TextNow vs Viber

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.

Viber is a calling and messaging app for connecting through text, media, and voice or video calls. Its free core app covers messaging and calls between Viber users. Messages can contain photos, videos, files, voice messages, and video messages, and calls can include groups. Group chats allow up to 250 people; Communities have unlimited members, hide member phone numbers, and provide admin moderation controls. Community and channel admins can connect automated bots to help manage or interact with those spaces. Chats sync between mobile, tablet, and desktop, and users can transfer calls between devices. Activating Viber for Desktop requires an active Viber account on a mobile phone. Viber says one-on-one and group chats use end-to-end encryption by default, with keys stored on user devices. Privacy controls include disappearing messages, hidden chats, editing or deleting messages for everyone, and settings for online and delivery status. Viber Out supports calls to phone numbers outside Viber at destination-specific rates. Viber Plus offers an ad-free experience, privacy and customization features, and live chat support; its price is shown in the app.