In today's always-connected world, it's important to be able to send and receive text messages no matter where you are or what device you're using. While most smartphones have great built-in messaging apps, there may be times when you'd prefer to texting apps for computer from your desktop or laptop. Luckily, there are some great options that allow you to sync up your phone and seamlessly continue conversations from your computer.
Whether you need to text on computer while your phone is charging in the other room or you just want to enjoy a bigger screen and keyboard, these apps make it simple to stay connected. In this article, we’ll look at the top 5 apps for computer texting programs and texting from computer.
1. Pushbullet
One of the best apps to text from computer and sync devices seamlessly is Pushbullet. Available as smartphone apps for iOS and Android devices and browser extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari, Pushbullet makes it easy to push links, notes, files, reminders, and more between your devices.
The app also fully integrates with your smartphone’s messaging, allowing you to send and receive SMS or MMS messages on your computer. Any messages that you send through Pushbullet will appear to come from your regular phone number. You’ll also get notifications of any incoming texts so you can respond right away through the web app or extension.
Pushbullet is free to use, but upgrading to their premium subscription for $3.33/month gives you access to features like encrypted end-to-end messaging, SMS backup to cloud storage, and message transfer to across multiple devices.
2. Pulse SMS
For Android users who are looking for a top-of-the-line texting from computer experience, Pulse SMS is a great choice. Pulse SMS connects your Android phone and allows you to access messages from any web browser.
You can use Pulse, one of the top apps to text on computer, to sync SMS, MMS, and RCS texts and continue conversations from your desktop. Pulse also gives you the ability to send group texts, attach photos, send read receipts, and more. You’ll get notifications when you receive new messages, and you can easily search through all your past threaded conversations.
The app offers customizable themes and chat widgets you can access through Chrome, Firefox, or Opera extensions. Pulse SMS has a free 7-day trial with no ads, after which you can choose to pay a reasonable one-time fee of $10.99 for ongoing access across 5 devices.
3. Join by Joao
Join by Joao is another excellent texting app for Android that syncs your device with Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and the Join web app. You can connect multiple Android phones to one Join account, making it easy to text from all your devices seamlessly.
The setup process is fast and intuitive. Join encrypts data transfer for security and gives you options like message scheduling, SMS blocking, and battery optimization. You can also access your clipboard, notification history, contacts list and more through Join on your computer.
Join has a free version, but upgrading to Join Pro for $4.99/month or $39.99 lifetime unlock additional multi-device support, themes, SMS backup and advanced automation features like responding to texts automatically based on custom triggers.
4. AirDroid
AirDroid has long been a popular way for Android users to manage their phone from a computer, including accessing text messages. Once you’ve installed the app on your Android device, you can visit web.airdroid.com to sync up your phone and computer.
The AirDroid desktop client lets you send and get SMS, MMS and WhatsApp messages on your computer. You can also manage files, photos and apps; screen mirror your device; and use other phone tools from your laptop or desktop.
AirDroid has a free tier with basic messaging and device management features. For more advanced functions, Premium plans start at $1.99/month. AirDroid is easy to use and set up, making it a top choice for occasional remote access from a computer.
5. MightyText
MightyText is an app built specifically for the purpose of providing Android users with a way to text from any computer. It connects your Android smartphone and syncs your SMS and MMS messages to your Gmail account.
The MightyText web app, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and desktop apps for Windows, MacOS, and Linux allow you to send and receive messages as though you were texting directly from your phone. You also get instant notifications when new texts come in so you can respond immediately.
MightyText offers the choice between a limited but free version and Mighty Pro for $3.99/month, which adds multi-device syncing between your phone and up to 5 computers, message scheduling, contact management, and more robust MMS support.
Overall, MightyText is another solid option for accessing text messages across your Android phone and computer.
What To Look For in Texting Computer Apps
When choosing which app is right for you to start texting from your desktop or laptop, here are some key features to consider:
Cross-platform support - Many top texting apps allow you to send SMS/MMS from Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebooks, and any computer browser. This gives you maximum flexibility.
Sync SMS/MMS/RCS - The ability to synchronize all your smartphone’s messages including SMS, MMS, and RCS chat messages is ideal for seamlessly continuing conversations.
Encryption - End-to-end encryption ensures your messages remain private and secure.
Message scheduling - Schedule texts to be sent at specific dates/times, even when your computer is offline.
Multi-device syncing - Sync your smartphone with multiple laptops/desktops so you can text from any computer.
Customizable notifications - Get pop-up or audio notifications when new messages arrive so you can respond quickly.
Group messaging - Apps that fully support group MMS messages make it easy to stay in touch with teams and friends.
Photo sharing - Send and receive photos, videos, gifs, and other media seamlessly from your computer messaging app.
Affordable pricing - Many excellent texting apps offer free versions or reasonably priced subscriptions and life licenses.
Benefits of Texting From Your Computer
Why might you want to start texting from your desktop, laptop, or tablet? Here are some of the benefits this capability offers:
Larger screen and keyboard - For longer messages, enjoy the spacious screen real estate and comfortable keyboard of your computer.
Continuous conversations - Start text conversations on your phone then easily pick them back up on your computer without missing a beat.
Text from anywhere - Text home while traveling simply by logging into your messaging app on any computer with internet access.
Avoid phone distractions - When you need to focus at work or home, text from your computer so you're not tempted by other phone distractions.
Multitask efficiently - Keep the text conversation open in a small window while working on other projects on your computer.
Consolidate devices - If you have both a personal and work phone, consolidate messaging by texting from your desktop.
Hands-free accessibility - Computer texting apps can provide handy hands-free, voice-to-text accessibility.
Use less mobile data - Enable WiFi calling on your phone and text from your computer to use less of your phone plan's data.
Set Up SMS Texting on Your Computer
Ready to start enjoying seamless messaging from your desktop or laptop? Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get set up with your chosen texting from computer app:
Download the smartphone app for your chosen texting service on your Android or iOS device. Sign up for a new account or log into your existing account.
Download the compatible desktop app or browser extension for the service to your computer, depending on the platform options available.
On your phone, ensure your texting app has permission to view and send SMS messages.
Open the desktop app and sign into your account, scanning the QR code on your phone to sync the two.
Configure your notification settings and preferences on the computer app.
Begin sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages on your computer!
Consider upgrading to a paid subscription or premium version to unlock additional features.
Add browser extensions or download desktop apps to any additional computers you want connected.
Make sure to enable syncing so that messages you send or read on your phone or computer remain in sync.
With just those few simple steps, you'll be set up to seamlessly text from your phone or computer. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience!
Convenient, Seamless Messaging
As texting continues to be one of the most popular forms of communication, having the ability to text from all your devices allows you to always stay connected. Whether you have an Android device or an iPhone, one of these excellent texting apps for computer can keep the conversation going by syncing your phone seamlessly with your desktop or laptop.
Next time you need to text but don't have your phone handy, try sending messages from your computer. With the ability to text from anywhere with an internet connection, you'll never miss another important message. Download one of these top texting apps today and enjoy more seamless messaging!