Bird vs Textline
Use Bird if you need email, SMS and WhatsApp in one communications platform; use Textline if your team primarily needs to manage customer text conversations. Both offer two-way SMS, but Bird also provides channel APIs and a free shared inbox, while Textline packages texting tools around agents, message credits and team workflows.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Bird | Textline |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging channels | Email, SMS, WhatsApp and more | SMS, MMS and webchat; Messenger and Instagram integrations |
| Pricing model | SMS pay as you go; optional monthly balance deposits | Quoted subscription with included message credits |
| Shared inbox | Free software; channel usage billed separately | Included in subscription plans |
| Published SMS usage price | $0.0035 per US outbound long-code segment, plus carrier fees | $0.03 per add-on credit; $0.04 per backup credit |
| Included agents | Not published | 3 on Essentials; 5 on Pro |
| Included monthly message credits | Not published | 600 on Essentials; 2,000 on Pro |
| Agent access | Web workspace and APIs | Web browser, iPhone and Android apps |
| Integrations | Zapier, n8n, Attio and Customer.io | HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack and Zapier |
| Automation | Cross-channel automations billed per workflow invocation | Automations on all plans; time-based routes on Pro |
| Phone numbers | US local number from $0.50 per month | 1 included on Essentials; 2 on Pro |
| Support | Documentation and support contact | Priority support and dedicated success manager on Pro |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Bird if
- Teams using email, SMS and WhatsApp
- Developers building messaging into an application
- Teams seeking a shared inbox without a software charge
- Buyers who prefer pay-as-you-go SMS
Choose Textline if
- Support and sales teams centered on two-way texting
- Teams needing iPhone and Android agent apps
- Buyers who want agents and message credits in a plan
- Teams using Textline’s HubSpot, Salesforce or Zendesk integrations
The verdict
Pick Bird when the deciding factor is reaching customers across multiple channels or building messaging into an application through APIs. Pick Textline when the deciding factor is an SMS-focused workspace with included agents, conversation tools and mobile apps. Compare total costs against your expected message volume: Bird bills channel usage separately, while Textline quotes a subscription with included credits and charges for additional credits.
Bird vs Textline: common questions
- Should I choose Bird or Textline for customer texting?
- Choose Textline if agents will spend most of their time handling SMS conversations in a dedicated team workspace. Choose Bird if SMS is one part of a broader email and WhatsApp communications setup.
- Do Bird and Textline both support two-way SMS?
- Yes. Bird publishes two-way SMS as an included SMS capability, and Textline offers two-way business texting for teams.
- Does either product offer a free shared inbox?
- Bird says its shared Inbox software is free, but connected-channel messages and phone numbers can cost extra. Textline includes its inbox in subscription plans and asks buyers to contact sales for a plan quote.
- How do Bird and Textline charge for SMS?
- Bird offers pay-as-you-go SMS priced by segment, destination and sender, with carrier fees separate. Textline plans include monthly message credits; its published add-on credits cost $0.03 each and backup credits cost $0.04 each.
- Can agents use Bird or Textline on a phone?
- Textline publishes iPhone and Android apps for agents, as well as browser access. Bird publishes a web workspace and APIs; its current product information does not specify a comparable agent mobile app.
- Which has a Salesforce integration?
- Textline lists a Salesforce integration on its Pro plan. Bird’s current integrations directory lists Attio and Customer.io, while marking its Salesforce Marketing Cloud integration as coming soon.
- Can I use my existing business phone number with Textline?
- Textline says it can use an existing number in most cases and can text-enable most landlines, subject to a number check. Porting a cell number to Textline removes its native voice and texting functionality.
- Are Bird and Textline still available to buy?
- Yes. Bird offers sign-up and pay-as-you-go messaging, while Textline offers sign-up and sales quotes for its Essentials, Pro and Enterprise plans.