TextNow is an app that allows people to text and make calls via the Internet with the help of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). TextNow differs from other texting and calling apps such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. The only problem with WhatsApp is that you need to have a phone number, and in addition, you are allowed to text or call people who exist on your WhatsApp.
But when we come to the TextNow app, you don't require any phone number, and you can still text or call people. When you call or text someone, they will see your calls or texts just like any other regular calls and texts. The advantage of TextNow is you do not require any sim card to use this app. But instead, you need to have an active email address to get your new cell phone number.
However, the disadvantage of TextNow is that the app contains many ads that typically become annoying. Another disadvantage of TextNow is that your cell phone number will be given to someone else if you stay for a long time without using it.
Other than TextNow, we have plenty of similar apps that can call and text without using sim cards in the market. These apps contain even better services and more features compared to TextNow. In this article, we will talk about these alternative apps in detail. They are as follows;
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1. LinkedPhone
Typically, the LinkedPhone app intends to offer services such as; startups, small businesses, communities, and mobile teams. The app also provides toll-free numbers and even some small business numbers, which work on cell phones, landlines, laptops, and even office phones.
You will come across many toll-free and local numbers, and you can choose only one. In other words, you can port your current phone number to your new LinkedPhone. In addition, the app supports the following; call notes, calls, contacts, unlimited texts, and voicemail. What you are supposed to do if you have a considerable team, then you can create an extension number for each member.
Key Features
- Route business calls to other phones
- Create professional call menu options
- Set business hours
- Keep track of client conversations
2. Dingtone
The Dingtone app allows you to make free calls to any phone number, but you need to have a cellular data network or Wi-Fi to make these calls. The added advantage of this app is that the voice quality is much better than standard phone calls.
In addition, the app ensures that your free phone calls, texting, and even voicemail messages are a clean interface. For instance, you can send a live voicemail if someone does not receive your calls, and this is possible through the dial panel.
Key Features
- Call forwarding: Forward calls to any number
- Call blocking: Stop fraud and unwanted calls
- Caller ID: Select which of your number to be displayed when calling
- Custom voicemail: Make your voicemail greeting
- Call recording: Record your calls for future reference
3. KeepCalling International
Like its name, the KeepCalling International app makes it possible for you to send text messages and make international calls at cheaper rates. It has almost everything you may need; for instance, you can make calls to nearly every country globally, and the app, therefore, guarantees a fair price on markets.
The app is also very transparent. That is, it does not have any hidden fees. For you to use the app, then you are required to pay for the required minutes. What you need to do, therefore, is to create your new account then purchase a voice credit and hence begin making calls on your phone. The best part of this app is that the platform uses modern technologies to provide good call quality.
Key Features
- PINless Dialing and Speed Dial
- Users are charged for calls by 1-minute rounding
- Balance never expires
- 24/7 customer support
4. Talk Home
Talk Home is among the international apps that are growing very fast. The app links you with the people you love around the globe. The app provides various value-for-money worldwide bundles so you can communicate longer and for less.
The company has been in the cabling industry for the past 25 years, which tells us it has much experience. Ten years ago, the company focused on creating a long-lasting relationship with other various leading companies. As a result, the company has reached a point whereby they offer better services and better calling rates world
wide.
The platform aims to provide calls of high quality. The app automatically connects you to the local lines so that you won't worry about frequent call drops or poor internet connections. This shows us that local line connections are more stable for international calls.
Key Features
- More than 1 billion calls have been made through the app
- Offers best international calling rates for 210+ countries
- In-app credit transfer to other Talk Home users
- Complete transparency and zero hidden fees
5. TextPlus
Over ten million people use TextPlus as their phone number app worldwide. The company offers free calling and texting and saves more on international calls by ensuring a more extraordinary phone experience.
Therefore, you do not require a phone service to message or call your family or friends with your actual phone number. In addition, you can send unlimited MMS and SMS to any phone number in the USA at an affordable rate.
TextPlus can even connect you to a mobile number or a landline in so many destinations worldwide. These destinations are China, Mexico, Canada, and The UK.
Key Features
- Toll-free calling with no restrictions
- Free voicemail for missed calls
- Free cloud hosting gives you access to the entire Chat and calls history
- No hidden charges
6. Google Voice
Google Voice is another perfect alternative app for TextNow. It offers VoIP phone numbers for business use or personal use. Google Voice works very well on all platforms, including laptops and smartphones, which has made it possible for people to receive calls wherever they are.
Like VoIP business numbers, Google Voice numbers are affordable compared to the old telephony. In addition, they contain several features, for example, call conferencing, call screening, and third-party integration.
Google Voice allows you to choose the person who can reach you. There are some other options, such as silently blocking spam calls and forwarding calls to various devices. The app uses Google's AI, which immediately stops any spam calls and transcribes voicemails to save you time.
Key Features
- Personalized settings for text messages, forwarding calls, and voicemail
- Send/Receive group SMS from all devices
- Advanced voicemail transcriptions
7. Skype
Skype makes it possible to connect with other people internationally to enable conversation in the world.
A population of over one million and various business companies rely on Skype to make free video and voice calls for either group calls or one-to-one, share files, and send messages instantly.
Skype premium plan provides other enhancements and features with cloud-based solid business solutions. In addition, Skype has a complex and sophisticated back-end engine that can fuel massive organizations.
Key Features
- VoIP Calls,
- Screen Sharing,
- Lightweight,
- IFTTT Integration,
- Live Captions Translation,
- Dark Mode,
- Voice Chats,
- Secure Chat,
- Team Messaging,
- Video Conferencing,
- Microsoft Office Integration
8. TextMe
TextMe opens up your smartphone’s potential by giving out unlimited texts, unlimited free phone calls, and picture messaging to phones in Canada, the US, and over forty countries worldwide. The most important part of this app is that it can transform iPad, iPods, and tablets into real phones.
Another advantage of TextMe is that it can create for you any international number when traveling overseas or even chatting with family or friends. You can even have multiple numbers with this app at once, thus making it the best app ever!
Key Features
- High Definition of Voice and Video Communication,
- VoIP Calls
9. GoDaddy Smartline
Most entrepreneurs love GoDaddy Smartline as their mobile application because it gives them a second phone number to do business. The unlimited texting and calling capabilities can cost you up to $9.99 monthly. You can again pay $3.99 monthly for 100 text messages and 100 free minutes.
The GoDaddy Smartline plan is intended for those customers who are starting their businesses and, therefore, require a professional phone number. Still, on the other hand, they need more time to be ready to deplete their minutes.
Key Features
- The ability to fully configure Smartline from the mobile app,
- Set business hours,
- Receive voicemail transcriptions.
10. TextFree
TextFree is an alternative phone number app that allows people to receive and send text messages and make calls with virtual numbers. TextFree is the TextNow alternative because of the ability to enjoy free calling and texting with a custom phone number based on your area.
Even though TextFree offers free numbers, you must use them once a month. You will be given a new phone number if you have been inactive for the past 30 days. On the other hand, if you decide to use the premium plan whereby you pay $ 4.99, you can have that number forever.
Key Features
- 2-Way Messaging,
- Message Personalization,
- Shortcodes,
- MMS,
- Online Voice Transmission
11. Sideline
Sideline assists you in organizing contacts, having a work number, and expanding your business with a potent tool in the Sideline Pro. All your texts, work calls, and voicemails stay on a different number, thus keeping your personal life private.
The secondary number from the Sideline app works very well, just like your primary number, but you have to know that a Wi-Fi connection is necessary for it to work. You have to select the code of your local area and then make reliable text messages and calls using your phone's cellular signal anywhere.
Sideline is a free texting and calling app with unlimited plans and is available at an affordable and flat fee of $14.99 monthly.
Key Features
- SMS (text) & MMS (picture) messaging,
- Group messaging,
- emojis,
- VoIP Calls,
- Custom Voicemail,
- Voicemail-to-Text,
- Auto-Reply To text,
- Auto-Reply To Calls,
- Call Announcements,
- Team Number
12. 2nd Line
You require a Wi-Fi connection for the 2nd Line to function. You are required to download its application, then choose any phone number, and you will immediately have access to your unlimited texting and calling from the added Line on your phone.
The advantage of the 2nd Line app is that you do not require having your other phone. The application's phone numbers can be applied in countries like Canada and the US. This application needs a subscription of $14.99 monthly. This subscription offers texting and calling, and, in addition, it has access to other features. Upon registration on this app, you will be given a three-day trial.
Key Features
- Local number,
- Unlimited Talk and Text in USA/Canada,
- Affordable International Rates,
- Extra Privacy for a Connected World,
- Separate Work and Personal Numbers,
- Text and Call on Phone and Tablet
13. Hushed
Another alternative for TextNow is Hushed, whose only focus is privacy. The aim of having the Hushed account is not to keep your phone number forever. Instead, it aims to use numbers for Craigslist ads, dating sites, and other purposes.
The app lets you pick over 300 area codes in Canada, the UK, and the USA. Hushed typically has many prepaid plans for 7, 30, 90, and 365 days. Users can back up their voicemails and communication history to their account on Dropbox and then have access to them later on.
Key Features
- Calling,
- SMS & MMS,
- Multiple Numbers,
- Custom Voicemail Greeting,
- Call Forwarding,
- Call Routing,
- Auto-Reply Messages,
- Multiple Devices,
- Dropbox/Slack Integrations
14. Line2
Line2 mobile app for Android and iOS offers a virtual phone number directly from your device. Line2 is a VoIP service that allows you to text or call anyone from a different international phone through Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G/LTE in Canada and the US.
You can use an internet connection for outbound and inbound VoIP text messages and calls for PC, Mac, and Windows. In addition, you can also view the voicemails and review all the call history so that customers can follow up on their calls.
Key Features
- VoIP Calls,
- Voice Chat,
- Call Queues,
- Audio/Video Conferencing,
- Call Logging,
- Call Monitoring,
- Call Recording
15. JMP.chat
JMp.chat allows a person to get various phone numbers that accept SMS and calls without showing the customer's phone number. The app is mainly used for security and privacy purposes only.
The app also offers different functions, such as SMS forwarding, call forwarding, and the privilege of choosing a phone number from other countries. The app is a web-based service and may even be found on different devices with the Internet.
Key Features
- SMS from PC
- SMS Messaging
- Xmpp
- MMS Messaging
- Phone calls
- Transcribe Voicemails
- Team Messaging
- Encrypted VoIP calls
- SIP
- Voice Chat
Final Thought
If you’ve been searching for an alternative to TextNow on your smartphone, you should know that some phone numbers or functionalities might need premium access. Numerous apps, just like TextNow, offer free calls and text, but we have just selected and recommended some of them to you.