Texting or instant messaging? Which one do you use to chat with a friend? Although people use both terms interchangeably, they refer to two different things. The fundamental difference between text and instant messagin g   is that the former uses cellular phone service, while the latter uses an application to send messages via the internet. Besides this, there are several other interesting differences between these two modes. Let us take a closer look. What is texting? Texting allows you to send messages to someone using a mobile carrier or cellular phone service. Both sender and receiver need a phone signal to exchange text (sometimes called an SMS). It is found that 66 percent of the world’s population is equipped to receive text messages, so it has a more extensive reach. Our country’s top wireless carriers AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, are working together to create a messaging service that could help replace the standard SMS texting and add a new dimension. The key points to remember about texting are: You can send a text to any mobile phone. There is no need to stay online. Smartphones are not required. You do not need any specific apps. Texting may be slower, depending on the cellular signal.