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 is the best free second number for most US users, with calls, texts, and voicemail at no cost for personal use.
- TextNow offers a free number supported by ads, which suits casual use on a tight budget.
- Burner and Hushed are better for temporary numbers you want to discard after a sale, trip, or project.
- Sideline, OpenPhone, and Line2 suit freelancers and small teams who need a professional business line.
- Check verification code support before you choose, since some second numbers do not work for bank or account verification.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Google Voice | Free US second number | Free | Yes |
 TextNow | Free ad-supported number | Free | Yes |
 Burner | Temporary disposable numbers | See website | Free trial |
 Hushed | Private temporary numbers | See website | No |
 Sideline | Business second line for teams | See website | Free trial |
 OpenPhone | Small business phone system | See website | Free trial |
 Line2 | Business line with multiple numbers | See website | Free trial |
 2ndLine | Low-cost second number | See website | Yes |
 Numero eSIM | International second numbers | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?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.
The best second phone number apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Google Voice gives personal users in the United States a free second number for calls, texts, and voicemail. You pick a number by area code, link it to your existing phone, and manage calls from the app or web. Voicemail transcription and spam filtering are included, and calls to US numbers are free for personal accounts.
Business use requires Google Workspace plans, which add admin controls and team features at a per-user cost. The free personal version also allows only one number per Google account, and it is not available in every country. For a free, reliable second number in the US, Google Voice is still the first app to try.
What we like- Free for personal US use
- Voicemail transcription
- Spam filtering
- Works on web and mobile
Watch out for- US only for personal free use
- One number per account
- Limited business features
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TextNow offers a free US number for calls and texts, supported by ads in the app. It works over Wi-Fi, which makes it useful on a tablet or a phone without a cellular plan. Paid plans remove ads and add features, and TextNow also sells SIM cards and phones for users who want a full wireless plan.
The free number can be reclaimed if you do not use it, so keep it active if you want to keep it long term. Some services may not accept TextNow numbers for verification, so test that use case early. For casual, free second-number use, TextNow is a practical alternative to Google Voice.
What we like- Free number with calls and texts
- Works on Wi-Fi
- Optional paid plans remove ads
Watch out for- Ads in the free app
- Number may be recycled if inactive
- Verification support varies
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Burner is built for numbers you do not want to keep forever. You create a number in the app, use it for calls and texts, and delete it when the need ends. That design suits online selling, dating, freelance gigs, and travel, where you want contact without sharing your real number long term.
Burner is a subscription product, so it costs more than a free number if you keep it for months. It also lacks the team features of a business phone system. Use Burner when temporary privacy matters more than a permanent business line, and delete the number when the project ends.
What we like- Create and discard numbers easily
- Good for selling, dating, and short projects
- Call and text control
Watch out for- Paid subscription for ongoing use
- Not a full business phone system
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Hushed offers second numbers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries, with both disposable and longer-term options. You can buy a number for a set period, use it for calls and texts, and let it expire or renew it. That flexibility helps travelers, remote workers, and people who need a local number abroad.
There is no free plan, and pricing varies by country, so check the cost for the region you need. Hushed is less suited as a free everyday number, but it is strong for international use and short-term privacy. Compare its country coverage with Numero if you need a number outside North America.
What we like- Numbers in many countries
- Pay-as-you-go options
- Disposable and longer-term numbers
Watch out for- No permanent free plan
- Costs vary by country and number type
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Sideline turns your existing phone into a two-line device, with a separate business number, voicemail, and messaging. Team features let small businesses share numbers and manage messages, while auto-replies help after hours. That setup suits realtors, consultants, and service businesses that need a professional line without a second phone.
Sideline is a paid product after the trial, and its focus is the United States and Canada. It is not the cheapest option for casual personal use. For a freelancer or small team that wants a clear boundary between personal and business calls, Sideline is a solid, professional choice.
What we like- Second line on your existing phone
- Team features
- Auto-replies and voicemail for business
Watch out for- Paid plans for ongoing use
- US and Canada focus
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
OpenPhone is a business phone system that runs as an app, with shared numbers, team inboxes, and integrations for customer tools. Small teams can assign numbers by role, track conversations, and use call recording and summaries on higher plans. It works on web, iOS, and Android, so a team does not need desk phones.
Pricing is per user, which makes OpenPhone more expensive than a personal second-number app if you only need one line. It also offers more than a casual user needs. Choose OpenPhone when a business line must be shared, tracked, and integrated with other tools, not when you just want a private number for selling online.
What we like- Shared numbers and inboxes
- Integrations with CRMs
- Call recording and AI summaries on some plans
Watch out for- Business pricing per user
- Overkill for a single personal second number
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Line2 provides a second phone line with business features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and multiple numbers. It suits professionals who need more than one business number, for example a sales line and a support line, on a single phone. Coverage focuses on the United States and Canada.
Line2 is a paid service, and its interface is less modern than OpenPhone or Sideline. Its strength is straightforward multi-number handling at a business level. If you need several numbers without a full team phone system, Line2 is worth comparing on price and features.
What we like- Multiple numbers on one device
- Business voicemail and call handling
- US and Canada coverage
Watch out for- Paid subscription
- Interface feels dated next to newer apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
2ndLine offers a second US or Canada number for calls and texts inside the app, with a free tier and paid options for more features. It is a simple choice for personal use, such as a number for classified ads, sign-ups, or a side project. Setup is quick, and you do not need a second SIM card.
The free tier is more limited than Google Voice, and business features are thin. 2ndLine also depends on an internet connection for calls, so call quality follows your Wi-Fi or data signal. For a low-cost personal second number, it is a useful backup if Google Voice or TextNow does not fit your needs.
What we like- Low-cost second number
- Calls and texts in app
- US and Canada numbers
Watch out for- Free tier has limits
- Fewer business features than Sideline or OpenPhone
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Numero eSIM provides virtual numbers and eSIM data plans for many countries, which helps travelers and remote workers who need a local number abroad. You can buy a number for a country you visit, use it for calls and texts, and manage it from the app without swapping physical SIM cards.
Pricing depends on country and plan, and eSIM support requires a compatible phone, so check your device first. Numero is not a free US second number, and it is more complex than Google Voice for domestic use. For international numbers, though, its coverage is a clear advantage over US-focused apps.
What we like- Numbers in many countries
- ESIM data options
- Useful for travel and remote work
Watch out for- Pricing varies by country
- ESIM requires a compatible phone
How we chose
We compared apps on US availability, free access, number types, call and text quality, verification support, business features, and price, using vendor homepages, pricing pages, and app listings. We favored apps with current US support and a clear use case, from free personal numbers to business systems. Prices are listed as Free where a personal free tier exists, and as See website where pricing varies by plan, country, or user count.
Avoiding common second-number problems
Test the number before you depend on it. Send a text, make a call, and check voicemail on the device you will actually use. If you need the number for account verification, test that service early, since some banks and platforms reject virtual numbers. Keep a free number active by using it regularly, or you may lose it to recycling.
For business use, choose an app that lets you keep the number if you change phones or providers. Porting rules vary, so check them before you print the number on cards or a website. A second number should reduce hassle, not create a new point of failure, so pick the simplest app that covers your real use case.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free second phone number app?
Google Voice is the best free option for most US users, with calls, texts, and voicemail at no cost for personal use. TextNow is a good free alternative if you want an ad-supported number or a Wi-Fi-only setup.
Can I use a second number for verification codes?
Sometimes. Google Voice works for many services, but some banks and platforms block virtual numbers. Test the specific service before you rely on a second number for two-factor authentication, and keep a primary number for critical accounts.
Do I need a second SIM card for a second number?
No, for most apps on this list. Virtual numbers run through an app over Wi-Fi or mobile data, so your existing phone and SIM stay in place. eSIM apps such as Numero are an exception, since they use your phone's eSIM capability.
Can I keep my second number if I change phones?
In most cases, yes, as long as you sign in to the same account on the new phone. Free numbers may be recycled if inactive, so use the number regularly and check the app's inactivity policy before you switch devices.
Is a second number enough for a small business?
For a solo freelancer, yes, if the app offers voicemail, auto-replies, and a professional greeting. For a team that shares calls and tracks customers, a business system such as OpenPhone or Sideline will serve you better than a personal second-number app.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://voice.google.com
- https://www.textnow.com
- https://www.burnerapp.com
- https://hushed.com
- https://www.sideline.com
- https://www.openphone.com
- https://www.line2.com
- https://www.2ndline.co
- https://www.numeroesim.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.