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Free Texting Apps - Features, Comparisons, and Tips

Best free texting apps for Android and iOS

If you're in the market for a great texting app for your Android or iPhone, then we've got you covered. This is a blog post about different options other than texting apps and how to select the best one. Whether you're looking for a basic app with traditional features or a high-functional app for texting, group chats, or file sharing, you have such an app available for free. Here are the best free messaging apps for Android and iOS.

Table of Content

Part 1. Best free texting apps

1. WhatsApp

WhatApp for iOS

The WhatsApp messaging app is quite handy and equipped with all the essential features you might require to communicate effectively. Free messages, photo and video sharing, voice and video calls—everything is free (on Wi-Fi or data). Chat groups are popular as they ensure you remain connected by sharing messages, media files, and status viewing. While it's one of the best Android text apps, it limits you to sharing small files.

2. Telegram

Telegram free app for messaging

Telegram is also the best free text messaging app for Android for sharing your files as it supports huge files, which could go to 2GB per file. This app also allows you to add up to 200,000 members to a single group, which can facilitate many activities, and that is the right way to go. You can control these groups with extremely strong monitoring administration features. Telegram uploads all the data to the firm storage so that you can retrieve conversations and the media stored on their platform from any of your devices.

3. Viber

Viber messaging app in PlayStore

Viber (Android and iOS) is a free texting app that gives you more than messaging features. You can enjoy good quality voice and video calls, share data relevantly, and create groups at the rate of 250 people. In addition, Viber is one of those platforms where you can easily connect to your friends and family members who have your number saved in their own contacts. This best iPhone texting app makes calling any landline and mobile phone cheaper when you travel abroad.

4. Messenger

Messenger app in Apple Store

If you are a Facebook user, Messenger is the best free texting app for you. It is so connected with Facebook that you can chat with a friend or family member without leaving your account. Messenger gives you a chance to type messages, make calls, send media, and play games. It provides the latest products, such as vanish messages and group chat, showing page flexibility and fun. Enterprises can utilize Messenger to interact with clients as well.

5. Discord

Discord texting app for gamers

If you are a gamer who wants a cool way to communicate without smartphones, Discord (which is also available for Android, iOS, and on your computer) is an excellent free chat app. It provides particular gaming features, including voice, video, and text chats. Discord operates using virtual hangouts or servers, where you can converse with other players through text, voice chat, or video calls.

6. iMessage

iMessage chatting on iOS

Apple's iMessage is the best free text messaging app for iPhone for texting and messaging. It allows users to send and receive free text messages, phone calls, and video calls with other Apple users. iMessage is not only a practical means of communication but also a way to add photos and movies (with cool effects like filters and animations) casually.

7. TextNow

TextNow App for Android

TextNow is the only way Android and iOS users can get a free phone number and free texting. This is an alternative to keeping your personal number private or getting another number for business or travel.

With TextNow, you can always send and receive texts, make calls (with limited minutes), and change picture messages, all of which are free by using Wi-Fi or data. The app syncs with your phone's contact list and allows you to search for names and make calls.

8. TextFree

TextFree App for iOS

TextFree is a free texting app for Android and iOS. The bonus is that you get a free phone number as well. That means you can use it to keep your personal number confidential or have a separate temporary line. With TextFree, you can send and receive texts, make limited-minute calls, and send pictures, all free via Wi-Fi or data. TextFree collaborates with your phone's contact list, providing a convenient connection to existing contacts.

9. TextPlus

textPlus messaging and calling app

Both Android and iOS users can download TextPlus, an application that offers the minimum necessary—free texting, picture messaging, and even free calls (with limited minutes). Plus, it has the pleasant bonus of a free US phone number.

You could use the TextPlus app to remain anonymous or have a separate line for business, travel, or online classifieds. TextPlus is easy to integrate with contacts on your phone, making adding your existing contacts to text them seamlessly.

Hot Topics:

9 Best Free Texting Apps

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Part 2. Best Texting App Monitor for Parents (FamiSafe)

FamiSafe text monitoring for parents

When it comes to children's screen time, parents usually become afraid because they worry about their children's safety in the cyber world. FamiSafe, an important call and message feature, gives you peace of mind as you can monitor messages and detect inappropriate texts on your child's phone. Besides, you can view the app activity report and then limit or control the usage of the texting app. With the help of the text monitoring app, you can protect them from potential online dangers.

Try for Free on Google Play and App Store!

5,481,435 people have signed up.

  • Screen Time Limit & Schedule
  • Monitor Real-time Screenshots on Kid's Devices
  • Web Filter & Safe Search
  • Location Tracking & Driving Report
  • App Blocker & App Activity Tracker
  • YouTube History Monitor & Video Blocker
  • Social Media Texts & Porn Images Alerts
  • Works on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Chromebook

Part 3. How to Use FamiSafe for Text Monitoring

Step 1: Download FamiSafe

You can easily find it on the Google Play Store if you are using an Android or the Apple Store in the case of iPhone users

Step 2: Create an Account

FamiSafe sign up page on Android

Once the FamiSafe application is set up, you need to create an account. You can sign up with your Wondershare ID, among other options, or use your existing Apple, Google, or Facebook account for a quick login.

Step 3: Connect Your Child's Device

Add Kid’s device to FamiSafe

To connect the FamiSafe app on your child's phone with FamiSafe, first, the child needs to open the application. Then, on your phone, just scan the QR code in the FamiSafe application on your child's phone. That will make the devices pair up automatically, and then you can track your child's phone activity.

Step 4. Activate the "Call & Messages" Feature

FamiSafe Call and Messages Feature

Open FamiSafe and look for "Calls & Messages" in the "Features" section or the sidebar on the right. Once you locate this feature, follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. This will allow FamiSafe to monitor your child's texts and calls.

Step 5. Connect Your Child's Device

Make sure that FamiSafe is properly connected to your child's device. This should have been done during the initial setup process.

Step 6. Perform a Backup

FamiSafe text monitoring backup

To initiate call and message tracking for your child, you must back up your mobile phone first. FamiSafe will guide you through the app's backup process. Once you've done this, click "Continue" to start monitoring calls and messages.

Step 7. Start Monitoring Messages

Once the backup is done, the "Call & Messages" feature will be activated. You can see your child's calls, texts, contact list, and who they communicate with. FamiSafe will collect data about the calls and texts, but messages are typically updated faster than calls.

Part 4. Comparing the Message Apps

Feature WhatsApp Telegram Viber Messenger Discord iMessage TextNow TextFree TextPlus
File Sharing Up to 16MB Up to 2GB Up to 100MB Up to 25MB Up to 8MB Up to 100MB Up to 10MB Up to 10MB Up to 10MB
Group Chat Size Up to 256 members Up to 200,000 members Up to 250 members Up to 32 people Unlimited Unlimited Up to 50 members Up to 50 members Up to 50 members
End-to-End Encryption Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Voice/Video Calls Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cloud Storage Limited Unlimited Limited Limited Unlimited Unlimited Limited Limited Limited
Integration with Social Media Facebook None None Facebook None Apple None None None
Platform Compatibility Android, iOS Android, iOS, Desktop Android, iOS Android, iOS Android, iOS, Desktop iOS Android, iOS Android, iOS Android, iOS
Free Phone Number No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes

FAQs for Best Free Text Messaging Apps

What is the safest free texting app?

Text apps for free like WhatsApp and Signal are not completely immune to security breaches but are equipped with strong encryption to ensure their users' data privacy. In addition, be aware of your privacy and do not share any personal information with strangers.

Are free texting apps reliable?

Yes. They are generally reliable, and their popularity has spread among users of all age groups worldwide. Yet, to a certain extent, network and device problems do tend to impede the functioning of some apps.

Can I use free texting apps for international calls?

Many free texting apps provide voice and video calling options that enable you to make international calls over Wi-Fi or data. Calls are either free or very low cost, yet the quality can depend on the network conditions.

Conclusion

If you are more oriented toward file sharing, live group chats, or secure texting, there is definitely a free texting app for you. Remember that free texting apps are up-and-coming, but you must also be attentive to online safety and protect yourself and your relatives from possible dangers. Actually, using FamiSafe is a good way to control your child's safety and health in the online world. Install FamiSafe today and start the monitoring process on your child's phone activities so that you get the reassurance of their security and tranquility.

editor image

Moly Swift

staff Editor