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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Talkatone vs TextNow

Talkatone 4.7★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner TextNow
TextNow 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

TextNow is generally a more reliable option for free calling and texting, despite some issues with call quality and verification codes, while Talkatone struggles with persistent bugs and poor customer support.

Full reviews: Talkatone · TextNow

TextNow and Talkatone both offer free calling and texting, but TextNow appears to be more consistent in its core functionality, though it has issues with verification codes and occasional call quality. Talkatone is plagued by frequent bugs, account access problems, and unresponsive customer support, making it a less reliable choice.

Head to head

Core Functionality (Calling & Texting) edge: TextNowR3R10R12R13
Talkatone Talkatone users frequently report issues with messages failing to send, even for premium subscribers, and calls cutting off or not connecting R3R10R12. Some users also experience problems with incoming calls and texts being limited or numbers being disabled for too many calls R13.
TextNow TextNow users generally find the app good for texting and calling, especially for those without a traditional phone number R68. However, some users report issues with messages not being received by others or not going through, and calls having poor quality or cutting out R61. There are also complaints about call duration limits .
Account Management & Reliability tieR1R6R7R8
Talkatone Many Talkatone users struggle with account registration errors, being locked out of their accounts, or encountering persistent server errors that make the app unusable R1R6R7R8. There are also complaints about numbers expiring if not used frequently R17.
TextNow TextNow users also face difficulties with account registration, with some unable to sign up due to email validation issues or white screens . Some users report being logged out and unable to log back in, encountering facial verification issues . There are also concerns about numbers being lost even when used within the stated timeframe .
Customer Support tieR4R6R7R36
Talkatone Talkatone receives numerous complaints about awful or non-existent customer support, with users receiving automated messages or no response after being locked out of accounts or experiencing technical issues R4R6R7R36.
TextNow TextNow users also report issues with customer support, stating they waited long periods for responses via email or chat, or found no one to help troubleshoot problems R61.
Features & User Experience tieR11R17R20R26
Talkatone Talkatone users appreciate the app for free calls and texts and as a second number for privacy R11R20R26. However, there are requests for features like FaceTime, call waiting, and the ability to check texts during a call R17. Users also mention an outdated design and lag .
TextNow TextNow is praised for being a helpful app for staying in touch without service and for offering a second number R68R77. Users frequently request FaceTime functionality . Some users find the app invasive due to new requirements like facial scanning .
Paid Features & Value tieR3R5R10R13
Talkatone Talkatone offers premium options, but users report that even with a subscription, messages still fail to send and calls are cut off R3R10R13. Some users feel the 'unlimited' claims are misleading R13. One review notes a bug allowing free calls for free users R5.
TextNow TextNow charges for receiving verification codes, which many users find frustrating for an app claiming to be free R64R111. Some paying customers still experience spam calls and ads, which they expect to disappear with a subscription . One review suggests TextNow is more expensive than Talkatone Light for similar features .
Pick Talkatone if

you prioritize a potentially lower-cost premium option and are willing to tolerate frequent bugs and poor customer support.

Pick TextNow if

you need a generally more reliable app for free calling and texting, even if it means paying for verification codes and dealing with occasional call quality issues.

Evidence note: Reviews for both apps highlight significant issues, especially around core functionality and customer support, making a clear distinction difficult. TextNow has a much larger user base and review count, which might skew its negative reviews to appear more numerous, but also suggests wider adoption and overall satisfaction (lifetime rating is higher).

Frequently asked

Do Talkatone and TextNow offer free calls and texts?
Yes, both Talkatone and TextNow offer free calls and texts, primarily over Wi-Fi, though users report limitations and occasional issues with both free and paid tiers R11R20R68R77.
Which app is better for receiving verification codes?
Neither app is ideal for receiving verification codes for free; TextNow explicitly charges weekly for this feature R64R111, while Talkatone users have requested the ability to consume credits for verification codes, implying it's not a standard free feature R38.
Do Talkatone and TextNow have good customer support?
No, both Talkatone and TextNow receive numerous complaints about poor or unresponsive customer support, with users often receiving automated messages or no help for critical account issues R4R7R40R61.
Can I use Talkatone or TextNow for international calls?
Talkatone is mentioned as good for calling friends abroad, though connection can be iffy and calls may cut off R33. TextNow's reviews do not specifically highlight international calling, focusing more on domestic use.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Talkatone 3/5 · US Message failure: Im using premium, but all of messages failed to send
  2. [R10] Talkatone 1/5 · US Waste time and money: Im using premium, but all of messages failed to send
  3. [R12] Talkatone 3/5 · US Fix your app.: I'm trying to text my group chat with my friends and it keeps saying "message failed" and it's been 1 week and isn't the limit supposed to reset after 24 hours ??? Stupid tbh but please fix it and make me be able to text
  4. [R13] Talkatone 2/5 · US Not unlimited: You can pay for unlimited and they will cut your calls off in four days. They claim you have to many incoming or to many outgoing calls
  5. [R1] Talkatone 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Can’t even register
  6. [R6] Talkatone 3/5 · US It worked at first: But after purchasing the pro option and reinstalling the app, I’ve been locked out of my account for over a week with no response from technical support.
  7. [R7] Talkatone 1/5 · US Persistent Server Error: As the title says, there are so many server errors that the app is practically unusable. Customer service, as usual, has been no help at all.
  8. [R8] Talkatone 5/5 · US Help me: I love this app making calls and texting ..I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it again. I can’t login keep saying unspecified error occurred try again . Any help please .
  9. [R4] Talkatone 1/5 · US Awful Support: They closed my account for no reason and won’t tell me why. I just get an automated message but not an actual answer. No customer service.
  10. [R36] Talkatone 3/5 · GB Normally it’s good: Normally it’s a very good app, calls are a bit iffy and voicemails don’t work but for some reason today I can’t even send a message or use my other phone to log into the app. I’ve tried to contact support but it isn’t working
  11. [R11] Talkatone 4/5 · US free call N text: works great for me as long you have good WI-FI
  12. [R17] Talkatone 4/5 · US Almost perfect: I love this app but I have 2 complaints. First, I wish the number didn’t expire when you don’t use it. I just find it really inconvenient. Second, I wish you could see the other person’s face like FaceTime. Other than those 2 complaints, this app is truly amazing and if you don’t mind not seeing the other person’s face or you use your phone number a lot, this is the perfect app for
  13. [R20] Talkatone 5/5 · US Amazing: Free and good to use🥹
  14. [R26] Talkatone 5/5 · US My review: This is so good if you don’t have a phone number I recommend it
  15. [R5] Talkatone 5/5 · US Bug: It’s good but there’s a bug where if your a free user and there’s a call me option on whatever app or website ruling a Talkatone phone number, it actually goes through without needing a subscription. Please fix this bug
  16. [R68] TextNow 5/5 · US Very helpful app: So hi am Amir I been using this app for about two weeks and it’s been very help and it’s a good app for calling android uses especially if you don’t have your own phone number i will recommend this to all my firends
  17. [R77] TextNow 5/5 · US Keeps me from losing opportunities: Very free and will have some ads but aside from that no problems! Little hiccups
  18. [R38] Talkatone 5/5 · US Functional suggestions: Hope it can consume credits to receive the verification code.
  19. [R64] TextNow 1/5 · US Want to love it: The call quality is okay but you have to be on WiFi. I don’t like that they charge you if you want to receive any type of verification code. This app charges weekly to get verification codes
  20. [R111] TextNow 1/5 · US 0 stars: You shouldn’t have to get a 2 dollar subscription to get a code that makes no sense on a app the clams to be free
  21. [R40] Talkatone 1/5 · US Phone: It stopped sending out my text. I bought two or three different lines. Still wouldn’t send out my text and no one has replied from customer service
  22. [R61] TextNow 1/5 · US Issue unresolved: I can’t receive calls and I can’t text. I’ve been waiting to hear back after I was told that they will email me. That was yesterday. Now I have been waiting on chat support for an hour and I am just wasting my time.
  23. [R33] Talkatone 3/5 · GB Why I like this app: This app is good for calling my friends from abroad I’m in the UK it’s a good connection sometimes it cuts off but it’s good one thing they need to add is a Apple Watch version there is parts where it cuts off or even stops working all in all I give it 3 stars!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store