Fongo VS TextNow

Compare Fongo VS TextNow and see what are their differences

VoIPstudio

VoIPstudio is an award-winning VoIP system that offers businesses of all sizes a scalable communication solution. It’s inexpensive, easy-to-use, offers a full suite of PBX features, and is fully integrated for CRM. featured

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Fongo

free VoIP app - free Canadian phone number

TextNow

TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides a free phone service to users by using other cellular networks coverage.

Landing page //
2022-06-20

Landing page //
2023-09-12

Fongo

Website: fongo.com
Pricing URL: Official Fongo Pricing

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TextNow

Website: enflick.com
Pricing URL: -

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Fongo features and specs

Low Cost
Fongo offers a free-to-use app that provides calling, texting, and voicemail services, thus making it cost-effective for users, especially those in Canada.
Canada-wide Free Calling
Users can make free calls to most Canadian cities, which benefits users looking to save money on long-distance charges within the country.
Data-based Service
Fongo relies on internet data instead of traditional cellular networks, which may be advantageous for individuals with strong Wi-Fi or data plans.
Voicemail Included
The service includes voicemail without additional charges, providing essential features for free.
Multiple Device Support
The app can be installed on multiple devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing users flexibility in how they use the service.

Possible disadvantages of Fongo

Dependent on Internet Connection
Fongo requires a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or when data is consumed rapidly.
Not Suitable for Emergency Calls
Due to its VoIP nature, Fongo may not be as reliable for emergency calls compared to traditional mobile networks.
Limited to Canada for Free Calling
While free calling is available across Canada, international calls and texts typically incur charges.
Potential Quality Issues
Call quality can be inconsistent, especially in areas with weak Wi-Fi or mobile data connections, resulting in dropped calls or lag.
Ads in the Free Version
The free version of the app is ad-supported, which might affect user experience unless a premium version is purchased.

TextNow features and specs

Free Communication
TextNow offers free texting and calling services using a WiFi connection, which can significantly reduce communication costs for users without traditional cellular plans.
Versatile Platform
They provide apps for both iOS and Android, as well as a web-based interface, giving users flexibility in how they send texts and make calls.
Voicemail and Number Porting
TextNow includes features like voicemail and the ability to port an existing phone number, making the transition to their service more seamless.
Ad-Supported Free Version
Users can opt for a free tier that is ad-supported, providing essential services without any cost.

Possible disadvantages of TextNow

Advertisement Intrusion
The free version comes with advertisements, which can be disruptive and diminish the user experience.
Caller ID Limitations
The caller ID may not display correctly or may appear as 'Unknown' when calling, which could be problematic in professional or urgent situations.
Quality of Calls
Call quality might not be consistent, especially when relying on a weaker or less stable WiFi connection.
Privacy Concerns
As with many free services, there are concerns regarding user data privacy, since the service is ad-supported which may involve data sharing with third-party advertisers.

Analysis of TextNow

Overall verdict

Whether TextNow is good for you depends on your specific needs. It is generally well-regarded for those seeking budget-friendly telecommunications solutions. However, some users may experience issues related to customer service or occasional call quality, which can be significant depending on personal priorities.

Why this product is good

TextNow is a popular communication app offering free and low-cost phone services. It provides users with the ability to make calls, send texts, and access voicemail without a traditional cell phone plan. Many users appreciate its affordability, flexibility, and no-contract nature. Its additional features, such as Wi-Fi calling and compatibility with both iOS and Android devices, contribute to its appeal.

Recommended for

TextNow is recommended for individuals looking for a cost-effective alternative to traditional cell phone plans, people who primarily use Wi-Fi for communication, and those who need a secondary phone number for privacy or business purposes.

Fongo videos

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Fongo Review - Free Calls, Phone Number and Voicemail!

TextNow videos

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TextNow Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Fongo and TextNow)

Fongo

TextNow

Communication

25 25%

Communication

75% 75

Group Chat & Notifications

32 32%

Group Chat & Notifications

68% 68

Online Services

29 29%

Online Services

71% 71

VoIP

0 0%

VoIP

100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Fongo and TextNow. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Fongo seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Fongo mentions (4)

Anyone managed to find a linux SIP softphone that works with freephoneline.ca or fongo.com?
Presumably you mean linphone. You got freephoneline.ca or fongo.com working on linphone? If so, what are your settings, because simply filling in username, password and voip server is not working with those two on linphone, although can easily register voip.ms accounts. Source: about 2 years ago
[Linux] SIP/VoIP softphone with GUI that works well with most commercial SIP/VoIP services?
May actually try to figure out what is going on with freephoneline.ca using Wireshark some time. It has been notoriously finicky and unreliable for the last couple of years as the company tries to push everyone with a freephonline.ca account to switch to fongo.com. Source: about 2 years ago
Canadian DNs, what's your current mobile operator setup and the price?
Fongo.com Canada-based, porting existing number or getting a new one, starting from 5$/mo. Source: about 2 years ago
Home phone inexpensive option - found
My wife refuses to have a cell phone so we've been keeping the home phone going. Currently towards the end of a 2 year contract with Shaw for phone plus other services. Decided to look for other options and came across a company called fongo.com that is $4.95/mo with unlimited calling to Canada and the USA. You can purchase inexpensive credits for calling anywhere in the world as well. The first bill is $55... Source: over 2 years ago

TextNow mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of TextNow yet. Tracking of TextNow recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Fongo and TextNow, you can also consider the following products

Talkatone - Android App on. Google Play. Stop paying for cell minutes, texts & landlines; Turn your iPad or iPod touch into a phone; Call/Text even in areas with bad cell coverage; Call/Text when travelling without paying for expensive international minutes.

Sipdroid - Free and open-source SIP/VoIP Client

TextMe - TextMe is a free calls and messaging application at both local and international levels.

Freetone - Freetone is a free texting and calling application.

textPlus - textPlus lets you send and receive text messages without the need for a data plan.

Zoiper - Cross-platform VoIP softphone dialer for SIP and IAX systems