Alternatives / AI Tools
TextNow alternatives
7 comparable AI tools to TextNow — with starting prices and when to choose each. Prices checked November 12, 2026.
TextNow gives you a free US or Canadian number with ads, over Wi-Fi or on its own 5G service after a one-time $3.99 SIM. Plus ($18.99/mo) and Unlimited ($35.99/mo) add data and remove ads. People look elsewhere to avoid ads, to stop a free number being recycled, or to get a line built for business.
TextNow alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $10/mo (Starter, individual, US) | Yes: Basic personal number, US only, needs an existing mobile number | A free number without ads |
| TextFree (Pinger) | $9.99/mo (TextFree Plus) | Yes: ad-supported number, calls and texts over Wi-Fi or data | Another free ad-supported app |
| Line2 | $7.99/mo billed yearly, $9.99 monthly | No (30-day money-back guarantee) | A paid line that never gets recycled |
| Hushed | $6.99/mo (Unlimited); prepaid plans from $7.99 | Free trial (3 days, per the App Store page) | Private numbers incl. UK |
| Burner | $7.99/mo or $47.99/yr (Standard, bought on the web) | Free trial (3 days, limited usage, per the App Store page) | Numbers you throw away |
| Sideline | $14.49/mo, or $129.99/yr (App Store price) | No | A second line on your carrier |
| Quo (formerly OpenPhone) | $15/user/mo billed annually, $19 monthly (Starter) | Free trial (7 days) | A business line for a team |
Prices read from each vendor's own pricing page on November 12, 2026. Vendors change plans often; follow the pricing link on each card to confirm.
When to choose each one
Google Voice
$10/mo (Starter, individual, US) · Free: Yes: Basic personal number, US only, needs an existing mobile numberChoose it when: you are in the US with an existing mobile number: Google Voice Basic is free with no ads. Starter at $10/mo adds 24/7 support and keeps the number from being reclaimed for inactivity.
TextFree (Pinger)
$9.99/mo (TextFree Plus) · Free: Yes: ad-supported number, calls and texts over Wi-Fi or dataChoose it when: you want the same free, ad-supported model from a different company (Pinger). TextFree Plus at $9.99/mo reserves your number and adds verification codes.
Line2
$7.99/mo billed yearly, $9.99 monthlyChoose it when: a few dollars a month is fine and you want no ads and no inactivity rules: $7.99/mo billed yearly, on phone, tablet and desktop browser.
Hushed
$6.99/mo (Unlimited); prepaid plans from $7.99 · Free: Free trial (3 days, per the App Store page)Choose it when: you want several private numbers or a UK number; Unlimited from $6.99/mo per number, prepaid from $7.99 for 30 days.
Burner
$7.99/mo or $47.99/yr (Standard, bought on the web) · Free: Free trial (3 days, limited usage, per the App Store page)Choose it when: you want a number for a short time and then delete it; Standard is $47.99/yr on the web. Burner does not support SMS short codes.
Sideline
$14.49/mo, or $129.99/yr (App Store price)Choose it when: you want a paid second number that calls over your existing carrier, not data: $14.49/mo or $129.99/yr.
Quo (formerly OpenPhone)
$15/user/mo billed annually, $19 monthly (Starter) · Free: Free trial (7 days)Choose it when: customers call the number and two or more people answer it: Quo adds a shared inbox, call routing and registered business texting, from $15/user/mo billed annually with a 7-day trial. Stork uses Quo for its own business line.
"Visit" buttons are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never decides which tools are listed or their order.
Why people look for TextNow alternatives
- Ads on the free plan (TextNow App Store page).
- Free numbers are recycled after inactivity; TextNow says there is no fixed limit and once-a-day use keeps them (TextNow help center).
- Keeping a number without daily use means paying for Ad Free+ or a number lock.
- Built for personal use; no shared inbox, call routing or business texting registration for a team.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to TextNow?
Google Voice Basic, if you are in the US and already have a mobile number: it is free and has no ads. Otherwise TextFree is the closest match, free with ads and no existing number needed. For most people who just need a free number, TextNow itself is a fine answer.
Is there a TextNow alternative without ads?
Google Voice Basic is free without ads but needs an existing US mobile number. The paid apps Line2 ($7.99/mo billed yearly), Hushed (from $6.99/mo) and Burner ($47.99/yr on the web) have no ads.
Which TextNow alternative keeps my number if I do not use it?
Line2, Hushed and Sideline keep your number while you pay. Google Voice Starter ($10/mo) says the number will not be reclaimed for inactivity. On TextNow, Ad Free+ locks the number.
What should I use instead of TextNow for a business?
For one person, Google Voice Starter at $10 a month. For a team sharing a number, a business phone app like Quo, from $15 per user per month billed annually, adds a shared inbox and registered business texting.
TextNow vs TextFree: which is better?
Both are free with ads. TextNow also sells cellular service with free talk and text after a $3.99 SIM. TextFree Plus at $9.99 a month adds verification codes and a reserved number.
Sources (16) · checked November 12, 2026
- https://www.textnow.com/wireless
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/textnow-call-text-unlimited/id314716233
- https://supportfree.textnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/204253309-Help-My-Phone-Number-was-recycled-how-can-I-get-it-back
- https://workspace.google.com/products/voice/
- https://www.textfree.us/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-free-second-phone-number/id399355755
- https://www.line2.com/pricing/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/line2-second-phone-number/id319185557
- https://hushed.com/pricing/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hushed-us-second-phone-number/id600520752
- https://www.burnerapp.com/pricing
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/burner-second-phone-number/id505800761
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539
- https://www.sideline.com/
- https://www.quo.com/pricing
- https://supportfree.textnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/209332846-How-Can-I-Remove-Ads
For builders
This page is doing a job for someone else’s tool.
AI agents read it. Buyers land on it. It answers in eight languages and over MCP. Your tool can have one like it — live in 24 hours.
One short daily email of tools worth shipping. No drip funnel.
one email a day · unsubscribe in two clicks · no third-party tracking
Is your product an alternative to TextNow? Add a labelled sponsored entry