If you’re searching for “inmatedb.com/">texting an inmate software,” you’ve probably already hit a wall. Maybe you tried the facility’s official app and got stuck on a login screen. Maybe your messages disappear for days. Or maybe you just want to know which service will actually let you and the person inside send texts back and forth without headaches. The short answer: there are three main options, and they are not the same. Here is how they compare for the person on the outside and the person on the inside.
The Three Ways Families Text Inmates
Broadly speaking, you have three choices: the facility’s official messaging service (like GTL or Securus), a third-party platform that works across multiple facilities, or a service like InmateDB that lives outside the jail system entirely. Each works differently, and the one that is best for you depends on what facility you are dealing with and how much control you want.
Facility-Approved Apps: The Default Option
Most prisons and jails in the U.S. and Canada contract with companies like ViaPath (formerly GTL), Securus, or TouchPay. You download their app, create an account, and send messages that go through their servers before reaching the inmate’s tablet or kiosk.
What you notice as a user: the app usually looks dated. Buttons are small. You might need to add money to a “stamp” account before you can send anything. The inmate reads your message on their tablet and types back on a touchscreen or kiosk keyboard. Replies can take anywhere from a few minutes to a full day, depending on whether the inmate has tablet access and how often they check.
The problem with these apps is inconsistency. Some facilities let you send photos, some don’t. Some charge per message, others charge a flat monthly fee. And if your loved one gets moved to a different facility, your account might not transfer. You start over.
Third-Party Platforms That Bridge Facilities
A handful of companies have tried to create a single platform that works across multiple facilities. You sign up once, enter the inmate’s ID, and send messages through their system. The platform then routes the message to whatever messaging service the facility uses.
In theory, this sounds great. In practice, it adds a middleman. Your message goes from you to the platform, then to the facility’s system, then to the inmate. Each hop can add lag. Some platforms also charge a subscription fee on top of whatever the facility charges. And if the facility changes its contract, the platform might stop working for that inmate entirely.
These services are useful if you have family members in multiple facilities and want one bill. But they don’t solve the core frustration: the inmate still has to use the facility’s software, which can be slow and limited.
Services Outside the Jail System: InmateDB
There is another category of texting inmate software that operates independently of the facility. InmateDB is one example. You sign up on their website, add an inmate, and send messages, photos, and letters online. The inmate can then text phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada directly from the platform. They also get access to AI chat, email, news, lessons, trivia, and a private journal.
What this means for you: you send your message from your phone or computer, and the inmate receives it in their InmateDB inbox. They reply on their tablet or phone (if allowed) and the text comes to your phone like a regular SMS. There is no middleman routing through the facility’s app.
The catch: the facility has to allow devices that can run the software. Not all facilities do. Check before you pay. Also, the inmate needs to be able to access the internet or a cellular network, which might not be possible in all housing units. InmateDB offers a 5-day free trial for every new inmate, so you can test it before committing to the $19.99 monthly subscription.
What Usually Goes Wrong the First Time
No matter which option you pick, something will probably go wrong on your first try. Here are the most common issues and what they actually mean.
Message shows as “delivered” but inmate says they never got it. This happens most often with facility-approved apps. “Delivered” often means the message reached the facility’s server, not the inmate’s device. If the inmate’s tablet is broken, confiscated, or in a different area, they may not see it for hours or days.
Reply takes forever. The inmate might only have tablet access during certain hours. In many facilities, tablets are locked away at night or during lockdowns. A reply that takes 12 hours is normal, not a sign that something is broken.
You get charged but the message doesn’t send. This is rare with third-party services but common with facility apps. If a message fails to send, you usually have to contact the facility’s support line, which is not always helpful. Screenshot everything.
How Much It Actually Costs
Facility apps often charge per message — anywhere from $0.25 to $1.00 each, plus a monthly fee for the app itself. If you send several messages a day, that adds up fast. Some facilities offer unlimited plans for around $15–30 per month, but only for messages within their system.
Third-party platforms typically charge a monthly subscription (around $10–20) plus per-message fees. InmateDB charges $19.99 per month per inmate, with a 5-day free trial. That one fee covers messages, photos, letters, and the other features. No per-message charges.
If cost is a concern, look for services with flat monthly pricing and no hidden fees. Avoid anything that charges per character or per photo.
Where This Leaves You
If you want the simplest option that works with most facilities, start with the facility’s official app. It’s annoying but it’s the least likely to be blocked. If you are already frustrated with that app’s limits, look into a third-party platform or a service like InmateDB that gives the inmate more ways to communicate. The free trial on InmateDB lets you test without risk.
The most important thing is to pick one method and stick with it. Switching services confuses both you and the inmate. Check the facility’s rules first, then choose the option that fits your budget and your patience level. You are not going to find a perfect system. But you can find one that works well enough.