textPlus: Text Message + Call

My first impression of textPlus is that it makes the most sense as a practical extra way to message and call, rather than as a wholesale replacement for a regular mobile plan. If you’re trying it for the first time, keep that distinction in mind: the app is built around internet-based communication and a second phone number, so your first useful test is a simple message or call over Wi-Fi. I’d start there before relying on it for anything time-sensitive.

It’s a free social app from textPlus, and its basic appeal is easy to understand: a separate number can help keep some conversations apart from your everyday line. The app has a 4.1 average from around 546,000 ratings, and it has been installed over 50 million times. Those figures suggest it has found a broad audience, but they don’t tell you whether it fits your particular contacts or network; a quick test with someone you know is more useful than assuming every call will behave the same way.

What is textPlus All About?

At its core, textPlus is a free messaging and calling app that lets you send texts and make calls using Wi-Fi. The idea is pretty straightforward: bypass those hefty phone bills and stay in touch for free or at a fraction of the usual cost. It’s a dream come true for anyone wanting to dodge expensive international charges.

Setting Up and Getting Started

Getting started with textPlus is a breeze. The app is available for both Android and iOS, so no one’s left out. Downloading it is as simple as hitting the link on your app store, and the installation is quick. Once installed, you’ll need to sign up, which involves entering your email and creating a password. Nothing fancy here, just the basics to get you rolling.

One of the coolest parts? You get your own unique phone number. Yes, that’s right. It’s like having a second line but without the extra charges. This feature is perfect if you need a separate number for work, dating, or just to keep things organized.

Features That Stand Out

Now, let’s dive into what really makes textPlus stand out in the crowded field of communication apps:

• Free Messaging: As expected, you can send unlimited texts within the US and Canada. It’s perfect for staying in touch with friends and family across the border without worrying about carrier charges.
• Calling Options: You can make free calls to other textPlus users. For non-textPlus numbers, there’s a small charge, but it’s significantly cheaper than traditional carriers.
• Customizable Features: The app offers a range of customization options, from ringtones to notification settings, letting you tailor the experience to your liking.
• International Reach: Need to call someone overseas? textPlus has you covered with affordable international rates.

How to Judge the First Call

For a first-time user, I’d treat the first call as a practical compatibility check, not a promise that every future call will be identical. Try it when both you and the person you’re contacting have a dependable internet connection, and keep the conversation short enough to notice whether the audio is clear and steady. If it works well, you have a real use case; if it doesn’t, check the connection before deciding the app itself is the problem.

It also helps to be clear about who you’re calling. A call to another textPlus user and a call to an ordinary phone number are not necessarily the same kind of transaction. Before dialing a non-user, check the app’s current calling terms and any displayed rate, particularly for an international number. That small pause is more useful than assuming every destination is covered on the same basis.

User Experience and Design

Once you’ve got the app up and running, you’ll notice the interface is pretty straightforward. It’s not cluttered with unnecessary features, which makes navigation a breeze. Everything is where you’d expect it to be, and the design is clean and modern.

"The minimalistic design is actually refreshing and makes the app easy to use even for the not-so-tech-savvy folks."

Messages are displayed in chat bubbles, similar to what you’d find in other popular messaging apps. It’s familiar territory, so you won’t have any trouble getting accustomed to it.

A Second Number That Has a Job

The separate number is most useful when you decide in advance what belongs on it. For example, you might use it for a temporary project, an online marketplace conversation, or a group that you don’t want mixed into your usual personal line. That boundary can make your daily messages easier to sort, but it only works if you tell the people who need the alternate number and check the app for replies.

I wouldn’t treat an app-based second number as a guaranteed substitute for a primary number used for every important account or urgent contact. If a service expects a particular kind of phone number, or a person needs to reach you in an emergency, use a method you already know they can contact reliably. textPlus is better as a deliberate extra channel than as the only route to you.

Performance and Reliability

In terms of performance, textPlus holds its ground quite well. Messages send quickly, and call quality is generally good, provided you have a decent Wi-Fi connection. Of course, like any app reliant on internet connectivity, your experience might vary based on your network conditions.

One thing to note is that the app occasionally displays ads, which can be a bit annoying. However, it’s a small price to pay for free messaging and calls, and you can opt to remove them with a paid subscription if they bother you too much.

Where It Fits Beside Other Messaging Apps

Compared with a familiar carrier line, textPlus offers a way to keep a second number without adding another standard line to your setup, but it depends on internet access for the experience described here. Compared with messaging apps that center on existing contacts or accounts, its clearest distinction is that separate number. That difference is useful when someone needs a number to text or call, while an app used by an existing group may be more convenient if everyone is already there.

There’s a trade-off in keeping both channels active: people may message the wrong number, and you’ll need to remember which conversations are in which inbox. I’d make the purpose of the extra line clear in your contacts and messages, rather than quietly shifting every conversation over. If your goal is simply to chat with friends who already use another service, adding another app may create more friction than value.

Costs, Ads, and a Sensible Trial

The app is free to install, but it also offers in-app purchases priced from $0.99 to $44.99 per item. That range makes it worth checking the specific purchase screen before spending: don’t assume a paid option is necessary for your needs, or that every kind of call is included in a free experience. I’d first try the kind of messaging you expect to use, then look at the exact terms for any call that could incur a charge.

Ads are another part of the decision. If you only open the app occasionally for a separate conversation, you may find them tolerable. If you expect it to become a daily messaging hub, interruptions can feel more noticeable, and you’ll have to decide whether a paid option is worthwhile to you. I wouldn’t pay just to remove ads until I knew I was keeping the app and using it regularly.

Who Should Try It—and Who Shouldn’t

I can see textPlus working well for someone who wants a distinct number for a side project, casual contacts, or conversations that are easier to keep separate from a main line. It can also suit people who often message across the US and Canada and want to see whether an internet-based option fits their routine. A useful everyday test is arranging a pickup: share the separate number with the other person, confirm they can reach you, and keep the exchange on that channel until the handoff is done.

I’d skip it as a primary communication tool if you need one dependable number for every contact, expect to be offline often, or don’t want to manage a second inbox. It’s also not the obvious choice if the people you need to reach already use another messaging app and are unlikely to contact a separate number. In those situations, the convenience of staying with your current phone service or shared app may outweigh the appeal of adding a line.

Final Thoughts

All in all, textPlus is a solid choice for anyone looking to cut down on their phone bills without sacrificing connectivity. Whether you’re reaching out to friends across the country or dialing up contacts overseas, this app offers a reliable and cost-effective solution.

Sure, it has its quirks, like those pesky ads, but the benefits far outweigh these minor inconveniences. Give it a shot, and you might just find it becomes your go-to app for staying in touch.

Ready to jump in? You can download textPlus from the app store and start exploring all it has to offer. Who knows, you might just find yourself wondering how you ever managed without it!

One last practical point: check that you have the right version for your device before installing. The current release is 8.3.2, and it supports Android 7.0 and later. The content rating is Everyone, which makes the app broadly suitable from an age-rating perspective, though parents should still decide whether a communication app and its contacts are appropriate for their family.

My recommendation is to begin with one low-stakes conversation, then decide whether the separate number genuinely simplifies your routine. If it does, keep the app for that specific purpose and let your contacts know when to use it. If it adds another inbox without solving a real problem, you can stick with the communication method you already trust.