Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Textnow.com VS Fongo

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

Textnow.com logo Textnow.com

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

Fongo logo Fongo

free VoIP app - free Canadian phone number
  • Textnow.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-09
  • Fongo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-20

Textnow.com

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

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.

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.

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.

Textnow.com videos

No Textnow.com videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Fongo videos

Fongo Review - Free Calls, Phone Number and Voicemail!

More videos:

  • Review - Fongo - Did You Know?
  • Tutorial - How to Fix Registration Faield On Fongo, Get Free Canadian Number For Whatsapp!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Textnow.com and Fongo)
Communication
68 68%
32% 32
Group Chat & Notifications
Social & Communications
100 100%
0% 0
Messaging
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Textnow.com seems to be a lot more popular than Fongo. While we know about 42 links to Textnow.com, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Fongo. 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. What’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: almost 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: almost 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: about 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: about 2 years ago
  • Update: I found these texts on my husbands phone. I don’t know if I’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: about 2 years ago
View more

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

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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.

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

Freetone - Freetone is a free texting and calling application.

Dingtone - Dingtone is a free call and texting application for making unlimited calls and text messages to any number at the moment registered in any part of the world by any cellular company.