# TextUs vs Messages

The clearest difference is rating: Messages at 4.6 against TextUs's 2.4. Messages also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 17%) and update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). TextUs's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Messages sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. TextUs asks for nothing beyond the download.

Messages holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Messages has 428 ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of TextUs's written reviews are positive against 57% of Messages's.

TextUs ships an update every 2 months, Messages daily. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextUs | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.4 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textus/id1546078610/reviews) | **[4.6 (428 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **428** |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **57.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Text Us Services, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/625596354) | [Kailashben Radadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1753646507) |

## What reviewers say

### TextUs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textus/id1546078610)

This mobile application offers a streamlined, native messaging experience with improved readability and enhanced search functionality. Users can easily filter their inbox, send photos, and manage contacts directly within the app.

**Highlights:** Native messaging interface, Search by name, keyword, or business, Filter inbox by unread/unanswered/campaign, Send photos in messages, Call contacts and assign conversations, View and edit contact details, Add new contacts

**In-app purchases:** none


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591)

This communication platform streamlines your messaging and calling experience. It offers instant messaging, group chats, media sharing, and direct calling. Manage multiple accounts, set reminders from conversations, and organize all your messages in a unified inbox.

**Highlights:** Dual app accounts, Instant messaging and media sharing, End-to-end message encryption, Reminders from conversations, Voice and video calls, Unified message inbox, Spam protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextUs free?

TextUs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Messages free?

Messages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TextUs or Messages?

Messages is rated higher. TextUs averages 2.4 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Messages averages 4.6 from 428 ratings.

### Do TextUs or Messages have ads?

Messages shows ads; TextUs does not.

### Which is updated more often, TextUs or Messages?

TextUs ships an update every 2 months, and Messages daily. Most recently, TextUs was updated on October 23, 2026 and Messages on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*