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Textnow.com VS Fast.com

Compare Textnow.com VS Fast.com and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Textnow.com logo Textnow.com

It lets you text your friends, aka my only source of happiness

Fast.com logo Fast.com

Quickly test your internet speed with this fast-loading speed test powered by Netflix.
  • Textnow.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-09
  • Fast.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23

Textnow.com

Website
textnow.com
Release Date
2009 January
Startup details
Country
Canada
State
Ontario
City
Waterloo
Founder(s)
Derek Ting
Employees
100 - 249
Edit details

Fast.com

Website
fast.com
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States
Edit details

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.

Fast.com features and specs

  • Simplicity
    Fast.com has a clean and straightforward interface, making it very easy for users to test their internet speed without any distractions or complications.
  • Ad-Free
    The website does not contain any advertisements, providing a seamless and uninterrupted user experience.
  • Integration with Netflix
    Fast.com is created by Netflix, which ensures that the speed test results are optimized for streaming services, giving users a reliable indicator of how well they can stream content on the platform.
  • Quick Results
    The speed test begins automatically as soon as the website loads, providing users with rapid results without the need for additional clicks or inputs.
  • Mobile-Friendly
    Fast.com is optimized for mobile devices, making it easy for users to test their internet speed on smartphones and tablets.

Possible disadvantages of Fast.com

  • Limited Metrics
    Fast.com primarily focuses on download speed and does not provide as comprehensive a range of metrics as some other speed test websites, such as upload speed, latency, and jitter.
  • No Server Selection
    Users cannot choose which server to run the speed test against, which can sometimes result in less accurate measurements for specific network conditions.
  • No Historical Data
    Fast.com does not offer features to save or track historical speed test results, limiting users' ability to monitor their internet performance over time.
  • Lack of Customization
    There are no options to customize the test parameters, such as test duration or concurrency levels, which might be relevant for more advanced users.
  • Geared for Streaming
    Since Fast.com is tailored for Netflix streaming, it may not fully represent other usage scenarios, such as gaming or file downloads, which require different network performances.

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.

Analysis of Fast.com

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Fast.com is good for quickly assessing your internet download speed, particularly if you're interested in streaming quality on Netflix.

Why this product is good

  • Fast.com is a speed test tool developed by Netflix to help users evaluate their internet connection, particularly for streaming services. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and lack of ads, providing a quick way to measure download speeds using Netflix's servers.

Recommended for

  • Users who want a simple and ad-free internet speed test.
  • Anyone looking to check streaming speeds for Netflix.
  • People interested in basic information about their download speeds without detailed additional metrics.

Textnow.com videos

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Fast.com videos

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Speedtest.net vs Fast.com | why different results ?

More videos:

  • Review - Measure your Internet speed with Fast.com
  • Review - Fast.com: Better than speedtest.net?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Textnow.com and Fast.com)

Textnow.com

Fast.com

Communication
100 100%
Communication
0% 0
Speed Test
0 0%
Speed Test
100% 100
Group Chat & Notifications
100 100%
Group Chat & Notifications
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
Developer Tools
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Fast.com seems to be a lot more popular than Textnow.com. While we know about 1688 links to Fast.com, we've tracked only 42 mentions of Textnow.com. 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.

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 3 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: about 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 years ago
View more

Fast.com mentions (1688)

  • I Built a Fast.com for LLMs: Introducing iamspeed.dev
    That is exactly how fast.com works for internet speed tests. You open it, it runs, you see a number. Done. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics: A Developer's Guide to Live Sports IPTV
    Pro tip: Run a speed test immediately before the event. Don't trust your "up to 100 Mbps" ISP claim. Use fast.com or speedtest.net to get real numbers. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Downdetector, Speedtest sold to IT service provider Accenture in $1.2B deal
    Speedtest has always seemed incredibly sketchy to me, I donโ€™t know if others share this sentiment. https://fast.com completed the test faster than speedtest loads the site. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW VPN IPSEC HOW TO CONFIGURATION HELPPPP
    Is this for remote access VPN? If so, what kind of bandwidth are you seeing on a speed test site like fast.com (with the VPN off) compared to the VPN bandwidth you're experiencing? Source: over 2 years ago
  • I am a MacOS user, new to windows and my wifi wonโ€™t load fast enough; are these updates the issue?
    What result do you get from fast.com ? What about if you ping your router? Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

aTalk - An encrypted instant messaging with video call and GPS features for android.

Speedtest.net - Test your Internet connection bandwidth to locations around the world with this interactive broadband speed test from Ookla

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

Testmy.net - Accurately test your Internet connection speed with this powerful broadband speed test. Improve your bandwidth speed with the truth.

Molly (Signal fork) - Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android

Speed Test by Cloudflare - speed.cloudflare.com is a tool that allows you to measure the speed and consistency of your connection to the Internet. You can use it to verify that the speed your ISP promised you is the speed you are getting.

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