# Second Texting Number vs Sideline

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 (#26 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Second Texting Number | Sideline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (17K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/second-texting-numberunlisted/id539640635/reviews)** | [4.4 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **17K** | 15K |
| Positive reviews | **59.6% of reviews** | 34.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#26** |
| Size | 33 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [FathomTel, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482732721) | [Pinger, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/299102705) |

## What reviewers say

### Second Texting Number

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/second-texting-numberunlisted/id539640635)

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.

**Highlights:** Unlimited texting and calling, Choose your own number, Protect your privacy, Receive verification codes, Separate contacts, Auto-response, Custom voicemail

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlisted Number: Pay as You Go | $5.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Texting + Calling | $14.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Texting + Calling | $14.99 | per month |
| Second Texting Number | $17.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Talk + Text | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Talk + Text | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Texting & Calling | $39.99 | per month |
| 100 Text Messages | $2.99 | one-time |
| 200 Minutes | $7.99 | one-time |
| Pay as You Go (Prepay 1 Month) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Change Your Number | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable service
- 🔒 Maintains privacy
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful for business/personal separation
- 🚀 Clear audio quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy/buggy performance
- ⚠️ Unreliable number availability
- 💰 Expensive pricing
- 🔒 Difficult to delete account
- ⚠️ Unexpected charges/billing issues

**Reported bugs**

- Texts not being received
- Accounts being blocked/restricted without explanation
- Purchased numbers not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to log out of devices
- International calling/texting support
- Group messaging functionality


### Sideline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideline-private-2nd-number/id1012032539)

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

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:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sideline Standard EarlyAdopter | $0.99 | per month |
| Sideline Standard - Early User | $2.99 | per month |
| Voicemail to Text | $2.99 | per month |
| No Ads | $2.99 | per month |
| Sideline Subscription | $14.49 | per month |
| Sideline - Monthly plan | $14.49 | per month |
| Sideline Pro – Monthly Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Sideline - 6-Month Plan | $69.99 | per 6 months |
| Sideline | $99.00 | per year |
| Sideline - Yearly Plan | $129.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 📞 Reliable call quality
- 💼 Useful for business/work
- 🔔 Customizable ringtones
- 📝 Convenient text messaging
- ⏱️ Efficient auto-reply feature

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔥 Frequent app crashes
- 🔇 Poor call quality/dropped calls
- 🤖 Unreliable automated features
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🔍 Inability to manage contacts

**Reported bugs**

- Text messages not delivering properly
- Missed call notifications not working
- Billing and account management issues
- Compatibility problems with VPNs and other apps

**Requested features**

- Ability to separate business and personal contacts
- Web/desktop messaging functionality
- Apple Watch app integration
- Improved search and organization tools
- More customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Second Texting Number free?

Second Texting Number 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, Second Texting Number or Sideline?

Second Texting Number is rated higher. Second Texting Number averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while Sideline averages 4.4 from 15K ratings.

### Do Second Texting Number or Sideline have ads?

Neither Second Texting Number nor Sideline shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Second Texting Number or Sideline?

Second Texting Number ships an update every 2 weeks, and Sideline every 2 weeks. Most recently, Second Texting Number was updated on September 25, 2026 and Sideline on September 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*