Updated Mar 23, 2026
Updated Mar 23, 2026
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited
Budget-conscious individuals, students, and professionals seeking a secondary line or a no-contract, low-cost alternative to traditional mobile carriers.
What Is TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited?
TextNow is a disruptive communication platform that provides free nationwide talk, text, and essential data services by leveraging an ad-supported model. By offering a secondary phone number and a "Free Flex Plan" for essential apps, it effectively targets budget-conscious users, students, and professionals needing a private or business-grade second line without the burden of traditional carrier contracts.
Currently holding a strong market presence, the app is ranked #9 in both Free and Grossing categories within its segment. Its primary differentiator is its patented Elastic Calling Technology, which allows for seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, combined with a unique monetization strategy that subsidizes service costs through brand partnerships rather than user fees.
What users think recently
Media Gallery
Key Features
Provides unlimited talk and text with 5G data access at no monthly cost via SIM or eSIM.
Offers free data access for essential apps like email, maps, banking, and rideshare without a paid plan.
Patented technology that enables seamless switching between Wi-Fi and cellular networks for calls.
Recent User Sentiment
What Users Love
It’s been a really helpful app, especially when I need a reliable second number.
I recommend this app to anyone, if it wasn't for this app I'd still be without a phone.
Pain Points
It's just a loop, you can't sign in with your email, nothing happens.
Broken security system is stuck in an infinite loop.
High confidence · 99 reviews analyzed
App Store Performance
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | #9 | |
| Grossing | #9 | ▼1 |
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited Pros and Cons
Pros
- Patented Elastic Calling Technology
- Successful ad-supported freemium model
- Strong cross-platform synchronization
Cons
- Technical instability in sign-in flows
- Opaque subscription management
- Aggressive ID verification requirements
Market Outlook
Growth Opportunities
- Expand Free Flex Plan utility
- Improve subscription cancellation UX
- Target gig-economy workers for second-line usage
Market Threats
- App store scrutiny on privacy/data
- Competition from low-cost carrier prepaid plans
- Declining sentiment due to technical bugs
The Bottom Line
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited is a divisive social networking app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.7/5 rating from 2.5M reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate utility as a second number, though account access and security loops remains a common concern.
Best for: Budget-conscious individuals, students, and professionals seeking a secondary line or a no-contract, low-cost alternative to traditional mobile carriers.
App Details & Pricing
Model: freemium
Monetizes through an ad-supported model that subsidizes the cost of service, supplemented by flexible, non-contractual data upgrades and ad-removal subscriptions.
iOS Version
26.11.2
Android Version
26.11.2.0
Release Date
May 7, 2009
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
TextNow, Inc.