# TextNow vs Text App

The clearest difference is monetization model: TextNow at free with in-app purchases against Text App's subscription. TextNow also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (927K vs 9.7K). Text App's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TextNow sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Text App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 927K ratings behind it against 9.7K, 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 34% of Text App's.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, Text App every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | Text App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (927K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews)** | [4.6 (9.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-app-texting-plus-calling-now/id1585607414/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **927K** | 9.7K |
| Positive reviews | **38.0% of reviews** | 33.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | #196 |
| Size | 397 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [FITACK TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1446749208) |

## What reviewers say

### TextNow

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

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Free · Social Networking, #10 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #127 Top Free, #189 Top Grossing (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


### Text App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-app-texting-plus-calling-now/id1585607414)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

This app allows for app-to-app audio and video calls, as well as messaging, using WiFi or cellular data. It offers a way to communicate globally with other users of the application without using cellular minutes. Features include photo sharing, chat customization, and theme changes.

**Highlights:** App-to-app audio calls, App-to-app video chat, Internet texting, Send and receive photos, Change calling themes, Change chat backgrounds

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Text App Wifi Calling Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Text App Wifi Calling Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Text App Wifi Calling Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Great app
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🤩 Reliable
- 🤩 Good TextApp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Fraudulent app
- 💰 Charges without consent
- 🚫 Doesn't work as advertised
- 🚫 Limited functionality
- 🚫 Useless app

**Reported bugs**

- Freezes during number generation
- Login issues
- Compatibility problems

**Requested features**

- Allow texting to regular phone numbers
- Improve app functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is Text App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TextNow or Text App?

TextNow is rated higher. TextNow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 927K ratings, while Text App averages 4.6 from 9.7K ratings.

### Do TextNow or Text App have ads?

Both TextNow and Text App show ads.

### Which is updated more often, TextNow or Text App?

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, and Text App every 2 months. Most recently, TextNow was updated on November 1, 2026 and Text App on November 1, 2026.

### Which is more popular, TextNow or Text App?

TextNow currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and Text App at #196. 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.*