TextNow is a popular VoIP service that allows users to make free calls and send text messages within Canada and the United States. Although TextNow is a versatile and feature-rich app, there are other alternatives available that offer similar functionality.

In this article, we will explore 15 apps like Textnow, highlighting their main features and how they compare to TextNow. So, without further ado, let’s dive into these great TextNow alternatives.

TextNow Alternatives: 15 Apps for Free Calls and Messages You’ll Love!

1. TextMe

TextMe is a VoIP service that offers a free phone number for making calls and sending text messages in the United States and Canada. It also provides low-cost international calling and group messaging features.

Main features:

• Free phone number.
• Free calls and text messages within the USA and Canada.
• Group messaging.
• Low-cost international calls.
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, and Amazon devices).

Similarities to TextNow: Free phone number, free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: Limited to the USA and Canada, no desktop support, more focused on mobile devices.

2. Talkatone

Talkatone is a VoIP service that provides users with a free phone number for making calls and sending text messages within the United States and Canada. It also offers affordable international calling rates.

Main features:

• Free phone number.
• Free calls and text messages within the USA and Canada.
• Low-cost international calls.
• Cross-platform support (iOS and Android).

Similarities to TextNow: Free phone number, free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: Limited to the USA and Canada, no desktop support, fewer features compared to TextNow.

3. Dingtone

Dingtone is a VoIP service that offers a free phone number for making calls and sending text messages. It also provides low-cost international calling and the ability to earn credits through in-app activities.

Main features:

• Free phone number.
• Free calls and text messages.
• Low-cost international calls.
• Earn credits through in-app activities.
• Cross-platform support (iOS and Android).

Similarities to TextNow: Free phone number, free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: Limited to mobile devices, earning credits through in-app activities rather than purchasing.

4. SmartLine

SmartLine, developed by GoDaddy, provides users with a second phone number specifically for business calls and texts. It allows users to maintain a separate business number while keeping their personal number private. Unlike most other calling apps, SmartLine utilizes cellular connection instead of VoIP, ensuring voice clarity and reliability.

Main features:

• Second phone number for business use.
• Uses cellular connection for improved voice quality.
• Customizable voicemail box.
• Organized texts, calls, and voicemails.
• Set availability hours for business calls.
• Spam call blocking and voicemail transcription.

Similarities to TextNow: Provides a phone number, supports calls and messages.

Differences: Focused on business use, uses cellular connection instead of VoIP, no international calling with credits.

5. LinkedPhone

LinkedPhone is designed for startups, small businesses, and mobile teams. It offers local and toll-free business numbers that work across various devices. The platform supports unlimited texts, calls, call notes, voicemail, and contacts.

Main features:

• Local and toll-free business numbers.
• Port existing phone number to LinkedPhone.
• Team extension and call routing.
• Voicemail transcription and lightweight CRM.
• Professional call menu options.

Similarities to TextNow: Supports calls and messages, provides phone numbers.

Differences: Focused on business use, no international calling with credits, additional features such as lightweight CRM.

6. Telos

Telos is a VoIP service that provides users with a free phone number for making calls and sending text messages. It also offers low-cost international calling and customizable phone numbers.

Main features:

• Free phone number.
• Free calls and text messages.
• Low-cost international calls.
• Customizable phone numbers.
• Cross-platform support (iOS and Android).

Similarities to TextNow: Free phone number, free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: Limited to mobile devices, customizable phone numbers as a unique feature.

7. textPlus

textPlus offers unlimited free texting, calling, and international call savings. It allows you to send unlimited SMS and MMS to any US phone number and make international calls at reasonable rates. textPlus connects you to landline or mobile numbers in thousands of destinations worldwide.

Main features:

• Free texting and calling.
• International calls at reasonable rates.
• Toll-free calling.
• Free voicemail and cloud hosting for chat and call history.
• No hidden charges.

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, international calling with credits.

Differences: No dedicated phone number provided, focused on cost-saving.

8. Numero eSIM

Numero eSIM provides unlimited phone numbers from over 80 countries and 4,000 cities worldwide. Users can obtain free US numbers by collecting coins within the app. Each virtual number comes with a personalized voicemail. The platform also offers international mobile data for eSIM devices from 150+ countries.

Main features:

• Phone numbers from 80 countries.
• Personalized voicemail.
• International calls at attractive rates.
• International mobile data for eSIM devices.
• Call rates display per minute.

Similarities to TextNow: Provides phone numbers, supports calls and messages, international calling with credits.

Differences: Focused on global coverage, eSIM support, coin-based rewards for free numbers.

9. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a widely popular messaging app owned by Facebook. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, share files, and create group chats for free using their internet connection. Although it does not provide a phone number like TextNow, WhatsApp is a reliable and efficient way to stay connected with friends and family around the globe.

Main features:

• Free voice and video calls.
• End-to-end encryption for secure communication.
• Group chat functionality.
• Supports file sharing and location sharing.
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, and desktop).

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, cross-platform support.

Differences: No phone number provided, no international calling through credits, better for personal use rather than business purposes.

10. Viber

Viber is a popular messaging and calling app that provides users with free voice and video calls, text messages, and group chats. It also offers Viber Out, a feature that enables low-cost international calls to non-Viber users.

Main features:

• Free voice and video calls.
• Group chat functionality.
• Public chat rooms for following and joining conversations.
• Viber Out for low-cost international calls.
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS).

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: No phone number provided, more focused on personal use.

11. Skype

Skype is a well-known communication app that has been around for years, offering voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing. It also provides Skype-to-Phone, a feature that allows users to call landlines and mobiles at low rates.

Main features:

• Free voice and video calls.
• Group calls and video conferencing.
• Instant messaging and file sharing.
• Skype-to-Phone for low-cost international calls.
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS).

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: No phone number provided, more focused on video calls and conferencing.

12. Google Voice

Google Voice is a VoIP service that provides users with a free phone number for making calls, sending text messages, and receiving voicemails. It also offers low-cost international calling rates and integration with other Google services.

Main features:

• Free phone number.
• Free calls and text messages within the USA and Canada.
• Voicemail transcription.
• Low-cost international calls.
• Integration with other Google services.

Similarities to TextNow: Free phone number, free calls and messages, international calling with credits.

Differences: Limited to the USA and Canada, no group chat functionality, more focused on integration with Google services.

13. Line

Line is a popular messaging app that offers free voice and video calls, text messages, and group chats. It also provides Line Out, a feature that allows users to make low-cost international calls to non-Line users.

Main features:

• Free voice and video calls.
• Group chat functionality.
• Line Out for low-cost international calls.
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS).
• Social networking features like Timeline and stickers.

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, international calling with credits, cross-platform support.

Differences: No phone number provided, more focused on social networking features.

14. Hushed

Hushed offers private calls and texts with access to a private number, separate from your existing cell phone number. It provides dedicated local numbers from over 300 area codes in the US, UK, and Canada. Hushed is ideal for online dating, traveling, and classified ads.

Main features:

• Private phone number.
• Temporary numbers for privacy.
• Call forwarding and routing.
• Auto-reply text messages.
• Customizable voicemail greetings.

Similarities to TextNow: Supports calls and messages, provides phone numbers.

Differences: Focused on privacy, no international calling with credits, temporary numbers.

15. Burner

Burner is a privacy-focused app that allows users to create disposable phone numbers for calls and text messages. While not primarily a VoIP service, it offers similar functionality to TextNow with a focus on privacy and temporary numbers.

Main features:

• Disposable phone numbers.
• Free calls and text messages.
• Auto-renewing subscriptions for ongoing use.
• Cross-platform support (iOS and Android).
• Privacy-focused.

Similarities to TextNow: Free calls and messages, cross-platform support.

Differences: Disposable phone numbers, privacy-focused, no international calling with credits.

Conclusion

While TextNow is a versatile and feature-rich VoIP app, there are numerous alternatives available, each with its unique features and use cases. Whether you’re looking for an app focused on social networking, privacy, or international calling, there’s an option to suit your needs. Explore these 10 apps like TextNow to find the perfect communication solution for you.