We compiled a list of free text applications (both for web and mobile devices) that allow you to send free SMS and text messages. Some offer the ability to do:
- free phone calling with real phone numbers
- send picture messages
- unlimited free text messages
We put this list into sections so you can choose the free text solution that best meets your needs:
Sending and receiving texts from a website
If you want to send a free text to any one person in the world (and you don’t need to receive the text back) we recommend Open Texting Online. Open Texting allows you to send a text message to dozens of countries in the world.
While you won’t receive the text message back to your phone number, you can put in your email to receive replies to your texts via email.
Pros
- Great for one-off text messages for reminders, appointments, etc to almost anyone in the world.
Cons
- Can’t schedule text messages.
Sending and receiving texts from your phone
If you want to send free text messages to and from your phone, there are plenty of great options. One of the best and world’s most popular apps is WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is available for Android and iOS.
Pros
- WhatsApp is feature-rich (including voice messaging, free calls, photo messaging and more)
Cons
- You need to have a phone number in order to use the app and send texts (not true of some other platforms on this list).
Sending and receiving texts from both your phone and website
If you want to be able to use your browser on a mobile device or laptop/desktop to send and receive free texts while also being able to pick up your mobile device and reply, look no further than WhatsApp again.
WhatsApp also provides a web-based version.
Pros
- You can send and receive texts from both your phone and from a web URL.
Cons
- You still need to have your own phone number in order to use both.
Sending and receiving texts and calls from a website
If you want to manage sending and receiving texts and calls from a website, Google offers one of the best solutions in Google Voice.
Pros
- Google Voice has a great interface and is really easy to use.
Cons
- If you are trying to schedule texts or calls it’s not a great solution.
Sending and receiving texts and calls from your phone
If you want to send and receive free texts from your phone, great solutions are already on this list. Both Google Voice and WhatsApp making sending and receiving free texts and calls a breeze.
Sending and receiving texts and calls from both your phone and website.
If you want to send and receive free texts and calls from your phone and a website, we recommend Google Voice.