# TextNow vs MeMi Message

The clearest difference is rating: TextNow at 4.8 against MeMi Message's 2.5. TextNow also leads on ratings volume (928K vs 485) and review sentiment (38% vs 21%). MeMi Message's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TextNow sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and MeMi Message sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TextNow has 928K ratings behind it against 485, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of TextNow's written reviews are positive against 21% of MeMi Message's.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, MeMi Message every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | MeMi Message |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (928K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews)** | [2.5 (485 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memi-message/id1530440904/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **928K** | 485 |
| Positive reviews | **38.0% of reviews** | 21.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | — |
| Size | 397 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [Alexandru Raducanu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530440906) |

## 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, #145 Top Free, #191 Top Grossing (US App Store)

This app provides free nationwide calling and texting on a 5G network with no monthly bills or contracts. It offers a free local phone number or allows you to keep your own, with flexible data plans and low-cost international calling options.

**Highlights:** Free unlimited talk and text nationwide, Get a free local phone number, Flexible data plans, Low-cost international calling, Second phone line functionality, Voicemail-to-text transcription

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lock Your Number for 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Lock Number 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Subscription | $2.99 | 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 |
| $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


### MeMi Message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memi-message/id1530440904)

Create custom chat story conversations for fanfiction and roleplay. Design unique dialogues with numerous features to express your creativity. Chat as your favorite characters and explore endless storytelling possibilities.

**Highlights:** Create chat story conversations, Roleplay as any character, Fanfiction creation, Over 12 unique features, Limitless creative possibilities, Design custom dialogues

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One Week | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| One Year | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic messaging experience
- 👍 Customizable chat themes
- 💡 Ability to create private chats

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🔧 Buggy theme and color customization
- 🤔 Limited group chat functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Messages appear out of order
- Profile pictures not displaying correctly
- Subscription issues and inconsistencies

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode option
- Improve image formatting and quality
- Allow editing of sent messages
- Expand group chat size limit


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is MeMi Message free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TextNow or MeMi Message?

TextNow is rated higher. TextNow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 928K ratings, while MeMi Message averages 2.5 from 485 ratings.

### Do TextNow or MeMi Message have ads?

TextNow shows ads; MeMi Message does not.

### Which is updated more often, TextNow or MeMi Message?

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, and MeMi Message every 8 days. Most recently, TextNow was updated on November 8, 2026 and MeMi Message on November 7, 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.*