Textnow Reviews

TextNow | Get Free Calling and Texting with TextNow

3.40
87 reviews
Average Rating
Based on 87 user experiences
All 5 ★ 4 ★ 3 ★ 2 ★ 1 ★ 😊 Positive 😐 Neutral 😞 Negative Reset Filter
L

lost my number and couldn t find any

lost my number and couldn t find any support
D

Missed Calls

Only problem we have had the wife and I is half the time we miss calls due to our phones not ringing We both purchased a Motorola E5 from Text Now
M

HORRIBLE TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

I DO NOT like the fact that you can not talk to a human and your support chat is HORRIBLE and needs to be fixed immediately when troubleshooting the question you asked is NEVER properly answered and they give you a list of info you neither asked for or needed something needs to be done quickly because its extremely frustrating when you re trying to get and receive answers or help There has to be a better way and the customer support people that are trying to help you need better and more extensive training bc i just need help with the audio on my voicemail messages when i hit the play button the message just plays when the speaker is not even on and i can t turn the volume of the speaker off nor can i turn the speaker off so can someone PLEASE HELP ME w this issue bc its very frustrating i don t want everyone listening to and hearing my voicemail messages
S

Try it what s the worst that could happen It s free

While text app is free it only works with wifi If that s all you need i e at your house Starbucks or any fast food restaurants your golden I haven t paid a phone bill in 3 years but I m not glued to phone like some other robots in our society If your looking for a non existent phone bill and occasionally wifi outside your house then I recommend this app Sometimes the audio can be choppy but just find that sweet spot and your good I text 95 of the time so it works great Just depends what type of phone user you are BUT if you fall into my catagory then your straight I d recommend depending on what you use it for Definitely will save you money
W

TextNow

TextNow is meh It is a good app but there are a few problems which are ADS SPAM and TERMINATION I haven t checked my TextNow phone number for a week or so and suddenly I have 40 SPAM phone number calls There are also ADS on the free plan If you re not active your number can get TERMINATION as I read from a text message I got It could be spam though
G

It is a very convenient way of calling

It is a very convenient way of calling and texting when i dont want just anyone with my mobile number Though it is very laggy recieving text messages and calls
T

Used them for about 5 years

Used them for about 5 years doing browser-only no app calls and texts for 10 mo Generally worked ok until last month when my number disappeared I can still log in but the first thing it wants is for you to select a new number
S

Good value if you use it for free But I had a problem

Good value if you use it for free service Unfortunate I ran into a problem in trying to setup my phone With the new sim for wifi calling I ran into a problem I went to the support web page but it did not cover the problem I had I search everywhere on their website but was unable to find any way to report my problem No email or phone support So if your problem is not covered in their support page you won t be able toget an answer from them
J

It doesn t always work

It doesn t always work Sometimes it works great but it can stop out of nowhere
A

All I need new damn Sim card to do is buy a new Sim card

All I need to do is buy a new Sim card Why can t I get a link to do this I asked to speak to a rep still nothing

About Textnow

Phone smarter! Ditch your monthly phone bills with free calling and texting. Get the TextNow SIM card or use the TextNow app over wifi. Start saving!

United States

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Frequently Asked Questions

TextNow is a telecommunications service provider that offers free and low-cost mobile phone and messaging services in the United States and Canada. Its core service provides users with a free phone number to send unlimited texts and make calls within these countries using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology over Wi-Fi or data. For an enhanced experience, TextNow also offers premium plans, including SIM cards and data plans, which allow the free calling and texting service to operate over a cellular network.

TextNow's free service operates on an ad-supported model. Users can download the TextNow app on iOS or Android devices or use the web platform to obtain a free phone number. This number can be used to send and receive unlimited text messages and make phone calls within the United States and Canada at no direct charge. The service is sustained by advertisements displayed within the application's interface and requires an internet connection via Wi-Fi or cellular data to function.

TextNow's primary premium offering involves purchasing a TextNow SIM card and subscribing to a data plan. The SIM card provides access to TextNow's nationwide cellular network, allowing the free calling and texting service to work with cellular data outside of Wi-Fi hotspots. These plans are contract-free and month-to-month, where users pay only for the data they need while talk and text remain free. Premium plans also typically remove advertisements from the app interface.

An MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator, is a company that provides mobile phone services but does not own its own wireless network infrastructure. Instead, it purchases network capacity at wholesale rates from a major carrier (an MNO) and resells it to consumers. TextNow operates as an MVNO, utilizing the infrastructure of major carriers to provide its nationwide cellular data network for users who purchase a TextNow SIM card.

Yes, TextNow supports cross-platform accessibility. A user's TextNow phone number and message history are synchronized across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. This allows for seamless communication continuity as long as the device has an active internet connection and the user is logged into their TextNow account.
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About Textnow

TextNow: A Comprehensive Overview

TextNow is a leading telecommunications service provider that offers free and low-cost mobile phone and messaging services primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's core mission is to make essential communication accessible to everyone by leveraging Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. This allows users to make calls and send texts over Wi-Fi or cellular data, bypassing traditional carrier networks and their associated costs for service plans.

Core Services and Features

The cornerstone of TextNow's offering is its free, ad-supported wireless service. Users can download the TextNow app on iOS or Android devices, or use the web platform, to obtain a free phone number. With this number, they can send and receive unlimited text messages and make phone calls within the United States and Canada at no direct charge. The service is sustained by advertisements displayed within the app interface.

For users seeking an enhanced experience without ads or wanting to use their TextNow number with cellular data outside of Wi-Fi hotspots, the company offers premium plans. The key premium option is the TextNow SIM card and data plans. By purchasing an affordable SIM card, users can access TextNow's nationwide cellular network for data, which powers their free calling and texting. This effectively creates a low-cost, contract-free wireless plan where users only pay for the data they need, while talk and text remain free.

Key Differentiators and User Benefits

TextNow distinguishes itself in the competitive telecom market through several key attributes:

  • Cost-Effective Communication:It provides a genuine free tier for basic calling and texting, which is invaluable for budget-conscious individuals, secondary phone lines, or travelers.
  • No Contracts or Commitments:All services are month-to-month with no credit checks, offering significant flexibility.
  • Nationwide Cellular Network Access:With a SIM card, the service transitions from Wi-Fi-only to a full-fledged mobile service using TextNow's own MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) network, which operates on major carrier infrastructures.
  • Cross-Platform Accessibility:A user's phone number and messages are synchronized across smartphones, tablets, and web browsers, ensuring communication continuity on any device with an internet connection.

Target Audience and Use Cases

TextNow serves a diverse user base. It is particularly popular among:

  • Individuals seeking to minimize monthly phone bills.
  • Students and young people needing a first or secondary phone line.
  • International travelers who want a temporary US/Canadian number for local communication.
  • Business professionals desiring a separate number for work-life balance.
  • Anyone in need of a reliable backup communication method.

Website and User Experience

The textnow.com website functions as a central hub for information and account management. It clearly outlines the differences between free and premium services, allows for SIM card purchases, and provides access to the web-based messaging platform. The site includes comprehensive support pages, FAQs, and community forums to assist users. The design emphasizes clarity and conversion, guiding visitors toward downloading the app or selecting a suitable plan.

Conclusion

TextNow successfully carves a unique niche by democratizing access to telecommunication. It bridges the gap between traditional, expensive carrier contracts and limited-functionality messaging apps. By offering a permanent free phone number with core functionality and optional, affordable data access, TextNow presents a compelling and flexible solution for modern communication needs. Its model is built on accessibility, flexibility, and leveraging internet connectivity to provide substantial value to a broad spectrum of users.