What Is the TextMe App? TextMe vs. TextFree Compared

If you’re looking for a free texting app or a second phone number, TextMe and TextFree are two options you’ll likely come across.

Both apps let you get a free phone number for texting and calling over Wi-Fi or mobile data—without a traditional carrier plan or SIM card. However, they differ in key areas like multi-number availability, international number options, free calling requirements, and more.

In this guide, we’ll compare TextFree vs. TextMe across core capabilities and features to help you decide which option is right for you. 

Quick Answer: TextMe vs. TextFree

• Best for carrying multiple numbers in one app: TextMe
• Best for getting an international number: TextMe
• Best for free calling without earning or buying credits: TextFree
• Best free plan for everyday texting and calling: TextFree

Bottom line: Choose TextFree if you want a simpler free phone number app with robust built-in texting and calling features, including free calling to standard U.S. and Canadian numbers without watching promotional videos, participating in offers, or purchasing credits.

Choose TextMe if your contacts already use TextMe, or if you want multiple numbers, an international number, or broader calling options through credits.

What TextMe and TextFree Have in Common

Both of these popular free texting apps offer:

• Free phone numbers
• VOIP-based texting & calling over Wi-Fi or mobile data
• SMS and MMS messaging
• Group messaging
• Voicemail
• Access across iOS, Android, tablets, and desktop
• Ad-supported free plans
• Optional paid plans for number reservation and ad removal

Important note: TextFree includes unlimited texting and calling to the U.S. and Canada on its free plan, while TextMe requires an upgrade to its Premium plan for the same features.

What is TextFree?

Developed by Pinger, TextFree is a free phone number app with over 130 million downloads. It gives you a real U.S. or Canadian number for unlimited texting and calling over an internet connection.

The TextFree app stands out most for what it includes on its free plan. You can text, call, manage voicemail, send rich media, block unwanted contacts, identify spam calls, auto-reply to missed calls and texts, and more—all for free.

TextFree Pros

• Free U.S. or Canadian phone number
• Unlimited free texts in the U.S. and Canada
• Free international texts to 30+ countries, plus inbound texts from anywhere
• Free calls to standard U.S. and Canadian numbers without relying on credits
• Works across iOS, Android, tablets, and desktop browsers
• Free numbers expire after 30 days of inactivity (longer than TextMe’s 15-day window)
• Includes free voicemail transcription & custom auto-reply to missed calls and texts

TextFree Cons

• 2FA code support requires a paid plan
• No multiple-number management within the app
• No international phone number option
• Limited free outbound international calling (available only to U.S., Canada, Mexico, India, and Singapore)

Who Should Use TextFree?

Choose TextFree if you:

• Want one simple U.S. or Canadian number for everyday texting and calling
• Need unlimited free calls to standard U.S. and Canadian numbers
• Don’t want to buy credits or rely on credit-earning offers to make calls

Best for: Users who want a straightforward free texting app, without managing multiple numbers, international number purchases, or credit-based calling.

What is TextMe?

TextMe is a free texting and calling app from TextMe Inc. that gives users a free phone number for communicating over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

The TextMe app is especially useful for people who want phone number flexibility. Users can carry multiple numbers under one account, get international numbers from select countries, and call or text other TextMe users without using credits.

TextMe Pros

• Free phone number from U.S., Canada, UK, and other international options
• Option to carry multiple numbers in one app
• Supports outbound texts to 40+ countries
• Free app-to-app voice calls, video calls, and texts with other TextMe users
• Works across iOS, Android, tablets, and desktop browsers

TextMe Cons

• Need to pay for unlimited calls and texts to U.S. & Canadian numbers 
• Calls to landline or mobile numbers in many countries may require credits or earned minutes
• Free numbers expire after 15 days of inactivity
• Verification-code support is limited
• No free voicemail transcription or call forwarding to voicemail
• No built-in spam call identifier

Who Should Use TextMe?

Choose TextMe if you:

• Want to carry multiple numbers in one app
• Need the option to get an international number
• Mainly call or text other people who also use TextMe

Best for: Users who want international phone number options or multi-number availability, and who need broader paid international calling options.

TextFree vs. TextMe: Feature Comparison

TextFree and TextMe share core features, but they differ most in how they handle calling credits, multiple numbers, international numbers, and free-plan extras.

Explore the full TextFree features page for a deeper dive into the benefits not covered in this comparison.

 Is TextMe or TextFree Better for Free Texting?

Both TextMe and TextFree are strong options for a free texting app.

TextFree is a good fit if you want simple, unlimited texting. It includes:

• Unlimited free texting in the U.S. and Canada
• Free outbound texts to 30+ countries
• Inbound texts from anywhere
• SMS, MMS, picture messaging, and group messaging
• Web, mobile, and tablet access

TextMe also supports texting to standard numbers, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and 40+ countries. However, unlimited calls and texts within the U.S. and Canada are unlocked through Premium, so free usage may come with limits.

Bottom line: TextFree is stronger if you want unlimited U.S./Canada texting included on the free plan. TextMe is still a solid texting app, especially for app-to-app messaging and supported international destinations, but unlimited U.S./Canada calls and texts require Premium.

Which App Is Better for Free Calling?

TextFree is better for calling standard phone numbers for free. TextMe is better if most of your calls are to other TextMe users.

With TextFree, you can call:

• All standard U.S. and Canadian numbers for free, without limits
• Select international countries, including Mexico, India, and Singapore
• Without buying credits or relying on credit-earning offers

With TextMe, calling works a little differently:

• Calls to landlines or mobile numbers may require credits, earned minutes, or Premium
• Unlimited calls to U.S. and Canadian numbers require Premium
• Worldwide calls to other TextMe users are free

Bottom line: Go with TextFree if you want free calling to U.S. and Canadian numbers without worrying about credits. Use TextMe if you mainly call other TextMe users or want broader international calling options through credits.

Which is the Better Free Phone Number App?

The main difference is that TextFree focuses on one easy-to-manage U.S. or Canadian number, while TextMe offers more ways to add and manage numbers, including multiple numbers and international numbers.

*TextMe offers international phone numbers from select countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Mauritius, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Bottom line: Choose TextFree if you want one easy-to-manage U.S. or Canadian number with a longer inactivity window. Choose TextMe if you want to manage multiple numbers or get an international number.

TextMe vs. TextFree: Privacy & Data

TextFree and TextMe are both VoIP-based apps, which means they use the internet, SMS, and calling technology to help users text and call from a second phone number.

They also have some important privacy and data similarities:

• Both apps offer ad-supported free plans
• Both collect data to operate their services, improve performance, support security, and serve ads
• Neither app is a replacement for end-to-end encrypted messaging

The main difference is Spam Call ID. TextFree includes spam call identification for free, so users can spot potential spam calls without upgrading. TextMe does not currently offer Spam Call ID, though users can still block numbers and access additional spam-related tools through paid options.

Bottom line: Both apps are comparable when it comes to privacy and data considerations. However, TextFree has the edge if you want free spam call ID.

TextFree vs. TextMe Pricing

Both apps are free to download and use, with paid options available if you want no ads, premium features, or reserved numbers.

TextFree Pricing Plans

TextMe Pricing Plans

Bottom line: TextMe offers more paid options around calling credits, specific feature subscriptions, and add-ons. However, TextFree has the simpler paid upgrade: TextFree Plus includes ad removal, number reservation, verification-code support, and extra spam tools in one plan for $9.99/month.

Final Verdict: TextMe vs. TextFree

Both TextFree and TextMe are strong free texting apps, offering ways to call and text without a traditional carrier plan.

Final takeaway:

• Go with TextFree if you want one simple U.S. or Canadian number for everyday texting and calling, with unlimited U.S./Canada texting and standard calling included on the free plan.
• Go with TextMe if you want multi-number availability, international number options, app-to-app video calling, or broader calling/texting options through Premium, credits, or paid plans.

FAQs about TextMe vs. TextFree