The best second phone number app depends on what you need it for. As of October 2026, Google Voice is the best free pick for US residents who can meet its requirements, TextNow and TextFree are free if you accept ads, Burner and Hushed are built for short-term numbers, Sideline is a paid line for people in the contiguous US, and AvoCall is a good fit if you want a US or Canada number you choose by area code or city, with a free plan for eligible new Android accounts and AvoCall+ when you need more.
AvoCall wrote this guide, so we have tried to be fair: competitor facts come from each company's own site or help center, and we say where another app is the better choice.
Quick comparison
| App | Free option | Paid pricing (as of Oct 2026) | Numbers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvoCall | Eligible new Android accounts; ad-supported with limited minutes and texts | AvoCall+, see current pricing | US and Canada | Picking your own area code, with a free start |
| Google Voice | Yes, Basic plan for personal use | Not needed for personal use | US only | US residents with a US number and ID |
| TextNow | Yes, with ads | Ad-free and number-lock add-ons; wireless plans from $18.99/month | US and Canada area codes | Free calling and texting with ads |
| TextFree | Yes, with ads | TextFree Plus from $9.99/month | US and Canada | Free texting if you use it every month |
| Sideline | No | $6.99 first month, then $14.49/month | US | A paid line in the contiguous US |
| Hushed | No | Unlimited from $6.99/month; prepaid from $7.99 for 30 days | US, Canada, UK, Puerto Rico | Prepaid and short-term numbers |
| Burner | No, 3-day in-app trial | Standard $7.99/month on its website | US and Canada | Numbers you plan to throw away |
AvoCall
AvoCall gives you a second US or Canada number inside the app on iPhone and Android. Calls and texts run over Wi-Fi or mobile data next to your existing SIM, and you choose your number by area code or city.
- Free plan: for eligible new Android accounts, ad-supported, with a limited allowance of US and Canada minutes and texts shown in the app.
- AvoCall+: unlimited US and Canada calls and texts (fair use policy applies), voicemail transcription, a custom greeting, no in-app ads, and your number kept while you are subscribed.
- Extras: calls to supported international destinations from wallet credit, with the rate shown before you dial.
- Watch out for: a free number can be released after the inactivity period shown in the app; porting an existing number in is not offered; verification texts vary by sender; no 911.
Who it is for: people who want a private number for dating, selling things online, sign-ups, travel, or keeping a US number while living abroad, and who want to start free. Download AvoCall.
Google Voice
Google Voice's Basic plan is free for personal use. As of October 2026, Google's help pages say it is available only in the US, needs another phone number to verify the account, and that new numbers cannot call or text until you complete identity verification with a government ID.
- Watch out for: Google may reclaim a number that is not used to call or text for 3 months, and Google says some websites, such as banks, "won't send text messages to Google Voice numbers."
Who it is for: US residents who already have a US mobile number and want a second number at no cost. AvoCall vs Google Voice.
TextNow
TextNow is a free calling and texting app paid for by ads, and it also sells TextNow Wireless SIM and eSIM plans.
- Watch out for: a new number expires within 24 hours if you do not call or text from it, and TextNow says there is "no hard-and-fast rule" for how long a number can stay inactive. Keeping a number regardless of use takes the paid Lock In Number add-on. TextNow says some services do not accept its numbers for verification.
Who it is for: people who want free calling and texting and do not mind ads. AvoCall vs TextNow.
TextFree
TextFree, from Pinger, is a free calling and texting app paid for by ads, with a TextFree Plus subscription.
- Watch out for: the number expires after 30 days without an outgoing text or call, and TextFree says verification calls and short-code texts are only supported with TextFree Plus.
Who it is for: people who text regularly and want a free number they will use at least monthly. AvoCall vs TextFree.
Sideline
Sideline, also from Pinger, is a subscription second line. Unlike most apps here, its App Store listing says it "works over your carrier network (not VoIP)." It has no free plan or free trial; pricing starts at $6.99 for the first month, then $14.49 a month, with 6-month and yearly plans. Sideline says it only serves contiguous US residents while they are in the contiguous US, and that it does not support some verification short codes.
Who it is for: people in the contiguous US who want a paid line whose calls use their carrier network. AvoCall vs Sideline.
Hushed
Hushed offers private numbers on unlimited subscriptions or prepaid packages that do not auto-renew, with numbers in the US, Canada, the UK, and Puerto Rico. Hushed stopped selling lifetime numbers on May 29, 2025.
- Watch out for: once a number expires, Hushed says it "cannot guarantee" you can restore it, and that its numbers are "NOT guaranteed to work with third-party verification."
Who it is for: people who want a prepaid number for a set period, or a UK number. AvoCall vs Hushed.
Burner
Burner is a subscription app built around disposable numbers: you can "burn" a number at any time, and that cannot be undone. Calls to a Burner number are forwarded to your regular cell number. New accounts get a 3-day free trial when they subscribe in the app, and Burner's website lists lower prices than its app store listing.
- Watch out for: if a subscription ends, Burner says the number "may eventually expire or be released," and its App Store listing says it is not compatible with short-code texts or 911.
Who it is for: people who want a number for a single purpose and plan to throw it away. AvoCall vs Burner.
How to choose
- Decide how long you need the number. For a few weeks, Burner or a Hushed prepaid package works. For years, choose a plan that keeps your number, such as AvoCall+.
- Check where you live. Google Voice is US only; Sideline needs the contiguous US. AvoCall works anywhere you have internet once your account is set up.
- Be honest about ads. Free plans on AvoCall, TextNow, and TextFree are paid for by ads. AvoCall+ removes in-app ads, and TextNow sells ad-free options.
- Test verification texts. No app here guarantees them. Read can a virtual number receive verification texts?.
More guides: free second phone numbers, second number on iPhone, second number on Android, and is AvoCall legit?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best second phone number app?
It depends on the job. Google Voice is the strongest free pick for eligible US residents, TextNow and TextFree are free with ads, Burner and Hushed suit short-term numbers, and AvoCall suits eligible new Android users who want to choose a US or Canada number and start on a free plan.
Which second number apps are free?
As of October 2026, Google Voice, TextNow and TextFree offer a free option; AvoCall currently offers one to eligible new Android accounts. Sideline, Hushed, and Burner are paid, though Hushed and Burner sometimes offer short trials.
Can a second number app receive verification codes?
Sometimes. Every app in this list says, in one way or another, that some services block their numbers or that short-code texts are limited. Compatibility varies by sender, so test the services you care about.
Do I need a second SIM for a second number app?
No. These apps work on the phone you already have. AvoCall, for example, runs calls and texts over Wi-Fi or mobile data next to your existing SIM. Sideline is an exception in how it connects calls: it uses your carrier network rather than the internet.
Who makes this guide?
AvoCall. Competitor facts come from each company's own site or help center as of October 2026, and we say where another app fits better.