Comparison

magicApp Calling & Messaging vs Sideline

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

Head to head
About

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Get a second phone number for personal or business use without needing a new SIM card. Enjoy unlimited calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada, even while traveling abroad over Wi-Fi. Manage calls with features like caller ID, voicemail, and call blocking.

Highlights
  • Second phone number
  • Unlimited U.S. & Canada calling
  • Unlimited U.S. & Canada texting
  • Wi-Fi calling for travel
  • Caller ID, voicemail, call blocking
  • Choose U.S. area code
Read full description

magicApp is the most affordable & simple way to get a second phone number on your mobile phone. You can use your magicApp second line for your personal or business needs and enjoy unlimited calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada. magicApp makes it possible to have different phone numbers without having to switch out your SIM and at an affordable monthly. You can easily AND quickly switch from your magicApp phone number to your actual phone number. MAGICAPP FEATURES * Choose a U.S. phone number from any available area code * Unlimited calling to the U.S and Canada* * Send or receive unlimited text messages to U.S. and Canadian numbers** * Traveling? Make calls over Wi-Fi so you never have to worry about roaming charges when abroad! * Unlimited calling to other magicJack customer worldwide * Caller ID, voicemail, call blocking, block anonymous callers and call forwarding * Caller ID pulled from your mobile phone contact list, so you always know who is calling * Cheaper than the rest of the apps out there AND AD FREE! EXISITNG MAGICJACK DEVICE CUSTOMER? magicJack customers can enjoy texting to any U.S. or Canadian number** using magicApp - your friends & family don't have to download the app to text! Calls to your magicJack number rings on your smartphone at the same time so you never miss a call. Download now and login to magicApp with your existing magicJack email and password to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi. NEW: Now available to magicJack device customers with Canadian numbers, you can add the option to text with your Canadian phone number for a small annual fee through the app store. TURN YOUR IPAD INTO A PHONE Connect your tablet to the internet, download magicApp and start making calls from your iPad. Use magicApp on devices running iOS14 or higher. Find out more on www.magicJack.com *Texting to international numbers is not available and texts to some US mobile numbers may not be delivered. Unlimited calling to numbers within the United States and Canada, and unlimited texting and other services provided by magicJack®, are based on normal, non-excessive use. A combination of factors is used to determine excessive use, including but not limited to the relative use when compared to the average magicJack® user, the number of unique numbers called, calls forwarded, minutes used, texts sent/received and other factors. Unlimited calling does not include calls to Alaska or the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada or calls to non-8YY calling card, platform, conference, or chat lines, for which additional fees will apply. Subject to our Subscriber Agreement located here: http://www.magicjack.com/action/saps/. **Canadian magicJack numbers require a separate subscription for texting.

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/

Screenshots

magicApp Calling & Messaging4 screens
Sideline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: magicApp Calling & Messaging at free with in-app purchases against Sideline's subscription. magicApp Calling & Messaging also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (49% vs 35%). Sideline's advantage is chart position (#18 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. magicApp Calling & Messaging sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month and Sideline sells 10 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

magicApp Calling & Messaging holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26K and 15K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of magicApp Calling & Messaging's written reviews are positive against 35% of Sideline's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

magicApp Calling & Messaging ships an update fortnightly, Sideline every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
magicApp Calling & Messaging versus Sideline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermagicApp Calling & MessagingSideline
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (26K ratings) — better4.4 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews49.0% of reviews — better34.9% of reviews
Number of ratings26K — better15K
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#18 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB159 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMAGICJACK VOIP SERVICES LLCPinger, Inc.

Customer experience

magicApp Calling & Messaging

All ratings25,677 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews445 reviews
Positive49.0%
Neutral8.1%
Negative42.9%

Sideline

All ratings14,786 ratings
Positive83.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews232 reviews
Positive34.9%
Neutral11.6%
Negative53.4%

User reviews

magicApp Calling & Messaging

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Excellent call quality
  • 💰 Affordable pricing
  • 🌍 Works internationally
  • 🔍 Useful for maintaining a US number
  • 🤖 Reliable service for over 15 years

Room to improve

  • 🤖 Frequent app crashes and bugs
  • 🤖 Unreliable connectivity issues
  • 🤖 Poor customer support
  • 🤖 Deactivation of accounts without notice
  • 🤖 Inability to transfer or port out numbers

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

Bugs and requests

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App freezes phone when answering calls
  • Missed calls not showing up in the app
  • Text messages getting deleted or out of order
  • Inability to log in or access account
  • Subscription issues and billing problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for MMS and texts from short codes
  • Implement two-factor authentication for security
  • Allow users to sign in on multiple devices
  • Provide more ringtone options
  • Improve integration with native iOS features

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

In-app purchases

12 purchases

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Subscriptions5
  • Incoming-only calls + texting$3.491 Month
  • Outgoing-only calls + texting$3.491 Month
  • Incoming and Outgoing calls$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • magicJack Premium$4.991 Month
  • magicJack Canadian$5.991 Month
One-time7
  • $4.99 magicJack International minutes credit$4.99
  • SMS for Canadian Numbers$4.99
  • Texting and SMS upgrade$9.99
Show 4 more
  • $9.99 magicJack International minutes credit$9.99
  • $20.00 magicJack International minutes credit$19.99
  • $19.99 magicJack International minutes credit$19.99
  • $40.00 magicJack International minutes credit$39.99
10 purchases

Sideline

Subscriptions10
  • Sideline Standard EarlyAdopter$0.991 Month
  • Sideline Standard - Early User$2.991 Month
  • Voicemail to Text$2.991 Month
Show 7 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 - 6-Month Plan7 Days trial$69.996 Months
  • Sideline$99.001 Year
  • Sideline - Yearly Plan1 Month trial$129.991 Year

Questions

Is magicApp Calling & Messaging free?
magicApp Calling & Messaging is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sideline free?
Sideline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, magicApp Calling & Messaging or Sideline?
magicApp Calling & Messaging is rated higher. magicApp Calling & Messaging averages 4.7 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Sideline averages 4.4 from 15K ratings.
Do magicApp Calling & Messaging or Sideline have ads?
Neither magicApp Calling & Messaging nor Sideline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, magicApp Calling & Messaging or Sideline?
magicApp Calling & Messaging ships an update fortnightly, and Sideline every 2 weeks. Most recently, magicApp Calling & Messaging was updated on October 18, 2026 and Sideline on October 17, 2026.

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