Text messaging phone plans?

i have verizon but the contract expires in march. well if i was to keep verizon and i get text messaging does that whole plan where i can text message anyone actually work or if i text message someone say with sprint will it charge me for each message sent and received? or if i go to cingular (at&t) what is their text messaging plans like. like can i text message other companys like verizon or can i only text message cingular? oh ya i also want a plan where i can talk to people on other companys without being charged an arm and a leg