# TextNow vs Talking Stick

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Talking Stick at none against TextNow's 10. Talking Stick also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (58% vs 38%). TextNow's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (929K vs 1). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Talking Stick holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TextNow has 929K ratings behind it against 1, 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 58% of Talking Stick's.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, Talking Stick every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | Talking Stick |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (929K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talking-stick-indigenous/id1611790835/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **929K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 38.0% of reviews | **58.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | — |
| Size | 409 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [TryCycle Data Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1363149350) |

## What reviewers say

### TextNow

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

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #13 Top Free · Social Networking, #149 Top Grossing, #158 Top Free (US App Store)

This app provides free nationwide calling and texting with unlimited talk and text on a 5G network. It offers a free local phone number or allows you to keep your own, with flexible data options and low-cost international calling. Enjoy a phone service without bills, contracts, or hidden fees.

**Highlights:** Free unlimited talk and text, Nationwide 5G network coverage, 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


### Talking Stick

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talking-stick-indigenous/id1611790835)

Connect anonymously with Indigenous peers for support and understanding. Access service providers and receive emergency alerts. A safe, confidential space for open conversation.

**Highlights:** Anonymous peer chats, Connect with service providers, Emergency alerts, Culturally relevant support, 24/7 availability, No account required

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is Talking Stick free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TextNow or Talking Stick?

Talking Stick is rated higher. TextNow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 929K ratings, while Talking Stick averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do TextNow or Talking Stick have ads?

TextNow shows ads; Talking Stick does not.

### Which is updated more often, TextNow or Talking Stick?

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, and Talking Stick every 2 months. Most recently, TextNow was updated on November 12, 2026 and Talking Stick on November 3, 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.*