When it comes to political outreach and voter engagement, choosing the right platform can make or break your campaign. Two platforms that frequently appear in political circles are i360 and RumbleUp, but they serve distinctly different purposes.
I've spent time exploring both platforms to understand their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. While i360 positions itself as a comprehensive data and analytics powerhouse with SMS capabilities, RumbleUp focuses exclusively on peer-to-peer (P2P) texting, offering industry-leading delivery rates, white-glove support, and an intuitive interface design to make outreach strategies more effective.
Here's a detailed comparison of i360 vs RumbleUp to help you decide which platform, or if a combination of both, is right for your needs.
Table of contents:
Here's the fundamental difference between these platforms:
👉 i360 is best for organizations that need comprehensive voter data, analytics, and targeting capabilities with basic SMS functionality. It's ideal for campaigns that want a one-stop shop for data management and simple text outreach.
👉 RumbleUp is best for organizations seeking premium, bespoke, white-glove P2P texting. It's the go-to choice for teams that want complete control over their P2P texting with all the bells and whistles, plus custom solutions and white-glove support from a team that treats your campaign like their own.
|
i360 |
RumbleUp |
|
|
Core function |
Data and analytics platform with SMS add-on |
Dedicated P2P texting platform |
|
Data capabilities |
Comprehensive voter data, analytics, and list building |
Works with client-provided data and integrates with data sources |
|
Target audience |
Campaigns needing data with basic texting needs |
Any organization running high-impact P2P texting campaigns |
|
Texting features |
⭐⭐ Basic SMS functionality through web interface |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced P2P texting with MMS, video, and comprehensive features |
|
Platform control |
⭐⭐⭐ More limited interface for texting operations |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Full-featured platform with hands-on control, enterprise account management and full-service texting options |
|
Support |
⭐⭐⭐ Standard support for data and texting |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High-touch support for all clients regardless of size |
|
Pricing |
⭐⭐⭐Generally more affordable for basic texting |
⭐⭐⭐⭐Premium pricing with customized contracts, including white glove support and custom feature requesting at no extra cost |
If RumbleUp sounds like the partner you’re after, book a free demo to see the platform in action.
Understanding this fundamental difference is key to making the right choice.
i360 started as (and remains) primarily a data and analytics company. Their SMS functionality is an add-on service designed to help campaigns use their data for basic outreach.
Source: i360
RumbleUp, on the other hand, was built from the ground up as a peer-to-peer texting platform. While it integrates seamlessly with voter data, whether from i360, L2, clients’ lists, or other sources, its focus is on maximizing the impact of text messaging campaigns through advanced features and impressive delivery rates.
The practical implication? If you're primarily looking for voter data and analytics with some basic texting capability, i360 makes sense. However, if text messaging is a crucial component of your outreach strategy, RumbleUp's specialized platform provides significantly more power and flexibility.
When it comes to the actual texting experience, RumbleUp is in a league of its own. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features that i360's basic SMS functionality can't match.
RumbleUp provides texting features like:
Perhaps most importantly, RumbleUp gives you granular control over your texting projects. You can manage everything from message creation to sending strategies, response handling, and performance optimization - all within an intuitive interface designed specifically for P2P texting. For agencies or organizations handling texting operations for multiple clients, the intuitive master and subaccount linking provides unprecedented ease in managing these large-scale operations.
For those needing a hands-off approach, our texting and campaign experts will also handle your full-service texting needs.
i360's texting functionality, while sufficient for basic campaigns, is more limited in scope and flexibility. It's designed for straightforward SMS blasts rather than sophisticated engagement campaigns. You won't find the same level of customization, automation, or multimedia capabilities.
i360's biggest strengths are its comprehensive voter data and sophisticated analytics. The platform helps you build highly targeted lists based on demographics, voting history, consumer behavior, and predictive models that identify persuadable audiences and track engagement across channels.
What many campaigns don't realize is that RumbleUp has a direct integration with i360 that eliminates the friction between data selection and message execution. RumbleUp clients can request i360 data directly through the portal.
This means you can:
This integration represents the best of both worlds: i360's powerful data capabilities combined with RumbleUp's superior texting execution. After your new data has successfully integrated into RumbleUp's CRM, you can begin sending targeted texts, optimizing your outreach efforts, and maximizing engagement.
RumbleUp is widely recognized for its exceptional, white-glove support. Whether you're running a presidential campaign or organizing for a local school board, every client receives the same premium support level from P2P texting experts available seven days a week. Their support extends beyond basic account questions to include:
RumbleUp also builds custom integrations and features that add value at no additional cost, including them as part of each client's contract. This client-influenced development approach means the platform continuously evolves based on real user needs rather than generic market assumptions. The company maintains a 95% customer retention rate, largely attributed to this high quality of support.
This premium support comes at a premium price. RumbleUp’s basic plan is generally more expensive than i360's texting services, as the same level of support and features is available to all clients, regardless of their size or sending volume. However, many organizations find that the exceptional support and platform capabilities justify the higher cost, and high-volume users see some of the most competitive pricing in the marketplace.
i360 offers standard support for its platform, which is adequate for most data and basic texting needs. However, you won't get the same strategic guidance or hands-on assistance that RumbleUp provides. For campaigns that require extensive assistance or have complex onboarding and setup requirements, this difference can be substantial.
Rather than viewing i360 and RumbleUp as simply competitors, it's often more helpful to see them as complementary tools that support different stages of your campaign workflow.
A typical integrated approach might look like this:
Many successful campaigns use exactly this hybrid approach, recognizing that each platform excels in its core competency. Using two platforms can add complexity, but best-in-class tools for each function often deliver exceptional results that offset challenges.
The choice between i360 and RumbleUp ultimately depends on your priorities and resources.
Choose i360 if:
Click here to get started with i360.
Choose RumbleUp if:
Click here to get started with RumbleUp.
Consider using both if:
The P2P texting market has matured significantly in recent years, and most platforms now offer similar basic features. What sets RumbleUp apart is its combination of advanced functionality, hands-on control, exceptional support, and a commitment to building custom integrations and features at no additional cost. Meanwhile, i360's integrated approach offers undeniable convenience for organizations that need both data and texting capabilities.
Rather than asking which platform is "better," ask which one (or which combination) best serves your specific campaign needs and resources.
Note: The political landscape and platform features evolve rapidly. While this comparison is current as of August 2025, be sure to verify the latest features and pricing directly with each platform.