About this site
Who we are, and how we rate
Best Inmate Texting Apps is an independent guide to the real ways families reach a loved one in a federal facility. We exist to save you time and money when you are least able to waste either.
Our mission
When someone you love is designated to a federal prison, the first scramble is figuring out how to reach them — and the internet is full of lookalike services, confusing fees, and software that feels built for anyone but you. We cut through it. We explain the official Bureau of Prisons channel (TRULINCS, used by families on CorrLinks), and we test the third-party relay apps that make texting easier, so you can decide what is worth paying for.
How we rate
Every service is scored for one job: reaching a federal inmate. We weigh six things families tell us matter most.
Federal compatibility
Does it actually reach a BOP inmate through CorrLinks/TRULINCS — or is it really a state/county tool?
Speed
How quickly a message you send becomes a message they can read.
Photos & media
Whether you can share a photo of home, not just plain text.
Cost & transparency
What you pay, how it is billed, and whether pricing is clear up front.
Support
Whether a real person helps when a message will not go through.
Compliance
That everything stays inside BOP rules, so messages are not rejected.
Editorial independence
Our ratings are our own editorial assessment — not user reviews, and not for sale. We may earn a commission when you sign up with a service we recommend, which keeps the site free. That relationship never changes a score or a ranking. We are not affiliated with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, TRULINCS, or CorrLinks.
About the editor
Frank Rizzo
New York, NYFrank Rizzo writes about inmate communication, the federal prison system, and reentry resources for families. He digs into how services like CorrLinks/TRULINCS and third-party relay apps actually work in practice — the fees, the delays, the fine print — so families can reach the people they love without wasting money on the wrong tool.
Have a correction or a question? The fastest way to reach a federal inmate is still our top-rated pick; for site questions, see the FAQ.