# Sideline vs HomeTech+

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HomeTech+ at none against Sideline's 10. Sideline's advantage is chart position (#21 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sideline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. HomeTech+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sideline ships an update every 2 weeks, HomeTech+ fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sideline | HomeTech+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 34.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Best chart rank | **#21** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Pinger, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/299102705) | [ZMC LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6773501805) |

## What reviewers say

### Sideline

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

**Currently charting:** #21 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 (10)**

| 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 - 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


### HomeTech+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hometech-plus/id6797966077)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sideline free?

Sideline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HomeTech+ free?

HomeTech+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Sideline or HomeTech+ have ads?

Neither Sideline nor HomeTech+ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sideline or HomeTech+?

Sideline ships an update every 2 weeks, and HomeTech+ fortnightly. Most recently, Sideline was updated on October 19, 2026 and HomeTech+ on October 4, 2026.

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