Comparison

Pinger vs Nextline

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

Head to head
About

Pinger

This app provides a free U.S. phone number for calling and texting. Enjoy features like voicemail, group chat, and MMS messaging. Earn or purchase calling minutes and send SMS messages at no cost.

Highlights
  • Free U.S. phone number
  • Free calling and texting
  • Voicemail
  • Group chat
  • MMS messaging
  • Earn or purchase calling minutes
Features
Read full description

Make free calls with a real U.S.phone number on the original free calling and texting app. Pinger comes preloaded with free calling minutes that can be used to call anyone in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. After that, minutes are free to earn or cheap to purchase. SMS messages are also free. On top of free calling and SMS, additional features include voicemail, group chat, MMS picture & video messaging, emoji, ringtones, and more. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “It’s like having a real phone number from the carrier. Except FREE.” –Nick “I started using this app back in 2007 on my iPod touch 3rd generation... Works every time, voice calls are clear, and no one knows it’s an app and not an actual phone. Highly recommended.” –Scott “I have used this app as my main phone number for years. It is just as reliable as an actual phone number.” –Kay “I’ve tried several, but hands down, Pinger is by far the best. Why? Simple: It works. Period.” –Tuc “I would rate this like 100,000,000 stars but can’t :/ only 5.” –Molly “Great to have a backup number especially when you travel abroad.” –Milo —— © 2020 Pinger, Inc. All rights reserved. The Pinger name, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Pinger, Inc. or related entities. Terms of Service: https://www.pinger.com/privacy-policy/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://www.pinger.com/privacy-policy/ Subscriptions are automatically billed monthly or annually to your iTunes Account and auto-renew unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payments are charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase. You can turn off auto-renew or manage subscriptions in your iTunes & App Store account settings. Cancellations take effect at the end of the active subscription period. Any unused portion of a free trial period (where available) is forfeited when purchasing a subscription.

About

Nextline

Get instant global connectivity with an e-SIM in over 120 countries, avoiding roaming fees. This app also provides a second phone number for enhanced privacy and convenience, with unlimited calls and texts.

Highlights
  • Global e-SIM connectivity in 120+ countries
  • Second US phone number
  • Unlimited calls and texts
  • No roaming fees
  • Privacy protection
  • Easy e-SIM installation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Activate Nextline’s e-SIM to get online instantly in 120+ countries. Enjoy seamless global connectivity without roaming fees. No need for physical SIM cards—just easy, affordable service. With Nextline’s e-SIM, you can connect to the internet in 120+ countries and regions worldwide, avoiding expensive roaming fees. No need to swap SIM cards or carry another phone. Enjoy real US phone numbers with unlimited calls and texts. What is an e-SIM? An e-SIM is an embedded SIM card built into your phone’s hardware. It functions like a physical SIM but works 100% digitally. Purchase an e-SIM with Nextline, install it on your device, and connect to a mobile network at your destination. No physical SIM cards, spotty Wi-Fi, or surprise roaming fees—just seamless, affordable, and flexible connectivity. Nextline e-SIM Plans A Nextline e-SIM plan provides mobile data, call, and text services. Choose a prepaid local or regional e-SIM plan to get online in 120+ countries worldwide. Select your e-SIM package and connect to a mobile network when you arrive at your destination! How It Works? Install the Nextline app. Purchase an e-SIM plan. Install the e-SIM in minutes. Turn on your e-SIM and connect to the internet when you arrive. Our e-SIM feature is available in 120+ countries, including: US Canada UK Spain India Greece Brazil Italy France Turkey Second Phone Number Nextline also offers a second phone number option for added privacy and convenience. Available in the US, UK, Canada, France, and Portugal, this feature allows you to keep your personal number safe, separate work and personal life, and easily manage new contacts and verifications. Choose from over 300 US area codes for your local number. Easy and Risk-Free Nextline is easy and risk-free to use. No contracts, no hassles, and no verification required. Keep your conversations private and dispose of your number when done. Protect your privacy with unlimited texts and calls. Features Local numbers in over 300 US area codes Unlimited calls and texts Access contacts easily Call forwarding Access your account on any device with Wi-Fi or data Why Nextline? Instant global connectivity in 120+ countries Affordable e-SIM plans with no hidden fees Unlimited calls and texts Privacy protection with a second phone number Works on any supported device Ideal for travelers and busy lifestyles Easy disposal of your Nextline number Who Benefits from Nextline? Travelers: Stay connected without roaming fees. Digital Nomads: Manage work and life on the go. Business Professionals: Separate work and personal numbers. Frequent Shoppers: Secure transactions with a second number. Privacy Seekers: Protect your personal number in any situation. Nextline Subscription Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Need Help? Our support team is here for you. Contact us through the app or email support@nextlineapp.com. Your feedback drives our improvements! Stay Safe with Nextline Please note, Nextline does not support emergency services. Enable push notifications for the best experience. Join the Nextline Family Experience seamless, secure, and flexible communication. Stay connected with Nextline and open up a world of possibilities! Terms of Service: https://nextlineapp.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://nextlineapp.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Pinger4 screens
Nextline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pinger at free with in-app purchases against Nextline's subscription. Pinger also leads on ratings volume (71K vs 9.5K). Nextline's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Pinger sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Nextline sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Pinger against 4.6 for Nextline. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pinger has 71K ratings behind it against 9.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Pinger's written reviews are positive against 78% of Nextline's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pinger ships an update every 8 days, Nextline fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Pinger versus Nextline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPingerNextline
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (71K ratings) — better4.6 (9.5K ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews78.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings71K — better9.5K
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#173#132 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size227 MB102 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPinger, Inc.GRAND APPS YAZILIM VE TEKNOLOJI ANONIM SIRKETI

Customer experience

Pinger

All ratings70,841 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews336 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative42.9%

Nextline

All ratings9,478 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews789 reviews
Positive78.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative19.0%

User reviews

Pinger

From 71K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app
  • 👍 Simple and functional
  • 👍 Good app
  • 👍 Works pretty good
  • 👍 Great service, user friendly

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Constantly lock your account due to supposed shady activity
  • 💰 You have to pay $10 a month to receive SMS from apps
  • 🐛 Does not even let you create an account
  • 🔍 Why so many ads since last update??!
  • 🐛 Issues with Pinger

Nextline

From 9.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Reliable and easy to use
  • 🕰️ Quick setup and activation
  • 📞 Good call quality
  • 💳 Affordable subscription options

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of transparency around pricing and features
  • 🚫 Unexpected charges and hidden fees
  • 🔌 Unreliable connectivity and service disruptions
  • 🔒 Account and number management issues
  • 🤖 Poor customer support and unresponsive to user feedback

Bugs and requests

Pinger

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Constantly lock your account due to supposed shady activity
  • Does not even let you create an account
  • Microphone doesn't work, can't hear me on calls
  • Inconsistent, can't make calls sometimes
  • Not dependable, messages don't go through

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to receive verification codes
  • Option to turn off sounds/notifications
  • Fix for not being able to send more than one picture at a time

Nextline

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and errors
  • Inability to send/receive messages
  • Problems with account restoration and number porting

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to change phone numbers easily
  • Improved messaging capabilities including picture/video support
  • Option to disable in-app purchases
  • Detailed usage tracking and analytics

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Pinger

Subscriptions7
  • Remove Ads$2.991 Month
  • Voicemail to Text$2.991 Month
  • Pinger Plus Weekly$4.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Pinger Plan$4.991 Month
  • Pinger Plus Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Pinger Plus Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Pinger Plus Yearly$69.991 Year
One-time3
  • 100 minutes$1.99
  • 400 minutes$9.99
  • 1000 minutes$18.99
6 purchases

Nextline

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription5 variants$9.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Annual Subscription$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • 40 Credits$0.99
  • 150 Credits$3.99

Questions

Is Pinger free?
Pinger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nextline free?
Nextline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pinger or Nextline?
Pinger is rated higher. Pinger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 71K ratings, while Nextline averages 4.6 from 9.5K ratings.
Do Pinger or Nextline have ads?
Pinger shows ads; Nextline does not.
Which is updated more often, Pinger or Nextline?
Pinger ships an update every 8 days, and Nextline fortnightly. Most recently, Pinger was updated on November 11, 2026 and Nextline on November 11, 2026.
Which is more popular, Pinger or Nextline?
Pinger currently peaks at #173 in the App Store charts, and Nextline at #132. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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