Having a second phone number can be handy for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you want to separate your business and personal calls, or you want a junk second number that you can use to sign up for services so you can avoid giving out your personal number to so many places. That’s particularly importance with the frequency of annoying spam calls and messages that can pile up when your phone number is made public. You might also want a second number to use in situations where you want to be able to contact people occasionally but you don’t necessarily want them to be able to reach your personal device directly, like when internet dating or using an app like AirBnB. Whatever the reason, there are many situations where having a number that you can give out which you can make use of but isn’t directly tied to your personal life like your main phone number is can be important for safety and security.
While you could get a second SIM card (or even an eSIM), an easier option for casual use is to use an app that lets you set up a second phone line. Whether you’re after an Android app or an iPhone app, you’ll find plenty of options to get a second phone line, including some which are free to use. We’ve hunted down some of the best options for apps that will give you a second phone number for whatever reason you need it, and we’re sharing them with you below.
Vyke
A blend between a second phone number app and a messaging app, Vyke is the app to grab if you’re looking for both a second number and a new chat app. You can pick numbers from a variety of different countries and create up to four different numbers at once. Calling and messaging other Vyke users is free, but it’ll cost you to message and call other numbers through the app, though you can buy a subscription instead of credit if you prefer. Some reviews do mention issues with getting WhatsApp and other services to accept the second phone numbers, though, so keep that in mind if this is your aim.
Onoff
Speed is the name of the game for Onoff, and it claims to be able to get you set up with a second number in seconds. You can choose from a number of different countries to register your second number, and it comes with visual voicemail and even the choice to market yourself as a “VIP number”. However, there doesn’t seem to be an option to create more than one additional number, and some users have complained about calls being dropped. It costs $4 per month or $13 for an entire year.
Numero eSIM
A solid option for business people and frequent travelers, Numero leans on eSIM capabilities to offer some excellent utility when you’re abroad and when you need a second phone number. You can choose from 80+ countries for your second number and use it to register on WhatsApp and other platforms. The eSIM capabilities are equally impressive and offer custom package deals for 12 countries and data in over 150. You can pay a monthly fee for a U.S.-based second number, but anything anywhere else is going to rely on purchased credits, so keep that in mind if you’re intending to use this for an international number.
Phoner
Phoner app has it all: It offers personal and business second phone numbers, reverse phone number lookup, phone call recording, anonymous caller lookup, and private texting and calling. Phoner supports international calling and texting in over 40 countries, SMS and MMS, as well as phone call recording. You get free texting and cheaper calling rates between Phoner users. Make your new phone number long-term for your business or use Phoner as a temporary disposable phone and generate as many numbers as you need. Phoner offers subscription plans starting at $5 per month for premium numbers.
Sideline
Sideline is a business-oriented app that provides a second phone number as well as calling, texting, and voicemail features, designed for workplace collaboration. All calls are cellular and use your existing carrier plan. Texting includes SMS, MMS picture messaging, and group messaging. Pro features include a team number that allows you to split a single number among multiple devices. The app lets you build a unique identity with vanity phone numbers, where your name or product is spelled out. You can choose area codes to find an available local number for your region and employ auto-reply via text or MMS. An enterprise account lets you manage company phone numbers on employee devices. Additional features include custom caller ID, business voicemail message and greeting, voicemail to text, and auto voicemail. You can pick a new Sideline phone number and port numbers from a burner number, Google number, Smartline, Line2, or other services. Sideline is updated often with bug fixes and interface enhancements.
Google Voice
Google Voice is a great choice for getting a free second phone number. If you have a personal Google account, Google Voice will give you a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail that you can use with your smartphone or computer. It will even sync across devices for on-the-go connections and message management. The app automatically filters out spam and blocks designated numbers. You can arrange personalized settings for forwarding calls, text messages, and voicemail. All communications are stored and backed up so you can search your history. Google Voice provides advanced voicemail transcriptions and lets you call international destinations without extra charges for international minutes. Google Voice calls are placed via the app’s access number using standard minutes from your cell plan. Google Voice only works for personal Google Accounts in the U.S. and G Suite accounts in some markets. Text messaging is not universally supported. Updated versions now support marking group messages as spam.
Cloud SIM
If you need multiple phone numbers on your smartphone for international conversations between mobile and landline, Cloud SIM — which offers numbers from the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and Poland — may be the answer. The service offers low-cost and free rates for calls or text SMS without additional or roaming charges, lets you choose your connection type, and lets you set up your call via either local access (GSM), mobile data, or Wi-Fi to some 200 countries. Cloud SIM facilitates receiving texts and calls to your new number, free text chat between phones worldwide while using Wi-Fi or data, sharing pictures, and using local access from your free minutes while you travel or have no internet. It offers a dedicated voicemail for each separate mobile number. You can buy up to four virtual numbers. New versions let you export and import SMS and chats.
Burner
Burner gives you a second line for calling, texting, and picture messaging. It intercepts calls on your Burner, routing them to your cell phone so no one sees your real number. You can call, text, and manage contacts from within the app and treat it as a long-term second phone number for business or projects or create a disposable phone number for dating, sales, deliveries, shopping, or selling items on Craigslist.
Integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Slack let you archive messages and voicemails or communicate with your team. You can create multiple phone numbers, keep them as long as you want — or burn them anytime. Share your Burner with anyone while keeping your new number secret for anonymous texting. Burner is free to download and comes with a seven-day free sample number. Additional phone numbers are available through in-app purchases or subscriptions. You can use Burner via a prepaid plan or subscription and can change your plan at any time in the U.S. or Canada, except in Puerto Rico.
2ndLine
2ndLine is a full-featured business phone system that you can use in addition to your personal phone number. The app is available in the U.S. and Canada and lets you call and message from a different number on the devices you and your employees own, either via Wi-Fi or your existing cellular network. You can choose a local phone number with unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited phone calling, and cheap international calling. Frills like emojis, stickers, and GIFs let you have a little fun, too. It also offers voicemail transcription, caller ID, call forwarding, customizable text and ringtones, and quick replies. You can also add your signature to each text. Passcode functionality lets you keep all calls and messages secure.
Hushed
Hushed lets you keep conversations private. You get a second smartphone number with this app, including local numbers for more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. You can use your second phone number for private calls and texts while concealing your caller ID. When you finish with the numbers, you can burn them. This app features full picture messaging (MMS), text (SMS), talk capabilities, and unlimited texting and calling in North America. Each number comes with call routing, call forwarding, auto-reply messages, and custom voicemail greetings. You can access your account on any device connected to Wi-Fi or data, and you can even use your tablet as a phone. The app offers flexible prepaid plans for 7, 30, 90, or 365 days in addition to pay-as-you-go plans. Test it out first with the app’s free three-day trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a second phone number for free?
You can get a second phone number for free by signing up for Google Voice. Google will assign you a phone number at no charge, which you in turn can use for calling and texting. It will even sync across all of your Google-enabled devices.
What is the best app to get a second number?
The best app to get a second number, in our opinion, is Google Voice. That’s because Google Voice is totally free and works seamlessly across all of your Google-enabled devices. However, there are a litany of other great apps for getting a second number if you decide Google Voice isn’t for you, including 2ndLine, Hushed, Burner, CloudSIM, and Vyke, among others.
What is the best app to get an anonymous second number?
There are a host of apps that will give you a second number that will provide anonymity, including Hushed, Burner, and Phoner.
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