Comparison

ReceptionHQ vs Ghost

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

Head to head
About

ReceptionHQ

Manage your answering service settings, including receptionist greetings, call diversions, and message preferences. This app provides easy control over your communication preferences.

Highlights
  • Manage receptionist greetings
  • Configure call divert settings
  • Adjust messaging preferences
  • Control communication settings
Features
Read full description

Easily manage your ReceptionHQ Answering Service, including receptionist greeting settings, call divert settings, and messaging settings.

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

ReceptionHQ4 screens
Ghost4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ReceptionHQ at none against Ghost's 20. ReceptionHQ also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). Ghost's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 8 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price 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. Ghost sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. ReceptionHQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ghost holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ghost has 7.7K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of ReceptionHQ's written reviews are positive against 60% of Ghost's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ReceptionHQ ships an update every 8 months, Ghost every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
ReceptionHQ versus Ghost: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReceptionHQGhost
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (4 ratings)4.6 (7.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews60.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings47.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB149 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperOfficeHQOpenlife AI Inc

Customer experience

ReceptionHQ

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

Ghost

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

Bugs and requests

ReceptionHQ

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

None

ReceptionHQ

No in-app purchases

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 ReceptionHQ free?
ReceptionHQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ghost free?
Ghost is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ReceptionHQ or Ghost?
Ghost is rated higher. ReceptionHQ averages 4.3 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Ghost averages 4.6 from 7.7K ratings.
Do ReceptionHQ or Ghost have ads?
Neither ReceptionHQ nor Ghost shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ReceptionHQ or Ghost?
ReceptionHQ ships an update every 8 months, and Ghost every 9 days. Most recently, ReceptionHQ was updated on October 6, 2026 and Ghost on October 22, 2026.

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