# TextNow vs Messenger

TextNow and Messenger both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 66% of Messenger's written reviews are positive against 38% of TextNow's. Messenger also leads on ratings volume (14M vs 927K). On price, rating, update cadence 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 Messenger sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for TextNow against 4.7 for Messenger. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Messenger has 14M ratings behind it against 927K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 38% of TextNow's written reviews are positive against 66% of Messenger's.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, Messenger weekly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextNow | Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (927K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textnow-call-plus-text-unlimited/id314716233/reviews)** | [4.7 (14M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messenger/id454638411/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 927K | **14M** |
| Positive reviews | 38.0% of reviews | **66.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | #10 |
| Size | 397 MB | 277 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [Meta Platforms, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284882218) |

## 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, #153 Top Free, #160 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


### Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messenger/id454638411)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Free · Social Networking, #144 Top Free (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through text, audio, and video calls. Share photos, videos, and large files, and express yourself with custom themes and animated content. Features an AI assistant for help and support.

**Highlights:** Text, audio, and video calls, High-definition photo sharing, Shared photo albums, QR code connections, Large file sharing (up to 100MB), Edit and unsend messages, Disappearing messages, AI assistant

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Avatar Item | $0.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $1.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $2.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $3.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $4.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $6.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $7.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $8.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $9.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Useful for staying connected with friends and family
- 🗣️ Enables easy communication through text, voice, and video
- 💬 Convenient group chat features
- 🌐 Works across multiple devices and platforms

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
- 🔄 Unnecessary updates that remove useful features
- 📤 Issues with message delivery and notifications
- 🗂️ Cluttered interface and poor organization of chats

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to log in or access account
- Messages failing to send or receive
- Unexpected app crashes and freezes
- Syncing issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Add option to delete or unsend messages
- Improve search functionality for chat history
- Introduce customizable notification settings
- Bring back old features like emoji reactions and location sharing


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextNow free?

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

### Is Messenger free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TextNow or Messenger?

TextNow is rated higher. TextNow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 927K ratings, while Messenger averages 4.7 from 14M ratings.

### Do TextNow or Messenger have ads?

Both TextNow and Messenger show ads.

### Which is updated more often, TextNow or Messenger?

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, and Messenger weekly. Most recently, TextNow was updated on October 29, 2026 and Messenger on October 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, TextNow or Messenger?

TextNow currently peaks at #9 in the App Store charts, and Messenger at #10. 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.*