TextNow Pros and Cons: The Wireless Service with Free Calling and Texting

In 2009 two university students began to ponder a dream, and that dream was simple: save money on their monthly phone bill. Of course they could have tried every wireless service under the sun but eventually they decided to do something different, something that would eventually change the lives of over 15 million users today…

‍

TextNow is the “first-of-its kind” cloud-based, ad-supported cellular service. It’s a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) which means they don’t own their own cell towers and instead piggyback off of another's. In this case, TextNow will connect users through their TextNow app and wifi, but when wifi isn’t available you’ll get put onto T-Mobile’s widespread network.

This all sounds pretty intriguing from an overview, but what are the TextNow pros and cons? Is it really all free? What about data? And what can you expect if you switch over? 

Lot’s of questions to be answered and we’ve got you covered! Let’s discuss TextNow:

• How does TextNow work?
• TextNow Coverage
• TextNow Plans and Add-ons
• TextNow Pros and Cons
• Customer Reviews

How does TextNow work? (and how is it free?)

TextNow is definitely not your average wireless service- (you’ve probably picked up on that with them offering free calls and texts after all). To access TextNow you’ll have to download the TextNow app which is available in Apple and Google Play stores, then you will need to order a SIM card for your device from them for 99¢.

Now this is where it might get a small bit confusing. You actually don’t have to get the SIM card to use TextNow. You can make calls and texts for free on wifi through the TextNow app- think Whatsapp. However, if you want to take part in their free wireless service for calls and texts, that’s when you’ll need to buy the SIM card- that’s what makes them different from Whatsapp and other similar apps. This is where you’ll get access to T-Mobile’s network and use TextNow’s services even without wifi.

You can use the TextNow app to make calls and send messages from not just your phone, but tablets and computers too!

The steps to signing up for TextNow are pretty straight forward:

• Note: This is the process for choosing a TextNow SIM card. To use TextNow as an app to communicate over wifi you can search “TextNow” on your App Store for free.

1. Go onto the TextNow official website and click “Get Started” and choose “Get free wireless service”
2. You’ll then be brought to a new page where you can buy your SIM card for 99¢ (there is free shipping for 3-5 business days).

• However, before you purchase your SIM card make sure your device is compatible. To make sure your device is compatible go to their “Device Checker” page where you’ll put in your phone’s IMEI number. (There are instructions on the website on how you find the number in case you aren’t sure how).

• If you want to buy a new phone through TextNow they have partnered with Swappa to bring you a selection of phones you can take a look at here.

3. Add in your shipping and billing information and purchase your new TextNow SIM card.

Then, once you officially receive your SIM card in the mail you’ll need to:

1. Insert the new SIM card into your phone.
2. Make sure you're connected to Wifi and download the TextNow app.
3. Open the app and create your official TextNow account.
4. Find the menu icon and tap on “Activate SIM Card” which will then display on screen instructions congruent to your device.

Quick and easy to follow steps are something some other phone companies don’t have, so this is definitely a plus for them.

But the question remains…

How is the TextNow service free?

TextNow is paid for by “unobtrusive ads” according to their website. That means there’s no subscription, no contract, and no billing required. You get access to free talk and text wireless service thanks to ads.

TextNow Coverage

We mentioned a few times that TextNow uses T-Mobile’s widespread connection and you can see TextNow’s coverage on their website. Here’s a screenshot from their website detailing their coverage:

You’ll get coverage in most places all over the US, throughout Mexico, and Canada.

TextNow Plans and Add-ons

There’s one question that may be on your mind: what about data?

TextNow offers free texting and calling services, however when it comes to data, that’s when you’ll have to bring out your credit card.

In late 2023 TextNow simplified everything and introduced two new Unlimited Data plans. And that’s it.

Here’s the two Unlimited Data options TextNow offers:

• Good to know: TextNow has a “Unlimited 2G Data Fair Use Policy” which we recommend all potential data users to look at as it will detail out data throttling and possible suspensions if you have data overages.

For data users you don’t have many options if you sign up for TextNow. Pick between a Day Pass or a Month Pass and you’ll get unlimited data for your desired amount of time. There’s some ups and downs to their data plans which we will cover more in our pros and cons section.

As for TextNow’s add-ons, well, they’ve got a few you might be interested in.

We covered all of the basics for the free TextNow app, so how about what you can purchase and what add-ons you can also get from the service?

Ad-Free Lite

For those who dislike ads and the recurrence of all but the big banner on the bottom of your app screen (and possible in-line ads) then you can get Add-Free Lite for $1.99 a month.

Ad-Free+

For those who never wanna see an ad you can get Ad-Free+ which removes every ad on the app for $9.99 a month.

Premium Numbers

Ever look at your phone number and wish it was…simpler? TextNow offers Premium Numbers which allows you to pick from a list of “easy to remember” numbers which is great for businesses. This costs $4.99 a year and stays with you for as long as you have the service.

Lock-In Number

This will keep your number “locked in” to your TextNow account which allows you to receive verifications codes on your TextNow app for as long as this service is active.

Detailing International Calling & Texting

Calls and texts to the US and Canada are free, but if you want to make and receive calls and texts you’ll be charged per minute based on the country/region you’re in. You can spend TextNow credits on these international calls/texts and to earn free credits you can watch ads or refer the app to your friends. If you don’t want to use your credits or don’t have any you’ll be charged a certain amount of money.

Make sure you have sufficient balance in your account or else your international calls might not go through.

For all International Calling Rates visit here.

TextNow Pros and Cons

We’ve highlighted TextNow’s biggest draw which is their free calls and texts, but what other pros and cons do they have? Let’s break em’ down.

Pros:

• Free Calling and Texting
• Control Over Data
• User Friendly Experience
• Access to Widespread Coverage

Free Calling and Texting

You can’t not mention TextNow’s free calling and texting as a MAJOR pro. If you’re someone who's constantly at “home base” with wifi then TextNow would be a huge advantage to save on your monthly phone bill as you don’t have to pay for texting and calling along with data as you’re always with wifi. Having access to free calling and texting wherever you are in the country is a big plus as communication in this day and age is key.

Control Over Data

Like we mentioned in the previous pro, if you are constantly connected to wifi and only plan to go out a couple times a month where you’ll know you need data then TextNow’s “Day Pass” data plans are a pretty great option for this type of phone user. And if you’re headed on a trip for a few weeks then the “Monthly Pass” would be a solid option too.

User Friendly Experience

The process for signing up and getting a SIM card from TextNow is relatively really easy as they make sure each step is lined up with the bigger bits of info you need displayed all throughout the website and app. They could do a better job with advertising their featured “add-ons” on their website but since most of their cards are on the official app we get the priority.

Access to Widespread Coverage

As T-Mobile is one of the “big three” wireless networks, having access to their coverage essentially for free is a definite pro. Data-lite users will definitely be on board with getting access to T-Mobile whenever they make calls, texts, or buy a data pack for the day or month.

Cons:

• Ads
• Limited Data Options
• No Video Calling
• Throttled Data Speeds

Ads

Now it’s obvious, but we figured we’d put the fact that TextNow uses ads in the cons column. Though really it feels like it needs to be its own “middle ground” column. Yes you get ads and yes they can be annoying, but you get free calling and texting because of them so really it’s about whether you can handle ads from the user interface. Though again you can sign up for their Ad-Free Lite and Ad-Free+ programs to limit or get rid of your ads entirely for a small price.

Limited Data Options

‍

TextNow has only two data options, this could be a positive for some and a real negative for others. If you wanted a small amount of data, say 2GBs or 10GBs for the month- unfortunately you can’t pay less or more for that. With these limited options you can be pinned into a corner, especially if you need data for only a week and have to pay $35 and some change when the whole month is $39.99.

No Video Calling

As of June 2022 TextNow no longer supports video calling and there is no word on whether they plan to bring it back or not. It can be a real bummer if you would rather video call instead of talk on the phone as a lot of people tend to favor these days.

Throttled Data Speeds

Just like any other MVNO you’ll probably experience your fair share of data deprioritization and throttled speeds. Data deprioritization means that when you’re in high traffic areas like a sports stadium or concert you will experience temporary slow data speeds while the person next to you who is directly signed up through a T-Mobile plan will have their data working at a much faster rate. This is because the major wireless company is prioritizing their direct customers and subscribers over those signed up through a MVNO. 

As for data throttling which means it’s an intentional slowing of data speeds, TextNow details out their data rules and regulations all in the “Unlimited 2G Data Fair Use Policy.”

“One limitation which may be placed on a user that has exceeded their monthly data allotment, is that their data speed may be decreased to 2G speed,” which is stated on their website. Again, we’d recommend users read that before buying data as it could potentially affect your data usage.

Customer Reviews

It’s always good to check out a few customer reviews before buying or signing up for a product, but maybe not too many ;) Here’s a few we found through the trusty source Trustpilot:

“Text now has been wonderful for me I've had financial difficulties and thanks to them friends, family, and business calls were not missed. Thank goodness for text now it's a great app!!!” -Tracy Renner (01/23/2024)

“I really like textnow i use it as a backup at home when my cellular company signal doesn't always come through. But for some reason lately my textnow number will only ring once and a few other glitches.” -TheDudeDave (01/31/2024)

“I've been using textnow for quite a few years now and love it. Calling isn't the best because I always get an echo from both ends which makes it very difficult to use but mainly I use it for texting and have no problems.” -its me (01/26/2024)

TextNow, the phone service that has free calling and texting is definitely one of the more unique MVNOs out there. What do you think, is it worth it?

If you want to compare and contrast TextNow to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill. 

Frequently Asked Questions - Wrap Up!

Let’s summarize what info we learned in a three FAQ wrap up.

Where does TextNow get their phone coverage from?

TextNow gets their coverage from T-Mobile, one of the “big three” wireless services in the country. You can expect to get covered under their fast 5G network while you pay for less. However, you might not be prioritized in high traffic areas or particularly congested network times- keep that in mind!

Is TextNow really free?

Yes, TextNow offers free calling and texting but no free data. To get access to data you will have to sign up for their “Day Pass” or “Month Pass” which can be found through the app or their website. They only have two data options so plan ahead!

Is TextNow legit?

Yes, it is a legit company and phone app that offers a unique take on the everyday wireless provider. With free calling and texting along with simple data plans- light phone users rejoice over this budget-friendly option.