TextNow

Free calling and texting with a second US number

TextNow turns Wi-Fi connectivity into a practical phone service, giving you a dedicated US number at no cost and unlimited calling and texting across the United States and Canada. Built on VoIP and operating as an MVNO, it taps existing cellular networks without typical monthly fees, with an optional plan if you want mobile data when Wi-Fi is not available.

Setup grants you a local area code, making it easy to share a recognizable contact number. Beyond basic calling and SMS, the app supports photo and sticker sharing, voice and video calls, and traditional SMS integration so you can chat with standard numbers, not just other users. A credit system handles international calling: you can watch ads to earn credits or buy them to reach overseas numbers, which keeps long-distance access flexible if you only need it occasionally.

Personalization is a strong point. You can tailor signatures, backgrounds, and tones, and use quick reply for faster responses. Security options include PassCode and Google Smart Lock. Power users will appreciate multi-device syncing, voicemail transcription, and conference calls, which let you keep conversations moving across phones, tablets, and computers with useful extras baked in.

There are compromises. Call quality can be inconsistent, and occasional drops do happen. Numbers may be deactivated if you go inactive for too long, which means you should use your line regularly to keep it. As with many free services, you might encounter spam or scam calls. International calling always requires credits, and the primary free offering is limited to North America.

If you want a cost-effective second line or a Wi-Fi-first solution for everyday communication, TextNow delivers a rich feature set with clear trade-offs in reliability and coverage scope.