Comparison

SwitchboardFREE vs eSIM Plus

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

Head to head
About

SwitchboardFREE

This app provides a virtual receptionist service, offering a free 084 number to route calls to multiple UK landlines or mobiles. Features include call queuing, missed call alerts via email/SMS, and an easy answer phone function.

Highlights
  • Free 084 number
  • Call forwarding to multiple locations
  • Call queuing
  • Missed call alerts (email/SMS)
  • Voicemail to email
  • Follow Me feature with location-based routing
  • Line identification (whisper)
Read full description

***** Top 20 FREE Business App!!!! ***** Never miss a call again with the app for the UK best selling Virtual Receptionist SwitchboardFREE. Utilising an innovative and user friendly interface which allows full control over standard and now also advanced features. Now featuring our innovative new 'Follow Me' feature. Simply add a location of interest (e.g, office, home), and provide a number you'd like us to redirect to when you arrive. Your iPhone will update us when you enter or exit the location and we will redirect your calls to the number you specified or to your mobile if you are on the road. All of this is done automatically! Get a FREE 084 number to route to any UK landline. Never miss a call again. Front your web pages, business card and adverts with a free 084 phone number connected to a powerful call manager which re-directs your calls to up to 5 separate locations. All UK landline re-directs are free with redirects to mobile phones at just 12p per minute plus VAT, paid for via pre-payment if required. With over 24,000 UK business and homeworkers already enjoying this powerful and free application, why not empower your business or organisation today! Call queuing for your business ---------- If you have limited lines into your office, we will queue the callers and put them through to you as soon as a line becomes free. Your customer will never hear the engaged tone again! No maintenance and no licensing fees ---------- We maintain the service at no cost to you. We also cover the performing rights expense, another cost saving. Missed call alert - Email and SMS ---------- Once a customer calls your number, we record the inbound CLI (The caller's phone number) when available; Should a customer hang up when they are on hold we will send their phone number to your email address in seconds so you can call them back. Easy answer phone ---------- If the caller has been on hold for more than two minutes, or your number calls out of hours, we give them the option to leave a voicemail. Once they have completed the message, we email it to you in seconds. This feature is so much better than an old-fashioned answer phone. Instantly re-routes your calls ---------- If you move offices permanently, or just for a day or a week or even an hour, you can re-route all your calls to the new office. This can be done via a simple web page instantly! In a disaster recovery situation you can re-route to an alternate location in seconds and continue to conduct business. Line Identification Option (whisper) ---------- Each number you obtain can be configured for a different purpose e.g. sales, admin, support etc. When you answer the call you will hear a short message which will identify the call. This allows you to personalise the way in which you greet each caller. Whether you operate more than one company from a single office or have home workers who need to identify between personal and business calls, this function will become invaluable to you! No cost to your business ---------- There is no set up fee or rental fee for this product. There is no increase in your phone charges or your phone bill. It is 100% free for businesses, sole traders or home workers based in the UK that have less than 50 employees. Choose your own "On Hold" music ---------- While your callers are waiting to be connected they are played "On Hold" music. You can choose what genre of music your customers get to hear from over 15 different choices currently available. Set open and close times ---------- When callers phone outside your normal opening hours, the call is recorded and sent via a missed call alert to your email, ensuring you never miss an opportunity. Customize your introduction and out of hours message ---------- The system allows you to quickly record a customer introduction or an out of hours message that reflects your opening times and or emergency contact number.

About

eSIM Plus

Get a virtual phone number for SMS and calls, and access mobile internet globally without roaming fees. This app uses eSIM technology to provide a second phone line and data plans for travelers, allowing instant activation and easy country switching.

Highlights
  • Virtual phone number for SMS and calls
  • Global mobile data access
  • eSIM technology
  • No roaming charges
  • Instant activation
  • Pay-as-you-go plans
Features
Read full description

Mobile Internet Provider For Traveling and Virtual Phone Numbers For SMS & Calls eSIM Plus is the ultimate solution for your mobile internet needs, offering virtual phone numbers and a wide range of features. Powered by embedded SIM card (eSIM) technology, you can access the internet effortlessly, enjoy a secure and stable internet connection, and benefit from the widest global coverage. Say goodbye to the limitations of traditional physical SIM cards and embrace the next-generation solution: eSIM Plus! Here’s why eSIM Plus is the best choice: - Virtual Phone Number = second phone line With eSIM Plus, you get a real online number for SMS, online calls, and service registration. No need for a second device or carrier – it’s built right into your account and works instantly, without changing SIM cards. - Activate. Connect. Done. Set up in seconds – just open the app, choose your destination or virtual number, and tap to activate. Pay as you go and subscribe to keep your plan active without a second thought – so your connection stays always stable. Convenient payment options available for residents of any country – pay your way, wherever you are. *Roaming charges? Not with us. Need to call or text someone in another country? Just grab a virtual number from that region – eSIM Plus helps you avoid roaming fees with virtual calls and stay reachable, all from the same app. Need internet on a trip? Land in a new country, open the app, and activate mobile data instantly without expensive roaming fees, SIM swaps, or stress. - Switch Countries, Not eSIMs! Choose a regional eSIM to cover multiple countries in one area, or go all-in with a global eSIM that includes an eSIM number and works across continents. You’ll get unlimited mobile data at local prices, plus an eSIM with phone number online – all without ever stepping into a store or dealing with confusing problems. - 24/7 Help & Support We’re online, on call, and always connected – reach out anytime at support.esim@appvillis.com ! Privacy Policy: http://esimplus.me/privacy Terms of Use: https://esimplus.me/terms

Screenshots

SwitchboardFREE4 screens
eSIM Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SwitchboardFREE at none against eSIM Plus's 13. SwitchboardFREE also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 40%). eSIM Plus's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months). On price, ads, monetization model 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

Both are free to download. eSIM Plus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. SwitchboardFREE asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SwitchboardFREE ships an update every 7 months, eSIM Plus weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SwitchboardFREE versus eSIM Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwitchboardFREEeSIM Plus
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (1.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.9% of reviews — better39.9% of reviews
Number of ratings—1.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB140 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiquid11 LtdAppvillis

Customer experience

SwitchboardFREE

Written reviews23 reviews
Positive73.9%
Neutral13.0%
Negative13.0%

eSIM Plus

All ratings1,689 ratings
Positive73.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative22.6%
Written reviews426 reviews
Positive39.9%
Neutral2.8%
Negative57.3%

Bugs and requests

SwitchboardFREE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

eSIM Plus

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Activation issues
  • Unreliable SMS/call functionality
  • Disappearing account balances
  • Compatibility problems with devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More affordable pricing
  • Wider global coverage
  • Seamless integration with messaging apps
  • Improved troubleshooting and support

In-app purchases

None

SwitchboardFREE

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

eSIM Plus

Subscriptions5
  • Top Up Balance Subscription$9.991 Month
  • Top Up Subscriptions$12.991 Month
  • Top Up Balance Subscription$17.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Top Up Balance Subscription$29.991 Month
  • Top Up Balance Subscription$89.991 Month
One-time8
  • Top Up Balance$4.99
  • Top Up Balance$9.99
  • Top Up Balance$14.99
Show 5 more
  • Top Up Balance$19.99
  • Top Up Balance$29.99
  • Top Up Balance$44.99
  • Top Up Balance$69.99
  • Top Up Balance$89.99

Questions

Is SwitchboardFREE free?
SwitchboardFREE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is eSIM Plus free?
eSIM Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SwitchboardFREE or eSIM Plus have ads?
Neither SwitchboardFREE nor eSIM Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SwitchboardFREE or eSIM Plus?
SwitchboardFREE ships an update every 7 months, and eSIM Plus weekly. Most recently, SwitchboardFREE was updated on June 5, 2026 and eSIM Plus on September 24, 2026.

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