How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Google Voice and TextNow are the strongest starting points when cost is the main concern, because both offer a free US number for calls and texts.
- Hushed and Burner suit short-term or disposable use better, because you can delete a number and start again when a conversation or sale ends.
- MySudo suits people who want more than one separate identity, since each Sudo can carry its own number, email address, and handle.
- Free numbers are often blocked for bank and government verification codes, so test a number with the service that matters before you depend on it.
- Sideline is worth a closer look when call quality matters, because it uses your carrier network rather than relying only on Wi-Fi or data.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Google Voice | Free personal second line | $0 per month | Yes |
 TextNow | Free calls and texts over Wi-Fi | $0 per month | Yes |
 Hushed | Disposable and international numbers | $1.99 for a 7-day pass | No |
 Burner | Disposable numbers you can delete | $3.99 per month (billed annually) | Free trial |
 MySudo | Multiple separate identities | See website | Yes |
 TextFree | Free US or Canada number | $0 per month | Yes |
 2ndLine | Long-term free second line | $0 per month | Yes |
 Dingtone | Low-cost international calling | See website | Yes |
 Sideline | Carrier-quality second line | See website | Free trial |
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The best burner phone app free options
Starting price$0 per month
Free planYes
Google Voice is the simplest free route for many US readers. You get a US number for calls, texts, and voicemail, and you can answer from a phone app or a web browser. Voicemail transcription turns missed calls into readable text, and spam filtering helps cut down on junk calls.
The main limit is identity. Google Voice is linked to your Google account, and sign-up requires an existing US phone number for verification. That makes it a poor fit if you want a number that cannot be traced back to you through an account, or if you live outside the US. Paid business plans start at $10 per user per month, but most personal users will stay on the free plan.
What we like- Free US number for personal use
- Voicemail transcription and spam filtering
- Call forwarding and web access
Watch out for- Requires an existing US number to sign up
- Tied to a Google account, so it offers less separation than a disposable app
Starting price$0 per month
Free planYes
TextNow gives you a free phone number and unlimited calling and texting to the US and Canada when you are on Wi-Fi. Setup is quick. You download the app, pick an area code, and start calling and texting from that number right away. The company also offers an optional SIM for mobile service and paid data passes, so you are not stuck on Wi-Fi forever if your needs change.
Ads pay for the free plan, so expect them in the app. You also need to keep the number active, because inactive numbers can be recycled. That makes TextNow a good fit for everyday use, but a weaker fit for a number you need to keep untouched for months. Paid ad-free options are listed at about $9.99 per month, though you should check the current in-app price before you pay.
What we like- Free unlimited US and Canada talk and text over Wi-Fi
- Easy area code choice
- Optional SIM and data plans
Watch out for- Ads on the free plan
- Inactive numbers can be recycled
- Call quality depends on your connection
Starting price$1.99 for a 7-day pass
Free planNo
Hushed is built around choice. You can pick a number from a long list of countries and area codes, set a custom voicemail greeting, forward calls, and use separate contacts for each number. Prepaid plans start with a 7-day pass at $1.99, which suits a single trip, sale, or sign-up. Unlimited subscriptions for US and Canada numbers are also available for people who want a number that stays active without watching a minute balance.
The trade-off is cost. There is no free tier that gives you a lasting number at no charge, and prepaid plans cap minutes or texts. If you call a lot, an unlimited plan makes more sense than topping up credits again and again. Read the current plan page before you buy a long-term deal.
What we like- Numbers from many countries
- Prepaid and unlimited plans
- Custom voicemail greetings and call forwarding
Watch out for- No true free plan
- Prepaid minutes and texts have limits
- Full features require a paid plan
Starting price$3.99 per month (billed annually)
Free planFree trial
Burner made its name on a simple idea: create a number, use it for a defined purpose, and delete it when you are done. That model still works well for selling items online, dating, or any short project where you do not want your real number passed around. Paid plans include unlimited calls and texts, spam blocking, auto-reply, picture messages, and the ability to delete or switch numbers. A premium tier adds video messaging, AI voicemail transcription, and a VPN for phone, Mac, and Windows.
Pricing is clearer on an annual plan. Standard is $7.99 per month billed monthly, or $3.99 per month billed annually as $47.99. Premium is $12.99 per month billed monthly, or $5.83 per month billed annually as $69.99. Check whether a trial is currently offered and when it converts to a paid plan.
What we like- Easy delete and switch for numbers
- Spam blocking and auto-reply
- Unlimited calls and texts on paid plans
Watch out for- Monthly price is higher than the annual rate
- Premium features cost extra
- US and Canada numbers only
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
MySudo takes a different approach from a one-number burner app. Instead of a single disposable line, you create Sudos, and each Sudo is a separate identity with its own phone number, email address, and handle. That structure helps when you want to keep work, shopping, dating, and online sign-ups in separate buckets. If one Sudo starts getting spam, you can limit or replace that identity without changing your main number.
The suite goes beyond calls and texts, with email, a private browser, and virtual payment cards in some plans. That breadth means more to learn at the start. Pricing varies by how many Sudos and features you need, so check the current pricing page for your region.
What we like- Up to nine separate Sudos
- Each Sudo can have its own number, email, and handle
- Private browser and virtual cards in the suite
Watch out for- More setup than a single-number app
- Pricing varies by plan and region
- Some services block VoIP numbers
Starting price$0 per month
Free planYes
TextFree offers a free, dialable US or Canada number that works over Wi-Fi or mobile data, even without a SIM card. You pick an area code, get a number in about thirty seconds, and start texting and calling. The app supports GIFs, reactions, audio messages, and video messages, and it also runs on desktop, which helps if you prefer typing on a larger keyboard.
The free plan covers everyday calling and texting, but it has a clear limit for sign-ups. Verification codes are a feature of TextFree Plus, listed at $9.99 per month on the homepage. Plus also adds a reserved number, an ad-free experience, and number changes. If codes matter, that paid tier matters more than the free tier.
What we like- Free real US or Canada number
- Unlimited texts and calls over Wi-Fi or data
- Works on phone and desktop
Watch out for- Ads on the free plan
- Verification codes require the paid Plus plan
- Number retention depends on activity
Starting price$0 per month
Free planYes
2ndLine positions itself as a second line you can keep, rather than a number you burn after one use. You download the app, pick a phone number, and get unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada over data or Wi-Fi. That makes it a practical choice for a side business, a freelance project, or a long-term separation between work and personal calls. A separate line also means separate voicemail and contacts for that part of your life.
The app is simpler than MySudo or Hushed. Setup is fast, but you will not find the same range of identity tools or international number choices. International calls are available at separate rates, so check those rates before you rely on the app abroad.
What we like- Free local number
- Unlimited talk and text in the US and Canada
- Separate work and personal numbers
Watch out for- US and Canada focus
- International rates are extra
- Feature set is simpler than paid rivals
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Dingtone is a long-running second-number app with a clear strength: international reach. It offers second numbers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries, and it supports low-cost calls and texts to mobiles and landlines in more than 200 countries over Wi-Fi. Voicemail, call forwarding, and call blocking are included, so the basics are covered even if you never pay for a premium feature.
Pricing works through credits and plans that vary by country and use, so the cheapest route depends on where you call and how often. Check the current in-app rates for your destination before you buy credits. Dingtone fits best when international calling is the main job.
What we like- Second numbers for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more
- Low-cost international calls over Wi-Fi
- Voicemail and call forwarding
Watch out for- Credit and plan details vary
- Call quality depends on your connection
- Interface feels dated next to newer apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Sideline stands apart because it does not rely only on VoIP. It uses your carrier network for calls, which can give you clearer call quality and a more reliable connection when Wi-Fi is weak or unavailable. You get a second number to share publicly, a separate voicemail greeting, auto-reply for missed calls, unlimited messaging, and spam labeling for unknown callers. You can also port an existing second number into Sideline.
Sideline is aimed at people who want a dependable second line for work or public contact, not at people who want a free number for a single day. Pricing is presented in the app stores rather than as a single public monthly rate, so confirm the current plan before you subscribe.
What we like- Uses your carrier network for calls
- Separate voicemail and auto-reply
- Spam labeling and number porting
Watch out for- No clear free tier for long-term use
- Pricing is shown in app
- US focus limits international use
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked each homepage to confirm the product still exists and matches its name. We favored apps that offer a real second number for US users and state their free or paid limits in plain terms. We mixed large services such as Google Voice and TextNow with smaller options such as Hushed, MySudo, and Dingtone.
Price was treated as a starting point, not a final verdict. A free app with ads and recycled numbers can cost more in hassle than a low-cost paid app if you need a number to stay stable. We noted where a free plan excludes verification codes and where pricing is only shown in an app store.
What to check before you pick a second number
A second number sounds simple, but a few details decide whether it will work for your actual use. Start with the job, then check the limits that could break it.
How long do you need the number
Short jobs favor disposable apps such as Burner and Hushed. You can delete the number when the sale or project ends. Long jobs favor Google Voice, TextNow, TextFree, or 2ndLine, where the goal is a stable number people can reach for months. Check the activity rules, because some free numbers are recycled after inactivity.
Will you need verification codes
This is the most common surprise with burner apps. Many banks, payment services, and government sites block VoIP numbers, or accept them inconsistently. TextFree reserves verification codes for its paid Plus plan. If codes matter, test the number with that exact service during any trial period, and keep a backup contact method ready.
Calls, texts, or both
Most apps here cover both, but quality and cost differ. Sideline uses your carrier network, which can help call quality. Wi-Fi apps such as TextNow, TextFree, and Dingtone depend on your connection, so a weak signal can hurt a call even when texts go through fine. If you take work calls on the second line, call quality should rank higher than a free tier.
Privacy and account links
A burner app gives you privacy from the person you call, not full anonymity from the provider. Paid apps still keep billing and usage records, and Google Voice is tied to a Google account. Decide what level of separation you need, and do not use a burner number to hide activity that requires a verified identity.
Cost over three months, not one week
A $1.99 pass looks cheap until you renew it four times. Add up three months of the plan you would actually use, including any credit top-ups for international calls. For most readers, the cheapest stable option is a free app, and the cheapest disposable option is a short prepaid pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best burner phone app free for US users?
Google Voice and TextNow are the strongest free starting points for most US users, because both give you a free US number for calls and texts. TextFree and 2ndLine are also free and worth comparing if you want a second number that is not tied to a Google account. The best pick depends on whether you need a stable line or a disposable number.
Can I use a free burner number for bank verification codes?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Many banks and payment services block VoIP numbers, and free apps are more likely to be blocked than carrier numbers. Test the number with the exact service before you rely on it, and keep your real number as a backup for account recovery. TextFree Plus lists verification codes as a paid feature, which shows how common this limit is.
Do free burner numbers expire?
Yes, some do. Free apps may recycle a number after a period of inactivity, and prepaid numbers have fixed durations such as 7, 30, or 90 days. Paid unlimited plans usually keep a number active as long as you pay and use it. Check the activity and renewal rules on the pricing page before you give a number to clients or use it for an account.
Is a burner app the same as a second SIM card?
No. A burner app gives you a virtual number that works over Wi-Fi, data, or your carrier network, depending on the app. A second SIM gives you a separate carrier line with its own plan. Apps are cheaper and faster to set up, but they can be blocked for verification and they depend on the app staying active. A SIM is more reliable for verification, but it costs more and requires a compatible phone.
Can I keep my burner number if I switch phones?
In most cases, yes, as long as you sign in to the same account on the new phone and the plan is still active. Prepaid numbers with a fixed end date will still expire on that date, even if you switch devices. Check the renewal date before you switch.
Are burner apps legal to use?
Yes, using a second number for privacy, work separation, or online selling is legal in the US in normal circumstances. The number must not be used to deceive people, commit fraud, or evade legal requirements. Providers keep records tied to your account and payment method.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://voice.google.com
- https://www.textnow.com
- https://hushed.com
- https://www.burnerapp.com/pricing
- https://mysudo.com
- https://textfree.us
- https://www.2ndline.co
- https://www.dingtone.me
- https://www.sideline.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.