TextNow is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) based in San Francisco. They offer cloud-based cell phone service that connects users over WiFi when they call and send texts. More than that, their base plan is free! They have a downloadable app and through that, the service jumps off of WiFi in order to save on minutes and mobile data. When users are off of WiFi, users have access to Sprint and T-Mobile’s nationwide network, allowing for a transition between WiFi calling and mobile data calling.
This article will dive into a TextNow review, looking at an overview of the company, its pros and cons, features, plans, cost, and how it holds up to competitors. Switching phone carriers is a serious business, and we want to give you all the information you need to know whether or not TextNow is the right carrier for you!
TextNow is a bold new service that relies heavily on WiFi to transmit calls and texts. This has some serious problems, but the major one is that the WiFi service is not always strong enough to support a call. It is difficult for phones to know exactly when WiFi strength is not enough to uphold a call, so it is often up to the user to ensure that they are within a strong WiFi signal or turn off their WiFi whenever they want to make a phone call.
This section will cover all you need to know about our TextNow review before you get into the more focused sections later on in this article.
During the course of our TextNow review, we discovered that the major thing that sets them apart is that the base service they offer is free. That’s right. If you are on their basic plan, which has some drawbacks, the plan is completely free.
There are a few companies that offer free plans, and while TextNow is unique in its WiFi-focused company, all of the companies that offer free plans have similarly low-service plans. TextNow’s free plan comes with no high-speed data and users must accrue “credit” by watching ads on their device in order to call and text.
When researching different carriers and checking out our TextNow review, it is imperative to know what sets TextNow apart. Their plans are geared toward those who do not use a lot of data, and they are priced between $0 a month and $28 dollars a month.
Their most expensive plan only comes with 5 GB of high-speed data, which is not impressive when compared to the other offerings in the MVNO world. Their company has the best value for people who are able to subsist with little to no data in their daily life. If you are within the bounds of WiFi signals all day, this could be the carrier for you!
TextNow has a free plan and plans with limited data up to 5 GB a month. Comparing that to the other MVNO unlimited plans, 5 GB is not a lot at all. If you are a TextNow user and need to go through a fair bit of data each month, there is no way for you to add on any extra high-speed data. Twenty-eight dollars for 5 GB of high-speed data each month is not very good, so if you are looking for a plan that gives a few GBs of data we recommend checking out some of our other cell phone service reviews to find a wireless network that is right for you!
TextNow works on Sprint and T-Mobile’s nationwide networks, giving users access to mobile data as long as they have it as a part of their plan. You are able to see if your area is covered by checking TextNow’s coverage map.
Yes! You can bring an eligible device to TextNow and activate it when you receive your SIM card. You should double-check to confirm your device’s compatibility with TextNow’s service, but as long as your phone is unlocked you should not run into many problems.
Before you switch to a new carrier, it is important to understand the pros and cons that they bring to the table. What are the items that you are most interested in when it comes to a phone carrier? If some of our pros resonate with you that’s a good sign, and if some of these cons look like they would drive you crazy then it might be time to look into another cell phone carrier. Like any other cell service, TextNow has pros and cons. In this section, we will cover everything that we liked and did not like.
TextNow, understandably, does not offer a tremendous amount of services or features. They have an application that’s downloadable on just about every app store, and from there, users gain access to all the services and features that TextNow provides.
TextNow has five available plans. If you are okay with the low data max from TextNow phone plans then understanding what each of TextNow’s phone plans brings to the table is essential before you make the decision to switch. Their five plans are:
These plans, on the whole, are a bit more pricey than we would like. Other options offer more data and better service at lower price points, but their free plan keeps them in the ring as a unique and worthwhile MVNO. Outside of the price, users have to give up a lot in order to take advantage of the free plan. They need to watch a lot of ads and have to deal with the third-party app in order to send texts and make calls, but let’s not gloss over the fact that you can have a number and can talk and text for free!
There is an extensive list of compatible phones that will work with TextNow as long as they are unlocked! Utilizing their service at Swappa ensures that the phone will be unlocked and will work with TextNow’s service! When you prepare to switch, think about whether you want to buy a new phone along with your new service or bring your own. Bringing your own phone has a variety of benefits. Some cellular providers have deals to trade in old phones to get great deals on new ones or deals for new customers, but TextNow does not have too many deals going on. Smaller MVNOs oftentimes have less new-customer deals than the larger companies, often tempered by the great plan prices.
TextNow has some problems with call and text performance in relation to its WiFi powered service. Since it relies so much on WiFi, if you find yourself in areas with spotty WiFi coverage you are forced to either turn off your WiFi and use their mobile connection or wait and find a stronger connection. The inconvenience of going back and forth with WiFi when you are on the move makes this below average compared to the call and text performance of other phones on the market.
The TextNow data speeds run on Sprint and T-Mobile’s networks, and the data is fast! The major problem with these plans is the quantity of data you receive. Between 0 GB and 5 GB, any significant data usage will use up your high-speed data allocation and leave you with 2G data speeds. 2G data speeds are not fast in the slightest. With that low speed, you will be unable to do much on mobile data other than check email.
T-Mobile is significantly more expensive than TextNow, but it offers much, much more to users. If you have the time, take a look at the T-Mobile phone plans to see firsthand what the differences are. While the price is a significant jump from the free plan at TextNow, you get a chance to see what you pay for with unlimited high-speed data, cell service all over the country, and another bunch of benefits alongside it!
Twigby is another MVNO that occupies a similar niche. Their plans range from $10 a month and $40 a month, but their most expensive plan is a great unlimited data plan. Twigby has the upper hand over TextNow, we believe, unless you are willing to try out TextNow’s free plan.
TextNow has a comprehensive online support portal as well as the ability to submit a request online.
“Great app until a few months ago. Will terminate your free account without just cause stating you violated the terms of service. No further information, just terminate. A friend attempted to create a TextNow account only to be rejected for violating the TOS, and she never even got the chance to fully set up the account and never received a free text number. Do NOT be tempted with this bogus app.” - Joe M. (via SiteJabber)
“TextNow has gone crazy. They are confused about how to run their service properly. I read their terms of service before setting up my account and never violated any of their rules. Very surprising to see my account got suspended! Luckily, I have not paid the subscription before my account was taken down. But too bad to see how difficult or hard time they're going through to run their service properly.” - Lorenza. (via Trustpilot)
“Bought a SIM card for $1 with free delivery. Activated and tested on an iPhone. Calls and texts can only be made through the TextNow app, not the Phone and Messages apps. When you go into the Settings part of the TextNow app there’s no obvious way to get back to the screen with calls and text messages, other than force quitting the app. Also, calls made through the TextNow app often don't go through at all - they just keep ringing in the app but there’s no incoming call on the other phone. Sometimes calls don’t go through at first, then after a few minutes when you've already started doing something else, the phone starts ringing and the only way to stop it is to force quit the TextNow app. To sum up, it's a mess. Don't rely on this "free" service. Instead, get the cheapest prepaid plan that will actually work when you need it.
” - DM. (via Trustpilot)
Yes! As long as you have a functional TextNow SIM card, you can utilize mobile networks from Sprint and T-Mobile if you have the credit accrued from watching ads in their app. If you have the ability to gather enough minutes and texts it works well on mobile networks!
TextNow users have something labeled “my phone number,” as well as a “TextNow number.” Your TextNow number is where your calls and texts come from and is stored in your TextNow app. Your other phone number is there to connect your phone to the network, but other than that it will not be used to send or receive calls and messages.
TextNow rides on the fact that they offer free service. Using TextNow requires a lot of sacrifices from the users, but users who are willing to make them can create routines that let them enjoy a fantastic and free service!
Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the T-Mobile® 5G Network, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
Nope, it’s pay as you go.
Yeah! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.
Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.
We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.
It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.
Great question. If you’re in Austin, TX, you’ll install 2 new SIMs. The REALLY nationwide SIM as your first SIM, which will give you voice / text & data on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network powered by T-Mobile®. Your 2nd SIM will give you access to the REALLY DeWi network in Austin, TX, which you’ll prioritize when available so that you get even faster speeds and better coverage. Depending on your device, you may be able to install eSIMs via a QR code.
Yep, we are powered by T-Mobile®, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in Austin, TX you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
The plan is unlimited, but once you reach 20GB you may experience slower speeds depending on network usage.
You get 10GB of hotspot data per month, but can add more if you need to.
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