TextNow
What it is
TextNow is a calling and messaging service for U.S. and Canadian numbers, with international long-distance calling available through purchased credits. Its ad-supported free service provides a phone number and unlimited calls and texts across North America over Wi-Fi or a carrier data plan. With an active TextNow SIM, users can also get wireless coverage and free data for selected essential apps when away from Wi-Fi; those apps must first be downloaded over Wi-Fi. The Free Plan costs nothing and requires an active SIM. The Unlimited Plan costs $35.99 a month and includes unlimited data, with up to 10GB at speeds up to 5G before speeds drop to 2G. Accounts, messages, and call history are available across Android, iOS, and the web, with Windows and Mac apps also offered. Ad-Free+ removes ads and adds options such as number locking, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription. The service can be downloaded and used only within North America.
For and against
For
- Free plan includes a phone number and unlimited North American calls and texts.
- Accounts, messages, and call history work across Android, iOS, and web.
- Windows and Mac desktop apps are available.
- International long-distance calls can be made with purchased credits.
Against
- Free service is ad-supported.
- Free data covers only listed apps, which must be downloaded over Wi-Fi first.
- Some services do not accept TextNow numbers for verification.
- Service is available only within North America.
The verdict
TextNow offers free calling and texting with options for SIM-based data, paid unlimited data, and an ad-free subscription. Its North America availability and verification-code restrictions are worth considering before relying on it as a primary number.
Who it suits
TextNow may suit people in North America looking for calling and texting over Wi-Fi or a carrier data plan, with optional SIM-based wireless service. Check the verification-code limits if you need numbers for two-factor authentication.
Plans and prices
Free Plan
Unlimited talk and text · Free number · Essential data for selected apps · Ads
Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Unlimited Data Day Pass
Unlimited data for 24 hours · 2GB high speed then unlimited 2G
Read 15 Oct 2026 · tollbit.forbes.com
Unlimited Data Monthly Pass
Unlimited data for one month · 20GB high speed then unlimited 2G · No ads
Read 15 Oct 2026 · tollbit.forbes.com
Unlimited Plan
Unlimited data · Up to 10GB at up to 5G speeds, then 2G speed
Read 4 Oct 2026 · help.textnow.com
On the record
- Ad-Free+
- Ad-Free+ removes ads and includes number locking, verification codes, unlimited photo and video history, caller information when available, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Ad-Free+ features
- The Ad-Free+ upgrade removes advertisements and adds number locking, verification-code support, call forwarding, voicemail transcription and unlimited media history.help.textnow.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Availability
- TextNow says its service can be downloaded and used only within North America; U.S.-based wireless lines include Mexico roaming on every plan and Canada roaming on Plus and Unlimited.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Caller ID
- Basic Caller ID is available to all users, while enhanced name or business identification is an Ad-Free+ feature.help.textnow.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters and founding
- LinkedIn lists TextNow as founded in 2009 and headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company history
- TextNow’s culture manual says the company began in Waterloo in 2009.static.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The Google Play listing identifies the developer as TextNow, Inc.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists TextNow's company size as 51–200 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cross-platform access
- Users can access messages and call history from Android, iOS and the TextNow website.help.textnow.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop apps
- TextNow offers Windows and Mac desktop applications, as well as calling and texting through a browser.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Developer repositories
- TextNow's public GitHub organization includes Kotlin, Swift and Go repositories such as Vessel, Analytics-iOS and gosms.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Emergency calls
- In the United States and Canada, a 911 call from TextNow connects to local emergency dispatch; on mobile devices the app opens the phone’s native dialer.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Essential data
- An active TextNow SIM provides free data for selected essential applications such as email, maps and rideshare services.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Free app
- The ad-supported free service includes a phone number and unlimited calling and texting across North America over Wi-Fi or a carrier data plan.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Free calling and texting
- The free service includes unlimited calling and texting across North America.help.textnow.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Free data app limits
- The Free data plan covers listed email, maps, banking, rideshare, and other apps; apps must be downloaded over Wi-Fi before using them away from Wi-Fi.help.textnow.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Funding and revenue claim
- TextNow's LinkedIn profile says it raised $1.5 million in early seed funding, has had no outside capital since 2011 and generated more than $100 million in annual revenue for four consecutive years.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Geographic availability
- TextNow registration and use are limited to North America.help.textnow.com · read 15 Oct 2026
