Google has now finally added this functionality to its Android text messaging app. But how does it compare to the tools we’ve had for so long?Īndroid Messages for Web, as Google calls it, is the company’s newest feature for its texting platform. While available freely in the Play Store for any Android device, Android Messages is the stock messaging option on Pixel devices. While limited in features compared to more robust options, Android Messages is still one of the most popular messaging apps in the Play Store, and Android Messages for Web is only going to add to its popularity.
RELATED: Android Messages for Web: What It Is and How to Use It The thing is, users have been able to use third-party applications-like Pushbullet and MightyText-to not only used text messages from their computers, but also use any SMS app they want on their phone. Like so many Google products, Messages for Web isn’t as robust or feature-rich as some of the other options out there. But also like other Google products, that doesn’t automatically make it a bad choice. Here’s how it compares to the biggest comparable apps in Google Play: Pushbullet, MightyText, mySMS, and PulseSMS. So, right out of the gate, Pushbullet offers a lot more bells and whistles than Messages for Web. Not only do you gain the ability to text from your computer, but you can also send links and files, following specific channels of interest for immediate notifications, notifications mirroring, and universal copy/paste. That’s a lot.īut here’s the catch: most of those features-including SMS sync-are a part of Pushbullet Pro, which will set you back $4.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly. The non-pro version of Pushbullet lets you send 100 SMS for free, but that’s it-a limit that most people will blow through pretty quickly.
Messages for Web, on the other hand, is completely free and unlimited. But it doesn’t offer the advanced functionality of Pushbullet, so there’s probably room for both apps in your life, should you choose to do things this way. A reasonable option, to be honest, because Pushbullet doesn’t have the best texting interface, especially compared to Messages for Web. Unlike Pushbullet, MightyText started its life as nothing more than a way to send messages from your computer, but it has grown since then. In fact, it can do a lot of the same things you’ll find in Pushbullet, like notification mirroring. That said, it also offers features you won’t find elsewhere.
Things like battery alerts and texting via email are available as part of MightyText, and the Pro version also lets you schedule messages, create message templates, and even supports themes if that’s something you’re into. Of course, to get the most use from MightyText, you’ll need that Pro version (started to see a trend here?). The free version is limited to 150 messages per month, which isn’t much. The Pro version removes this limitation, allowing you to send as many messages as you want. SIMILAR TO PUSHBULLET APP PROīut here’s the kicker: MightyText Pro is $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year, making it double what Pushbullet charges, for a nearly identical service. It’s also worth mentioning MightyTexts’ photo and video syncing feature, which can back up everything you shoot with your phone’s camera-it even includes a simple editor. But honestly, if you’re already using Google Photos (as you should be), then this is sort of a wash. So at that point, you’re looking to pay a lot of money for not a lot of additional functionality. If you need features that aren’t included in Messages for Web, we’d suggest Pushbullet before even considering MightyText. When it comes to texting from your computer, mySMS is one of the simplest options out there.