# TextNow vs Second Texting Number

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Second Texting Number at 58% against TextNow's 38%. TextNow's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (921K vs 66K). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TextNow sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Second Texting Number sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TextNow holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TextNow has 921K ratings behind it against 66K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of TextNow's written reviews are positive against 58% of Second Texting Number's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, Second Texting Number every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | Second Texting Number |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (921K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews)** | [4.6 (66K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/second-texting-number/id1274216319/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **921K** | 66K |
| Positive reviews | 37.8% of reviews | **58.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | #89 |
| Size | 470 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [Torqued Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1837451787) |

## What reviewers say

### TextNow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #11 Top Free · Social Networking, #155 Top Grossing, #197 Top Free (US App Store)

This app provides free nationwide calling and texting, offering a private second phone number or a dedicated business line. It features flexible data plans, including a free option for select apps, and affordable international calling.

**Highlights:** Free nationwide talk and text, Free local phone number, Flexible data plans (daily, weekly, monthly), Low-cost international calling, Second phone line for privacy or business, Free data for select apps

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AdFree Lite | $1.99 | per month |
| Lock Your Number for 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Lock Number 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Subscription + 14-day free trial | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Lock Your Number for 1 Month | $4.99 | per month |
| Plus | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Number 1 Year | $4.99 | per year |
| Lock Your Number for 1 Year | $4.99 | per year |
| Premium Number 1 Month | $4.99 | per month |
| Ad Free+ | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Ad Free+ & 14-day free trial | $9.99 | per month |
| Verification Codes Unlock | $0.29 | one-time |
| Verification Codes Unlock | $0.49 | one-time |
| 30m Verification Codes | $0.99 | one-time |
| $4.99 in International Calling Credit | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Free service
- 🔒 Ability to keep number
- 👍 Convenient for secondary number
- 👍 Works on multiple devices
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🐛 Unreliable call/text delivery
- 🐛 Slow and laggy performance
- 🔍 Lack of customer support
- 💸 Expensive subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Random numbers calling/texting users
- Disappearing messages and call history
- Inability to receive verification codes
- Accounts being locked out for no reason

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to block entire area codes
- Notification for read messages
- Improved call quality
- Better integration with other apps


### Second Texting Number

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/second-texting-number/id1274216319)

**Currently charting:** #89 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #95 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

Obtain a private, secondary phone number for unlimited texting and receiving verification codes. Protect your personal number while online shopping, dating, or selling. Enjoy group texting and ad-free communication.

**Highlights:** Choose a new phone number with any area code, Unlimited texting (including photos), Receive verification codes, Keep personal number private, Group texting, No ads

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Texting | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Texting | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Limited Texting | $9.99 | per month |
| Texting Number | $9.99 | per month |
| Texting | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Texting | $13.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Texting | $13.99 | per month |
| 50 Credits | $4.99 | one-time |
| Change Your Number | $8.99 | one-time |
| 150 Credits | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient delivery of messages
- 🔒 Ability to keep personal number private
- 💡 Useful for businesses and personal use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable message delivery
- 🔋 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🤔 Unclear trial period and subscription terms
- 🤷‍♀️ Limited features compared to cost

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not sending or delayed
- Frequent app crashes or freezes
- Subscription issues and unexpected charges

**Requested features**

- Call functionality
- Video/multimedia support
- Improved reliability and consistency
- Clearer subscription model


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is Second Texting Number free?

Second Texting Number is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TextNow or Second Texting Number?

TextNow is rated higher. TextNow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 921K ratings, while Second Texting Number averages 4.6 from 66K ratings.

### Do TextNow or Second Texting Number have ads?

Both TextNow and Second Texting Number show ads.

### Which is updated more often, TextNow or Second Texting Number?

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, and Second Texting Number every 3 weeks. Most recently, TextNow was updated on September 25, 2026 and Second Texting Number on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, TextNow or Second Texting Number?

TextNow currently peaks at #9 in the App Store charts, and Second Texting Number at #89. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*