The short answer
TextFree is a free, ad-supported second number for calls and texts that you have to keep using. Ghost is pay-per-text messaging with your number masked and nothing to keep alive. Ghost fits occasional private texts; TextFree fits people who want a free line they use often.
Why people look for a TextFree alternative
The number expires if you stop using it
TextFree says free numbers expire after 30 days of inactivity. Its Reserved Number feature, part of TextFree Plus, stops that.
Ads, or $9.99 a month to remove them
The free plan is ad-supported. According to TextFree’s own comparison page (June 2026), TextFree Plus costs $9.99 a month and adds an ad-free app, a reserved number, number changes and verification code support.
Texting fewer countries
TextFree says it sends texts to 30+ countries. Ghost delivers to 100+, priced per destination: 1 credit per segment to the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, and more for many others.
Ghost vs TextFree at a glance
| Compared | Ghost | TextFree |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A protected sender ID for each text; no number to keep | A free second phone number |
| Cost | Credits from $4 for 20 in a browser, or $1 for 5 in the Android app; no subscription | Free with ads; TextFree Plus $9.99/month |
| Ads | None | On the free plan |
| Keeping access | Credits never expire; nothing to keep active | Free numbers expire after 30 days unused; Plus reserves them |
| Calls and voicemail | No. Ghost sends texts only | Yes, with voicemail transcription |
| Receiving texts | Only through a Reply Link: one reply within 7 days | Yes, from anywhere |
| Texting other countries | Texts to 100+ countries | Texts to 30+ countries |
| Verification codes | Not supported | With TextFree Plus |
| Apps | Android app and any web browser (no iOS app) | iOS, Android and desktop |
TextFree details from its own site, checked October 22, 2026. Ghost browser prices apply outside India; the $1 pack is Android-only (pricing). Prices change, so check before you decide.
Who should switch to Ghost
- Your TextFree number keeps expiring between the times you need it.
- You use it to text strangers and would rather not see ads.
- You text people in countries TextFree doesn’t reach.
- You only send a few texts a month and don’t want to pay for Plus.
Who should stay with TextFree
- You call people on the second number, or want voicemail.
- You use the number every week and are happy with free, ad-supported service.
- You need a number for verification codes.
- People need to text you first.
How to switch from TextFree to Ghost
- Keep TextFree if you still call from it. Ghost needs no number, so the two can run side by side.
- Try a free Ghost text. Use a promo code at ghostsms.online/free to send one message without an account.
- Sign up and buy credits when you need them. The browser version needs only an email address; the Android app is on Google Play.
- Add a Reply Link when you want an answer. The recipient can send one reply to your phone without seeing your number. Read how Reply Links work.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my TextFree number keep expiring?
TextFree says free numbers expire after 30 days of inactivity, and TextFree Plus includes a reserved number that does not. Ghost has no number to expire: you buy credits, and they stay on your account until you use them.
Is Ghost free like TextFree?
Not after your first text. You can send one text free with a promo code at ghostsms.online/free. After that Ghost uses credits: as of October 2026, 20 for $4 in a browser or 5 for $1 in the Android app. There are no ads and no subscription.
Can I make calls with Ghost?
No. Ghost sends SMS only and has no calling or voicemail. Keep TextFree or another second-number app if you need to call.
Does a Ghost text hide my number completely?
It hides your number from the person you text: they see a protected sender ID. It does not hide you from Ghost, your carrier or valid legal requests. Texts to the US, Canada and Europe start with "GHOST:".
Can I use Ghost on a computer?
Yes. Ghost works in any web browser, so you can send from a laptop, a tablet or an iPhone. There is also an Android app on Google Play.
Sources
Ghost is made by Elvento Labs, which publishes this page. What it says about TextFree comes from the pages above, not from testing TextFree’s app. Read our editorial standards or tell us about an error.