from the Account Balance in real time and is usage-based.
Adding Balance
Step 1: Click your balance in the top-right corner of the Avochato interface. A popup will show your current auto-top up settings with shortcuts to add balance and view billing.
Step 2: Click "Add more balance." You'll be taken to the Billing page. Scroll to the Quick Add-On section and click Add Balance.
Step 3: Select an amount and complete checkout.
How do I track my usage?
Go to Billing in the left-side navigation, then select the Balance and Usage tab. This page shows a breakdown of your messaging, call, and AvoAI usage.
By default, usage displays the last 7 days. Adjust the "From" and "To" dates to view any custom time period.
FAQs
Who can see the Account Balance?
- Owners can view the balance at the top of the dashboard at all times.
- Managers can view it by going to Billing Information.
- Members do not have access to the balance or billing — unless the "Can View Billing" permission is enabled (Invite Users → Actions → "Can View Billing").
Does my Account Balance expire?
No. Your balance does not expire as long as you have an active Avochato subscription.
What if I run out of balance?
When your balance runs low, the account owner receives email notifications. If balance reaches zero, messages will not be sent or received.
We strongly recommend enabling auto-top up: go to Billing → Subscription Details and set Auto-fill: ON.
Does the automated opt-out message cost segments?
Yes. Any message sent — automated or manual — deducts from your balance based on segment count. The opt-out message automatically appended to first-time contacts may cause segment usage to be slightly higher than expected.