If you have been using the Textnow app, you may have found some issues that are leading to a poor user experience. Thes issues can be poor call quality, call drops, or rising fares for international calls. However, no matter what the reason is, you are looking for other apps like Textnow.
There are various apps available that provide the same features but with low-cost fares and improved features. Users love updated features and a smooth user experience to continue using the app.
In this guide, I have enlisted the top apps like Textnow that offer a private US number, anonymity, and free calling local and international. Let’s get started!
What is TextNow App?
TextNow is a mobile app that offers free calling and texting services. It provides users with a free phone number to make unlimited calls and texts within the US and Canada using Wi-Fi or 5G networks. TextNow operates as an over-the-top (OTT) messaging service that bypasses traditional cellular plans and contracts.
10 Best Apps Like TextNow To Look in 2025
Here are the best apps like TextNow that gives users a free US number to call, sms or share picture with low cast budget.
List of Best TextNow Alternatives
- Google Voice
- TextFree by Pinger
- Talkatone
- 2ndLine
- TextMe
- Burner
- Hushed
- Nextplus
- Dingtone
- Telos
1 – Google Voice
Google Voice is one of the popular apps like Textnow for free calling, text messaging, and voicemail. This Google service is best for international users to get a virtual phone number, messages, calls, and voicemail. Users can easily forward calls to any device number, which gives them flexibility. Among its other features, spam call blocking ensures security and safety.
Google Voice Key Features
- Free and Paid Plans: Google Voice offers a free plan for personal use and paid plans tailored for businesses.
- Virtual Phone Numbers: Users can obtain a Google phone number to make and receive calls from various devices.
- Call Forwarding and Blocking: It allows call forwarding to any device and blocks spam calls.
- SMS Texting: Users can send and receive SMS messages using their Google Voice number.
- Voicemail Transcription: Google Voice transcribes voicemails into text, making it easier to read messages.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers free phone numbers | Dependent on a stable internet connection |
| Free calls and texts within the US | Lack of advanced call management options like message templates |
| Voicemails and messages can be forwarded to email | |
| Integration with multiple devices for call forwarding |
2 – TextFree by Pinger
TextFree by Pinger is an alternative app to TextNow that offers free texting and calling services. You can obtain a free phone number to send unlimited texts and make WiFi calls.
TextFree provides a second phone number without additional phone bills, which makes it ideal for users who need separate lines for personal and business use.
Further, its group messaging feature allows users to join a community of like-minded people and engage online. The app also supports international texting capabilities. Unlike Textnow international call charges, it is free to communicate globally without incurring additional charges.
TextFree by Pinger Key Features
- Free Texting and Calling: Users can send unlimited texts and make WiFi calls using a free phone number.
- Messaging Capabilities: Supports two-way messaging, group texts, and multimedia messages including photos, videos, GIFs, and PDFs.
- VoIP Technology: Utilizes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for texting and calling, enabling users to chat from a real U.S. phone number.
- Additional Features: Includes call recording, message personalization, auto-reply for calls and texts, and an activity dashboard.
- Subscription Benefits: TextFree Plus subscription offers features like number reservation, ad-free experience, and daily number changes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free Second Number | Outbound Calling Isn’t Always Free |
| Free to use | No Porting of Numbers |
| Quick and easy setup with a user-friendly interface | |
| Privacy and Security |
3 – Talkatone
Talkatone is a free VOIP calling app like Textnow to use any US phone number to make free calls and send texts regardless of location. The app provides a free way to stay connected online with strangers.
You can make a free call on most US phone numbers, including landlines, without using cell minutes. The app works over Wifi or cellular data, which reduces reliance on traditional phone plans.
Talkatone Key Features
- Free Calling and Texting: Users can make unlimited calls and send texts to any USA and Canada phone number using their device’s data connection.
- Toll-Free Numbers: Provides free calling to most Toll-Free numbers, enhancing accessibility for conference calls and more.
- Additional Premium Features: Talkatone Plus subscription (for $3.99/month) offers benefits like Call Forwarding and Voicemail Transcription.
- Platform Accessibility: Available for Android users via APK download, ensuring flexibility in usage.
- Productivity Enhancement: Boosts productivity with its efficient calling and texting capabilities, ideal for reducing communication costs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free unlimited calls and texts | In-app ads |
| Burner phone feature | Text character limits |
| Free virtual number | |
| No roaming fees |
4 – 2ndLine
2ndLine serves as a TextNow alternative that provides users with a second phone number to make calls and send texts from that additional line without needing an extra SIM card or phone. This VOIP app is ideals for Ideal for separating personal and business communications, or for privacy reasons.
It is one of the cost-effective apps for international calling to over 230 countries, with rates starting at less than $0.01 USD per minute.
2ndLine Key Features
- Second Phone Number: Provides a second phone number for calls and texts.
- Free Calling and Messaging: Offers free calls and texts to the U.S. and Canada.
- Global Connectivity: Allows for international calling and texting with affordable rates.
- Device Flexibility: Works on both Android and iOS devices.
- Additional Features: Includes features like voicemail, call forwarding, and customizable voicemail greetings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides a second phone number for privacy and convenience | Not always reliable for international use |
| Texting and calling without revealing your primary number | |
| Protects user privacy |
5 – TextMe
TextMe is a free app for unlimited calls, texts, picture messaging to phones in the US, Canada and over 40 over other countries.
You can obtain a real phone number to use with the app and send SMS, MMS, voice messages, and more. The app supports communication over Wi-Fi or mobile data, which makes it convenient for international use without additional charges.
TextMe Key Features
- Messaging Capabilities: Send unlimited text, voice, picture, and video messages to any mobile number.
- Free Calling: Make HD voice and video calls for free between TextMe users.
- Second Phone Number: Provides a real, anonymous phone number for texting and calling, acting as a burner or disposable number.
- International Reach: Free texting to phone numbers in the US, Canada, and 40 other countries; supports unlimited messaging and calling.
- Security: Offers end-to-end encryption for secure messaging
| Pros | Cons |
| Allows free international calls, beneficial for cost-effective communication | Ads |
| Option to maintain separate business and personal lines | Issues with call quality |
| Reliable texting and calling services |
6 – Burner
Burner is the perfect choice among Apps like Textnow for those who prefer privacy and anonymous chatting. It will give a second number to send texts, make calls, and share pics online.
Unlike other apps like TextNow, it is more privacy-focused with features like auto-deleting messages. Also, a large user base and community enhance the social circle experience to stay connected with people.
Burner Key Features
- Temporary Numbers: Allows users to create disposable phone numbers for temporary use.
- Privacy Protection: Maintains user privacy by shielding personal phone numbers from public access.
- Multiple Numbers: Supports managing multiple numbers from a single app, useful for various purposes like dating, selling items online, or job searching.
- Customization: Users can choose their own number and delete it whenever needed, offering flexibility.
- Call Management: Provides features to organize contacts and handle incoming calls efficiently, ensuring a seamless user experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Anonymity and Privacy | Limited Functionality |
| Affordable and convenient | |
| Useful for temporary or one-time communications | |
| Easy to Manage |
7 – Hushed
Hushed is similar app to Textnow to get a secondary or temporary phone number to chat with strangers. The app ensure a secure way for users to chat online while maintaining privacy.
Hushed supports 300 area codes in Canada, the US, and the UK. It is popular among Gen Z to have fun online and make new friends. Users prefer Hushed as a Textnow alternative due to message privacy and security features.
Hushed Key Features
- Multiple Phone Lines: Users can set up multiple phone numbers from over 60 countries, ideal for business and personal use.
- Privacy and Security: Provides secure communication with end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy for calls and messages.
- Customizable Voicemail: Allows customization of voicemail greetings and features.
- Call Forwarding: Enables forwarding calls from Hushed numbers to other phone lines.
- Anonymous Calling: Offers the ability to make anonymous calls using Hushed numbers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Secure virtual phone numbers for privacy | If you don’t use your Hushed number regularly, it may expire |
| Free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans | |
| Available on both Android and iOS platforms | |
| Allows unlimited texting and calls |
8 – Nextplus
Nextplus is a free app that allows you to make free calls, send SMS texts, and share photos without revealing your phone number. It gives you a free US number which is also called 2nd number, to chat with anyone anonymously.
It is a convenient app for users to enjoy free incoming and outgoing calls without additional charges. Its user friendly interface and similar features with Textnow makes it best textnow alternative.
NextPlus Key Features
- Free US phone number: Users receive a free US phone number with a chosen area code, allowing friends and family to contact them.
- Free texting: Unlimited free SMS and MMS messaging to any US or Canadian mobile number.
- Free inbound calls: Incoming calls are free to receive.
- Inexpensive outbound calls: Calls to US and Canada are either free or very inexpensive.
- Multimedia features: The app supports sending and receiving animated GIFs, stickers, emoticons, and voice notes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Private phone number for texting | Limited International Calling |
| Free Texting and Calling | Reliance on Wi-Fi |
| Customization options like unique user profiles, ringtones | |
| No Contracts or Fees |
9 – Dingtone
Dintone is another affordable option among apps like Textnow for calling and messaging privately. The app provides users with a second phone number for calling and texting, which is the best way to keep their personal number private.
As a Dintone user, you can make calls to both mobile phones and landlines across the world. You will be amazed by its features like call forwarding and blocking that enhances user experience.
Dingtone Key Features
- International Calls and SMS: Make calls and send texts globally at low rates to over 200 countries.
- Free US Phone Numbers: Obtain free US phone numbers for calling and texting without traditional cellular plans.
- Messaging Capabilities: Send texts, share pictures, videos, and locations instantly.
- Group Communication: Create and manage group chats for efficient communication .
- Desktop App: Access Dingtone’s features on desktops running Mac or Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free calls and texts between users | Calls and texts within Dingtone |
| Affordable calls and texts to others | No porting of phone numbers |
| Second phone number | |
| Multimedia messaging |
10 – Telos
Telos is also a similar VOIP app like Textnow to ejoy free phone calls, unlimited sms, share photos and videos to loved ones.
It stands out due to its quality audio, which makes it superior to other competitor apps. You can obtain a real second phone number to make or receive calls from others. It ensures privacy and anonymity to don’t show your personal number.
Telos Key Features
- Free Calls and Texts: Users can make unlimited free phone calls and send affordable text messages.
- Second Phone Number: Telos provides a second phone number, useful for privacy or separate personal and business communications.
- Media Sharing: Users can share photos, videos, and their location easily through the app.
- Compatibility: Available for both iPhone and Android devices.
- Privacy: Offers features to keep personal numbers private, beneficial for dating or social media sign-ups.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable text messages | Occasional connectivity issues |
| High-quality sound, often better than regular phone calls | |
| Assigns a real phone number for receiving calls | |
| Supports sharing photos, videos, and locations |
Sum Up
Well, these are apps like Textnow. However, each of the apps has its own features and functions to use. Some apps offer free international calling, while some may charge for international calling, but you can make calls, send SMS, and share photos for free within Canada and the USA.
