Comparison

Sideline vs Ghost

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sideline

This app provides a dedicated second phone number for private texting and calling. It offers features like unlimited SMS/MMS, custom voicemail, and auto-reply to help manage communications and keep conversations organized across devices.

Highlights
  • Second phone number with local area code
  • Unlimited SMS, MMS, and text messages
  • Custom voicemail with transcripts
  • Auto-Reply for missed calls
  • Split number across multiple devices
  • Transfer existing phone numbers
Features
Read full description

Sideline gives you a second phone number for calling and texting—so you can stay connected without sharing your real number. Get the app today to keep your personal number private. Whether you're working, selling online, or just want more control over who can reach you, Sideline makes it easy to separate your communications. Get a second phone number, send unlimited texts, and manage calls with powerful tools—all from one app. Sideline works over your carrier network (not VoIP), so your second number is as reliable as your first. Take control of your privacy and communication with Sideline. WHY SIDELINE? Protect Your Personal Number: - Get a second phone number for private calling and texting - Keep your real number separate and secure - Choose a local area code (or an area code of your choice) - Includes Caller ID and custom voicemail - Reliable cellular calling (not VoIP) Private Texting & Calling: - Send unlimited SMS and MMS messages - Use your second number for work, marketplace listings, or signups - Call and text without revealing your personal number - Access your number from multiple devices Stay in Control: - Auto-Reply sends instant responses when you miss a call - Custom voicemail with message transcripts - Port your existing number to Sideline - Block unwanted callers and manage contacts Smart Communication Tools: - Save and reuse frequently sent texts - Add notes to conversations and contacts - Stay organized without mixing personal and business messages USE SIDELINE FOR: - Private texting and calling - Work or business communications - Online buying and selling (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) - Protect your personal number FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is Sideline, and how does a second phone number work? Sideline is a second phone number app that lets you call and text from a separate number on your smartphone. Just download the Sideline app, and your Sideline number will work alongside your primary number, so you can keep personal and secondary communications separate without needing a second phone. Can I use Sideline for private texting and calling? Yes. Sideline is designed for private texting and calling, so you don't have to share your personal phone number with strangers and businesses. Use your second number for work, online selling, dating, or any situation where you want more privacy. Is Sideline reliable for calls and texts? Sideline uses your carrier's cellular network (not VoIP), which means your calls are clear and reliable—just like your regular phone number. You can send unlimited SMS and MMS messages and make calls with confidence. Can I choose or transfer my phone number? Yes. You can select a second phone number with an area code of your choice, or port (transfer) your existing number to Sideline. This makes it easy to keep a number you already use while gaining more privacy and features. Who is Sideline for? Sideline is for anyone who wants a second phone number to keep their personal number private and their communications organized—like professionals and business owners who don't want to carry a second phone, people buying and selling online who don't want to share their real number, freelancers who need to manage client communications—and anyone who values privacy and wants to control who can reach their real number. Do I need to provide a government-issued ID to create a Sideline account? No. You do not need to submit a government-issued ID to sign up for Sideline. Instead, you'll verify your account using two-factor authentication (2FA). DOWNLOAD SIDELINE TODAY Get a second phone number for private texting and calling. Stay connected—without giving out your personal number. LEGAL © 2026 Pinger, Inc. All rights reserved. The TextFree name, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Pinger, Inc. or related entities. Terms of Service: https://www.sideline.com/terms-of-service/ Privacy Policy: https://www.sideline.com/privacy-policy/

About

Ghost

Get a private, local phone number to stop spam and protect your identity. Receive texts, make unlimited calls, and use a temporary number for online sign-ups and transactions without revealing your real number.

Highlights
  • Temporary phone number
  • Unlimited calls
  • SMS verification codes
  • Local area codes
  • VPN protection
  • Spam shielding
  • No contracts or SIMs
Features
Read full description

GHOST: A TEMPORARY PHONE NUMBER TO STOP SPAM & PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY Ghost gives you 5 secure, local phone numbers in seconds so you can receive texts and make unlimited calls—all without ever exposing your real number. Whether you're signing up for online services, selling items, or just guarding your personal privacy, Ghost ensures your real phone stays hidden and spam-free. Why Ghost is essential for privacy and spam protection: SMS TEXTS: Receive SMS verification codes, notifications, and messages without linking them to your personal phone number. UNLIMITED CALLS: Make and receive as many calls as you want from your Ghost number—no pay-as-you-go credits or minute caps. LOCAL AREA CODE: Pick a number in 200+ U.S., Canada, or U.K. area codes—even if you're overseas—so you appear local and avoid long-distance charges. VPN PROTECTION: Encrypt your internet connection with industry-grade encryption. No logging of your browsing activity REAL-TIME SPAM SHIELDING: Use your Ghost number whenever you suspect an online form, classified ad, or loyalty program will flood you with unwanted texts. Guard your real line against junk messages. PRIVACY: Caller ID shows only your Ghost number—never your name or personal details. Keep your identity safe when dealing with strangers. NO CONTRACTS, NO SIMS: Everything lives in-app—no need to swap SIM cards or sign a long-term plan. Pause or cancel at any time. TEMPORARY PHONE NUMBER: Delete your Ghost number instantly whenever you're done. Perfect for one-time verifications or short-term projects. Top reasons to get a Ghost number: ONLINE VERIFICATIONS: Receive authentication codes from banks, social apps, marketplaces, or any service that requires SMS—even if it's from overseas. CLASSIFIEDS & BUY/SELL: Post items for sale without giving out your real line. Delete the number once the sale is complete and block any follow-up spam. SIGN-UPS & PROMOTIONS: Give out your Ghost number to retailers or newsletters instead of your personal line. Keep coupons coming—spam stays out. TRAVEL & TEMPORARY USE: Grab a local area code in the place you're visiting. Make local calls without roaming fees, and receive local SMS (e.g., hotel confirmations, ride-share codes). PROFESSIONAL LISTINGS: Secure a second number for work calls or business listings—when you're ready, retire it with a tap to avoid unwanted contacts. HOW IT WORKS: PICK A LOCAL NUMBER: Choose from 200+ area codes in the U.S., Canada, or U.K. SMS MESSAGES: Instantly view incoming text messages from apps, services, or anyone who texts your Ghost number. MAKE UNLIMITED CALLS: Use VoIP-based calling in-app to dial any number in the U.S. & Canada at no additional cost. DELETE OR RENEW: Keep your number as long as you need it—cancel or replace it at any time to disappear from unwanted contact lists. Subscription pricing and terms: Ghost requires an auto-renewing every two month subscription at $50 every two months or $60 every two months for access to unlimited calling and receiving texts from a local temporary phone number. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://www.joinghostapp.com/privacy-policy-official Terms of Service: https://www.joinghostapp.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Sideline4 screens
Ghost4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ghost at 60% against Sideline's 35%. Ghost also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.4). Sideline's advantage is chart position (#21 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sideline sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Ghost sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ghost holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15K and 7.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Sideline's written reviews are positive against 60% of Ghost's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sideline ships an update every 2 weeks, Ghost every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Sideline versus Ghost: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSidelineGhost
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (15K ratings)4.6 (7.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.5% of reviews60.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15K — better7.7K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionSubscription
Best chart rank#21 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB149 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperPinger, Inc.Openlife AI Inc

Customer experience

Sideline

All ratings14,817 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews234 reviews
Positive35.5%
Neutral11.5%
Negative53.0%

Ghost

All ratings7,726 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral3.1%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews627 reviews
Positive60.1%
Neutral3.3%
Negative36.5%

User reviews

Sideline

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📞 Reliable call quality
  • 💼 Useful for business/work
  • 🔔 Customizable ringtones
  • 📝 Convenient text messaging
  • ⏱️ Efficient auto-reply feature

Room to improve

  • 🔥 Frequent app crashes
  • 🔇 Poor call quality/dropped calls
  • 🤖 Unreliable automated features
  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🔍 Inability to manage contacts

Ghost

From 7.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Cuts spam calls
  • 🔒 Keeps personal number private
  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 👍 Transparent about costs
  • 👍 Separate work and personal calls

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Verification issues
  • 🐛 Unable to send/receive messages
  • 🐛 Unavailable area codes
  • 🐛 Billing and subscription problems
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance

Bugs and requests

Sideline

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Text messages not delivering properly
  • Missed call notifications not working
  • Billing and account management issues
  • Compatibility problems with VPNs and other apps

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to separate business and personal contacts
  • Web/desktop messaging functionality
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • Improved search and organization tools
  • More customization options

Ghost

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to delete conversations
  • Inconsistent number availability
  • Verification texts not received
  • Calls not connecting properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow multiple numbers and number switching
  • Improve 2FA and verification process
  • Add more customization and settings options
  • Enhance call and messaging capabilities

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Sideline

Subscriptions11
  • Sideline Standard EarlyAdopter$0.991 Month
  • Sideline Standard - Early User$2.991 Month
  • Voicemail to Text$2.991 Month
Show 8 more
  • No Ads$2.991 Month
  • Sideline Subscription$14.491 Month
  • Sideline - Monthly plan1 Month trial$14.491 Month
  • Sideline Pro – Monthly Plan7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Sideline Pro – Monthly1 Month trial$14.991 Month
  • Sideline - 6-Month Plan7 Days trial$69.996 Months
  • Sideline$99.001 Year
  • Sideline - Yearly Plan1 Month trial$129.991 Year
19 purchases

Ghost

Subscriptions19
  • Pro$0.991 Month
  • Pro$2.997 Days
  • Pro$4.997 Days
Show 16 more
  • Spam Call Blocker$4.992 Months
  • Pro$6.997 Days
  • Pro$8.997 Days
  • Pro$9.997 Days
  • VPN Protection$9.992 Months
  • Premium$14.992 Months
  • Pro$14.991 Year
  • Pro$17.991 Year
  • Multi Plan Plus - 10 Numbers$19.992 Months
  • Multi-Plan - 10 Numbers2 variants$19.992 Months
  • Pro$24.991 Month
  • Pro$29.991 Month
  • Premium$29.992 Months
  • Pro$39.991 Month
  • Pro$49.992 Months
  • Pro$139.991 Year

Questions

Is Sideline free?
Sideline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ghost free?
Ghost is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sideline or Ghost?
Ghost is rated higher. Sideline averages 4.4 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Ghost averages 4.6 from 7.7K ratings.
Do Sideline or Ghost have ads?
Neither Sideline nor Ghost shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sideline or Ghost?
Sideline ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ghost every 9 days. Most recently, Sideline was updated on November 3, 2026 and Ghost on November 2, 2026.

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