COMPARISON
Ghost vs TextNow
Which anonymous texting app is right for you? Here's an honest, feature-by-feature comparison to help you decide.
Ghost
Built specifically for number masking — your real phone number is never exposed to recipients. Best for: marketplace sellers, business professionals, dating safety, and anyone communicating with strangers.
- ✓ Real number always hidden
- ✓ No account to try
- ✓ 100+ countries
- ✓ Credits from $1
TextNow
A second phone number app with free US/Canada calling and texting. Best for: people who want a free US secondary number for domestic calls and texts, and don't mind account creation.
- ✓ Free US/Canada calls & texts
- ✓ Second number (US/Canada)
- ✗ Requires account + personal info
- ✗ Limited international support
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Ghost | TextNow |
|---|---|---|
| Number masking (real number hidden) | ✓ | ✗ |
| No account required to try | ✓ | ✗ |
| Works with existing phone number | ✓ | ✗ |
| International SMS coverage (100+ countries) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Message scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Reply links (anonymous 2-way) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Credits never expire | ✓ | ✗ |
| No subscription required | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free US/Canada calling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free incoming texts (US/Canada) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ad-free (paid tier) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android app | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Ghost Pricing
- Starter: $1 for 5 credits
- Standard: $4 for 20 credits (20¢/SMS)
- Plus: $10 for 50 credits (20¢/SMS)
No subscription. Credits never expire. No account required to try.
TextNow Pricing
- Free tier: ad-supported, US/Canada only
- Premium: ~$9.99+/month (ad-free)
- Account + personal info required
Free for US/Canada. International coverage limited.
When to Choose Ghost
Ghost is the right choice when protecting your real phone number from recipients is the primary goal — not just getting a second number. Choose Ghost if you are:
- • Selling items on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay
- • Communicating with clients or contractors as a freelancer or consultant
- • Moving conversations off a dating app before meeting
- • Sending messages internationally to 100+ countries
- • Needing per-message pricing with no monthly commitment
- • Wanting to try before creating any account
When to Choose TextNow
TextNow is better suited for users who primarily want free domestic calling and texting within the US and Canada through a second number, and are comfortable with account creation and ad-supported usage.
Try Ghost Free — No Account Needed
Send an anonymous SMS in 10 seconds. No download. No signup.