# Bird vs Textline

Source: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/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.

## At a glance

| | 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 |

## Which to 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

## 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.

## 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.

## Product pages

- Bird: https://nachonacho.com/product/bird
- Textline: https://nachonacho.com/product/textline