People have been looking for TextNow alternatives for a quite now.
Just like TextNow, there are many other free calling and messaging VOIP apps available.
But which one should you choose? Which TextNow alternative offers the best features? How much does it cost?
There might be more questions you have, but don’t worry, we’re here to help.
This article will provide you with a list of alternatives to TextNow, along with their features, pricing, and availability.
But first, let’s cover the basics!
What is TextNow and How Does It Work?
TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). In other words, it offers you phone service by piggybacking on other cellular providers.
You can download the app for free, and you’ll also receive a free phone number to use for online calls and text messages.
TextNow has been in business since 2009, making it old for an internet company.
TextNow’s app also works similarly, taking advantage of Wi-Fi as a means to make and receive calls.
However, TextNow cellular service requires you to buy either one of their SIM cards or one of their phones.
The following are some of the features of TextNow:
- Making and receiving phone calls
- Sending photos
- Caller ID
- Voicemail transcription
- Call forwarding
- Customizable tones
- Unified inbox for messaging within and outside of TextNow
- Floating chat
- Make calls on all your devices with the TextNow website and app
Reasons To Choose Different TextNow Alternatives
There are different reasons why people choose different TextNow alternatives. While some do it just to get rid of ads, others consider it for better features and pricing.
It is up to you whether you choose to try other TextNow alternatives.
Here are a few reasons why people opt for different TextNow alternatives.
1. Limited Services
TextNow’s services are limited compared to those of its competitors. Many alternatives to TextNow have far better features at a lower price.
People always prefer great features at a lower price, which could explain why they choose different TextNow alternatives.
2. Ads and Spammy Email
TextNow has a lot of ads, and this is what aggravates most users. No one likes to see ads all the time. Although you can remove the ads from TextNow by purchasing the premium plan, other TextNow alternatives have no ads, even on the Free plan.
Additionally, TextNow also sends out frequent emails and updates, which users consider spam.
3. Data Collection
TextNow collects tons of user data and information that users do not want to share.
This is why most users search for alternatives to TextNow with no signup required.
List of TextNow Alternatives You Should Try in 2022
1. TextMe
The first alternative to TextNow is TextMe, with over 10 million downloads in the Google Play Store, indicating it is very popular.
To get started with TextMe, you simply have to sign in with your email or Facebook account.
Similar to TextNow, TextMe includes adverts, which may become irritating in the long run. However, its interface is easy to use.
In addition, multiple numbers can be open simultaneously, making it the ideal TextNow alternative.
TextMe is easy to use, and it has no such hard rules for its usage. You get
an entirely new number and voice mail system, which works just like your smartphone’s default carrier.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
2. Google Voice
Google Voice is another best TextNow alternative to anyone who needs a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone number.
Google Voice is free, and your number will be associated with your Gmail account.
Also, You can get a new Google Voice number for every Google account you open.
One of the best things about Google Voice is based on both web and mobile applications, so,
You can make and receive calls via the app or website.
In addition, voicemails are automatically transcribed so you can listen instead of reading them.
Similar to TextNow, Google Voice gives you options for selecting your area code. Also, calls within the U.S. are free of charge.
If you want to make an international call, you’ll need to top up your Google Voice account. One of my favorite features is that Google Voice has no ads, unlike TextNow.
Platform Availability: Android, iOS & Web Browsers
3. Hushed
Another great alternative to TextNow is Hushed. You can place private calls, send texts, send pictures, and manage multiple numbers.
Hushed is the perfect app for people who are tired of paying high international rates to call their loved ones or prefer a more secure way to communicate with their friends and family members.
The PIN lock on your device protects messages sent using this app, which can only be viewed by people who know your phone number.
This means you do not get contacted by uninvited guests like receiving texts or calls from unknown numbers. With Hush’s encryption, your daily conversations with family and friends are indistinguishable from texts you send on Gmail, Yahoo, Apple, or any other email account.
Furthermore, You can use Hushed to call over 300 area codes worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom.
Hushed allows its users to back up their communication history and voicemails to their Dropbox account so that they can access them later, even after uninstalling the app from their device.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
4. textPlus
textPlus is another great alternative to TextNow, which allows users to send free SMS texts and make calls with a free phone number.
As soon as you get a new textPlus number, you can make calls and send messages to your fellow textPlus users.
Additionally, the number can be utilized for making calls to both landline and mobile telephone numbers, but you need to pay a small fee for that.
It charges a reasonable fee for every call made over landlines and mobile phones.
The best thing about textPlus is that you don’t have to register or provide personal information. Once you launch the application, it gives you a random phone number that you can use to make free calls and SMS. A
Like TextNow, textPlus has ads. I particularly liked how you can remove ads for just $0.05 a day.
Because of this, I enjoy textPlus so much: it gives me the freedom to retain my phone number without advertisements.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
5. Numero eSim
Numero eSim allows its users to get a new SIM card from more than 80 countries with internet connectivity with one click.
Also, you can save money by calling landlines or U.S. numbers. Additionally, you can get a local number in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Russia, South Africa, and Australia without paying expensive roaming costs.
Another great feature is the personalized voicemail, which is available on a second line or fake phone number. Also, Call forwarding and hiding caller I.D.feature is available.
A disadvantage of Numero eSIM is that you must have an existing phone number before signing up. You can’t simply sign in with your email address or Facebook account like other TextNow alternatives.
However, as a whole, Numero eSIM is one of the best tools you can choose from among TextNow alternatives.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
6. TextFree
It seems like every TextNow alternative uses the word “text”! You can set up TextFree by entering an area code; if it isn’t available, the app will suggest nearby codes with numbers.
Nevertheless, in my case, some of the area codes with TextNow numbers did not appear on TextFree.
To sign up for TextFree, you’ll need an email address. Sadly, there is no Facebook sign-up option at the moment.
Although TextFree numbers are free, it is important to use them once a month to keep them. After 30 days of inactivity, you will automatically be assigned a new number.
However, if you sign up for a $4.99 premium plan, you can keep your number forever. In this way, you will never lose your number, even if you go a long time without using it.
Purchasing 1,000 minutes instead of 500 minutes can save you money if you plan to use TextFree for a long time.
Also, participating in surveys and watching video advertisements will earn you free minutes.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
7. GoDaddy Smartline
The company is best known for its domain names and hosting services, although they also offer a SmartLine service. It is a similar application to TextNow, aimed at providing free Call & Messaging services.
If you run a blog or e-commerce business, you can provide your audience with an alternative contact method without sharing your real phone number.
You can forward SmartLine calls to your personal number by using call forwarding.
Additionally, SmartLine allows you to get a toll-free number because TextNow and other phone applications are designed for regular users instead of entrepreneurs.
Although a toll-free number is more expensive, it allows people to contact you without paying any fees; in addition, you will appear to be more professional and persuasive if you use a toll-free number.
Another great feature is the automatic spam filter and transcription of voicemails. As a whole, GoDaddy SmartLine is a great alternative to TextNow for business needs.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
8. AbTalk Call
Compared to TextNow, AbTalk Call provides an excellent alternative for Android users, and like the other apps on this list, you won’t need a SIM card to use the app.
Simply by joining up with Google or Facebook, you could earn 1,000 points. If you use your email address, you will still receive bonus points, but they will be lower than normal.
The built-in VPN of AbTalk is also a great advantage over TextNow! You can stay secure and hide your information when using a VPN to make calls or browse the Internet. You don’t have to use the VPN if not needed, even though it is accessible and free; however, you will score more points if you do.
You’ll earn points for inviting friends, and each referral will earn you 200 points. If you refer a certain number of friends, you’ll earn additional credits of up to 1,500 points.
A reasonable price can also be paid for points, and for $0.99 you will receive 16,000 points, and for $3.99 you will receive 60,000 points. But how can you use the points? For Making international calls, of course!
For example, some of the regions on the app only charge around 330 points for making a call in Argentina. So, if you would like to use an app specific to Android devices, Abtalk is the perfect alternative to TextNow.
Platform Availability: Android Only
9. Freetone
Freetone is an application that provides you with a free way of messaging and calling your friends, colleagues, and family.
This app is unique from traditional phone and messaging apps in that it combines several unique features into a single platform.
You can convert a smartphone into a full-functioning mobile number using this TextNow alternative. As a result, you can make free calls and send unlimited text messages.
Users of Freetone can also send messages and make calls to landlines and mobile numbers for free. Right now, it is only offering this free service to Americans.
In addition, this application offers a very reasonable price for its premium calling and messaging services. After downloading the app, you receive the new US or Canada-based phone number, which can call other US and Canadian numbers.
Users can select the area code according to their needs. The Freetone app is simply the best way to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged mobile phone number and then start making free calls and sending unlimited texts of any type.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
10. Rebtel
Rebtel is a good alternative to TextNow if you need to make international calls at a low cost. It allows you to call over 50 countries, including landlines.
Alternatively, you can use your mobile plan to place calls, so you don’t have to use the internet.
You can pay as you go, and the rates are affordable. You can pay less money for a single phone call.
For every friend you refer who purchases Rebtel, you will receive $5 of calling credit.
Platform Availability: Android & iOS
11. Wire
Wire provides messaging, audio/video conferencing, document sharing, and external collaboration for corporations, but Wire Personal is a free test version of the full Wire software.
At first, Wire was intended to be a personal product, but that changed in 2017. With the goal of delivering secure collaboration software to businesses, the company’s focus shifted from consumers to businesses.
As a result, Wire’s development activities are heavily focused on enterprise users. As such, this implies that message security is paramount, but the privacy of the users is secondary. The company gathers a lot of information about its users.
Despite these drawbacks, Wire Personal offers a robust set of features. Like other TextNow alternatives, messaging services, you can exchange text messages and voice messages, make phone calls and video calls, and share files.
Platform Availability: Android, iOS, Windows & Linux
Conclusion
These are the 11 best alternatives to TextNow you can use in 2022.
Every app has different features and pricing that make it unique from the rest.
While choosing TextMe Alternatives, choose one with fewer ads, a reasonable price, and more features.
Regardless, TextNow offers Free messaging and VOIP calls, making it one of the best available tools in the market.
If you have any additional questions or suggestions or other alternatives to TextNow, you can comment below or feel free to contact us.
Further Reading
How To Delete Your TextNow Account Permanently
10 Best Productivity Apps For Android & iOS 2022
11 Best Bluetooth Card Adapters For PC in 2022
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