Free ad-supported line
VNumbr vs TextNow: a TextNow alternative
TextNow provides free, ad-supported calling and texting numbers in the United States and Canada, with paid plans on top. It is a reasonable answer if you want a cheap extra number for chatting. It is a less comfortable answer when you need a number to stay put: free lines are commonly reclaimed after a period of inactivity, and many platforms treat this type of number as internet-based. VNumbr is the pay-to-keep alternative.
Written and maintained by the VNumbr team · Last updated 24 September 2026
Key points
- TextNow: free ad-supported line.
- VNumbr: real-carrier numbers you can keep, plus per-use OTP numbers, paid in crypto.
- Details such as prices change often, so check each provider directly before deciding.
Side by side
| VNumbr | TextNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Number type | Real mobile-carrier numbers via our carrier partner | App-based US/Canadian numbers, free tier with ads |
| Countries | Countries shown live in the catalog | United States and Canada |
| How you pay | Cryptocurrency (Cryptomus, NOWPayments) or wallet balance | Free tier; paid plans through card or app store - check current options |
| Getting started | Email signup, pay by crypto or wallet balance | Account with the app; no carrier contract on the free tier |
| Keeping the number | Yes, for as long as you renew it (monthly or yearly) | Free lines can be reclaimed after inactivity - check their policy |
| Best for | Receiving SMS and 2FA codes on a number you keep | Casual free calling and texting in North America |
What TextNow does well
- A free tier that costs nothing to try.
- Calls, texts and an app on phone and desktop.
- Convenient for everyday chatting in the US and Canada.
Where VNumbr fits better
Yours for as long as you renew
Instead of a free number that can be reclaimed after inactivity, you pay for a defined period and the line remains assigned to you.
More than two countries
Choose from the countries in the catalog rather than only the US and Canada.
No ads
The dashboard is for reading your messages, not for showing you adverts.
Carrier-type numbers, crypto payment
Real mobile-network numbers, paid quickly with cryptocurrency or wallet balance.
Choose TextNow instead when
- You want a free number and do not mind ads.
- You mostly need a US or Canadian number for casual calls and texts.
- You are testing whether a second line is useful before paying for one.
Which should you pick: TextNow or VNumbr?
You need one code and never need the account again
TextNow or VNumbr OTP numbers both fit. Compare current prices for your app and country.
The account uses SMS two-factor authentication
Choose a number you keep. A VNumbr permanent number stays assigned to you while you renew, so later codes keep arriving.
You want to pay with cryptocurrency and sign up with just an email
VNumbr checkout is built around that. Check TextNow's current payment options if this matters to you.
You need voice calls or a full calling app
VNumbr numbers receive SMS only. If calling matters, an app built for it may suit you better.
Moving from TextNow to VNumbr
- 1Buy a number in the country your account expects.
- 2Open the account you want to move and find its phone number or security settings.
- 3Add the new number and confirm it with the SMS code that arrives in your VNumbr inbox.
- 4Only after the change is confirmed, let the old TextNow number lapse.
How VNumbr works
Choose a country
Pick where the number should be based. The prefix tells apps where you are.
Pay in crypto or wallet
Cryptomus, NOWPayments or your balance. Email-only signup, no ID.
Use it for verification
Enter the number where the app asks and request the SMS code.
Read it in your inbox
Messages appear in your dashboard in real time and through the API.
Common questions
Can I use a TextNow number for verification codes?
Some services accept it and some do not. Numbers that are known to be internet-based are more likely to be refused than real carrier ranges.
What happens if I stop using a free TextNow line?
Free lines can be reclaimed after a period of inactivity. Check TextNow's current policy for the exact rules.
Why pay for VNumbr if TextNow is free?
For a number you can rely on keeping, in a country of your choice, with crypto checkout and no link to an app account.
Should I use TextNow and VNumbr together?
Many people do. A per-use or app-based service can cover a quick one-off, while a VNumbr permanent number covers accounts that need codes again later. They are not mutually exclusive.
Are VNumbr numbers real mobile numbers?
Yes. They are allocated on real mobile carrier networks rather than internet-based pools. Each app decides which numbers it accepts, so no provider can guarantee a result.
How do I pay and sign up at VNumbr?
Sign up with an email address, then pay with cryptocurrency through Cryptomus or NOWPayments, or from a wallet balance. No identity documents are required.
How do I switch from TextNow to VNumbr?
Buy a number, register it on the account you want to move, and update the verification number inside that app while your old number still works. Only then let the old one lapse.
Just need one code, not a number to keep?
This comparison is about VNumbr's permanent numbers. VNumbr also sells single-use OTP numbers billed per activation, for a one-off verification code.
More comparisons
Try a permanent number.
Crypto checkout, keep it for as long as you renew.