Why people leave textPlus
- Ad overload on the free tier. textPlus wraps every conversation in full-screen interstitials and banner ads, and the only escape is a subscription that many users feel is overpriced for what the app delivers.
- Numbers expire and get reassigned. If you go more than 30 days without activity, textPlus recycles your number. For anyone using it as a secondary contact for services or contacts, this is a real disruption.
- MMS reliability is inconsistent. Photo and group-message delivery has long-standing issues with certain US carriers, leaving recipients with broken previews or nothing at all.
- Banks and 2FA services reject VoIP numbers. Most financial institutions and many verification systems actively block VoIP ranges, which means a textPlus number frequently cannot receive one-time codes.
- Call quality degrades on weaker Wi-Fi. Without a minimum connection speed, voice calls cut out badly and the app offers no fallback to cellular data routing.
These are the 7 textPlus alternatives we tested so you can find a better fit.
Which app should you choose?
- TextNow if you want a free permanent US or Canadian number with optional mobile data. It has the largest free user base of any second-number app and even sells a low-cost SIM.
- Text Me if you text contacts in the US, Canada, and UK and want to top up cheap international call credits. Setup takes under a minute and numbers stay active as long as you log in monthly.
- Hushed if you need a number in one of 60+ countries for a few days or weeks and then want to discard it. Short-term number plans start at a few dollars with no recurring charge.
- Burner if you run a small business or side project that needs a dedicated line with automation hooks. Slack and Zapier integrations let you route messages without a separate phone.
- Google Voice if you already live in Google Workspace and want a free permanent number that works on every screen you own. Desktop, tablet, and Android all share the same inbox.
- Talkatone if you have no SIM at all and need free US and Canadian calls and texts over Wi-Fi. The app works straight out of the box with no credit card required.
- MySudo if you want up to nine completely separate identities, each with its own number, email address, and browser. It is the strongest privacy option in this list.
Stay on textPlus if you only occasionally need to text US numbers, tolerate ads, and have never hit a 2FA rejection.
Comparison table
| App | Best for | Free plan | Number permanence | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TextNow | Free everyday use | Yes | Permanent with activity | US, Canada |
| Text Me | US/Canada/UK texting | Yes (limited) | Stays with monthly login | US, Canada, UK |
| Hushed | Short-term disposable numbers | No (paid only) | Expires by plan duration | 60+ countries |
| Burner | Business / automation | 7-day trial | Subscription keeps it active | US, Canada |
| Google Voice | Desktop + mobile sync | Yes | Permanent | US only |
| Talkatone | No-SIM Wi-Fi calls | Yes | Active with use | US, Canada |
| MySudo | Multi-identity privacy | Limited (1 Sudo) | Subscription-based | US, Canada |
1. TextNow -- the free second number with an optional SIM
TextNow gives every user a permanent US or Canadian number at no cost, supported by ads that are far less aggressive than textPlus. Calls and texts run over Wi-Fi or data, and TextNow also sells an ad-free MVNO plan that turns the app into a full mobile carrier. The inbox syncs to a web interface at textnow.com, so you can reply from a laptop without installing anything extra.
textPlus vs TextNow on free calling, TextNow wins because its call quality over a stable connection is noticeably cleaner and the number does not recycle unless the account sits idle for months. textPlus wins when you want a very simple interface with no account registration barrier.
Advantages:
- Permanent free number with no subscription required
- Web inbox lets you text from any browser
- Optional MVNO SIM for full cellular service
- Far fewer and less intrusive ads than textPlus
Disadvantages:
- US and Canada only — no international number options
- Ad-free tier requires a paid plan
- 2FA delivery still blocked by some banks (VoIP limitation shared with all apps in this list)
Pricing: Free with ads; ad-free plans start at a few dollars per month; MVNO data plans sold separately.
2. Text Me -- affordable international reach from a free number
Text Me assigns a free US, Canadian, or UK number and lets you buy inexpensive credits for calls to landlines and mobiles worldwide. The app works on both Android and iOS and keeps your number active as long as you open it at least once a month. Group messaging and picture messaging both work reliably across major carriers, which addresses one of textPlus’s known weak points.
textPlus vs Text Me on international calling, Text Me wins because its per-minute rates to many countries undercut textPlus significantly and you can pay only for what you use. textPlus wins if you want a single free tier with no credit purchasing at all.
Advantages:
- Free US, Canada, and UK numbers
- Cheap international call credits with no monthly commitment
- MMS and group messaging work across carriers
- Clean interface with fewer forced ads
Disadvantages:
- Free plan limits daily text volume
- Number expires without monthly login activity
- No desktop or web client
Pricing: Free with an ad-supported tier; international calls billed by credit purchase.
3. Hushed -- disposable numbers across 60+ countries
Hushed lets you pick a real local number in more than 60 countries, use it for a defined period — days, weeks, or months — and then let it expire cleanly. There is no permanent free number, but the entry-level short-term plans are inexpensive enough to be cost-effective for a single sign-up or a short trip abroad. The app includes encrypted messaging between Hushed users as a bonus.
textPlus vs Hushed on international numbers, Hushed wins outright because textPlus only offers US and Canadian numbers. textPlus wins on pure cost if you only need a domestic number and can tolerate ads.
Advantages:
- Numbers available in 60+ countries including most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America
- Short-term plans mean you pay only for the duration you need
- Encrypted in-app messaging between Hushed users
- No ads at any tier
Disadvantages:
- No permanently free number — every plan requires payment
- Numbers expire when the plan runs out
- VoIP range still blocked by many banks for 2FA
Pricing: Short-term numbers start at a few dollars; annual plans and unlimited bundles available.
4. Burner -- subscription lines with Slack and Zapier hooks
Burner gives you a real US or Canadian number on a subscription that stays active as long as you pay, and it goes further than any other app here by connecting your number to Slack channels and Zapier workflows. That makes it practical for small businesses handling customer enquiries or side projects where texts need to route into a team inbox. You can also “burn” a number and get a new one instantly if it gets spam.
textPlus vs Burner on business use, Burner wins because automation integrations and team-accessible inboxes turn a phone number into a lightweight CRM hook. textPlus wins if you have no workflow to connect and just need a personal number.
Advantages:
- Slack and Zapier integrations for team workflows
- Instant number replacement if a line gets compromised
- Clean, ad-free experience at all subscription tiers
- Voicemail transcription included
Disadvantages:
- No permanently free tier — 7-day trial only
- US and Canada coverage only
- Subscription cost adds up if you need multiple numbers simultaneously
Pricing: Subscription starting at a few dollars per month per line; 7-day free trial available.
5. Google Voice -- free permanent US number with full desktop sync
Google Voice assigns a permanent, free US number tied to your Google account and routes calls and texts across Android, iOS, and the web without any extra setup. Voicemail is transcribed automatically and delivered to Gmail. Because it is deeply integrated with Google Workspace, it is the easiest pick for anyone who already spends their day in Google’s apps.
textPlus vs Google Voice on permanence, Google Voice wins because the number never expires as long as the Google account stays active. textPlus wins for users outside the US who need a non-Google solution, since Voice is only available to US residents.
Advantages:
- Permanently free number with no activity expiry
- Full desktop web client at voice.google.com
- Voicemail transcription delivered to Gmail
- Syncs across all devices signed into the same Google account
Disadvantages:
- Available to US residents only — no international number options
- Requires a Google account, which some users prefer to avoid
- Porting an existing number to Voice costs a one-time fee
- 2FA reception still inconsistent with some financial apps
Pricing: Free for personal use; Google Workspace subscribers get additional features.
6. Talkatone -- free Wi-Fi calls and texts with no SIM required
Talkatone gives you a free US or Canadian number and lets you call and text over Wi-Fi or mobile data without needing a physical SIM. It is the go-to option for tablet users, travelers with Wi-Fi-only devices, and anyone who needs a working US number while abroad. The free tier is fully functional for basic calling and texting, with optional credits for landline calls.
textPlus vs Talkatone on SIM-free use, Talkatone wins because its call quality over Wi-Fi is more consistent and setup requires no credit card. textPlus wins if you are already invested in its contact list and do not want to switch apps.
Advantages:
- Works on Wi-Fi-only devices including tablets
- No SIM or credit card required to get started
- Free US and Canada calls and texts on the base tier
- Simple, low-clutter interface
Disadvantages:
- Ad-supported free tier with occasional interstitials
- Call quality drops noticeably on congested or slow Wi-Fi
- No international number options
- Limited MMS support compared to native carriers
Pricing: Free with ads; optional paid credits for extended landline calling.
7. MySudo -- up to 9 separate identities with number, email, and browser
MySudo is the most privacy-focused option in this list. Each “Sudo” is a complete digital identity: a real US or Canadian phone number, a dedicated email address, and a private browser session that does not share cookies with your other identities. You can create up to nine Sudos, which makes it practical for separating work, personal, and hobby personas. All calls and messages between MySudo users are end-to-end encrypted.
textPlus vs MySudo on privacy, MySudo wins decisively because the identity isolation is built into the product design rather than bolted on. textPlus wins on pure cost if you only need basic free texting with no privacy requirements.
Advantages:
- Up to 9 separate identities, each with its own number, email, and browser
- End-to-end encryption for calls and messages between MySudo users
- No ads at any tier
- Strong data-minimization policy — minimal personal information required to sign up
Disadvantages:
- Only one Sudo available on the free tier; more require a subscription
- US and Canadian numbers only
- Higher subscription cost than simpler second-number apps
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with multi-identity workflows
Pricing: One Sudo free; paid plans unlock additional Sudos and features, starting at a few dollars per month.
FAQ
Is TextNow a better alternative to textPlus?
For most free-tier users, yes. TextNow’s number does not recycle as aggressively, the ads are less intrusive, and the web inbox is a practical addition that textPlus lacks. The main limitation is the same as textPlus — US and Canada only — so if you need international numbers, look at Hushed instead.
What’s the most reliable free second phone number app?
Google Voice is the most reliable for long-term free use because the number is permanently tied to your Google account with no activity clock. TextNow is a strong second for users who want a free number without signing up for Google’s ecosystem.
Can I keep a second phone number permanently for free?
Google Voice and TextNow both offer permanent free numbers, but both require occasional activity to avoid reclamation. Google Voice accounts are tied to an active Google account, so the number survives as long as the account does. TextNow recycles numbers after extended inactivity — typically several months — so logging in periodically is enough to keep it.
Do banks accept textPlus-style VoIP numbers for SMS verification?
Most do not. US banks, payment processors, and major platforms like PayPal actively block VoIP number ranges from receiving one-time codes. This limitation applies to every app in this list, not just textPlus — they all use VoIP infrastructure. For bank 2FA, a physical SIM on a standard carrier is still the most reliable option.
What’s the best private burner number for a single sign-up?
Hushed is the cleaner choice for a one-off sign-up because you pick a short-term plan, use the number once, and let it expire without leaving a trace. Burner works too, but its 7-day trial is tied to account creation. For ongoing burner use with more control, MySudo’s first free Sudo covers a single identity with a permanent number.
