text+ vs TextNow

text+ provides a second phone number for internet-based calls and texts, for people who want to keep a personal number private or use a spare phone or tablet as a line. Its Android and iOS apps send SMS, MMS, photos, and group messages to mobile numbers in the US and Canada; recipients do not need the app. Calls work over WiFi or data, with free inbound calls and low-cost outbound calling to more than 200 countries. The free plan costs nothing and covers downloading, texting, and receiving calls; outbound calls and Premium features are paid. Premium is billed Starting at less than $5/month and includes no ads, unlimited US calls, unlimited calling to Canada and 30+ countries, number protection during inactivity, a custom voicemail greeting, and prioritized support. Users can block others and report abusive behavior in the app. The company says it uses measures intended to protect information but cannot guarantee transmitted information is fully secure. Users must be at least 13. text+ was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Venice, California.

TextNow is a VoIP service for calls and texts to 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 North American calling and texting over Wi-Fi or a carrier data plan. The Free Plan costs nothing and includes unlimited talk and text plus 5G data for select apps; it requires an active TextNow SIM. With an active SIM, users can also get wireless coverage and free data for listed essential apps away from Wi-Fi. Those apps must first be downloaded over Wi-Fi. The service works on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and account details, messages, and call history are accessible across Android, iOS, and web. The Unlimited Plan costs $35.99 a month, with unlimited data and up to 10GB at up to 5G speeds before speeds drop to 2G. Ad-Free+ removes ads and adds features including number locking, call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and unlimited photo and video history.