Not even a deal, various other apps offer free texting and calling via wifi only already as well. Free plans are usually ad-supported. This is a constant.
Not even a deal, various other apps offer free texting and calling via wifi only already as well. Free plans are usually ad-supported. This is a constant.
Recommendations on the best free texting and calling service?
Recommendations on the best free texting and calling service?
Honestly from my own experience, FreedomPop was great when it was around, it was a free calling/texting and also data service that you could use with a SIM card (Previously Sprint network which is now T-Mobile). Some users got charged extra fees but it worked great for me when I used it for a spare number for the times I didn't want to give out my main number.
Google Voice has been around for a long time and has SMS and Voice features, it's pretty good and works in conjunction with Gmail accounts if any. It doesn't seem they reset your number if you don't use it like TextNow. You may be able to honestly use Google Voice to forward to other numbers free services too especially if they reset numbers.
TextNow isn't bad but I feel like there are more ads, although they're probably ads pushed via Google Ads service anyway, their "win" here is that they provide a SIM card (T-Mobile network) kit which eliminates the need to be on WiFi like most others free texting/calling apps. Sometimes you can get the SIM kit free, $1 but normally $5 one-time fee. Again, TextNow will reset your number if you haven't used it for a while but does notify you. It seems some users have an essential free data plan on it. Can't get rid of ads unless you pay to get rid of them, but you can also pay a few bucks ($5) to lock in the number for a year or pick easier to remembered premium number.
Many other free SMS/phone services are available and also ad-supported like 2nd Line, textPlus, and more. However, the convenience of a SIM inserted into your dual sim phone or secondary phone may be highly convenient. I can see SIm options being great as a budget starter phone for the budget-conscious that don't need to deal with too much data or give to kids to use I suppose? They do have data plans for TextNow but at that pricing, you're better off just adding them as an additional line to existing family plan, however, most places probably have free WiFi access anyway.
P.S. I am not including apps like WhatsApp (even though it has messaging and voice call function) for example since it requires the recipient to also have the same platform to send/receive messages.
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Google Voice has been around for a long time and has SMS and Voice features, it's pretty good and works in conjunction with Gmail accounts if any. It doesn't seem they reset your number if you don't use it like TextNow. You may be able to honestly use Google Voice to forward to other numbers free services too especially if they reset numbers.
TextNow isn't bad but I feel like there are more ads, although they're probably ads pushed via Google Ads service anyway, their "win" here is that they provide a SIM card (T-Mobile network) kit which eliminates the need to be on WiFi like most others free texting/calling apps. Sometimes you can get the SIM kit free, $1 but normally $5 one-time fee. Again, TextNow will reset your number if you haven't used it for a while but does notify you. It seems some users have an essential free data plan on it. Can't get rid of ads unless you pay to get rid of them, but you can also pay a few bucks ($5) to lock in the number for a year or pick easier to remembered premium number.
Many other free SMS/phone services are available and also ad-supported like 2nd Line, textPlus, and more. However, the convenience of a SIM inserted into your dual sim phone or secondary phone may be highly convenient. I can see SIm options being great as a budget starter phone for the budget-conscious that don't need to deal with too much data or give to kids to use I suppose? They do have data plans for TextNow but at that pricing, you're better off just adding them as an additional line to existing family plan, however, most places probably have free WiFi access anyway.
P.S. I am not including apps like WhatsApp (even though it has messaging and voice call function) for example since it requires the recipient to also have the same platform to send/receive messages.
Google Voice