Do you require a different phone number for texting and calling and doing so without needing to purchase a mobile plan?
You may be familiar with TextNow, a well-known program that did this with its VoIP software. However, TextNow isn’t the only player in the market. With that said, what are some of the finest TextNow-like apps?
- TextPlus (Text+) – Android & iOS
- TextMe – Android & iOS
- 2nd Line – Android & iOS
- Hushed – Android & iOS
- AbTalk Call – Android only
- SmartLine – Android & iOS
- Talk Home App– Android & iOS
- Numero eSIM – Android & iOS
- Google Voice VoIP App– Android & iOS
These apps rival TextNow in various ways but all share the similar feature of making calls and text over the internet using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). So, what is it that these apps have that makes them the best apps to use, like TextNow?
Apps Similar to TextNow
TextNow is a popular messaging program that lets you text and call people over the internet using a unique internet-based number. You don’t need a smartphone plan to use TextNow; sign up using your email address or Facebook account to acquire your own unique phone number.
TextNow is a bit different from Whatsapp. Whatsapp requires an existing cellphone number and only allows you to call other Whatsapp users. However, you may call any number and text any mobile phone number with TextNow, and on the receiver’s phone, your calls and texts will seem like regular calls and texts.
TextNow, on the other hand, isn’t without flaws. One of the drawbacks of TextNow, for example, is that if you don’t use it for a particular period, they will take your phone number away from you and allocate it to someone else.
TextNow also features advertisements. That’s how it can offer a free service, although alternative solutions are available that don’t include as many advertisements. Well, enough about TextNow and on to the good stuff. Here are the best TextNow alternatives currently available to you, starting with TextPlus.
1. TextPlus (Text+) for Android And IOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 3.9 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.5 of 5 stars.
I’ve personally used TextPlus, or Text+, as a brilliant TextNow alternative. It is also used by a lot of folks I know. Create an account using simply a username.
You don’t have to add an email address, but if you want to restore your account if you forget your password or username, I recommend doing so.
When you travel, textPlus allows you to stay in touch with your family back home and the people you link with along the way when you return home. TextPlus may also utilize your data plan to send SMS’s if you have one. In addition, the app provides low-cost international calling as well as free incoming calls.
TextPlus, like TextNow, features advertisements. However, I appreciated how for $0.05, you might get rid of adverts for a day.
That’s right, five cents! It is not a regular subscription, so you don’t have to pay if you don’t need to use your TextPlus number on a given day; on the day you need, simply spend the five cents to eliminate advertisements for that day.
It will only cost $0.25 to eliminate advertisements for a week. It will cost you only $0.99 per month to be ad-free for a month. And it’ll just cost you $0.10 to maintain your phone number for a month even if you don’t use it!
You have to renew it every month manually, but it’s still only $1.20 each year. That’s why I like TextPlus so much: it makes it very affordable to maintain the same phone number while removing advertisements.
2. TextMe: Second Phone Number for Android And iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 4.1 of 5 stars
App Store – 4.7 of 5 stars
TextMe is another excellent TextNow substitute, and in the Google Play Store, it has over 10 million downloads, indicating that game is highly popular.
Sign in with your email or Facebook account to get started. TextMe’s disadvantage is that, like TextNow, it features adverts, which might get bothersome after a time. The interface, on the other hand, was simple to use.
Additionally, you may upgrade your account to remove the advertising; the cost varies by location.
It also allows you to have numerous numbers open simultaneously, making it a perfect TextNow option for this. In addition to removing commercials, upgrading your account will allow you to set up call forwarding, which will redirect incoming calls to your mobile number in the same way as Google Voice does.
Credit packs are also available for purchase. The additional credits you purchase at once, the less expensive they become, and those credits will enable you to make international calls. Local calls (calls from a US number to another US phone) are always free. Texting is also free.
You may acquire credits for free by completing tasks in addition to paying for them. For example, you can earn 5 to 100 credits by completing an offer or one or two credits by watching a brief video commercial.
I loved how TextMe provided a list of sites where you might obtain an area code. There were over 30 area codes to choose from in California, for example! You also don’t need to obtain a phone number in the United States.
If you require an international number, TextMe is an excellent option.
If you are making many foreign calls, you might wish to get an international phone number. For example, if you’re phoning individuals in Australia, you might want an Australian phone number.
While all numbers allow you to send text messages and make phone calls, only the (+1) numbers in the United States and Canada allow you to send MMS messages in your texts. I should point to you that foreign phone numbers are not free. The cost depends on how long you want to maintain your phone number.
If you only need the foreign number for three months, for example, you can pay for only three months. You may also join up for a recurring monthly subscription to ensure that you never lose your phone number.
3. 2nd Line for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 4.7 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.8 of 5 stars
2nd Line appealed to me since it allows you to create an account with any three-digit area code. When I selected 715, for example, I was given a list of ten specific 715 area code numbers to pick from.
2nd Line costs $9.99 a month; however, I recommend signing up for the free trial first to get a feel for the app before subscribing.
You may set up a voicemail inbox or an auto-reply message using your second phone number. You may also use call forwarding to route calls to your primary Line. 2nd Line is an excellent alternative to TextNow since it allows you to record your calls.
You could wish to save a phone call recording for later use, or you might want to record a call with your instructor to review the lesson later. Whatever your motivation, being able to record your calls is a huge bonus. Make sure, though, that you are not breaking any laws.
In several jurisdictions and countries, recording a phone call without the other party’s knowledge is lawful. However, you are not permitted to do so in other regions.
4. Hushed for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 3.5 of 5 stars
App Store – 4.6 of 5 stars
Hushed is a TextNow competitor that prioritizes privacy. The objective here isn’t to retain your Hushed number forever but to use it for Craigslist advertisements, dating sites, and other things while still being able to “burn” it later.
Hushed allows you to choose from over 300 area codes in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. There are prepaid plans for seven days, 30 days, 90 days, and 365 days that are available.
UK numbers can call and text other UK numbers, but US and Canada numbers can only call and text other US and Canada numbers. However, for international calling and messaging, you may purchase a global package.
Another reason to go with Hushed instead of TextNow is that it has Dropbox and Slack integrations.
Even if you remove the Hushed app, you may save your message history and voicemails to your Dropbox account so you can navigate through them later. Slack also lets you send and receive messages, which is very convenient in the long run.
5. AbTalk Call for Android only
App Rating:
Google Play – 4.2 of 5 stars
For Android users, AbTalk Call is an excellent TextNow alternative. AbTalk, like the other applications on this list, does not require a SIM card to obtain a phone number.
I enjoyed how you could earn a 1,000-point bonus just for joining up with Google or Facebook. You may still sign up using your email address, but your bonus points will be lower.
Another advantage of AbTalk over TextNow is its built-in VPN! When making phone calls or browsing the internet, using a VPN will keep you secure and hide your information. Even though the VPN is accessible and free, it is not required to be used if not needed; however, you can score extra points if you use their VPN.
You’ll gain bonus points for inviting friends. Each referral will earn you 200 points, with extra credits ranging from 100 to 1,500 points if you recommend a particular amount of friends.
Simply checking in might earn you up to 700 points every day. Points may also be purchased at a reasonable price. For $0.99, you can receive 16,000 points, and for $3.99, you can get 60,000 points. So, what are your options for using the points? You can make international calls!
The app has a list of calling prices for different regions, and some only cost around 330 points per minute to make a call in Argentina, for example. So if you feel like using an app exclusive to Android devices only, then Abtalk is the perfect TextNow alternative.
6. SmartLine for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 3.5 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.7 of 5 stars.
GoDaddy is most known for its domain names and hosting options, offering a SmartLine service. SmartLine is a voice-over IP (VoIP) service aimed at website and business owners.
Suppose you own a tiny blog or eCommerce company and are a one-person show, for example. In that case, you might want to provide a means for your readers, customers, emails, and subscribers to contact you without giving out your actual, personal phone number.
In that instance, SmartLine is a viable option. SmartLine employs call forwarding to send calls to your personal number; however, you will see that the call is coming from SmartLine, so you won’t have to take a business call if you’re with the family you don’t want to.
You can make essential business conversations with clarity, thanks to calling forwarding. You may even use SmartLine to migrate your existing phone number. When you call or text, the number that appears on the other end will be the SmartLine number, not your personal phone number.
SmartLine is available for seven days at no cost. After that, it’s $9.99 each month. SmartLine, on the other hand, lets you obtain a toll-free number! It is a feature that TextNow and most other phone applications on our list do not provide, as they are designed for casual consumers rather than company owners.
A toll-free number will be more expensive at $19.99 per month. It will, however, allow others to phone you for free without having to pay for the calls themselves.
You will also appear more professional and authoritative if you use a toll-free number. Automatic spam call screening and voicemail transcriptions are among the fantastic features of the app and phone service.
Overall, if you need a second number for business needs, GoDaddy SmartLine is an excellent alternative for TextNow.
7. Talk Home App for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 3.7 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.5 of 5 stars.
If TextNow isn’t quite hitting the mark, Talk Home App could. Talk Home has established itself as the UK’s most prominent international calling brand, with over a million downloads and happy consumers.
Talk Home Software was created as a novel method to break the boundaries of long distances with affordable, high–quality calling blended into a single app, available on both IOS and Android, with over 25 years of calling card expertise.
Talk Home App provides users with the incredible ease of calling over WiFi or local access lines (no internet required), which link any phone number, whether mobile or landline, in over 250 locations worldwide.
And that’s not all! Users may exchange text messages and share top-up credit with other users using the in-app transfer tool, in addition to getting the best international calling rates on the market.
Additionally, the Talk Home App allows users to transfer international top-ups to the same phone numbers called via Talk Home.
Install the app, set up an account, verify your phone number, and give it access to your contacts. And now, with just a few touches, you can dial any number from your contact list!
Surprisingly, the Talk Home App utilizes adaptive network capabilities, ensuring that your call receives the best possible connection. It provides you with a list of the most exemplary local access numbers to connect your overseas call.
In addition, for each friend who downloads the app, you will receive a £1 bonus on their first top-up! And, because Talk Home App is so inexpensive, your bonuses may go a long way!
8. Numero eSIM for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 4.0 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.4 of 5 stars.
With Numero eSIM, you may receive a phone number in over 70 countries! If you’ve tried using TextNow to acquire a number in a given nation but have been unable to do so, Numero eSIM might be the answer.
Additionally, there are over 3,000 area codes to choose from, and you will not be able to receive free numbers, but you will be able to earn free credits. The Numero eSIM software has the unique benefit of allowing you to have limitless virtual phone numbers from over 80 countries on the same phone.
Virtual phone numbers function just like actual phone numbers, including mobile, landline, and toll-free options. By accumulating pennies, you may get free phone services.
You may set up call forwarding to answer calls even if you don’t have access to the internet, and you can even hide your phone number. You will not see your Numero eSIM number on the screen when you make a phone call.
You may also receive an international toll-free number with Numero eSIM for commercial needs.
9. Google Voice VoIP App for Android & iOS
App Rating:
Google Play – 4.2 of 5 stars.
App Store – 4.3 of 5 stars.
Finally, there’s Google Voice, which is without a doubt my top suggestion for anyone looking for a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) mobile number for personal or commercial use.
VoIP is a fancy way of expressing that the phone number is based on the internet and that calls and messages are sent over the internet. Google Voice is completely free, and your mobile number will be linked to your Gmail account.
For each Google account, you create, you may get a new Google Voice number. The nice thing about Google Voice is that it isn’t simply an app; it also has its own website. You can use the app to make and take calls on your phone, but you can also do it on your computer.
You may make outgoing calls and receive calls and texts through the desktop site or app. Additionally, voicemails are automatically transcribed, allowing you to read them instead of listening to them. However, depending on how clear the caller spoke, I’ve discovered that transcriptions aren’t always correct.
When it comes to picking your area code, Google Voice, like TextNow, provides you with alternatives. Domestic calls are also free, much as TextNow. However, you may need to fill up your account balance to make an international call to a number in Europe or abroad.
You can add $10 or more to your account at a time. Unlike TextNow, the Google Voice app is free of advertisements. While you may pay to eliminate adverts from TextNow, Google Voice doesn’t have any in the first place.
Another fantastic feature of Google Voice is linking your actual phone number to your Google Voice number if you have a mobile plan.
Regardless of whether you have access to the internet, you may have your Google Voice number redirected to your mobile phone number, which you can answer from your phone.
One reason is that calls will be made on your mobile phone connection rather than over the internet if it is routed to your mobile number. You can only make quality internet calls if your connection is fast.
Making calls via the internet can lead to dropped calls and a lack of clarity, both of which may be problematic if you need to make an important business call.
Furthermore, utilizing an internet connection while on the road can consume your mobile data, which will cost you money if you do not have an unlimited data plan.
When someone contacts your Google Voice number, you get to choose which of your associated phone numbers will ring. You can also select which devices your Google Voice account should ring on when you get a call.
As I previously stated, this is an optional step, and you do not need to add a mobile phone number to utilize Google Voice. You may also migrate your current phone numbers to Google Voice.
The Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer apps, in addition to the Google Voice app, are linked to your Google Voice number. You may use them both to make calls via WiFi from your mobile device. While Google Voice is free, you may upgrade to a Business plan for a fee.
You may add more users and combine Google Meet and Google Calendar with your business tools.
Conclusion
Google Voice, in my opinion, is the best TextNow alternative, both for business and personal reasons, such as phoning friends and family members. I do, however, recommend TextPlus, especially if you’re having trouble making calls using the Google Voice app, which does often happen from time to time.
TextPlus contains adverts; however, removing those advertisements is affordable, and keeping your phone number even if you are not actively using it is also inexpensive.
References:
Alternative To: TextNow
Youtube: Top Best Free Unlimited Calling and Texting Apps 2021
APK Pure: Similar to TextNow
Quora: What Are a List of Free Text Apps Similar to TextNow
Youtube: Top 4 Temporary Burner Number Apps
Dial Pad: Best VIOP App