Best Second Phone Number Apps in 2026

Written By:

Burner Team

Which App Should You Pick?

Here’s the short version.

Dating apps, online selling, or keeping your personal number separate → Burner. You get stronger privacy controls, broader verification compatibility, and the flexibility to remove numbers when you’re done using them.

Platform verification (Instagram, WhatsApp, Amazon, Cash App) → Burner Verified Number. Standard VoIP numbers often struggle here. Some numbers work more reliably with verification systems than standard VoIP numbers.

Free basics without paying → Google Voice. Good if you mainly want an extra number and don’t care much about separation or privacy controls.

Free texting with ads → TextNow. Fine for casual use, less reliable for verification or long-term consistency.

International numbers → Hushed. Better country coverage and more flexible pricing options.

A long-term second number you plan to keep → Sideline. Less about flexibility, more about consistency.

A second number that feels native to iPhone → Burner eSIM. Uses dual SIM support instead of routing everything through a separate app.

If you’ve read this far, you probably want more than a completely free second number. That’s usually the point where differences in call quality, verification support, and privacy controls start to matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best app for a second phone number?

It depends on what you need it for. Burner is best for privacy and control — you can delete numbers permanently and they work with most platform verification. Google Voice is the best free option for basic use. For work and freelance, Burner's eSIM gives you a real carrier line on your iPhone.

Are second phone number apps free?

Some are. Google Voice and TextNow offer free tiers, but with limitations — Google Voice gives you one number with no deletion option, and TextNow is ad-supported with number recycling. Paid apps like Burner offer better verification compatibility, privacy controls, and permanent deletion. Burner includes a free 3-day trial.

Can I use a second phone number app for verification?

Not all of them. Standard VoIP numbers from Google Voice and TextNow are often blocked by platform verification systems. Burner numbers are mobile-classified and work with most verification, including Cash App, PayPal, Facebook, and Amazon. Burner's Verified Number subscription provides even broader platform compatibility.

What is the difference between Burner and Google Voice?

Google Voice gives you a free, permanent second number tied to your Google account. Burner gives you a private second number you can delete at any time, with all history permanently erased. Burner numbers also work with more platform verification systems because they're mobile-classified, not standard VoIP.

Do second phone number apps work for business?

Standard second number apps use VoIP, which works for consumer use cases. For business, freelance, or professional use, Burner's eSIM (Dual SIM) provides a real carrier line that works natively with your iPhone — calls and texts go through your phone's built-in apps, not a third-party app.