# Sideline vs Ghost

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 (#22 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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.

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.

Sideline ships an update every 2 weeks, Ghost every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sideline | Ghost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539/reviews) | **[4.6 (7.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghost-second-phone-number/id6466671844/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | 7.7K |
| Positive reviews | 35.5% of reviews | **60.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#22** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 149 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Pinger, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/299102705) | [Openlife AI Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896485364) |

## What reviewers say

### Sideline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

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:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sideline Standard EarlyAdopter | $0.99 | per month |
| Sideline Standard - Early User | $2.99 | per month |
| Voicemail to Text | $2.99 | per month |
| No Ads | $2.99 | per month |
| Sideline Subscription | $14.49 | per month |
| Sideline - Monthly plan | $14.49 | per month |
| Sideline Pro – Monthly Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Sideline Pro – Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Sideline - 6-Month Plan | $69.99 | per 6 months |
| Sideline | $99.00 | per year |
| Sideline - Yearly Plan | $129.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Ghost

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghost-second-phone-number/id6466671844)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Spam Call Blocker | $4.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| VPN Protection | $9.99 | per 2 months |
| Premium | $14.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $14.99 | per year |
| Pro | $17.99 | per year |
| Multi Plan Plus - 10 Numbers | $19.99 | per 2 months |
| Multi-Plan - 10 Numbers | $19.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $24.99 | per month |
| Pro | $29.99 | per month |
| Premium | $29.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $39.99 | per month |
| Pro | $49.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $139.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to delete conversations
- Inconsistent number availability
- Verification texts not received
- Calls not connecting properly

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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 3, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*