callmins vs TextNow
A free, ad-supported calling and texting app with a US or Canadian number, aimed at people in the US and Canada. callmins is pay-as-you-go calling from a browser or app, from $0.016 a minute to 200+ countries, with UK, US and Canadian numbers at $2.00–$4.20 a month, with no setup fee. Which suits you depends on how you call:
Updated
Choose TextNow for
- People living in the US or Canada who want a free number and accept ads.
- Free calls and texts within the US and Canada.
Choose callmins for
- Getting a number from outside the US and Canada.
- A UK (+44) number, and WhatsApp codes on it.
- No ads and no risk of losing the number for inactivity while you pay.
Side by side
| Feature | callmins | TextNow |
|---|---|---|
| How it charges | Prepaid wallet; per minute and monthly number rent | Free with ads; paid add-ons remove ads or keep your number. Numbers can be reclaimed if you stop using them. |
| Call any phone number abroad | Yes, from $0.016/min | Paid, per minute |
| Second phone numbers | UK, US, Canada | US and Canada |
| Works in a web browser | Yes, no install | Yes |
| Mobile apps | iPhone, Android, Mac | iPhone, Android |
| Subscription needed | No: pay as you go | No (ad-supported) |
| Free option | No | Yes, with ads |
| Receive SMS | Yes | Yes |
| Team / company accounts | Yes: shared wallet, power dialer | No |
TextNow details summarised from its public website and app-store listings; “Check their site” marks anything we couldn't confirm. Products change, so check TextNow's current plans before deciding. Spot an error? Email info@callmins.com and we'll fix it.
What callmins can't do
No free tier, numbers only in the UK, US and Canada, and US numbers don't receive WhatsApp codes (UK numbers do). Telegram blocks its codes to all our numbers. Banks often refuse internet numbers from any provider, us included.
Questions people ask
What's the difference between callmins and TextNow?
A free, ad-supported calling and texting app with a US or Canadian number, aimed at people in the US and Canada. callmins is a pay-as-you-go service for calls to phone numbers in 200+ countries from a browser or app, from $0.016 a minute, plus UK, US and Canadian numbers at $2.00–$4.20 a month, with no setup fee.
Is callmins a good TextNow alternative?
It is if you want getting a number from outside the US and Canada. TextNow is the better fit for people living in the US or Canada who want a free number and accept ads.
How much does callmins cost compared with TextNow?
TextNow: Free with ads; paid add-ons remove ads or keep your number. Numbers can be reclaimed if you stop using them. callmins: no subscription needed; calls from $0.016 a minute, and numbers at $2.00–$4.20 a month, with no setup fee. Check TextNow's own site for its current prices.
Related
Try callmins next to TextNow.
Sign up free, top up $5 and make your first call from the browser. No subscription to cancel.
callmins prices are generated from our live rate tables. TextNowis a trademark of its owner; callmins isn't affiliated with it.