The short answer
TextNow gives you a free North American phone number to call and text from. Ghost gives you no number at all: it delivers your text with your real number hidden and charges per message. Choose Ghost for occasional texts to people you don’t want to have your number, especially in other countries. Keep TextNow if you need calls, voicemail or a number people can reach.
Why people look for a TextNow alternative
It only works in North America
TextNow’s help center says the app can only be downloaded and used within North America, and that you can’t register from outside it. Calling a local number outside North America needs International Long Distance credits.
Cellular service ended outside the US in 2026
After July 30, 2026, TextNow stopped offering cellular coverage outside the United States, which affected SIM users in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Calling and texting over Wi-Fi continue, and TextNow held affected numbers for three months.
Ads, and a number you have to keep using
The free plan shows ads; Ad-Free+ is an in-app purchase that removes them. A free number can also be lost when it goes unused, which is why TextNow sells Lock In Number, a subscription that keeps it however little you use it.
You never needed a number in the first place
If you installed a second-number app to text one buyer, landlord or match, and nobody calls you back on it, keeping a line alive is overhead. See number masking vs a second number.
Ghost vs TextNow at a glance
| Compared | Ghost | TextNow |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A protected sender ID for each text; no number to keep | A free North American phone number |
| Cost | Credits from $4 for 20 in a browser, or $1 for 5 in the Android app; no subscription | Free with ads; paid upgrades in the app |
| Ads | None | On the free plan; removed with Ad-Free+ |
| Calls and voicemail | No. Ghost sends texts only | Yes |
| Receiving texts | Only through a Reply Link: one reply within 7 days | Yes, at your TextNow number |
| Where you can sign up | In the browser with just an email address | Only within North America |
| Keeping access | Credits never expire; nothing to keep active | Free numbers can be lost if unused, unless you buy Lock In Number |
| Verification codes | Not supported | With Lock In Number or Ad-Free+ |
| Apps | Android app and any web browser (no iOS app) | iOS and Android apps |
TextNow 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
- You text strangers now and then and don’t need them to call you.
- You live outside North America, or text people in other countries.
- You would rather pay per text than see ads or keep a number active.
- You want to send from a browser, including on an iPhone.
Who should stay with TextNow
- You make or receive calls, or rely on voicemail.
- People need to reach you first, or you text the same people every day.
- You need a number that can receive verification codes.
- You text a lot within the US and Canada and the free plan suits you.
How to switch from TextNow to Ghost
- Keep TextNow for what Ghost doesn’t do. Ghost needs no number and nothing is ported, so it can sit alongside TextNow for calls.
- Send a free test text. Use a promo code at ghostsms.online/free to send one message without an account.
- Sign up in the browser or the Android app. The web version needs only an email address. Buy credits when you need them; they never expire.
- Turn on a Reply Link when you need an answer. It lets the recipient send one reply to your phone without seeing your number. See how Reply Links work.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ghost a free TextNow alternative?
No. Ghost charges credits per text: as of October 2026, 20 credits cost $4 in a browser and 5 cost $1 in the Android app. There are no ads or subscription, and one text is free with a promo code at ghostsms.online/free.
Can I make calls with Ghost like I can with TextNow?
No. Ghost is SMS only: no calls and no voicemail. If you need calling, keep TextNow for that.
Does Ghost work in Canada and outside North America?
Yes. Ghost runs in any web browser and as an Android app, and delivers to 100+ countries. Texts to the US, Canada and Europe start with "GHOST:" so the recipient knows it came through Ghost.
Can people text me back through Ghost?
Only through a Reply Link, switched on per message. The recipient opens it and types one reply, which reaches your phone as a text without them seeing your number. Each link takes one reply, expires after 7 days and costs 3 credits plus the reply.
Can I use Ghost for verification codes?
No. Ghost is for sending messages, not for receiving verification codes or opening accounts elsewhere. TextNow supports codes with Lock In Number or Ad-Free+.
Sources
- TextNow Help Center: Is TextNow available in my country?
- TextNow Help Center: 2026 Service Update Outside of the United States
- TextNow Help Center: How can I lock in my number?
- TextNow Help Center: What is Ad-Free+?
Ghost is made by Elvento Labs, which publishes this page. What it says about TextNow comes from the pages above, not from testing TextNow’s app. Read our editorial standards or tell us about an error.