Second Texting Number vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Second Texting Number's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Core Identity
DeveloperTorqued Studios LLCTextMe, Inc.Boss RevolutionTALKATONE, INC.Ad Hoc Labs, IncTextNow, Inc.AffinityClick Inc.TextNow, Inc.Pinger, Inc.Google
CategorySocial NetworkingSocial NetworkingSocial NetworkingSocial NetworkingUtilitiesSocial NetworkingUtilitiesCommunicationSocial NetworkingProductivity
PlatformiOSiOSiOS, AndroidiOSAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidAndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.8 / 54.6 / 54.1 / 54.7 / 54.3 / 5
Ratings Count63,486638,066270,005139,29992,157895,47521,832138,884574,65961,654
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateAug 28, 2017May 23, 2012Aug 19, 2013Oct 27, 2010Apr 1, 2012May 7, 2009Mar 4, 2013Feb 27, 2017Dec 15, 2010Nov 16, 2010
Last UpdatedApr 30, 2026Mar 31, 2026Apr 14, 2026Apr 11, 2026May 5, 2026Apr 19, 2026Mar 26, 2026Apr 10, 2026Apr 23, 2026May 1, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentnegativeterrible--terriblemixed--negativemixed
Score35/10025/100--15/10045/100--28/10045/100
Praises
  • Reliable messaging functionality provides a functional alternative for users requiring a secondary contact number
  • High quality audio transmission during calls provides a reliable alternative to standard cellular service
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  • Reliable call and text quality provides functional utility for users needing secondary communication lines
  • Free Communication Value
  • Improved Call Quality
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  • Utility as a Second Number
  • Reliable secondary phone number management keeps personal and business communications organized across multiple devices
Complaints
  • Deceptive free trial practices lead to immediate unauthorized charges for users expecting a trial period
  • Technical failures including message delivery errors and app instability disrupt the core communication experience
  • Aggressive spam blocking algorithms incorrectly flag normal user conversations and restrict account messaging capabilities
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  • Misleading free trial offers result in immediate unauthorized charges to user payment methods
  • Verification and Login Loops
  • Data Loss After Updates
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  • Misleading 'Free' Branding
  • Paywalled Verification Codes
  • Mandatory identity verification requirements alienate users seeking anonymous or private communication channels
Requests
  • Expanded communication capabilities including voice calling features to increase the utility of the service
  • Transparent customer support channels are needed to resolve account restrictions and billing disputes effectively
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  • Transparent pricing models that clearly distinguish between free and paid feature sets
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  • Integration with native messaging platforms would improve the user experience for daily communication
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Privacy-first value proposition attracts users wary of primary number exposure
  • Cross-device synchronization enables multi-platform session frequency
  • Credit-based calling loop expands ad-inventory per active user
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  • Privacy-first workflow reduces friction for casual users
  • Color-coded inboxes increase session duration for power users
  • Brand recognition in major tech publications
  • Full MVNO status with 5G and SIM support
  • Patented Elastic Calling for network reliability
  • High category rankings (#9 Free, #8 Grossing)
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  • Massive social proof with 1.1M+ reviews
  • Strong grossing performance (#11 in category)
  • Unique 24-hour number change capability
  • Workspace integration provides frictionless deployment for existing Google users
  • Cross-device sync increases daily utility
Weaknesses
  • High-frequency billing complaints indicate deceptive trial practices
  • Technical instability disrupts core messaging reliability
  • High-frequency spam-blocking complaints in reviews
  • Lack of human support for account bans
  • Subscription-gated verification codes drive refund requests
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  • High refund surge due to misleading trial billing
  • Persistent message delivery failures
  • Subscription-only model limits top-of-funnel conversion
  • Critical verification loop bugs
  • Data persistence issues during updates
  • Poor customer support accessibility
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  • High friction in 'Free' branding vs. paid features
  • Paywalled verification codes driving negative sentiment
  • Technical bugs in account creation/onboarding
  • Identity verification requirements alienate privacy-focused users
  • Message delivery failures disrupt professional communication
Pricingsubscriptionfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumsubscriptionfreemiumsubscriptionfreemiumfreemiumsubscription
MomentumMaintenanceActiveIntenseIntenseActiveMaintenanceIntense-MaintenanceActive
Update Cadence5 versions, ~36d avg5 versions, ~7d avg5 versions5 versions5 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~10d avg5 versions, ~8d avg5 versions-5 versions, ~9d avg5 versions, ~6d avg

Compare Second Texting Number head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Second Texting Number, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0