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Uses T-Mobile’s network

TextNow Plans

An app-based carrier on T-Mobile's network built around a free, ad-supported tier with calling, texting, and data for essential apps: no contract, no credit check, with paid upgrades priced before ta

Independent · no pay-for-placement · Last reviewed September 14, 2026

Compass Value Score

Rated on verifiable cost & terms, not a review average.

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Plans from ~$24 /mo all-in, taxes est.

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TextNow plans compared

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$35.99 Unlimited

Monthly Prepaid Save ≈ $/mo

Data

Unlimited

Calls & Texts

Unlimited

International

Canada included

$35.99/mo

Monthly, no contract

+ taxes & fees

See offer

What you'll pay

Advertised plan price $35.99

Carrier recovery fee $0.00

Estimated taxes + $9.65

Est. monthly total ~$45.64/mo

vs. your $/mo bill

$8.99 Unlimited

Weekly Save ≈ $/mo

Data

Unlimited

Calls & Texts

Unlimited

International

Canada included

$8.99/wk

Billed $9/week

+ taxes & fees

See offer

What you'll pay

Effective monthly price $39.09

Carrier recovery fee $0.00

Estimated taxes + $10.48

Est. monthly total ~$49.57/mo

vs. your $/mo bill

See how much you could save

Tell us about your current plan to reveal your savings on every plan.

Current carrier

Lines

Data needed

Current bill

$18.99 Plus

Monthly Prepaid Save ≈ $/mo

Data

Unlimited

Calls & Texts

Unlimited

International

Canada included

$18.99/mo

Monthly, no contract

+ taxes & fees

See offer

What you'll pay

Advertised plan price $18.99

Carrier recovery fee $0.00

Estimated taxes + $5.09

Est. monthly total ~$24.08/mo

vs. your $/mo bill

$4.99 Plus

Weekly Save ≈ $/mo

Data

Unlimited

Calls & Texts

Unlimited

International

Canada included

$4.99/wk

Billed $5/week

+ taxes & fees

See offer

What you'll pay

Effective monthly price $21.70

Carrier recovery fee $0.00

Estimated taxes + $5.82

Est. monthly total ~$27.51/mo

vs. your $/mo bill

$0 Free Flex Plan

Monthly Prepaid Save ≈ $/mo

Data

—

Calls & Texts

Unlimited

International

Canada included

$0.00/mo

Monthly, no contract

+ taxes & fees

See offer

What you'll pay

Advertised plan price $0.00

Carrier recovery fee $0.00

Estimated taxes + $0.00

Est. monthly total ~$0.00/mo

vs. your $/mo bill

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Compare is full

Costs to know

TextNow fees & charges

Recovery / admin fee

$0.00

Government taxes & fees

Varies by state and city (estimated per plan in all-in pricing)

Varies

Emergency Access / e911

Varies by state, up to $2.60 or up to 10%, as applicable.

Fees are carrier policy and apply to most plans. Amounts may vary by plan; see individual plan pages for exact all-in estimates.

The rundown

About TextNow

Who they are

TextNow is an independent carrier built around an app, offering a free, ad-supported cellular tier with calling, texting, and a data allowance for essential apps, alongside paid high-speed data passes for those who want more. It’s distributed through the iOS and Android app stores, with a free eSIM download or a physical SIM by mail. Its whole pitch is free phone service supported by ads.

Network & coverage

TextNow runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, so coverage tracks T-Mobile’s footprint. Both the free and paid tiers include 5G and 4G LTE on a compatible device. One catch worth knowing: as a value service, TextNow data can be deprioritized behind T-Mobile’s own retail customers during congestion, which the free tier’s lighter data is more likely to feel.

How pricing works

TextNow’s headline is its free, ad-supported tier, which carries no monthly charge and no taxes since there’s nothing to tax; you get calling, texting, and a data allowance aimed at essential apps. Paid upgrades, including a monthly unlimited plan and short-term data passes, are priced before taxes and fees. There’s no contract and no autopay requirement, and you can drop back to the free tier anytime with no penalty.

Who it’s for

TextNow suits budget-focused users who mainly need talk, text, and light data and are fine seeing ads in exchange for a free phone line, especially anyone keeping a backup or low-cost second number. It is less suited to heavy data users or anyone who wants ad-free service, in-person support, or top-priority speeds. The alternatives below are worth a look if a fuller paid plan is your priority.

Common questions

What network does TextNow use?

TextNow runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, so coverage tracks T-Mobile’s footprint. Both free and paid tiers include 5G on a compatible device. As a value service, TextNow data can slow behind T-Mobile’s own customers during congestion.

Can I bring my own phone, and does it use a physical SIM or eSIM?

Yes. TextNow supports unlocked compatible phones and offers a free eSIM download for recent iOS and Android devices, plus physical SIM kits by mail.

Can I keep my phone number when I switch?

Yes. You can port your existing number into TextNow when you set up your line.

Does TextNow require a credit check?

No. There’s no credit check, since the service is free or prepaid.

Is there a contract, and what does it cost if I cancel?

There’s no contract and no cancellation fee. You can change tiers or drop back to the free service at any time without penalty.

Are there activation or SIM fees, and are taxes included in the price?

eSIM activation is free, while a physical SIM kit carries a small delivery charge. The free service has no taxes to add, since it’s free, and paid upgrades are priced before taxes and fees.

Is autopay required to get the advertised price?

No. Autopay isn’t required to keep the free tier or to get the standard paid pricing.

What does TextNow's free plan include?

The free, ad-supported tier gives you calling and texting plus a data allowance aimed at essential apps, the kind used for maps, email, rideshare, banking, and similar everyday tasks. Heavier browsing and streaming generally need one of the paid data passes.

Does TextNow work without Wi-Fi?

Yes. With a TextNow SIM or eSIM active, calling, texting, and the included essential-app data run directly over the cellular network, so you don’t need Wi-Fi.

Coverage

Network performance

Typical speeds, all networks

5-75 mbps

Upload 1-15 mbps · Latency 100-250 ms

Typical real-world speeds on TextNow’s network, sourced from FCC Broadband Facts labels. Actual speeds vary by location, network congestion, and device.

How we rate this carrier

Why TextNow scores 7.6 out of 10

The Compass Value Score is a single 0 to 10 rating of what a carrier actually costs and what its terms commit you to. It’s built from verifiable pricing and contract data, not review sentiment.

Value · 35% 9.1

Low monthly cost once taxes and fees are counted

Cost transparency · 25% 7.0

No recovery fee

Flexibility · 20% 8.0

No contract

Inclusions · 15% 4.5

No perks bundled carrier-wide; extras depend on the individual plan

Network standing · 5% 7.0

Runs on T-Mobile’s network; data may slow when towers are busy

What reviewers say

Independent reviews

Assessments from professional and specialist reviewers, shown separately from our Compass Value Score. That score rates verifiable cost and terms, not review sentiment.

Independent coverage

8 sources

Reviewed across professional and specialist publications.

How this fits our Value Score →

PC Magazine 5.0

“TextNow is cheaper than its rivals with its 500MB plan, but has more competition at higher data amounts. The carrier offers 1GB of data for $26.99 per month. That's on par with the 1GB from Republic Wireless at $25/month. Project Fi starts at $30 for 1GB a month. Ting and Consumer Cellular are considerably more expensive at this usage level. TextNow does have built-in subsidies for many of its devices, which may make it cheaper to use if you don't have your own phone to bring.”

Tom’s Guide 7.0

“It's not a perfect replacement for a full-blown carrier, but for those who are heavily dependent on texting and want the option of making calls over a cellular connection, TextNow is an affordable choice. I especially liked being able to use my number to text and call my friends from any other device, and the carrier offers a wider smartphone selection than its competitors. However, calls didn't connect consistently enough, and I experienced issues when moving from cellular to Wi-Fi and vice versa.”

PhoneArena 8.0

“Ultimately, though, we find TextNow’s service as an intriguing prospect that’ll surely make you think twice about what you have. Current Sprint and T-Mobile customers, in addition to the handful of customers using their prepaid services, will really have to think about making the switch considering the unbelievable savings that’s at stake here. However, for those comfortable and rely on the excellent LTE coverage from AT&T and Verizon, it might be tough to make the plunge and switch. Nevertheless, this model is the way service should be done going forward!”

WhistleOut 8.0

“TextNow's prices are cheap--very cheap. Not being entirely beholden to a larger carrier's network for cellular service allows the company to undercut the competition, so some of TextNow's plans are the absolute least expensive on the market.”

Pocketnow

“TextNow offers the right service for the right price for some people, and if you’re a person who simply needs a smartphone – but doesn’t have to hammer its data allowance outside an area with WiFi – you may want to give it a shot. I, for one, can’t quite live with just 4 or so gigabytes of data a month, and my active lifestyle means that spotty coverage is something I can’t live with either. But for an older person I know, or perhaps a young student, the combination of price and features would make it a quick recommendation.”

Community

Questions about TextNow

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Alternatives

Also on T-Mobile’s network

These carriers use the same T-Mobile towers, so coverage is similar. What differs: data priority, perks, and support.

All carriers →

Support

Contact & support

Official website 226-476-1578 Manage account Coverage map

Follow TextNow

Coverage tracks T-Mobile’s network. Verify your address on the official coverage map before switching.

1 Sutter Street, Suite 800 San Francisco, CA 94104, United States

Accuracy notice: TextNow details are sourced from TextNow’s website and updated periodically. Pricing, features, and availability can change without notice. View our full disclaimer →

To ensure accuracy, this page has been reviewed and fact-checked by Carl Perlas, Jon Stone and Branden S. as part of our editorial review process. Learn how we score.

Last updated: September 14, 2026 · See an error? Report it