Second Texting Number vs Sideline
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Second Texting Number
Protect your personal number by using a private, disposable phone number for calls and texts. Choose your own number in any area code and receive verification codes without revealing your identity. Manage your privacy with features like auto-response and custom voicemail.
- Unlimited texting and calling
- Choose your own number
- Protect your privacy
- Receive verification codes
- Separate contacts
- Auto-response
- Custom voicemail
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Safely text & call anyone while protecting your real number. Give out a number that can't be linked back to yours. Guaranteed. Unlisted provides privacy for you and your phone number with supercharged private numbers. UNLIMITED TEXTING & CALLING Send & receive unlimited texts, calls, and picture messages to any US or Canadian number CHOOSE YOUR OWN NUMBER Pick a phone number in any area code. Get as many as you need. PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY Unlisted numbers aren't linked to you or your real number. Protect your privacy when you need to give out a number. CRYSTAL-CLEAR CALLING Enjoy excellent call quality via either an internet (VoIP) connection or your carrier's phone network RECEIVE VERIFICATION CODES Our numbers can receive verification and 2FA codes for registering new accounts anywhere SEPARATE CONTACTS Store contacts that live only in the app and won't appear in your iPhone's contacts DO NOT DISTURB / OPEN HOURS Set a schedule so you only receive calls and notifications when you want them AUTO-RESPONSE Set up a message that will automatically get sent to anyone getting in touch with you OUTGOING CALLER ID If you want, set a name to appear when you call someone INCOMING CALL OPTIONS Decide whether to answer incoming calls on your phone, forward them to another number, or send them to voicemail CUSTOM VOICEMAIL GREETING Set a custom voicemail greeting for each of your numbers. Or keep the generic default if you prefer to stay anonymous. PRIVACY-FIRST: NO ADS, NO TRACKING We don't show ads or do anything with your data that you wouldn't expect. We definitely don't let any 3rd parties do this either. DEDICATED, US-BASED TEAM We're a dedicated US-based team who loves working on Unlisted every day. In fact, we rely on Unlisted numbers every day for our own needs. We promise to never sell your data, show you ads, or betray your privacy. Since 2012, customers have trusted us to provide them new phone numbers for all of their needs, and we hope you will too. If you ever need help, or have something you'd like us to add to Unlisted, please send us an email at support@getunlisted.com. We offer dedicated support and respond personally to each and every email. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS All plans come with a free trial. You can cancel the trial any time and you won't be charged. Please note that certain functionality may be restricted during the free trial in order to prevent abuse. This may include texting limits or blocks on receiving verification codes. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed from the App Store app. HELP Access the Help Center in the app's menu or email support@getunlisted.com LEGAL & FINE PRINT Terms Of Service: https://www.getunlisted.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.getunlisted.com/privacy IMPORTANT: Works in the US and Canadian only. You can only call and text with other US & Canadian numbers. Not for 911 emergency services.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Second Texting Number at free with in-app purchases against Sideline's subscription. Second Texting Number also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 35%). Sideline's advantage is chart position (#25 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Second Texting Number sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 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.
Second Texting Number holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17K and 15K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Second Texting Number's written reviews are positive against 35% of Sideline's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Second Texting Number | Sideline |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (17K ratings) — better | 4.4 (15K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 59.6% of reviews — better | 34.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | 15K |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | #25 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 155 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | FathomTel, Inc. | Pinger, Inc. |
Customer experience
Second Texting Number
Sideline
User reviews
Second Texting Number
From 17K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Reliable service
- 🔒 Maintains privacy
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful for business/personal separation
- 🚀 Clear audio quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Glitchy/buggy performance
- ⚠️ Unreliable number availability
- 💰 Expensive pricing
- 🔒 Difficult to delete account
- ⚠️ Unexpected charges/billing issues
Sideline
From 15K App Store ratingsWhat 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
Second Texting Number
Reported bugs
3 issues- Texts not being received
- Accounts being blocked/restricted without explanation
- Purchased numbers not working as expected
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to log out of devices
- International calling/texting support
- Group messaging functionality
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
Second Texting Number
- Unlisted Number: Pay as You Go$5.991 Month
- Unlimited Texting + Calling3 Days trial$14.991 Month
- Unlimited Texting + Calling7 Days trial$14.991 Month
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- Second Texting Number7 Days trial$17.991 Month
- Unlimited Talk + Text3 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Unlimited Talk + Text7 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Unlimited Texting & Calling7 Days trial$39.991 Month
- 100 Text Messages$2.99
- 200 Minutes$7.99
- Pay as You Go (Prepay 1 Month)$9.99
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- Change Your Number$19.99
Sideline
- Sideline Standard EarlyAdopter$0.991 Month
- Sideline Standard - Early User$2.991 Month
- Voicemail to Text$2.991 Month
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- 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 Second Texting Number free?
Is Sideline free?
Which has better reviews, Second Texting Number or Sideline?
Do Second Texting Number or Sideline have ads?
Which is updated more often, Second Texting Number or Sideline?
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