# Seeking a completely free laptop based SMS/texting program **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198 "2018-05-15T07:06:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/1 "2018-05-15T07:06:10Z")
Howdy, I’m seeking a completely free SMS/texting program that I can use from my laptop. I need the program to sync incoming and outgoing messages with my phone. I also need the ability to schedule outgoing messages. I thought I had found a good one last night (MightyText), but the scheduling function was only available on the “premium” version. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/2 "2018-05-15T10:29:53Z")
Have you tried TextPlus? Not sure if it does those things you mentioned, (you’ll need to check, I’m unfamiliar with those!), but I’ve used it for a few years now and really like it. It’s free and you don’t need a phone plan as long as you can access wifi. Handles photos and works overseas like a charm! ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/3 "2018-05-15T12:48:37Z")
Thanks, I took a look at TextPlus. After I looked, I realized I should have included in the OP that what I’m seeking has to work with international texts, especially Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/4 "2018-05-16T04:02:09Z")
Pretty sure you want WhatsApp. I use it 90% on my computer and 10% on my phone. The devices mirror each other with no content lost. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/5 "2018-05-16T04:56:52Z")
Signal has better security than WhatsApp. I haven’t tried the desktop versions and I don’t use the features you need. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/6 "2018-05-16T06:12:34Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > I’m seeking a completely free SMS/texting program that I can use from my laptop. I need the program to sync incoming and outgoing messages with my phone. I also need the ability to schedule outgoing messages. . . what I’m seeking has to work with international texts, especially Israel. That’s a lot to ask for free. I don’t believe Whatsapp has scheduling, but otherwise, I think it satisfies the rest of your conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/7 "2018-05-16T13:47:22Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > That’s a lot to ask for free. I don’t believe Whatsapp has scheduling, but otherwise, I think it satisfies the rest of your conditions. Which is why I’m not using WhatsApp for this. I really need the advanced scheduling. The SMS app on my phone has the scheduling, but I’d prefer typing on a real keyboard rather than a phone. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/8 "2018-05-16T16:24:09Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > Which is why I’m not using WhatsApp for this. I really need the advanced scheduling. The SMS app on my phone has the scheduling, but I’d prefer typing on a real keyboard rather than a phone. Bluetooth keyboard for your phone? Acceptability would hinge on how fixated you are on the laptop’s keyboard; if it has to be the laptop, you may be slightly out of luck.\* \*Or not. The Bluetooth software stack that comes with my PC Bluetooth adapter allows you to use the computer’s keyboard and mouse to control a Bluetooth-connected mobile phone or tablet. But that’s pretty esoteric, and in my case I never use that feature. It’s certainly annoying to trigger by accident. Nevertheless, in theory, putting a Bluetooth adapter in the laptop and running that bit of software would allow you to control the phone from the laptop and use its keyboard instead of the screen touch keyboard in the phone, which I’m speculating is the problem you want to solve. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198/9 "2018-05-17T05:11:25Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Bluetooth keyboard for your phone? Acceptability would hinge on how fixated you are on the laptop’s keyboard; if it has to be the laptop, you may be slightly out of luck.\* > > \*Or not. The Bluetooth software stack that comes with my PC Bluetooth adapter allows you to use the computer’s keyboard and mouse to control a Bluetooth-connected mobile phone or tablet. But that’s pretty esoteric, and in my case I never use that feature. It’s certainly annoying to trigger by accident. Nevertheless, in theory, putting a Bluetooth adapter in the laptop and running that bit of software would allow you to control the phone from the laptop and use its keyboard instead of the screen touch keyboard in the phone, which I’m speculating is the problem you want to solve. Or software like Vysor. > [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > Which is why I’m not using WhatsApp for this. I really need the advanced scheduling. The SMS app on my phone has the scheduling, but I’d prefer typing on a real keyboard rather than a phone. So the SMS app on your phone allows for free international texting–and does not use an internet protocol?