# TextNow vs PBCN

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PBCN at none against TextNow's 10. PBCN also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). TextNow's advantage is chart position (#9 vs unranked). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TextNow sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. PBCN asks for nothing beyond the download.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | PBCN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (927K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **927K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | — |
| Size | 397 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [360 Nation Administration Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/1491354394) |

## 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, #152 Top Free, #169 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


### PBCN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbcn/id1600480169)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is PBCN free?

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

---

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