# TextNow vs Text App

The clearest difference is ads: Text App at none against TextNow's shown. Text App also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). TextNow's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (927K vs 3.5K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 and Text App sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. 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 3.5K, 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 30% of Text App's.

TextNow ships an update every 6 days, Text App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## 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 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-apptexting-and-calling-app/id6443524397/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **927K** | 3.5K |
| Positive reviews | **38.0% of reviews** | 29.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | — |
| Size | 397 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [TextNow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309561143) | [Shenzhen Zehou Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1646857114) |

## What reviewers say

### TextNow

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

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #12 Top Free · Social Networking, #158 Top Free, #166 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


### Text App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-apptexting-and-calling-app/id6443524397)

Protect your personal number by using a private second phone number for calls and texts. Make calls and send messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data without using your cell minutes. Offers international calling and SMS at competitive prices.

**Highlights:** Private second phone number, Calls and texts via Wi-Fi/cellular data, No cell minutes used, International calls and SMS, Multiple phone numbers available

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| quarter | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| 100 Points | $2.99 | one-time |
| 500 Points | $12.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Points | $15.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Points | $28.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Smooth calls and messages
- 💡 Interesting app
- 🚀 Good improvement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Does not connect on time to calls
- 💰 Not free, have to pay for subscription and points
- 🐛 Doesn't work, scam
- 🐛 Unwanted calls
- 🐛 Doesn't let you text without paying extra

**Reported bugs**

- Couldn't get a local phone number
- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Subscription issues, couldn't cancel

**Requested features**

- More points
- Read mark for messages


## 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 3.5K ratings.

### Do TextNow or Text App have ads?

TextNow shows ads; Text App does not.

### 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 4, 2026 and Text App 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.*