7 TextNow alternatives worth trying in 2026
TextNow’s pitch used to be simple: a real US number, free calls and texts over Wi-Fi, no monthly bill. The 2024 and 2025 changes pushed users to order a physical SIM to get the full data experience, kept ads on the free tier, and structured the Free Flex Plan around a small daily allowance of background data with paid passes on top. Threads on Reddit’s r/TextNow regularly mention SMS verification failures with banks and rideshare services, occasional number reassignment after long inactivity, and the lack of a real carrier port-out.
If you came to TextNow for a free second phone number and the new model no longer fits, this guide covers the seven best TextNow alternatives we tested in 2026. Each one keeps your real number private, supports texting and calling, and sits in a different point on the free versus paid spectrum.
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | Google account holders | Yes | Free for personal use | Native voicemail transcription |
| TextFree | Free US number with no SIM | Yes | A modest monthly subscription removes ads | Pinger network outside the TextNow stack |
| Text Me | Low-cost international calls | Yes | Credits start at a small one-time purchase | Calls and texts to 200-plus countries |
| Hushed | Privacy and international | 3-day trial | A modest monthly fee per number | Numbers across 60-plus countries |
| Burner | Short-lived disposable lines | 7-day trial | A modest monthly fee per number | Auto-burn schedule for each line |
| Talkatone | Long-running free US line | Yes | A modest monthly subscription removes ads | Stable phone number across reinstalls |
| Sideline | Second line for small business | 7-day trial | A modest monthly fee per line | Business hours, auto-replies, team add-ons |
Why people leave TextNow
The SIM-or-nothing data model. TextNow’s Free Flex Plan only delivers full background data when you order the physical SIM. Wi-Fi-only users still get calls and texts, but features like maps and rideshare connectivity over cellular need the SIM. Users on Reddit describe the SIM activation queue as slow in 2024, and the SIM itself only works on unlocked phones.
Ads between every action. The free tier still shows banner and interstitial ads. Each call connection, message thread, and contact open can surface an ad. Removing them requires a paid subscription, which puts TextNow’s ad-free price near other paid second-line apps that include international calling.
SMS short codes fail too often. Bank one-time passwords, rideshare verifications, and some delivery codes do not always land on TextNow numbers. The TextNow Plus tier improves short-code reliability but does not guarantee it.
Number reassignment after inactivity. TextNow recycles numbers held by inactive free accounts. Threads on r/TextNow report numbers reassigned after a few weeks of no usage, which breaks 2FA tied to the lost number.
No carrier port-out. TextNow numbers cannot be ported out to a traditional carrier. If you build a business or personal identity on the number and later want to keep it with Verizon or T-Mobile, the number stays inside TextNow.
The alternatives
Google Voice — best for Google account holders
Google Voice is the closest thing to a no-strings free second phone number in 2026. The app gives you a real US phone number tied to your Google account, with voicemail transcription, web texting, and call forwarding to your real line built in. There is no advertising in the app and no daily allowance to manage.
For TextNow users specifically frustrated with ads or unreliable SMS verification, Google Voice is the obvious first move. Google Voice vs. TextNow on stability, Google Voice wins because the number is bound to a Google account rather than a free-tier policy that can change.
Where it falls short: New Google Voice numbers are US-only and require a US-based existing phone number to set up. International SMS arrives only sometimes, and outbound MMS to non-US numbers is unreliable. The app does not support short codes from many financial services.
Pricing:
- Free: personal use, single US number, voicemail transcription, web and desktop access
- Google Workspace: business tiers add multi-number routing, auto attendants, and SLA at a per-user monthly cost
- vs. TextNow: free tier is comparable; Google Voice wins on reliability and zero ads
Migrating from TextNow: Set up a new Google Voice number in the app or at voice.google.com. Move 2FA recipients, contacts, and outbound number selection over manually. TextNow numbers cannot be ported to Google Voice (Google Voice only ports in from physical carriers).
Bottom line: Pick Google Voice if you have a Google account and want a free, stable US number. Skip it if you need international texting or short-code-heavy services.
TextFree — best free US number outside TextNow’s network
TextFree from Pinger gives you a free US number with unlimited calls and texts, similar to TextNow on the surface. The key difference is the underlying network: TextFree runs on the Pinger network, so SMS verification, short codes, and number assignment behave differently. Users who hit a TextNow wall with bank logins or rideshare apps often find TextFree gets them through.
TextFree vs. TextNow on free-tier breadth, the two are close, but TextFree does not push a mandatory SIM. The Pinger network has been around since 2006 and the company has not pivoted to a carrier model.
Where it falls short: The free tier carries ads at a similar density to TextNow. The number expires after about 30 days of inactivity, faster than TextNow’s threshold. The app interface looks dated next to Google Voice and Sideline.
Pricing:
- Free: US number, calls and texts inside the US, ad-supported
- TextFree Plus: a modest monthly subscription removes ads, reserves the number, and unlocks short-code verification
- vs. TextNow: free tier is comparable in features; paid tier is cheaper than TextNow’s ad-free plan
Migrating from TextNow: Sign up for TextFree, pick a new number, and update your contacts and 2FA recipients. There is no number transfer between TextNow and TextFree. Keep TextNow active for a few days so codes sent to the old line still arrive while you switch.
Bottom line: Pick TextFree if TextNow’s SMS verification or SIM model is the specific reason you are leaving. Skip it if you need a clean, modern UI.
Text Me — best for international calls on a budget
Text Me is the strongest free second-line app for people who call internationally. The app gives you a free US, Canadian, or UK number for calls and texts in those regions, and the credit system covers outbound calls to more than 200 countries at low per-minute rates. Earned credits from in-app ad views can cover everyday international calling without spending anything.
For TextNow users who used the international calling add-on, Text Me usually costs less per minute. Text Me vs. TextNow on international rates, Text Me wins on Latin America, Eastern Europe, and South Asia.
Where it falls short: The interface mixes free credits, paid credits, and subscriptions in a way that takes a few minutes to learn. Some users on Reddit report inconsistent number assignment in less populated US area codes. The free tier shows ads.
Pricing:
- Free: US, CA, or UK number, ad-supported, earn-credit model for international calls
- Paid credits and subscriptions: starting at a small one-time purchase, scaling with usage
- vs. TextNow: free tier is comparable; Text Me wins on international call rates
Migrating from TextNow: Sign up, choose a free number, and update 2FA recipients. There is no number transfer. Text Me’s earn-credit model is a free way to cover international calls if you do not mind watching short ads.
Bottom line: Pick Text Me if you call internationally on a budget. Skip it if you want zero ads.
Hushed — best for privacy and international numbers
Hushed sells privacy as the core feature. You can buy temporary or permanent phone numbers across more than 60 countries, route calls and texts entirely through the app, and avoid linking the number to your real identity or carrier. The app supports auto-replies, ringtone customization per number, and call recording. There is no free tier beyond a short trial, but the paid plans are cleaner than the ad-supported free apps.
For TextNow users specifically worried about who can see the second number, Hushed is the strongest privacy upgrade in the list. Hushed vs. TextNow on data handling, Hushed wins because there is no advertising profile attached to the account.
Where it falls short: No free tier outside the trial. International numbers cost more than US-only numbers. Some countries restrict SMS support to inbound only, so verification codes can fail in those regions.
Pricing:
- Free: 3-day trial of one number
- Paid: a modest monthly fee per number, with annual plans cheaper per month; pay-as-you-go credit packs for occasional users
- vs. TextNow: pricier than TextNow Plus but includes international and removes ads entirely
Migrating from TextNow: Sign up, pick the country and number type, and switch your accounts over. Hushed does not accept TextNow ports. Reuse old SMS threads if you keep TextNow active during the cutover.
Bottom line: Pick Hushed if privacy or international numbers are the reason for the switch. Skip it if you only need a free US line.
Burner — best for short-lived disposable numbers
Burner is built around the idea that you should be able to throw away a phone number when you no longer need it. You can run several burners at once, set an auto-burn schedule (a number expires automatically after a set time), and route each burner to a different ringtone or auto-reply. The model fits dating, classifieds, job hunting, contract work, and any situation where the number’s job is temporary.
Burner vs. TextNow on disposability, Burner is the clear winner because the entire workflow is designed around expiry rather than permanence.
Where it falls short: No free tier beyond a trial. Each burner is a separate paid line, so multiple active burners multiply the cost. US and Canada only.
Pricing:
- Free: 7-day trial
- Paid: a modest monthly fee per burner; multi-line plans are slightly cheaper per number
- vs. TextNow: pricier per number, but designed for short-term use rather than a permanent second line
Migrating from TextNow: Burner is not a permanent-line replacement, it is the second tool you reach for when you need a number you can throw away. Keep your main second-line app for everyday calls and texts.
Bottom line: Pick Burner for any number that only needs to live a few weeks. Skip it if you want one permanent second line.
Talkatone — best long-running free US line
Talkatone has been delivering free US numbers since 2010 and the app has aged into one of the more stable choices in the free-tier category. You get a real US phone number, free calls and texts inside the US and Canada, and low-cost international calling. The number stays with you across reinstalls and survives longer inactivity windows than TextFree or TextNow.
Talkatone vs. TextNow on number stability, Talkatone wins on the rate of reassignment. The app is also less aggressive with upsell prompts than TextNow’s 2025 interface.
Where it falls short: The free tier shows ads and the UI feels older than Google Voice or Sideline. SMS verification reliability sits between TextNow and TextFree depending on the service.
Pricing:
- Free: US number, US and Canada calls and texts, ad-supported
- Talkatone Plus: a modest monthly subscription removes ads and adds reserved-number protection
- vs. TextNow: free tiers are comparable; Talkatone wins on long-term number retention
Migrating from TextNow: Sign up, pick a free number in your area code if available, and migrate contacts and 2FA recipients. Talkatone does not import TextNow data; threads will need to restart on the new line.
Bottom line: Pick Talkatone if number stability matters and you can live with ads. Skip it if a clean modern interface is a hard requirement.
Sideline — best second line for small business
Sideline treats the second number as a business tool rather than a free utility. The app adds business hours, auto-replies, voicemail with transcription, and a team-message feature that lets multiple people answer one shared line. Numbers are local US phone numbers with full SMS support. Owners use Sideline as the published business number while keeping a personal carrier line private.
Sideline vs. TextNow on business features, Sideline wins decisively because TextNow has no real auto-reply, business-hours, or shared-line model.
Where it falls short: No free tier outside the trial. The team add-on multiplies the per-line cost. Some users on Reddit note that the app’s pricing communication around team upgrades is not as clear as the consumer second-line apps.
Pricing:
- Free: 7-day trial
- Paid: a modest monthly fee per number; team plans add per-seat charges
- vs. TextNow: pricier than TextNow Plus but adds business-grade features TextNow does not include
Migrating from TextNow: Sign up, pick a local business number, and update business cards and marketing assets. Sideline supports porting from carriers, not from TextNow.
Bottom line: Pick Sideline if you want a small-business second line with auto-replies and business hours. Skip it if a free personal number is all you need.
How to choose
Pick Google Voice if you already have a Google account and you want the simplest free second number with no ads. It is the right answer for most TextNow users who are leaving because of the ad density or the SIM requirement.
Pick TextFree if your TextNow complaint is specifically about SMS verification or short codes failing. Pinger’s network behaves differently than TextNow’s and a number on a different stack often clears the same code.
Pick Text Me if you call internationally and TextNow’s add-on rates have crept up.
Pick Hushed if privacy is the real reason for the switch, or if you need numbers outside the US.
Pick Burner for short-lived numbers tied to a job, a sale, or any task with an expiry date.
Pick Talkatone if you have lived through TextNow’s number reassignment cycle and want a number that sticks around.
Pick Sideline if you run a small business and the second line should look professional.
Stay on TextNow if you have the physical SIM, you use the unlimited data plan as your primary line, and short-code verification is not part of your daily life. The SIM model genuinely competes with Mint Mobile or Tello on cost if you do not need premium speeds.
FAQ
Is there a free TextNow alternative? Yes. Google Voice, TextFree, Text Me, and Talkatone all offer free US phone numbers with calls and texts. Google Voice is the only one with no advertising on the free tier.
Can I keep my TextNow number when I switch? No. TextNow numbers cannot be ported out to other carriers or second-line apps. Most users keep TextNow active for a few weeks while they migrate 2FA codes and update contacts.
What is the cheapest TextNow alternative without ads? TextFree Plus and Talkatone Plus run at roughly the same monthly cost and both remove ads. Google Voice is free with no ads but is US-only.
Which TextNow alternative works for international calling? Text Me has the broadest free-tier international calling thanks to its earned-credit model. Hushed sells numbers in more than 60 countries if you need an international number rather than international calls.
Do TextNow alternatives work for bank SMS verification? Coverage varies. Google Voice, TextFree, and Sideline tend to work for more services than TextNow. None of them is universal because some banks block all VoIP numbers.
What is the best TextNow replacement for small businesses? Sideline is built for small business second lines and includes auto-replies, business hours, and team-message routing. Google Voice for Workspace is the better answer if your business runs on Google Workspace already.
