Choosing a Flow
Choosing a Flow
The SDK supports four A2P 10DLC registration flows. Use this guide to pick the right one for your situation.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | ISV Standard | ISV Sole Prop | Direct Standard | Direct Sole Prop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who? | ISV registering customer with Tax ID | ISV registering customer without Tax ID | Business with Tax ID (self-registration) | Individual/hobbyist without Tax ID |
| Tax ID required | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Steps | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| OTP required | No | Yes (24hr window) | No | Yes (24hr window) |
| Campaign limit | Unlimited | 1 per brand | Unlimited | 1 per brand |
| Phone limit | Optional | 1 per campaign | 0-N (array) | 1 per campaign |
| Daily msg cap | By TCR score | By TCR score | By TCR score | ~3,000 |
Decision Tree
Are you an ISV?
ISV (Independent Software Vendor) = You're a software company sending messages on behalf of your customers.
Direct = You're sending messages for your own business.
Does your customer (or you) have a Tax ID?
- Tax ID = EIN (US), CBN (Canada), or other business registration number
- No Tax ID = Individuals, hobbyists, US/Canada-only without formal business registration
Flow Guides
Direct Standard
For: Businesses with a Tax ID registering their own brand.
Steps: 3 (Customer Profile → Brand + Trust Product → Campaign)
Timeline: Profile review up to 72 hours, Brand review minutes to 7+ days, Campaign vetting 10-15 days.
Direct Sole Prop
For: Individuals/hobbyists in US/Canada without a Tax ID.
Steps: 3 (Starter Profile → Brand + Trust Product + OTP → Campaign)
Limits: 1 campaign per brand, 1 phone per campaign, ~3,000 msgs/day.
Timeline: Profile review up to 72 hours, OTP verification 24 hours, Campaign vetting 10-15 days.
ISV Standard
For: ISVs registering customers who have a Tax ID.
Steps: 4 (Customer Profile → Trust Product → Brand → Campaign)
Prerequisites: Your ISV Primary Profile must be approved first.
Timeline: Profile review up to 72 hours, Trust Product minutes to hours, Brand review minutes to 7+ days, Campaign vetting 10-15 days.
ISV Sole Prop
For: ISVs registering customers in US/Canada without a Tax ID.
Steps: 4 (Starter Profile → Sole Prop Trust Bundle → Brand + OTP → Campaign)
Prerequisites: Your ISV Primary Profile must be approved first.
Limits: 1 campaign per brand, 1 phone per campaign, ~3,000 msgs/day.
Timeline: Profile review up to 72 hours, Trust Product minutes to hours, OTP verification 24 hours, Campaign vetting 10-15 days.
Key Differences
Standard vs Sole Prop
Standard (Tax ID required):
- Higher throughput (~unlimited based on TCR trust score)
- Multiple campaigns per brand
- Multiple phone numbers per campaign
- No OTP verification
Sole Proprietor (No Tax ID):
- Limited to ~3,000 messages/day
- 1 campaign per brand
- 1 phone number per campaign
- Requires OTP verification (24-hour window)
- Mobile number can only be used 3 times total across ALL vendors
Direct vs ISV
Direct (Self-registration):
- 3-step flow (faster)
brand_contact_emailrequired (since Oct 2024)- Simpler — no need for Primary Profile
ISV (Registering customers):
- 4-step flow
- Requires approved ISV Primary Profile first
- Separate Customer Profile per customer
- More complex but scales to many customers
Still Unsure?
Check the Twilio A2P 10DLC Overview or contact Twilio Support.