Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SMS Textr VS Textnow.com

Compare SMS Textr VS Textnow.com and see what are their differences

SMS Textr logo SMS Textr

SMS Textr makes SMS integration easy with its reliable, pay-as-you-go API.

Textnow.com logo Textnow.com

It lets you text your friends, aka my only source of happiness
  • SMS Textr
    Image date //
    2024-11-29
  • SMS Textr
    Image date //
    2024-11-29

SMS Textr: Affordable, Pay-As-You-Go SMS API for Businesses and Developers

SMS Textr is a simple and reliable SMS API designed for businesses and developers looking for an affordable solution to send SMS messages programmatically. With no monthly subscriptions or hidden fees, SMS Textr offers a pay-as-you-go model, making it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and developers.

Key Features Pay-As-You-Go Pricing: Only pay for the SMS messages you send. Easy Integration: A developer-friendly API that works seamlessly with your applications. Transparent Dashboard: Track credits, usage, and billing in real time. North America Focus: Specialized for sending SMS to over 10 countries. No Hidden Fees: Simple pricing with no unnecessary costs. Whether youโ€™re running a small business or developing a new app, SMS Textr provides the tools you need to communicate effectively with your customers without breaking the bank.

Learn more and get started at https://smstextr.web.app.

  • Textnow.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-09

SMS Textr

$ Details
paid Free Trial $3.0 / One-off (50 SMS Credits)
Release Date
2024 November
Startup details
Country
United States
Employees
1 - 9

Textnow.com

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
2009 January
Startup details
Country
Canada
State
Ontario
City
Waterloo
Founder(s)
Derek Ting
Employees
100 - 249

SMS Textr features and specs

  • Pay-As-You-Go Pricing
    No subscription fees or monthly minimums. You only pay for the SMS messages you send.
  • Simple API Integration
    Easy-to-use API that allows seamless integration with your web or mobile applications. Perfect for developers of all levels.
  • Transparent Dashboard
    A user-friendly dashboard to manage and track your SMS credits, usage, and billing details in real-time.
  • Scalability
    Whether you're sending 100 messages or 10,000, SMS Textr scales effortlessly to meet your growing needs.

Textnow.com features and specs

  • Free Phone Number and Text
    TextNow provides users with a free phone number that can be used for texting and calling within the U.S. and Canada, helping users save on communication costs.
  • Wi-Fi Calling
    The service allows users to make calls over Wi-Fi, which can be beneficial for those in areas with poor cellular reception.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    TextNow is available on various platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers, providing users with flexibility in how they access their messages and calls.
  • Affordable Premium Options
    TextNow offers premium plans at competitive prices, which include additional features like ad-free experiences and voicemail transcription.
  • Free Voicemail
    Users get access to a voicemail feature without additional charges, allowing them to receive and manage voice messages conveniently.

Possible disadvantages of Textnow.com

  • Ad-Supported Free Version
    The free version of TextNow includes ads, which can be distracting and may hinder the user experience for some people.
  • Limited International Calling
    While domestic services are free, international calling may incur charges, limiting its usefulness for users needing frequent global communication.
  • Variable Call Quality
    The quality of calls can vary depending on Wi-Fi or network conditions, leading to inconsistent call experiences.
  • Data and Privacy Concerns
    As with many free services, there are concerns about how TextNow handles user data and privacy, especially given that the app relies on ads.
  • Features Locked Behind Paywall
    Some of the more useful features, such as ad removal and call forwarding, require a premium subscription.

Analysis of Textnow.com

Overall verdict

  • TextNow.com is a good option for those seeking an affordable alternative to traditional phone plans, particularly users who primarily need texting and Wi-Fi calls. Its ad-supported model allows for free basic services, although users should be aware of potential privacy concerns related to data collection.

Why this product is good

  • TextNow.com offers free texting and calling services through an app, making it appealing to those who want to save money on communication costs. It provides a user-friendly interface and is accessible across various devices including smartphones and web browsers. The app is especially beneficial for individuals who frequently communicate internationally, as it can significantly reduce the costs associated with long-distance calls.

Recommended for

  • People looking to save money on texting and calling services.
  • Individuals who often travel or communicate internationally.
  • Users who have reliable Wi-Fi access and prefer using digital communication tools.
  • Those who don't mind ads in exchange for free services.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SMS Textr and Textnow.com)
Communication
11 11%
89% 89
APIs
100 100%
0% 0
Group Chat & Notifications
SMS
100 100%
0% 0

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing SMS Textr and Textnow.com.

What makes your product unique?

SMS Textr's answer

SMS Textr is a pay-as-you-go SMS API tailored for businesses and developers, offering affordable, no-subscription messaging within the USA and Canada. With a simple API, transparent dashboard, and no hidden fees, itโ€™s the perfect solution for cost-conscious users.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

SMS Textr's answer

A person should choose SMS Textr over competitors because it offers a pay-as-you-go model with no subscriptions or hidden fees, making it more affordable for small businesses and developers. Additionally, its simple API, transparent dashboard, and focus on reliable SMS delivery within the USA and Canada ensure a seamless, cost-effective experience.

How would you describe your primary audience?

SMS Textr's answer

The primary audience for SMS Textr includes:

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

Owners looking for a cost-effective, no-subscription solution to communicate with customers via SMS without overpaying for features they donโ€™t need. Developers and Startups

Tech-savvy individuals or teams seeking a simple, developer-friendly API to integrate SMS functionality into their applications, projects, or services. Budget-Conscious Users

Businesses and developers prioritizing affordability and transparency, particularly those operating in the USA and Canada. Marketers and Customer Support Teams

Professionals who need a reliable SMS service for campaigns, alerts, or customer engagement without recurring costs. This audience values affordability, simplicity, and reliable service, making SMS Textr an ideal choice for their needs.

What's the story behind your product?

SMS Textr's answer

The story behind SMS Textr is rooted in the desire to create a simple, affordable, and reliable SMS API solution for developers and businesses. It began with the realization that many existing SMS providers were either too expensive, complicated, or burdened users with unnecessary subscription fees and features they didnโ€™t need.

The mission was clear: to offer a pay-as-you-go SMS API that removes the barriers for small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and developers who need a straightforward way to send SMS messages programmatically. SMS Textr was built with a focus on transparency, affordability, and ease of use, providing only what users truly needโ€”reliable SMS delivery within the USA and Canada.

By prioritizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness, SMS Textr empowers businesses and developers to communicate with their audiences without overspending, making it a go-to solution for those looking to scale efficiently.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

SMS Textr's answer

SMS Textr is built using the following primary technologies:

Node.js Used for building the backend API, providing a fast and scalable environment for handling SMS requests and integrating with other services for SMS delivery.

Firebase Firebase is used for user authentication (via Firebase Authentication) and real-time data management (using Firebase Realtime Database) for tracking SMS history, credits, and billing details.

Express.js A lightweight framework built on Node.js, used to set up the backend server and handle HTTP requests for sending SMS and processing payments.

Stripe Integrated for payment processing, allowing users to easily purchase SMS credits through secure and straightforward checkout sessions.

Firebase Hosting Firebase Hosting is used to host the frontend of SMS Textr, ensuring fast, reliable, and secure delivery of the web application to users.

These technologies work together to provide a scalable, efficient, and secure platform for SMS messaging.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

SMS Textr's answer

Since SMS Textr is designed to serve small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and developers, its biggest customers are typically:

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

These businesses rely on SMS Textr for customer engagement, appointment reminders, order confirmations, promotions, and alerts without the burden of high monthly fees. Startups

New businesses and entrepreneurs use SMS Textr to implement cost-effective SMS communication strategies as they scale their operations and customer base. Developers and Agencies

Independent developers and tech agencies integrate SMS functionality into their applications, products, or client projects, using SMS Textr for its simplicity and affordable pricing. E-commerce Companies

Online stores utilize SMS Textr for transactional messaging like order updates, shipping confirmations, and customer support. While specific customer names may not be publicly disclosed, SMS Textr is mainly serving budget-conscious businesses and developers who need reliable, affordable SMS solutions.

User comments

Share your experience with using SMS Textr and Textnow.com. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Textnow.com seems to be a lot more popular than SMS Textr. While we know about 42 links to Textnow.com, we've tracked only 2 mentions of SMS Textr. 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.

SMS Textr mentions (2)

  • ๐Ÿš€ New Feature: Receive SMS via Webhook on SMS Textr!
    I built SMS Textr as a simple, pay-as-you-go SMS API to help developers and businesses send SMS without monthly subscriptions. Today, Iโ€™m excited to launch a new feature:. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • How I Built a Simple, Pay-As-You-Go SMS API for Developers
    // Node.js code to send SMS using our API Const axios = require('axios'); Axios.post('https://smstextr.web.app/api/sendsms', { to: '+1 123-456-7890', message: 'Hello from SMS Textr API!', apikey: 'Your_API_Key' }) .then(response => console.log(response.data)) .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error.response.data));. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago

Textnow.com mentions (42)

  • As of about 15 minutes ago, I am now homeless. Whatโ€™s the best course of action from here?
    Textnow.com is one example for online texting, and I bet you could use it on public wifi. You can use a virtual phone number (VOIP) without fees from the site. Just hope this can help a little. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I feel like my issues are seriously invalidated and minimized by my non-muslim/non-religious friends
    Have an independent phone service from others. You can get a SIM card for $5 U.S. (price at time of this writing) an unlocked phone -phone not linked to a phone carrier service - at textnow.com or you can get the free phone app from Google's Play Store or the Apple Store at https://www.textnow.com/downloads. If you have an locked phone (phone tied to a phone carrier service), than you may be able to ask a customer... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Been homeless for 12 days, starting to lose hope
    As for the immediate future I highly recommend that you sign up for temporary employment agencies as soon as possible so that immediate employment can happen until you hear back from more permanent jobs. This forum's comprehensive guide can help give you guidance on signing up fast for SNAP benefits for food support, Medicaid for medical insurance, emergency shelter listings, transportation assistance, listings... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Free or Low Priced Additional Phone Number
    I recently moved to Texas from SF. I have 3 phone numbers with out of state area codes: my cell phone with https://www.h2owireless.com/ (which uses AT&T), a google voice, and a textnow.com phone number. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Update: I found these texts on my husbands phone. I donโ€™t know if Iโ€™m being paranoid or not. (35f 38m)
    There are apps like textnow.com that will give you a free phone number with free texting. You could use that to text her from a different number. If she responds you'll know that your number was blocked on her phone. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SMS Textr and Textnow.com, you can also consider the following products

Twilio - Brings voice and messaging to your web and mobile applications.

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

Telnyx - Telnyx is a cloud-based platform that offers access to carrier grade voice services over the internet.

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

Telgorithm - APIs for the next generation of business text messaging.

Talk360 - Talk360 is a best-in-class communication utility that offers a convenient way to connect with loved ones globally.