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TextNow, a popular mobile service, advertises free calling and texting, and it’s true that you can use TextNow without a recurring bill. However, let us not take everything on face value; details matter. Textnow’s free plans have limits, and paid add‑ons or data are where most people end up spending real money.
This guide breaks down:
- What TextNow is actually charging in 2026
- How free calling works
- The real cost of data and add‑ons
- Who TextNow makes sense for and who it doesn’t
TL;DR / AI Summary
- TextNow offers free unlimited calling and texting over Wi‑Fi or mobile networks.
- Free plans include a small monthly Essential Data allowance (1GB) for select apps.
- Paid options include data passes (hourly, daily, weekly) or a monthly unlimited data plan.
- They charge a one‑time SIM card fee (~$4.99) for mobile service beyond Wi‑Fi.
- TextNow pricing and number‑lock subscriptions can vary by device, app store, and legacy plans.
- It is best for personal secondary numbers, but not that reliable for business‑grade mobile service.
TextNow Pricing Overview
Here’s an overview of TextNow’s pricing and features, as per their official page.
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
| Free VoIP (Wi‑Fi calling & texting) | $0 | Unlimited USA/Canada talk & text |
| Free Essential Data (SIM) | $0 + SIM | Calling, texting, essential data |
| Ad‑Free+ | ~$9.99/mo | Removes ads, unlimited talk/text |
| Hourly Data Pass | ~$0.99 | Unlimited data for 1 hour |
| Daily Data Pass | ~$4.99 | Unlimited data for 24 hours (approx 2GB high‑speed) |
| Weekly Unlimited Data | ~$8.99/week | 5GB high‑speed data pass |
| Monthly Unlimited Data | ~$35.99–$39.99/mo | Up to ~10GB high‑speed, then slower speeds |
What is Actually Free?
TextNow is definitely a legit free service offering unlimited texting and calling inside the US and Canada. It does not incur a recurring monthly bill when you use it with WiFi.
If you want to use a SIM instead, then TextNow offers essential mobile data (1GB) at no extra recurring cost, but it covers email or map directions only and not full internet browsing or streaming.
If you want unlimited data to access complete internet browsing, then you will need one of the paid passes or monthly data plans, which range from roughly $0.99/hour to $35.99–$39.99/month, depending on duration and data allotment.
Where Users Actually Spend
Here’s how the cost of using TextNow typically adds up:
- Sim card fee: You need to pay a one-time fee of $4.99 for mobile service
- Ad-free experience: By paying $9.99/month, you can also remove ads and get unlimited talk/text without interruptions.
- Data usage: You can choose to get an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly data usage pass at an additional cost. The pricing for data plans can vary regionally.
Based on this, TextNow is best suited for someone who needs a personal or secondary number, but it is definitely not suited for business communication. If you are a business that needs affordable two-way texting with clients or patients, automated calls, reminders, or follow-ups, and predictable monthly pricing, then a well-rounded communication platform like Emitrr makes a better choice.
TextNow Vs Emitrr: A Comparison
Unlike TextNow, which charges extra for data and premium numbers, Emitrr gives you all the core messaging, calling, and automation features in a single, predictable subscription. But it should only be considered if you want a communication software for your business needs. Let us look at the pros and cons of TextNow and then compare it with Emitrr for a clearer picture:
Pros and Cons of TextNow
Pros of TextNow
- Offers a free plan: TextNow truly offers free talk and text with no monthly bill.
- Requires no contracts: TextNow does not require any contract commitments, you can switch plans or cancel anytime.
- Flexible Options: The platform offers option to use only Wi‑Fi if you don’t need mobile data.
- Affordable platform: TextNow offers paid data passes and ad‑free upgrades also at an affordable price.
Cons of TextNow
- Limited free plan: TextNow mainly works over Wi‑Fi; mobile data is restricted.
- Inconsistent pricing: TextNow add-ons, data passes, and number lock-in can vary unexpectedly.
- No business automation: The platform lacks two-way messaging, reminders, or workflow features.
- Not HIPAA-compliant: Not suitable for the healthcare industry or sensitive communication.
- Unpredictable billing: Hard to forecast monthly costs for business use when using TextNow.
Emitrr Pricing
If you are an individual looking for a basic calling/SMS platform for personal use then go ahead with TextNow by all means. But if you need a straightforward communication tool for businesses and teams that brings all your conversations into one place, so you can text customers, start group chats, or respond through your website without juggling multiple apps, then Emitrr is a better TextNow alternative.
Here’s what Emitrr’s SMS pricing looks like:
| Number of message credits | Standard | Pro | Enterprise |
| 500 | $42 per month | $45 per month | Contact Sales for a Customized Quote. |
| 1000 | $68 per month | $73 per month | |
| 2000 | $110 per month | $118 per month | |
| 3000 | $138 per month | $148 per month | |
| 5000 | $210 per month | $225 per month | |
| 7500 | $315 per month | $337 per month | |
| 10000 | $420 per month | $450 per month | |
| 15000 | $486 per month | $522 per month | |
| 20000 | $540 per month | $580 per month | |
| 30000 | $741 per month | $796 per month | |
| 40000 | $876 per month | $941 per month | |
| 50000 | $1011 per month | $1086 per month | |
| 100000 | $1820 per month | $1960 per month |
Emitrr keeps things flexible; you only pay based on how many messages you send each month. So, whether you’re a small team or a growing business, you can scale as you need. Larger enterprises with specific requirements can reach out to the sales team for a customized quote.
For businesses in the healthcare sector, there’s an additional $200 fee to unlock all the advanced automation tools you might need. And if you want to tap into Emitrr’s AI features, upgrading to the Pro plan is the way to go.
How Emitrr Offers Better Value for Money as Compared to TextNow?
For someone looking for an SMS/Calling software real communication needs, Emitrr offers more value for money than TextNow. With flexible pricing, a wide range of features, and room to grow, it helps you get the most without overspending. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why Emitrr is a better choice:
Pay for What You Use
Emitrr’s pricing structure allows businesses to choose and pay only for the services they actually need. So that your investment goes toward tools that bring value to your business, avoiding unnecessary expenses on features you don’t use or need, making it a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
Best Value for Money
Emitrr offers a transparent and flexible pricing model with Standard and Professional plans, allowing businesses to choose between monthly or discounted annual billing. With no hidden charges or unexpected costs, Emitrr provides a cost-effective solution for improving communication efficiency.
Add Unlimited Users
With Emitrr, businesses can add unlimited users without incurring additional costs. This allows your business to scale effortlessly without worrying about rising expenses as your team grows.
Advanced Call Management
The platform provides VoIP benefits with advanced features like call transcription, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), and automated call recording. These tools ensure smooth call handling and enhance customer satisfaction. Want to see how it all works? Check out the video for a quick walkthrough of everything VoIP has to offer –
HIPAA-Compliance
Emitrr ensures secure communication by maintaining HIPAA compliance through regular audits. This guarantees that sensitive information is protected and meets the strict security standards required by industries like healthcare.
AI-Powered Automation
Emitrr leverages AI to automate repetitive tasks such as call routing, message delivery, and follow-ups. This reduces manual workload, increases efficiency, and allows teams to focus on more critical tasks.
Seamless Integration
Emitrr seamlessly integrates with popular CRM platforms, allowing businesses to sync customer data effortlessly. This enables unified communication, better customer relationship management, streamlined workflows, and a comprehensive view of customer interactions for improved decision-making.
Scalable for Growth
As your business grows, Emitrr grows with you. The platform’s scalable structure allows you to add more users and handle increased call volumes without any significant adjustments or hidden costs.
Quick and Easy Setup
Emitrr provides a hassle-free onboarding experience with a simple, intuitive interface that reduces setup time. Your team can adapt quickly without requiring extensive training or technical expertise.
Reliable Customer Support
Emitrr provides prompt and responsive customer support to assist with any issues or questions. Whether it is technical assistance or onboarding guidance, Emitrr’s support team is available to help businesses make the most of the platform.
FAQs
TextNow is free for unlimited calls and texts over Wi‑Fi. Paid fees apply only for mobile data passes, ad-free plans, or number lock-in subscriptions.
A TextNow virtual number is free. To keep it permanently, some numbers require a small weekly or yearly lock-in fee.
Some TextNow numbers are premium or legacy numbers. They cost money to lock in so you don’t lose the number.
TextNow free plans rely on Wi‑Fi, have limited mobile data, and inconsistent add-on pricing. It’s not designed for business or HIPAA-compliant messaging. For predictable business messaging, Emitrr provides two-way SMS, automated replies, and HIPAA compliance.
TextNow free plans cost $0. Paid plans range from $0.99 per hour to $39.99 per month, depending on ad-free features, data passes, or number lock-in subscriptions.
TextNow is worth paying for if you need a secondary number or extra data. For business communication, Emitrr offers clear subscription plans with messaging, calling, and automation built-in.
Conclusion
TextNow is a solid choice if you need a free or low-cost personal number, casual calling, or Wi‑Fi texting. Its free plan is simple, but paid add-ons, data passes, and number lock-in fees can add up and get confusing.
For businesses, healthcare practices, or anyone who needs predictable, reliable messaging and calling, Emitrr is the smarter choice. Try Emitrr today and simplify your business communication without the surprises of add-on fees or complicated plans.