7 Best Free Texting and Calling Apps of 2026

The best free texting and calling app depends on how you want to stay connected.

Maybe you want a free phone number. Maybe you need Wi-Fi calling or texting without a phone plan. Or maybe you just want an app that works with the people you already talk to.

Here’s our honest take on the best free texting and calling apps of 2026, including what each one does best and why.

Quick Answer: Best Free Texting and Calling Apps

• TextFree for standard U.S. and Canada texting and calling
• TextNow for optional cellular service
• Google Voice for Google ecosystem users
• WhatsApp for encrypted app-to-app communication
• Facebook Messenger for social network-based messaging
• TextMe for texting with multiple phone numbers
• text+ / TextPlus for flexible paid calling options

How We Chose the Best Texting and Calling Apps

We chose the top free texting and calling apps based on how useful they are for everyday communication.

To make the list, we looked at whether each app offers:

• A free phone number
• Free texting and calling
• Wi-Fi calling or mobile data support
• The ability to text and call standard numbers
• App-to-app messaging and calling
• Easy setup and account requirements
• Desktop or web access
• International texting or calling options
• Useful extras like voicemail, spam tools, or number reservation
• A free plan that is actually usable

We also considered who each app is best for. Some apps are better for texting standard phone numbers. Others are better for app-to-app messaging, international calls, multiple numbers, or users already in a specific ecosystem.

Our goal was not to pick one app that is perfect for everyone. It was to compare the best free texting and calling apps by use case, so you can choose the one that fits how you actually communicate.

The Best Free Texting and Calling Apps of 2026

Take a closer look at the best free texting and calling apps, and why they made the list.

1. TextFree — Best for Standard Texting and Calling (U.S. and Canada)

TextFree is our top pick if you want a free phone number you can use to text and call standard numbers.

With TextFree, you get a free U.S. or Canadian phone number that works over Wi-Fi or mobile data. That means you can send texts and make calls without a traditional phone plan or SIM card.

The biggest difference is that the other person does not need to use TextFree. You can text and call standard mobile numbers, which makes it more flexible than app-to-app messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

TextFree is especially useful if you want:

• A free U.S. or Canadian phone number
• Free texting and calling over Wi-Fi
• Desktop, tablet, and mobile access
• A simple app for everyday texting and calling
• A second number for work, school, privacy, or online accounts

TextFree also includes helpful features like voicemail, voicemail transcription, spam call identification, and Auto-Reply. Plus, it supports free outbound texts to 30+ countries and can receive texts from anywhere.

Keep in mind: Free numbers expire after 30 days of inactivity. Upgrading to TextFree Plus lets you keep your number forever, receive 2FA codes, and more.

2. TextNow — Best for Optional Cellular Service

TextNow is a strong fit if you want a free texting and calling app that can also work more like a phone plan.

Like TextFree, TextNow gives you a free phone number for texting and calling over Wi-Fi. The biggest difference is that TextNow also offers optional cellular service through a SIM or eSIM, which can help you stay connected when Wi-Fi is not available.

TextNow is especially useful if you want:

• A free U.S. or Canadian phone number
• Free texting and calling over Wi-Fi
• Optional SIM or eSIM cellular service
• Cross-device access on mobile and desktop
• International calling options through paid credits

TextNow makes sense for people who want more connectivity options than a Wi-Fi-only texting app. It can be especially helpful if you do not always have reliable Wi-Fi and want the option to add cellular access directly through the app.

Keep in mind: Some features, including verification-code support and certain international calling options, require paid upgrades or credits.

3. Google Voice — Best for Google Ecosystem Users

Google Voice is a good option if you already use Google products and don’t mind a more identity-based setup process.

With Google Voice, you can text and call over Wi-Fi or mobile data, manage voicemail, and forward calls to another number. It’s suited for people who already use Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Workspace.

Google Voice is especially useful if you want:

• A U.S. phone number
• Free domestic texting and calling
• Call forwarding
• Desktop and mobile access

The biggest tradeoff is setup. You need a Google account and an existing U.S. phone number to use Google Voice. And as of January 30, 2026, requesting a Google Voice number also requires identity verification with a government-issued ID.

Keep in mind: Google Voice does not offer Canadian numbers, does not support outbound international texting, and international calls require paid credits.

4. WhatsApp — Best for Encrypted App-to-App Messaging

WhatsApp is best if you want free messaging and calling with people who already use WhatsApp.

Unlike free phone number apps, WhatsApp does not give you a new number. Instead, it uses your existing phone number to create an account. From there, you can message, call, video call, and join group chats with other WhatsApp users over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

WhatsApp is especially useful if you want:

• Free app-to-app messaging
• Free voice and video calls with other WhatsApp users
• End-to-end encrypted personal messages and calls
• International communication with people who already use WhatsApp
• Mobile, desktop, and web access

You cannot use WhatsApp to text or call standard phone numbers the way you can with apps like TextFree, TextNow, or Google Voice.

Keep in mind: WhatsApp requires an existing phone number to sign up, does not give you a new phone number, and cannot receive SMS verification codes from other apps directly inside WhatsApp.

5. Facebook Messenger — Best for Social Network-Based Messaging

Facebook Messenger is a good option if you already use Facebook and want a simple way to communicate with people in your network.

Like WhatsApp, Messenger is built around app-to-app communication. You can send messages, start group chats, make voice or video calls, and share photos, videos, links, and voice messages over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Facebook Messenger is especially useful if you want:

• Free app-to-app messaging
• Free voice and video calls with Facebook contacts
• Desktop and mobile access
• Easy communication with people you’re already connected to on Facebook

Facebook Messenger does not work like a standard texting app, so you can’t use it to text or call regular phone numbers outside Messenger.

Keep in mind: Messenger works best when the people you want to reach also use Facebook or Messenger. If you need a free phone number for texting and calling standard numbers, an app like TextFree, TextNow, or Google Voice may be a better fit.

6. TextMe — Best for Multiple Free Phone Numbers

TextMe is a strong option if you want a free texting app with multi-number availability.

Unlike apps that focus on one free number, TextMe lets users manage multiple numbers in one account. It also offers select international number options, which can be useful if you want a number from outside the U.S. or Canada.

TextMe is especially useful if you want:

• Multiple phone numbers in one app
• Free app-to-app messaging and calling
• Video calls with other TextMe users
• Texting and calling over Wi-Fi or mobile data
• Mobile, tablet, and desktop access

Keep in mind: Some calling and texting features require credits, earned minutes, or a paid plan. If you mainly want one simple number for standard U.S. and Canadian texting and calling, other free texting apps may be easier to manage.

7. TextPlus — Best for Flexible Paid Calling Options

text+, also known as TextPlus, is a good fit if you mainly text from your phone and want the option to add paid calling features when you need them.

With text+, you can get a free U.S. or Canadian phone number for texting over Wi-Fi or mobile data. It also supports free app-to-app calls with other text+ users, along with paid calling options for standard domestic and international numbers.

text+ is especially useful if you want:

• A free U.S. or Canadian phone number
• Free texting in the U.S. and Canada
• Free app-to-app calling with other text+ users
• Paid calling credits for standard numbers
• À la carte upgrades for things like ad removal or number retention

Keep in mind: Standard outbound calls may require credits or Premium, and text+ does not currently offer a dedicated official desktop or web messaging app.

FAQs: Best Free Texting and Calling Apps