TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited

User Experience Report

Week of April 7th, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

Highlights trends and insights

Helps you understand what matters most

Unlock all insights Sign in

All Insights

TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited's key feedback

Verification Code Issues

A significant number of users, approximately 30%, report frustration with the inability to receive SMS verification codes without paying for a subscription. This limitation hinders their ability to use the app for essential services that require phone number verification.

I can't receive verification codes without paying, which is frustrating when I need them for important accounts.

Account and Number Deactivation

Around 20% of users experience unexpected account deactivations or loss of phone numbers, often without clear reasons. This issue causes inconvenience as users have to frequently re-register or lose access to their numbers.

My account was deactivated without reason, and I lost my number, which is very frustrating.

Login and Access Problems

Approximately 15% of users face difficulties with logging in or staying logged in, often encountering errors or being logged out unexpectedly. This disrupts their ability to use the app consistently.

I keep getting logged out and can't access my account, which is very annoying.

Ad Overload

About 10% of users are dissatisfied with the frequency and intrusiveness of ads, which they find disruptive to their app experience. This issue is particularly bothersome for those who do not wish to pay for an ad-free experience.

The app is overloaded with ads, making it hard to use without constant interruptions.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

Google Voice

Google Voice is highly praised for its reliability and versatility, offering a consistent secondary phone line with features like call screening and voicemail transcription. Users appreciate its seamless integration across devices and the ability to maintain a single number across carriers, although some express concerns about spam calls and occasional technical issues.

#2 RUNNER UP

TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited

TextNow receives mixed feedback, with users appreciating its free calling and texting services, but many are frustrated by the frequent ads and the need to pay for certain features like SMS verification codes. Some users report technical issues such as account deactivation and call quality problems, while others praise its affordability and utility as a secondary phone line.

#3 Straggler

Dingtone

Dingtone is generally well-received for its ease of use and the ability to earn credits for free calls, making it a popular choice for users seeking a cost-effective communication solution. However, some users criticize the app for its monetization practices and technical issues, such as call connectivity problems and the need to purchase credits for certain features.

Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Verification Code Issues

TextNow's inability to receive SMS verification codes without a paid subscription is frustrating users, as many services require these codes for account access. This limitation is perceived as a bait-and-switch tactic, leading to dissatisfaction and accusations of being a scam.

I spent money on a subscription to get verification codes, but none came through; it's a scam!

Account Deactivation

Users experience unexpected account deactivations, often after requesting new phone numbers, which disrupts their service and leads to frustration. This issue is compounded by a lack of clear communication or resolution from TextNow, causing users to abandon the app.

I tried to sign up for two accounts, but both were deactivated when I requested a new phone number.

Frequent login issues, including exceeding login limits and being logged out unexpectedly, hinder user access and create a negative experience. These technical barriers prevent users from reliably using the app, leading to dissatisfaction.

Number Retention Problems

Users are frustrated by losing their phone numbers if they don't use the app frequently, which forces them to pay to retain their number. This policy is seen as a hidden cost and adds stress to maintaining consistent communication.

If you don't use it often, you'll lose your number and need to get a new one again.

Ad Overload

The prevalence of ads within the app is overwhelming and detracts from the user experience, leading to annoyance and dissatisfaction. Users feel that the ad frequency is excessive, especially for a service marketed as free.

You have to deal with so many ads, it's so annoying!

Feature Limitations

The lack of modern messaging features like RCS and eSIM support limits the app's functionality compared to competitors, making it less appealing to users with advanced needs. This gap in features leads users to consider alternative apps with more comprehensive offerings.

TextNow lacks modern features like RCS and eSIM, making it less useful for iPhone 14 users.

Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience

Verification Code Issues

Account Deactivation

Number Retention Problems

Ad Overload

Feature Limitations

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

TextNow is a good app, but it lacks modern features like RCS and doesn't support eSIM, making it less useful for iPhone 14 users.

JaxReissner

Week of April 7th, 2025

I signed up thinking TextNow was free, but it blocks SMS verification codes unless you pay, which feels like a scam.

Marcus App Review

Week of April 7th, 2025

I love everything about TextNow, but it would be great if they added scheduled messages to send at a specific time.

DingusMan81999qp

Week of April 7th, 2025

Start your 14-day free trial today.

Chat to sales

Get started

The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

TextNow is a good app, but it lacks modern features like RCS and doesn't support eSIM, making it less useful for iPhone 14 users.

Candice Wu

App Store

I signed up thinking TextNow was free, but it blocks SMS verification codes unless you pay, which feels like a scam.

Kelly Williams

Google Play

I love everything about TextNow, but it would be great if they added scheduled messages to send at a specific time.

Koray Okumus

Google Play

Discover Anecdote’s all-in-one customer experience platform

Search through all your feedback, instantly

Type in anything, and find what you need in your feedback—complete with relevant tickets, citations, and AI-summaries.

Search for product issues and validate hypotheses.

Receive an AI summary, relevant tickets, sentiment and more.

Explore

Use AI to automate and prioritize your feedback analysis

Analyze your feedback with our market leading LLM, generate clear AI summaries, and prioritize burning issues.

Transform feedback into actionable trends and categories.

Use AI to turn feedback into impactful business actions.

Explore

Send surveys and analyze them with AI

Quickly launch AI-powered surveys right in your product, on WhatsApp, or through email, and get real-time AI insights on the results.

SDK

Reduce time to action with quick, actionable AI insights from your surveys.

Analyze all your customer feedback, including surveys, in one place.

Explore

Segment feedback from your company in charts and summaries

Turn feedback into clear, easy-to-read dashboards that help your team make better decisions, break down silos, and respond faster.

Easily deep-dive into feedback from support, products, branch, and stores.

Share feedback dashboards to your team that update in real-time.

Explore

Benchmark your company's feedback against your competitors

Unify and analyze public competitor feedback to benchmark against their performance.

Learn from competitors' strengths and avoid their mistakes.

Create monthly SWOT comparisons.

Explore

Stay on top of your feedback with alerts

Set up email or Slack alerts for specific customer issues, bugs, VoC reports, or queries like legal mentions and late deliveries. Route these to the right team the same day they're reported.

Improving customer satisfaction with faster response times.

Identify and address emerging risks more swiftly.

Explore

User Experience Report

TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited

Top Insights This Week

Verification Code Issues

Account and Number Deactivation

Login and Access Problems

Ad Overload

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

Start your 14-day free trial

Major Highlights of the Week

Major Highlights of the Week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

Start your 14-day free trial today

The quotes of the week

Discover Anecdote’s all-in-one customer experience platform

Search through all your feedback, instantly

Use AI to automate and prioritize your feedback analysis

Send surveys and analyze them with AI

Segment feedback from your company in charts and summaries

Benchmark your company's feedback against your competitors

Stay on top of your feedback with alerts