Review of Texting Websites to Send Free Text Messages Online
Searching for a way to send a free text message online? Then, you must have noticed particular free text messaging websites. They claim that they help you stay connected without fee and even without a mobile phone.
Can't wait to try them? Well, before that, first check out our tested review of these texting websites free. This will let you know if they really work to text someone online for free and which one is ideal for you. Let's begin!
List of Popular Websites to Text Someone Online Free
Free texting websites seem to become a trend. Whenever we Google free text messages online, these websites fill the search results continuously. But most of them don't work as they advertise. Here are some free texting sites that we tested.
1Globfone
This free text message website covers around 91 percent of the world's mobile networks in case of texts -- little wonder why it is named "Globfone." On it, you just need to enter your name, the recipient's phone number, and the message content, you can send free online SMS to different numbers across over 110 countries in the world.
Globfone uses internet protocols (IP) to connect with SMS gateways. These gateways then forward messages to telecom carriers for delivery to the recipient's phone. This process allows Globfone to bypass traditional SMS charges for the sender by utilizing the gateway provider's infrastructure.
🧐Hands-on: In truth, I encountered issues when attempting to send messages to both local and international numbers. I tried many times and what I got from Globfone was different error prompts, such as, "Daily IP submission capacity is exceeded," or "This destination is not in service at the moment." Undoubtedly, all messages failed to be sent.
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Anonymous
- Free SMS covers over 110 countries
- Offers other services like calls and file sharing
- Available on mobile app
Cons
- Has daily limit
- Unskippable pop-ups
- Message can not be delivered
- 140 characters limit for SMS
2TextSendr
TextSendr is another popular free online messaging site that has been around for a while. Like Globfone, it allows users to send SMS messages globally. The only difference is that you must know the service provider of the recipient before you can be able to send the message through TextSendr.
And this is because TextSendr uses email-to-SMS gateways provided by mobile carriers to deliver SMS for free. This gateway allows users to send an SMS by emailing a specific address associated with a recipient's phone number. The email is then converted into an SMS by the carrier and delivered to the recipient's phone.
🧐Hands-on: I made several attempts to send SMS to my own number through this platform, but all to no avail. Although it indicated "Your Message Has Been Sent," the message wasn't delivered no matter how long you waited.
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Unlimited message length
- May get replies if you leave your email
- Anonymous optionally
- Has slang dictionary for shortening words
Cons
- Recipient's service provider is required
- Contains ads
- Message can not be delivered
3OpenTextingOnline
If you need to send MMS online for free, then you cannot miss out OpenTextingOnline. Apart from SMS, this free text messaging website enables you to pictures, audio, and videos within 300 kb. However, note that MMS on OpenTextingOnline is only available for several country numbers. Besides, to send messages to some numbers in the UK or other regions, you have to choose the service provider.
OpenTextingOnline works similarly to Globfone. It also uses internet protocols (IP) to connect with SMS gateways, which will then forward messages to telecom carriers for delivery to the recipient's phone.
🧐Hands-on: This tool isn't reliable as well! I sent a text multiple times, but the recipient hasn't seen it yet. Additionally, there is no message delivery status to let me know if the text was sent or not.
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Available MMS service
- Built-in carrier lookup
- List of texting shorthands lookup
- Anonymous
Cons
- Message can not be delivered
- Contains ads
- No message delivery status
4Send SMS Now
Send SMS Now provides a seamless way whether you need to send a single text message online free or bulk SMS. It has a group SMS option which allows you to send bulk SMS to different groups of people at a little cost. Another good part is that there is an inbox for keeping sent SMS records and email notifications that alert you when your message has been replied to.
As there is no official information about how Send SMS Now works to send messages for free, we speculate that it might employ a similar mechanism to Globfone.
🧐Hands-on: Amazingly, it works unlike other free SMS websites. In testing, the message delivery took up to 7 hours and when it was delivered, I could only see the flash message for maybe 10 seconds, then it's gone. But note that this tool is not 100% workable. My friend tested it and the messages failed to send.
Pricing: Free only for single SMS.
Pros
- Supports sending bulk messages
- Has an inbox and outgoing box
- Email notification alert
Cons
- Work on few mobile provider
- Limited message length (130 characters)
- Registration required
- Delayed message delivery
5Blacktel
Blacktel is a virtual number provider that allows users to send and receive texts online free. This free texting tool uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, where messages are routed and sent over the Internet via a virtual phone number. Though Blacktel claims receiving text messages is free, sending an SMS with it requires purchasing a virtual number and credits.
🧐Hands-on: As it doesn't offer any free service, I didn't buy its credits, so it always requested me to add credit balances to my account. According to recent reviews by paid users on trustpilot, this tool is a scam. It didn't support call or text service and even blocked users' accounts once they deposited credits.
Pricing: $0.4 per SMS
Pros
- Can send and receive SMS
- Ads free
- Offers free calls
Cons
- Not free to use
- Limited message length (160 characters)
- Payment in Euro
- May not work
6TextMe
Similar to Blacktel, TextMe offers a virtual number for users to send SMS messages and make calls using the VoIP service. Moreover, it allows users to create as many virtual numbers as they want in a single account. Surely, this requires a premium plan or enough credits.
🧐Hands-on: I really like this app. Your SMS will be delivered within the twinkling of an eye, and it doesn't impose any charge on the recipient. The only problem is that you have to watch an ad before you can send a message for free. But some users said this app shares and sells their data, like name and phone number, to third parties.
Pricing: Free; Premium for $9.99 per month
Pros
- Available MMS service
- Allows for bulk SMS
- Free calls
Cons
- Contains ads in the free version
- Have to install the app
- Data leakage
7textPlus
textPlus is a free SMS platform that caters mainly to people in the US and Canada. Like TextMe, it offers a free virtual number as a second number for you to send messages to different people across the globe. Although it also allows to make calls, it charges per minute. Its working principle is similar to that of TextMe and Blacktel.
🧐Hands-on: textPlus performed well in delivering messages to several contacts in my testing. However, by browsing through users' reviews from the Play Store and App Store, I don't think this tool will be suitable for everyone. Most users complained that they couldn't get a new phone number from textPlus, or text messages were not delivered sometimes.
Pricing: Free; Premium for $4.99 per month
Pros
- Send messages via the free virtual number
- Available MMS service
- Offer calls but with fee
Cons
- Available only in US and Canada
- The virtual number expires if inactive
- Contains ads in the free version
- Have to install the app
Workable Ways to Send Text Messages for Free Online
Now, you've known that most online texting services are not reliable. This is why we also recommend the following proven ways or platforms by which you can send text messages for free online. Some of them include:
Google Voice: Best for US Users
Integrates with Google, Google Voice offers free text messaging to US phone numbers. When you first use Google Voice, you'll be given a phone number. But keep in mind an existing US number is required to obtain a free Google Voice number and start the free SMS service.
Google Messages: Best for Android Users
If you're an Android user who wants to send and receive texts online for free, there is no better option than Google Messages. Once you install Google Messages on your Android, the conversations are synced to the web version of Google Messages, so you can send SMS or MMS online. Moreover, as it supports RCS chats, you can enjoy interactive features to make sending a message fun, such as read receipts, and chat indicator.
WhatsApp: Best for Individuals and Business
With more than 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is one of the reliable ways to send messages and connect with people worldwide. Apart from the fact that messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, it makes texting over the Internet a breeze so you won't be charged for each message.
Snapchat: Best for Teenagers
Launched in 2011, Snapchat is one of the best messaging apps for Gen Z's. Though it is not a traditional SMS app, its web version also allows you to text someone online for free. Moreover, it focuses on private communication. Its ephemeral messaging makes texts and media disappear after being viewed.
AirDroid Family Chat: Best for Families
As a comprehensive parental control app, AirDroid Parental Control will soon support sending messages between family groups without fee. This feature will allow parents, guardians, and kids to connect with each other directly within the app through one-to-one chats or group chats. Ready to try this upcoming feature for free? Click here to get started and stay tuned.
Verdict
We've reviewed several popular free online texting websites, but unfortunately, most of them do not deliver on their promises. Among them, only SendSMSNow, TextMe, and textPlus work.
Therefore, if you need to send messages to your loved ones in real time, we recommend using reliable and famous platforms such as Google Messages, WhatsApp, AirDroid Family Chat, and so on. These apps not only offer dependable online messaging services but are also free and non-invasive, making them a better alternative to many online text services.
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