Comparison

Burner vs Number Shield

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

Head to head
About

Burner

Create and manage multiple private phone numbers for calls and texts. Keep your personal number secure by using disposable lines for different contacts or situations. Organize communications and block unwanted spam.

Highlights
  • Multiple private phone numbers
  • Unlimited SMS and calls
  • Burn or swap numbers
  • Organize social circles
  • Protect personal number
  • Spam blocking and muting
  • Do Not Disturb settings
Read full description

Burner gives you a second phone number for calling, texting, and keeping your personal number private. Create a number in seconds. Use it when you need it. Delete it when you don’t. HOW BURNER WORKS - Sign up and choose an area code - Call and text from your second number (Wi-Fi or mobile data required) - Delete your number anytime or create a new one CALLING & TEXTING Get a second phone number that works like your main one. Make calls and send texts without sharing your personal number. KEEP YOUR NUMBER PRIVATE Use different phone numbers for different parts of your life. Share a number when it makes sense—keep your personal one to yourself. Delete or replace numbers anytime to stop unwanted contact. STAY ORGANIZED Keep conversations separate by number so nothing gets mixed up. Customize each number and find messages quickly in a simple inbox. USE IT WHERE IT MAKES SENSE Use a second number for online marketplaces, listings, or social media—without giving out your personal number. BLOCK SPAM & UNWANTED CONTACT Block calls, filter spam texts, and mute notifications when you need a break. SET QUIET HOURS Schedule do-not-disturb times that fit your routine. Choose who can reach you—and when. PREMIUM FEATURES - VPN: Browse securely and protect your data on public Wi-Fi - Personal Info Protection: See where your info appears online and request removals - Audio Messaging: Send voice messages - Video Messaging: Share short video messages - AI Voicemail: Voicemail with transcription - Reverse Lookup: See available info about unknown numbers RECOGNIZED & TRUSTED Featured by TIME, The New York Times, WIRED, TechCrunch, Engadget, and more. PLANS & PRICING Free to download with a 3-day trial. Additional features available through subscription. - Monthly: $9.99/month - Annual: $59.99/year - Premium: $89.99/year SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. IMPORTANT Calls use your existing phone service provider minutes. Trial includes limited usage. Not compatible with SMS short code services or emergency (911) calls. Available in the US and Canada (excluding Puerto Rico).

About

Number Shield

Block unwanted calls and texts from scammers who use fake phone numbers. Easily block entire groups of similar numbers using wildcards. Your contacts are always safe, and blocked calls go to voicemail.

Highlights
  • Block similar numbers with wildcards
  • Block international numbers
  • Contacts automatically allowed
  • Block from missed calls screen
  • Send blocked calls to voicemail
  • Send blocked texts to Junk filter
Currently charting
Read full description

Block annoying scammers who hide behind fake phone numbers. Do you get unwanted calls or text messages from phone numbers similar to your own? With Number Shield, block an entire group of numbers at once. Just enter a wildcard for each digit you want to block. For example, if your number is 714-555-1234, scammers might use a number like 714-555-6789. Block all similar numbers by entering 714-555-####. Wildcards and numbers can be combined in any order you choose. Block international numbers, too! To make sure you don't miss calls from your family and friends, phone numbers in your contacts are always allowed. Block numbers directly from your phone's missed calls screen. Just follow these steps: 1. Tap the “ i ” button next to the missed call. 2. Tap “Share Contact”. 3. Tap “Block Similar Numbers”. (If you don't see this action, tap “Edit Actions...“ to enable it.) 4. Now you'll see the Number Shield number entry screen. Tap “Done” to block calls from similar numbers. Please note: • Each number pattern can contain up to 7 wildcards, and up to 50,000,000 phone numbers can be blocked. • Blocked calls are sent directly to voice mail. • Blocked text messages are sent to the “Junk” filter in the Messages app. • iMessage messages are not blocked. • When “Do Not Disturb” is enabled on your phone, calls that should be blocked may appear in your phone's list of missed calls. More information about caller ID spoofing in the United States is available from the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing

Screenshots

Burner4 screens
Number Shield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Burner at Free against Number Shield's $2.99. Burner also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (94K vs 1.9K). Number Shield's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and review sentiment (50% vs 19%). On ads and device support 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

Burner is free to download; Number Shield costs $2.99 up front. Burner sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Number Shield asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Burner holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Burner has 94K ratings behind it against 1.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 19% of Burner's written reviews are positive against 50% of Number Shield's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Burner ships an update every 2 weeks, Number Shield every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Burner versus Number Shield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBurnerNumber Shield
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.7 (94K ratings) — better4.5 (1.9K ratings)
Positive reviews18.8% of reviews50.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings94K — better1.9K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#8 — better#44
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size194 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAd Hoc Labs, IncKinnaman Software LLC

Customer experience

Burner

All ratings94,079 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews956 reviews
Positive18.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative75.5%

Number Shield

All ratings1,855 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews346 reviews
Positive50.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative42.8%

User reviews

Burner

From 94K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient service
  • 🔒 Privacy protection
  • 👍 Convenient for business use
  • 👍 Useful for avoiding spam calls

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable notifications
  • 🐛 Buggy after recent updates
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model

Number Shield

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Blocks calls effectively
  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🔒 Protects from spam calls
  • 💡 Allows blocking entire area codes
  • ⭐ Works as expected

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes or freezes
  • 🔍 Limited number of numbers that can be blocked
  • 🤔 Doesn't always block all spam calls
  • 🤷‍♀️ Doesn't block text messages
  • ⚠️ Lacks customer support

Bugs and requests

Burner

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to send/receive pictures and videos
  • Inconsistent message delivery
  • Burner numbers not working for verification on some sites
  • Accounts being terminated without explanation

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to set custom ringtones for burner numbers
  • Improved UI/UX
  • Better integration with other apps
  • Ability to port out burner numbers

Number Shield

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes when adding new numbers
  • Blocked numbers still receive calls
  • Database errors cause app to malfunction
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to block text messages
  • Increase number of numbers that can be blocked
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes
  • Add option to block entire country codes
  • Provide better customer support

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Burner

Subscriptions10
  • 1 Line Subscription (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • 1 Line Subscription (Monthly)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Standard 1 Line (Weekly)3 Days trial$6.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • 1 Line Subscription (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • 3 Line Subscription (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 Line Subscription (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Verified Subscription Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Standard 1 Line (Monthly)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 3 Line Subscription (Monthly)$14.991 Month
  • 1 Line Subscription (Annual)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time4
  • 3 Credit Pack$1.99
  • 8 Credit Pack$4.99
  • 15 Credit Pack$7.99
Show 1 more
  • 25 Credit Pack$11.99
None

Number Shield

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Burner free?
Burner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Number Shield free?
Number Shield costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Burner or Number Shield?
Burner is rated higher. Burner averages 4.7 out of 5 from 94K ratings, while Number Shield averages 4.5 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Burner or Number Shield have ads?
Neither Burner nor Number Shield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Burner or Number Shield?
Burner ships an update every 2 weeks, and Number Shield every 2 months. Most recently, Burner was updated on October 27, 2026 and Number Shield on October 27, 2026.
Which is more popular, Burner or Number Shield?
Burner currently peaks at #8 in the App Store charts, and Number Shield at #44. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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