10 Best Free Texting Services to Try in 2024

Did you know that there are lots of free texting services?

Text messages are now an important part of our lives and jobs! That’s why many tools and apps have emerged that provide various texting services.

You can access some of these services using the internet but some others just require a SIM card.

It’s important to choose the right tool for your business or your personal use. In this article, we will introduce the top free texting services trusted by billions of people in 2024.

How to Choose the Best Texting Services?

First, it’s good to know why we’ve chosen these tools among numerous tools and platforms. Here are the criteria based on which we decided:

User Interface

It might seem trivial but a good texting app should have a user-friendly interface. Text messaging services are used by people of different levels of skills. So they need to be easy to use without any extra complexity. 

Popularity

If you want to communicate with all sorts of people, you need to choose a texting service that is trusted by numerous people. Otherwise, you’ll not have anyone to send a text message on your platform.

Features

The more features, the better. Go for tools that offer features like multimedia sharing, group chats, voice and video calls, etc. 

Compatibility

Make sure that the service is compatible with various devices and operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS). 

Remember that you might change your device or operating system and if the app doesn’t work on the new system, you’ll face troubles in your communications.

Security & Privacy

Considering the threats of hackers, it’s highly recommended to choose a messaging service with end-to-end encryption. This way, you’ll ban any unauthorized access.

Also, it’s essential to look for a texting service with a strong privacy policy and security features like self-destructing messages.

Premium Features & Ad-Free

Although many texting services offer their features for free, there are always some paid features. You need to consider these features and also avoid services that display lots of ads for each feature.

Top Free Texting Services in 2024

Now that you know the requirements of a good texting service, let’s compare top free text message services.

1# Google Messages

The most famous service that many of us have on our Android phones by default is Google Messages. It’s an easy-to-use and powerful texting service that supports SMS, MMS, and RCS (Rich Communication Services.)

Here is a summary of it’s features:

• RCS Support: RCS includes features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-quality media sharing.

• Web Version: Google Messages can be accessed via your browser. So you can send and receive messages from your computer.

• Integration with Google Services: You can integrate its features with Google Photos, Google Assistant, and other Google apps.

Google Messages has a great review rating of 4.4 from 13.7M reviews on Google Play. Also, it has been downloaded by more than 5 billion people around the world.

Here are the pros and cons mentioned by users:

Pros of Google Messages

• Available on Android devices.
• Has RCS with a richer messaging experience.
• Secure and reliable.
• Easy to use
• Available on both the web and phone.
• No need for internet connectivity.

Cons of Google Messages

• Limited availability on iOS.
• Some features depend on carrier support.
• Supports only SMS and MMS.
• No editing option.

2# WhatsApp 

With over 2.7 billion users, WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps in the world. It was launched in 2009 and later was bought by Meta.

It allows you to send all types of files along with text using an internet connection. Besides messaging, you can use some other features like Status and also create groups and channels.

Here is a summary of WhatsApp features:

• Voice messaging
• Mute notifications
• Photos and video sharing
• WhatsApp Business
• WhatsApp Channels
• Document sharing
• End-to-end encryption
• Hide your last seen status
• Status
• Voice & Video Calls
• Self-destructing messages

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of WhatsApp:

Pros of WhatsApp

• User-friendly.
• Supports all types of content like text, voice & video messages, voice and video calls, images, documents, and user locations.
• Strong privacy and security features.
• Available on both Android, iOS, and Windows
• Offers a web version.
• Offers editing option.

Cons of WhatsApp

• Requires internet connection.
• Reducing the quality of images.
• Revealing the phone number of users.

3# Viber 

Viber is another cross-platform voice-over IP and instant messaging application on our list. It’s also known as Rakuten Viber and is owned by the Japanese multinational company Rakuten. 

Here is a summary of features offered by Viber:

• Delete messages
• Sticker
• Doodle
• Enable smart notifications
• Hide Viber chat
• Turn off notifications
• Blocklist
• Blocking another user on Viber
• Communities
• Contact Message
• Location message
• Messaging
• Open conversations gallery
• Open secret chat
• Switch between conversations quickly
• Turn on the invisible status
• Video calls
• Calls to Viber users

These features have encouraged more than 1.3 billion people around the world to use the app. Here are some pros and cons of Viber mentioned by the users:

Pros of Viber

• Strong privacy and encryption features.
• Fun and engaging stickers.
• User-friendly.
• Supporting both iOS and Android.

Cons of Viber

• Requires internet connection.
• Not as widely used as WhatsApp or Messenger.
• Reducing the quality of images.
• Revealing the phone number of users.

4# Telegram 

Telegram is known for its speed and functionalities. It’s a favorite app for users who value features like replies, editing, channels, groups, crypto wallet, etc.

It supports all types of content like text messaging, voice calls, and a range of features like bots and channels for broadcasting messages.

Here are its key features:

• Cloud-Based Messaging: Access your messages from any device.

• Secret Chats: Messages with end-to-end encryption that can self-destruct.

• Bots and Channels: Automate tasks and broadcast messages to large audiences.

• Crypto Wallet: Telegram has launched its coin, NOT coin.

Telegram is different from many other messaging services and that’s why it has gained more than 1 billion users worldwide. 

Pros of Telegram

• Fast messaging.
• Extensive features for advanced users.
• Large file sharing (up to 2GB per file).
• High-quality image sharing.
• Not revealing the phone number of users.
• Providing user ID.
• Dashboard customization.

Cons of Telegram

• Some privacy concerns regarding server-side encryption.

5# Signal 

Signal is a relatively new messaging app but one of the fastest-growing ones. It’s the go-to app for users who prioritize privacy.

It’s recommended by privacy advocates and this makes it reliable. Signal offers secure text messaging, voice and video calls, and a straightforward interface.

Here are some key features offered by Signal:

• End-to-End Encryption: All communications are fully encrypted.

• Self-Destructing Messages: Set messages to disappear after a certain time.

• Open Source: The app’s code is open for scrutiny, ensuring transparency.

Apart from the great features Signal offers, it still has a limited user base of around 40 million around the world.

Pros of Signal

• Unmatched privacy and security.
• Simple, clean interface.
• No ads or trackers.
• Phone number privacy.

Cons of Signal

• Fewer features compared to competitors like WhatsApp or Telegram.
• Limited user base.

6# Messenger

Meta’s Messenger is a standalone app that offers a wide range of features for texting and calling. It’s integrated with Facebook, making it easy to connect with friends and family on the platform.

Messenger’s key features:

• Text, Voice, and Video Calls: It’s an all-in-one communication platform.

• Facebook Integration: It syncs with your Facebook friends list.

• Custom Emojis and Themes: It allows you to personalize your chats.

Facebook Messenger is used by around 1 billion people in the world. This user base is a good reason to try this texting service in your communications and business.

Pros of Messenger

• Easy integration with Facebook.
• Feature-rich, including games and payment options.
• Cross-platform availability.

Cons of Messenger

• Requires a Facebook account.
• Concerns over data privacy.

7# WeChat

WeChat is more than just a messaging app. It’s a comprehensive platform that combines social media, mobile payments, and lots of other features in one app.

It’s a Chinese app and around 800 million Chinese use it for their daily communications.

Here are its key features:

• Text, Voice, and Video Calls: Supports all forms of communication, making it a versatile tool.

• WeChat Pay: Integrates with a mobile payment system for easy transactions and payments.

• Moments: A social feed where users can post updates, photos, and share links.

• Mini Programs: Access to a variety of services like games, shopping, and more, without leaving the app.

• Public Accounts: Follow brands, celebrities, and media outlets for updates directly within WeChat.

• WeChat Web: Allows users to send and receive messages from a computer.

WeChat has been able to gain popularity around the world and it’s estimated that it has 500 million users outside China.

Pros of WeChat

• All-in-one platform with extensive features beyond messaging.

• Widely used in China, making it essential for communication with Chinese contacts.

• Integrates seamlessly with a variety of services, from payments to social media.

Cons of WeChat

• Some features, like WeChat Pay, are region-specific and may not be available globally.

• Privacy concerns due to heavy regulation and monitoring in China.

• Can be overwhelming for users looking for a simple messaging app.

It’s good to take a look at the following table to see the features of each app compared to other texting services:

Other Types of Texting Services: SMS Plugins

Apart from these famous messaging services, some options are specifically designed for businesses.

As you know, SMS marketing is one of the best methods for reaching out to new customers and boosting sales.

Some plugins make SMS marketing much easier for businesses. WordPress SMS marketing plugins are great tools for sending and receiving SMSs directly from/to your site’s dashboard.

Here are some of the best texting plugins for bulk messaging from your website:

8# WP SMS

WP SMS is a powerful SMS plugin for WordPress websites. It allows you to send SMS notifications to your subscribers and receive text messages from them.

If your business needs higher engagement rates and efficient SMS marketing campaigns, WP SMS is best for you.

Key features of WP SMS:

• Easy Integration: You can easily integrate its features with your WordPress site.

• Bulk Messaging: Send SMS to multiple subscribers at once.

• Customizable: You can customize messages to fit your brand’s voice.

• Segmentation: You can easily segment your subscribers into different groups.

• Scheduled & Repeating SMS: It allows you to schedule messages.

• Newsletter

Pros of WP SMS

• Direct engagement with your audience.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Supports 300+ SMS gateways.
• 2-Factor Authentication SMS
• GDPR Compliance
• Unlimited International SMS

Cons of WP SMS

• Limited to WordPress websites.
• Some features of WP SMS need a premium plan.

9# Texty

Texty is another WordPress plugin that simplifies SMS communication for businesses. It’s particularly useful for sending notifications and updates to customers.

Key features of Texty:

• Automated SMS: You can send SMS notifications based on triggers like new posts or comments.

• Customizable Messages: Text message personalization is possible with Texty.

• Integration: It’s compatible with WooCommerce and other popular plugins.

Pros of Texty

• With automation, Texty saves time and effort.
• It enhances customer engagement.
• Texty works well with other WordPress plugins.

Cons of Texty

• Requires a third-party SMS gateway.
• Limited to WordPress.

10# ClickSend SMS

Last but not least, ClickSend SMS is a versatile tool for businesses. It offers SMS, email, and voice messaging.

It’s an excellent choice for your business if you are looking for a fast and advanced plugin for communication.

Key features offered by ClickSend:

• Multi-Channel Messaging: Send SMS, email, and voice messages from one platform.

• APIs and Integrations: Integrate with popular apps like Zapier and Slack.

• Real-Time Reporting: Track the delivery and response rates of your messages.

Pros of ClickSend

• Comprehensive communication platform.
• Easy integration with other tools.
• Real-time analytics.

Cons of ClickSend

• The free tier has limitations.
• May be overkill for small businesses.

Conclusion

Free texting services are playing a great role in our lives and jobs. It’s necessary to know the weaknesses and strengths of each messaging service to be able to choose the right tool for a specific purpose. 

For example, WhatsApp is great for both personal and business messages. Telegram is great for creating business channels and communication groups. Also, Google Messages is great for SIM card communication without the internet. 

Moreover, for sending and receiving messages from customers, it’s good to use WordPress SMS plugins. These texting services offer bulk messaging features that simplify SMS marketing campaigns.

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