TextNow vs txtWave
TextNow
textnow.comtxtWave
txtwave.comSide by side
| Figure | TextNow | txtWave |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $35.99/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 0 |
| Spec score · Peer-to-Peer Texting Software | 8.8 (#4) | 6.7 (#26) |
| 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. | The terms say txtWave will use commercially reasonable efforts to make the platform available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, subject to planned downtime and circumstances beyond its reasonable control. |
| Geographic availability | TextNow registration and use are limited to North America. | The terms make no representation that the platform or services are appropriate or available outside the United States. |
| Service | TextNow is a VoIP service for calling and texting U.S. and Canadian numbers, with international long-distance calls available using purchased credits. | txtWave provides peer-to-peer text notification and messaging services for paid subscribers. |
| Support | TextNow offers support bot and live chat every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. | The terms list [email protected] as a support contact and say customer support is at txtWave’s discretion, with no obligation to provide it. |
Plans
TextNow
- Free PlanFree
- Free PlanFree
- Unlimited Data Day Pass$2.99, paid once
- Unlimited Data Monthly Pass$35.99 a month
- Unlimited Plan$35.99 a month
In their own words
TextNow
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.