A second phone number app adds a separate number to the phone you already own. This guide covers how the technology works, which US options fit which users, what they cost, and where privacy stops.
Key Takeaways
- Most second number apps deliver a VoIP number over the internet, with no extra handset.
- Match the app to the job: free personal line, temporary number, business line, or team inbox.
- Compare ownership, porting, verification-code support, and cancellation terms, not just price.
- A second number protects your primary number. It does not make you anonymous.
How Second Phone Number Apps Work
What is a second phone number app?
It is software that gives you an additional number for calls, texts, and voicemail while you keep your phone and primary number. The FCC defines Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as voice calls over broadband instead of a traditional phone line. "Virtual number" is the everyday term for a number delivered this way.
How it differs from the alternatives:
- Dual SIM or eSIM: a second carrier plan on the same phone. Better when you need cellular coverage without Wi-Fi.
- Second carrier line: a full plan with its own cost and contract terms.
- Landline: tied to a physical connection, not an app.
Setup and daily use
Setup usually takes minutes:
- Create an account and pick a number or area code.
- Install the mobile or desktop app.
- Set caller ID, notifications, and forwarding.
- Test a call and a text in both directions.
When you call or text from the app, the other person sees the second number. You can forward calls to your regular phone and get voicemail by email or on a web dashboard.
Features to compare
- Voice, SMS/MMS, and voicemail
- Call forwarding and caller ID
- Spam controls and call recording
- Business hours, auto-attendants, and shared access
- Multiple numbers
Recording, international calling, verification texts, MMS, and porting vary by provider, plan, and destination.
Weak internet and emergencies
Most VoIP apps depend on Wi-Fi or mobile data. Weak connections cause poor call quality, delayed messages, and missed notifications. Check whether a service offers forwarding or browser access as a fallback.
Keep a regular carrier line too. The FCC warns that VoIP 911 may not reach the correct local call center and can fail during power or internet outages.
Are these apps anonymous?
No. A second number hides your primary number from the person you contact. The provider can still link activity to your account, payment method, device, or usage data. TextNow says it may retain information after account closure and responds to valid legal orders. Hushed and Burner also keep limited records.
Verification is another limit. Google says some banks and subscription services do not send SMS to VoIP numbers, and WhatsApp lists VoIP numbers among unsupported types. Never assume a virtual number works for every sign-up.
Best Second Phone Number Apps for US Users
Pricing changes often. Confirm every figure at checkout.
Tossable Digits: best for privacy and flexible number management
Tossable Digits, run by Telusion, Inc. since 2005, forwards calls and texts to any existing phone. Local numbers cover 500+ US cities, plus toll-free and vanity options. US numbers need no registration and activate immediately, subject to inventory.
- 60+ features included in every plan, including voicemail, call recording, IVR, call screening, and robocall blocking
- Voicemail by website, phone, or email, with MP3 attachments
- Multiple identities, number groups, and a mobile app
- No contract, cancel anytime; keep a number for 2 minutes or 10 years
- Free port-in from most US and Canadian carriers, typically 1-5 business days
Limits:
- Person-to-person texting only on local US and Canadian numbers
- Business texting limited to toll-free numbers
- No MMS
- Caller ID control hides your real number, but is not total anonymity
Telusion is BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
Google Voice: best basic or free option
The personal basic version is free for eligible US users with a personal Google account. Paid standalone plans run $10/month (Starter) and $20/month (Standard) and include call recording. It offers forwarding, voicemail transcription, spam blocking, and web and mobile apps.
Watch for short-code limits and banks that refuse Voice numbers. Porting in costs $20. Business scaling goes through Workspace plans at $10 to $30 per user.
TextNow: best for free or low-cost texting
TextNow gives a free local number with talk and text, supported by in-app ads. Users pick a US or Canadian area code. Add-ons are billed weekly: Lock In Number at $1.99/week and Ad-Free+ at $6.99/week.
Free numbers can be revoked for inactivity, and TextNow suggests using the number at least daily. Fine for casual use. Weaker for sensitive business communication or shared team access.
Hushed: best for temporary and privacy-oriented numbers
Hushed lists unlimited one-line plans at $6.99/month or $66.99/year. Prepaid options run from $7.99 for 30 days (50 minutes, 150 SMS) to $55.99 for 365 days.
Subscriptions auto-renew. Prepaid plans do not, and expired numbers may not be restorable.
It suits online selling, travel, or short projects. Check that the number can receive verification codes before relying on it.
Burner: best for short-term disposable numbers
Burner offers monthly or yearly subscriptions, with prices set in-app and a 3-day trial for new users. Standard includes calls, texts, and MMS. Prepaid Burners give 8 credits, 50 minutes, and 100 texts for 30 days.
It allows port-out but not port-in. After cancellation a number may be released permanently, and burning one is irreversible. Great for one interaction, poor for long-term customer relationships or account recovery.
Quo (formerly OpenPhone): best for growing teams
OpenPhone rebranded to Quo in September 2025. Monthly pricing is $19, $33, or $47 per user (Starter, Business, Scale), or $15, $23, and $35 with annual billing. Extra numbers cost $5/month each. A 7-day trial is available.
It adds shared inboxes, call routing, analytics, and integrations that personal apps lack. Per-user pricing adds up fast, and international calls beyond the US and Canada use prepaid credits. Porting is free, usually 3-7 business days.
How to Choose the Right Second Phone Number App
Start with the purpose
Match the app to how you will use the number:
- Marketplace listing: a disposable number
- Side business: a stable line with voicemail and texting
- Team use: shared inboxes and routing
Pick the use case first and the shortlist shrinks.
Compare number and communication features
- Local, toll-free, mobile, or VoIP number type
- SMS and MMS support, and whether business texting is allowed
- Forwarding, app, browser, or regular-phone access
- Voicemail, spam blocking, recording, IVR, and simultaneous ringing
Businesses sending app-based texts to US recipients from standard 10-digit numbers may need 10DLC registration. Personal texting generally does not.
Review the full cost
Look past the headline price and check:
- Monthly, annual, prepaid, per-minute, and per-user fees
- Porting and international charges
- Free-plan ads, inactivity rules, and number-reclamation risk
- Paid-plan add-ons billed separately
Check privacy and legal limits
Read each privacy policy for data retention, sharing, deletion, and recording notices. Hiding your number is legitimate. Impersonation, harassment, and fraud are not. FCC rules under the Truth in Caller ID Act prohibit misleading caller ID used to defraud or cause harm.
Recording laws differ by state, and some require all parties to consent. Use an announcement when in doubt.
Test reliability and long-term control
- Test calls and texts on Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Confirm caller ID and notification behavior
- Ask whether you can port out, keep the number after cancelling, and recover it after inactivity
- Contact support before committing
Why Use a Second Phone Number App?
Privacy and personal separation
A second number keeps your main line off public listings, marketplace posts, business cards, and unfamiliar sign-up forms. Teachers use them to talk with parents without sharing a personal number. Separate voicemail greetings and Do Not Disturb settings also keep work and personal life apart.
Business and professional communication
A dedicated line gives you tools built for client contact:
- Professional voicemail and call forwarding
- Customer texting and call routing
- Separate numbers per ad campaign so you can see which marketing works
It suits real estate agents, property managers, remote workers, online sellers, and small business owners.
Travel and international flexibility
Expats and travelers can keep a US number and forward calls abroad. Availability, data needs, and rates vary by provider. If you need cellular service without Wi-Fi, or local registration, an eSIM or local carrier line is a better fit.
Conclusion
The best second phone number app depends on the job. Match the tool to the use case:
- Free texting: Google Voice or TextNow
- Short-term privacy: Hushed or Burner
- Team calling and shared inboxes: Quo
If you want a privacy-focused virtual number with call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and flexible number management, review Tossable Digits' current options and terms before signing up.
Before you replace or expose your primary number, verify:
- Pricing and privacy practices
- Number ownership
- Emergency-calling limits
- Verification support
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a second phone number app cost?
Options range from free ad-supported plans to prepaid packs, subscriptions around $7 to $20 a month, and business plans priced per user. Check extra charges for international calling, premium numbers, porting, and advanced features.
How does a second phone number app work?
The app assigns a separate number and routes calls and texts over an internet connection. You communicate without sharing your primary number.
Can calls or texts from secondary number apps be traced?
Recipients usually see only the secondary number. Providers may keep account and usage records and respond to valid legal requests. Privacy is not anonymity.
How can I hide my real number when calling or texting?
Use a reputable second-number service that supports outbound calls and texts from its assigned number. Never use it to impersonate others or mislead people.
Why do I have a secondary phone number on my iPhone?
It may be a second SIM or eSIM, a carrier-added line, or a VoIP or messaging app. Check Settings > Cellular to see carrier lines, then review your installed apps.
What is a VoIP number?
A VoIP number carries voice over the internet instead of a traditional phone network. It can differ in verification support, emergency calling, portability, and reliance on connectivity.
