Comparison

Ring4 vs Sideline

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

Head to head
About

Ring4

Create a private second phone line for texting and calling without using your personal number. Ideal for online selling, dating, or business, it offers features like call recording and local area codes. Avoid roaming charges by calling over Wi-Fi.

Highlights
  • Multiple private phone lines
  • Call recording
  • Local area codes
  • Private video calling
  • Voicemail
  • Block unwanted calls
Features
Read full description

Start texting and calling on your new private line. Built for people looking for privacy, a local number, and separation between personal and public life. No carrier plan needed. Ring4 can be used like a prepaid phone card. Text, picture message, and call anywhere in the US, Canada, and UK. Avoid using your Cell phone minutes like other apps. Call and text over Wi-Fi to eliminate roaming charges when travelling. Connect a local eSIM and use your Ring4 number anywhere you have cellular data service. Add private video calling, call recording, voicemail, local area codes, and much more – MULTIPLE PHONE LINES: Set up a number for personal, business, and online selling. CALL RECORDING: Start recording on any line and RARE AREA CODES: San Francisco (415), New York (212), Los Angeles (310). What’s the best way to look like a local? Get a rare number that others can’t. Shhhh… VIDEO CALLS: Start video calls when selling online with a one-time link. Great for online selling or sharing a real estate property tour. PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY: Do you trust loyalty programs to not sell your number? You shouldn’t. Receive verification codes (2FA) and promotional messages for your favorite brands with a private second line. BLOCK CALLS: If you're done with your temporary line, or someone is bothering you, simply delete it and grab a new one. No trip to the store, questions from the salesperson, one click, and you're done. VOICEMAIL: Stay professional with a greeting that matches your private second line's purpose. SAVE CELL MINUTES & DATA: Ring4 does *NOT* use your cell phone minutes for calling, like some other apps. Connect to WiFi to make VoIP calls wherever you are. – WHY USE a 2nd PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER? -- ONLINE DATING: Use a second number to text and call without sharing your real cell phone. RENTING: Message tenants, renters, and landlords. Share a room for rent online using a private number, keeping your personal cell phone number confidential. SELLING ONLINE: Keep your cell phone off public listings by texting buyers from a second line you can silence or replace. MARKETPLACE LISTING: Never give your real cell phone number out online. LOYALTY PROGRAMS: Stop loyalty programs from selling your personal cell phone. Signup for online services with your new 2nd line. BUSINESS: Rule #1 of starting a business. Never give out your personal cell phone, and definitely do not put it on your website. This can never be undone, get a 2nd number today for your new idea, your new business before it’s too late. – NO CONTRACTS: Start with a new US or UK temporary number for 7-days. Add a monthly subscription to keep the number forever. (fair use limits apply) FREE INBOUND TEXTS & CALLING: Inbound calls and texts are always free. TRANSPARENT PRICING: Subscriptions unlock 3,000 text messages and calls a month. (counted daily) • 5 credits to start calling in the US or internationally • 5 credits to start a video meeting • 1 credit to send a text message – IMPORTANT: Emergency calls and texts to 911 are not supported. Texts to/from short codes might not always be supported. The trial may include free usage and is intended for one-time use. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled 24 hours in advance and may be managed by the user in Account Settings after purchase. THE FINE PRINT: Terms of use: https://www.ring4.com/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.ring4.com/privacy-policy – Looking for more than 3 numbers or higher text and calling plans, visit ring4.com/business to learn about our team plans.

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

Ring44 screens
Sideline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Ring4 at free with in-app purchases against Sideline's subscription. Ring4 also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 35%) and device support (3 vs 1). Sideline's advantage is chart position (#23 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Ring4 sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Ring4 against 4.4 for Sideline. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sideline has 15K ratings behind it against 2.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 57% of Ring4's written reviews are positive against 35% of Sideline's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ring4 ships an update monthly, Sideline every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Ring4 versus Sideline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRing4Sideline
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (2.9K ratings) — better4.4 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews56.8% of reviews — better35.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2.9K15K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#23 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size105 MB159 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRing4, LLCPinger, Inc.

Customer experience

Ring4

All ratings2,922 ratings
Positive83.0%
Neutral4.6%
Negative12.4%
Written reviews519 reviews
Positive56.8%
Neutral5.8%
Negative37.4%

Sideline

All ratings14,817 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews234 reviews
Positive35.5%
Neutral11.5%
Negative53.0%

User reviews

Ring4

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great service
  • 🚀 Cheap and affordable
  • 🚀 Efficient connectivity
  • 👍 Excellent app for business and staying in touch

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Accounts suspended under false terms
  • 🐛 Unreliable service, unable to make calls or send texts
  • 🐛 Deceptive pricing and hidden fees
  • 🐛 Poor customer support and unresponsive

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

Ring4

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Accounts being limited or disabled for no reason
  • Credits not being properly credited
  • Inability to generate new numbers
  • Frequent app crashes and service interruptions

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to port numbers away from the app
  • Improve text messaging functionality
  • Provide a free trial period

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

10 purchases

Ring4

Subscriptions6
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for French Mobile Phone Number - Line #1$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for English Mobile Phone Number - Line #1$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for US/CA Number - Line #1$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for US/CA Number - Line #2$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for US/CA Number - Line #3$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text for US/CA Selected Number - Line #1$14.991 Month
One-time4
  • Package of 10 credits$0.99
  • Package of 40 credits$3.99
  • Package of 100 credits$8.99
Show 1 more
  • Package of 250 credits$19.99
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 Ring4 free?
Ring4 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, Ring4 or Sideline?
Ring4 is rated higher. Ring4 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Sideline averages 4.4 from 15K ratings.
Do Ring4 or Sideline have ads?
Neither Ring4 nor Sideline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ring4 or Sideline?
Ring4 ships an update monthly, and Sideline every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ring4 was updated on October 29, 2026 and Sideline on October 29, 2026.

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