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The Tech-pert: Cheap Alternatives to the Pricey AT&T Unlimited Texting Plan
By Rick.BroidaGuest Blogger(view all posts by Rick.Broida)
at 8:57AM Thursday August 18, 2011
under
Money Saving Tips
Planning to buy an AT&T smartphone, either now or after next month's heavily rumored iPhone 5 announcement? Here's something you should know: Starting August 21, AT&T will offer only one text-messaging plan: $20 per month for unlimited messages.
That's over and above what you're already paying for voice and data. Gone is the $10/month option for 1,000 messages (and long gone is the $5/month, 200-message plan), meaning you're now on the hook for an extra $120 annually if you want to send and receive texts.
That sucks, AT&T. So you'll forgive me if I tell readers how they can ditch your ridiculously overpriced messaging plan--but keep on texting to their hearts' content.
To borrow a phrase from Apple, there's an app for that.
Android and iPhone users alike can take advantage of text-messaging apps that cost absolutely nothing. The apps themselves are free (though some cost a few bucks if you want them without ads), and there's zero charge for sending and receiving messages.
One popular option is Textfree, a free app that offers unlimited text/picture messaging, as well as group texting (meaning you can send a message to more than just one person). Same goes for HeyWire and TextPlus. All three of these apps are available for Android and iOS. (To find them, just search Android Market and the App Store, respectively.)
So, what's the downside? Because these apps don't employ "true" SMS technology, but rather traditional data channels, messages can be slower to arrive. What's more, each app necessarily gives you a new, dedicated phone number, meaning friends and family will have to switch to that number when texting you. That's kind of a hassle--but mostly for them.
Ideally, you'd get everyone you know to switch to whatever messaging app you're using, thus working around the whole phone-number issue; you'd just be a name in the app's address book.
If you're fed up with being nickel-and-dimed by your carrier (most notably AT&T), I definitely recommend test-driving (or should that be text-driving?) these free alternatives. Given how much money you stand to save, they're worth whatever minor hassles you may encounter along the way.
Do you already use a freebie messaging app? Hit the comments and tell me which one, along with what you like or don't like about it.
That's over and above what you're already paying for voice and data. Gone is the $10/month option for 1,000 messages (and long gone is the $5/month, 200-message plan), meaning you're now on the hook for an extra $120 annually if you want to send and receive texts.
That sucks, AT&T. So you'll forgive me if I tell readers how they can ditch your ridiculously overpriced messaging plan--but keep on texting to their hearts' content.
To borrow a phrase from Apple, there's an app for that.
Android and iPhone users alike can take advantage of text-messaging apps that cost absolutely nothing. The apps themselves are free (though some cost a few bucks if you want them without ads), and there's zero charge for sending and receiving messages.
One popular option is Textfree, a free app that offers unlimited text/picture messaging, as well as group texting (meaning you can send a message to more than just one person). Same goes for HeyWire and TextPlus. All three of these apps are available for Android and iOS. (To find them, just search Android Market and the App Store, respectively.)
So, what's the downside? Because these apps don't employ "true" SMS technology, but rather traditional data channels, messages can be slower to arrive. What's more, each app necessarily gives you a new, dedicated phone number, meaning friends and family will have to switch to that number when texting you. That's kind of a hassle--but mostly for them.
Ideally, you'd get everyone you know to switch to whatever messaging app you're using, thus working around the whole phone-number issue; you'd just be a name in the app's address book.
If you're fed up with being nickel-and-dimed by your carrier (most notably AT&T), I definitely recommend test-driving (or should that be text-driving?) these free alternatives. Given how much money you stand to save, they're worth whatever minor hassles you may encounter along the way.
Do you already use a freebie messaging app? Hit the comments and tell me which one, along with what you like or don't like about it.
Self-proclaimed cheapskate Rick Broida has been a technology writer for over 20 years. He has authored over a dozen books, including, most recently, "How to Do Everything: Palm Pre." Currently he writes the Cheapskate blog.
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Whatsapp and Pingchat are two other decent messaging apps. To be honest, $20 a month for unlimited texting isn't that much. For someone who does over 4k texts per month, I think it's feasible. Also, some apps crash and are slower than texting.
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I actually use TextFree right now on my iPod, and it's amazing. The only downside is when the "servers" are "down". Idk if it's actually the service itself that's broken or if their servers *are* actually down, but it always happens when I need the service most - i.e. at the airport when I forgot my actual cell phone at home and when the cell phone is low on batteries so I can't make calls. But when it does work, it works great! Free text messaging is definitely the way to go.
Although I'd recommend dumping AT&T completely. It's the most overpriced provider for the least amount of actual service. If you want to pay that much, use Verizon, which has better coverage. ;)
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I'm totally gonna try this on my iPod. Thanks for sharing.
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There is also a way to get unlimited free texts by using Google Voice, but....I'm not quite sure how, um, straight and narrow this technique is. Part of the process involves using a wi-fi connection. Here's the link to a how-to for anyone interested: http://www.technologyjuice.net/free-unli…
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@GuyCopes: I can't understand the love for Google Voice. I find the app very confusing, especially when it comes to texting.
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@Rick I'm not a huge fan either. I think their are better options out there. Certain carriers have their own voice options that I think outdo Google Voice to be honest. But I know some like it and might want to use it as a free text alternative. In all honesty, I find Google apps in general, while containing some good tech, often overly cumbersome for some reason.
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I really like Google Voice, although admittedly I only use it on my computer. If you're tired of AT&T and willing to get a different phone, I'd recommend switching to Virgin Mobile. For $35/month, you get unlimited texting and data, and 300 minutes, and there's no contract. I'm on that plan, only I'm extra lucky that I only pay $25/month. (I signed up about six months ago when that was the price, and they're letting customers keep their same price agreement.)
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@dealtown that's an awesome deal for all that you get. I need to check them out!
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I've never understood how ridiculously expensive texting is. It comes out to like $700 per MB of data!
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I use Google Voice for texting free, plus all the other great voicemail benefits etc.
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I never tried Google voice. I always use Skype. I have to try it.
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I use both Google voice and Skype. Do keep in mind if you want to change your Google voice number it will cost you $20. I made the mistake of having the last four numbers match my home number. I have a phone number in Florida for Google even though I live in California. Oh, well.
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$20 is really high, tmobile chrges $5 unlimited messaging. if i was paying $20 i would drop them.
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