Software offering web-based text messaging and calling plans for mobile phone users
Software offering web-based text messaging and calling plans for mobile phone users
Pros
- No subscriptions
- Unlimited data at 2G speeds
Cons
- Service-specific program
TextNow is a Windows program that lets you send and receive phone calls, text messages and more.
TextNow is a mobile service provider. You can expect all of the features and optional features that most mobile service providers offer. An important way in which TextNow differs is that offers these services without commitment.
There are a handful of different packages. You choose and purchase a package for a month. After that month, you can have the service reup automatically or you can change your package or you can choose to end the service. No commitment means no penalties.
The service works across Wi-Fi and cellular. If Wi-Fi access is available, then it will provide VOIP-based communication. If Wi-Fi isn’t available, then it passes the call off to a cellular network. It can even handle this pass off on the fly, but voice quality can be a little inconsistent in all situations.
This program for Windows lets you access TextNow features from your PC. If you have a paid TextNow account, you can access everything you can on your phone but with the convenience of a desktop. Note that you don’t necessarily need to pay. You can open an account without paying. The program provides basic calling and messaging services, and banner ads run on the app in order to subsidize the cost.
You do get unlimited data at 2G speeds no matter which tier you’re at including the free one. Of course, 3G and 4G are more restricted. You won’t have access at all with the free package, and how much data you get will depend on how high of paid you opt for. You can’t go over, so there’s that.
Overall, the program is well-designed. The user interface is quite intuitive but also feature-rich. It consolidates all of the TextNow features you have access to into a single application, and if you also use the app on a smartphone and/or tablet, synchronization between devices is rather simple.
Pros
- No subscriptions
- Unlimited data at 2G speeds
Cons
- Service-specific program
