Line vs TextAnywhere — UK SMS comparison
TextAnywhere is a popular UK bulk SMS service. But if you want a real UK number, two-way messaging, and a shared team inbox at 1p per text, Line is the better choice for most small businesses.
Set up in under 3 minutes. From £1.70/mo.
Line vs TextAnywhere: feature comparison
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ease of use.
| Feature | Line | TextAnywhere |
|---|---|---|
| Real dedicated UK number | Shared sender ID / short code | |
| Two-way messaging | ||
| Shared team inbox | ||
| Browser-based (no install) | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Voice calls on same number | ||
| WhatsApp on same number | ||
| Message scheduling | ||
| Bulk SMS sending | ||
| Delivery reports | ||
| SMS API | ||
| Personalisation / merge fields | ||
| No monthly contract | ||
| Self-service setup | Requires account setup | |
| Cost per SMS | 1p | 3-5p+ |
Pricing comparison
How Line's pricing compares to TextAnywhere.
Line
RECOMMENDEDFrom £1.70/mo
- UK number from £1.70/month
- 1p per outbound SMS
- Inbound SMS free
- No monthly platform fee
- No minimum spend
- No contract — cancel anytime
- Voice calls and WhatsApp included
TextAnywhere
Credits-based, typically 3-5p/SMS
- Higher per-message rates (3-5p+)
- Credits expire — use them or lose them
- No two-way messaging on standard plans
- No shared team inbox
- No voice calls
- Focuses on bulk outbound only
- Less suited to two-way customer conversations
Why switch from TextAnywhere to Line?
Real UK numbers, not shared sender IDs
TextAnywhere sends from shared sender IDs or anonymous numbers that customers cannot reply to. Line gives you a dedicated real UK mobile or national number that customers can save in their contacts and reply to naturally. Your messages feel personal, not like a broadcast from an unknown source.
Two-way messaging built in
TextAnywhere is primarily an outbound bulk SMS platform. When a customer replies, you have no easy way to see and respond from the same interface. Line has a full two-way shared inbox — every reply is visible to your whole team, and you can have real customer conversations, not just one-way broadcasts.
1p per text vs 3-5p with TextAnywhere
TextAnywhere credits typically work out at 3-5p per message or more, with credits that expire. Line charges 1p per outbound SMS with no expiry on credits and no minimum spend. For businesses sending hundreds or thousands of texts a month, that difference adds up quickly.
Your number also handles calls and WhatsApp
TextAnywhere is an SMS-only service. With Line, your business number handles SMS, voice calls, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox. One number for all channels — simpler for your team and simpler for customers.
Simpler setup, no sales process
TextAnywhere requires account setup, credit purchases, and often involves a sales process for larger volumes. Line is fully self-service — sign up, choose a number, and start sending in under 3 minutes. No sales calls, no approval process.
Keep your existing number · Set up in minutes · No contracts
Line vs TextAnywhere FAQ
What is TextAnywhere?
TextAnywhere is a UK bulk SMS provider that offers outbound text messaging services for businesses. It is primarily used for sending bulk marketing and transactional SMS campaigns. TextAnywhere provides an online portal, SMS API, and email-to-SMS functionality. However, it focuses on outbound-only messaging and does not provide dedicated real UK numbers for two-way conversations.
How does Line compare to TextAnywhere?
Line and TextAnywhere both offer bulk SMS for UK businesses, but they differ in key areas. Line gives you a dedicated real UK phone number (not a shared sender ID), full two-way messaging, a shared team inbox, voice calls and WhatsApp on the same number, and 1p per text. TextAnywhere focuses on outbound bulk SMS with shared sender IDs, at higher per-message rates, without two-way conversation capabilities.
Is Line cheaper than TextAnywhere?
Yes, significantly. Line charges 1p per outbound SMS with a UK number from £1.70/month. TextAnywhere's credits typically work out at 3-5p per message or more. For a business sending 1,000 texts per month, that is £10 with Line vs £30-50 with TextAnywhere — before accounting for the additional features Line includes (two-way messaging, shared inbox, voice calls).
Can I switch from TextAnywhere to Line?
Yes. You can sign up with Line and start sending immediately with a new UK number, or port your existing business number to Line (takes 5-10 working days). There is no minimum commitment with Line, so you can try it alongside TextAnywhere before fully switching.
Does Line offer the same features as TextAnywhere?
Line includes everything TextAnywhere offers for outbound SMS (bulk sending, scheduling, delivery reports, SMS API, personalisation) plus significantly more: dedicated real UK numbers, two-way messaging, a shared team inbox, voice calls, and WhatsApp. For businesses that only need one-way bulk sending, both work — but for two-way customer communication, Line is a better fit.