Comparison

FreedomPop vs Sideline

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

Head to head
About

FreedomPop

This app provides free calling and texting services, allowing users to get a new phone number from the US, UK, or Spain. It offers free domestic and international calls, HD-quality audio, and free SMS messaging, working over Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

Highlights
  • Free US, UK, Spain phone numbers
  • Free domestic calling
  • Free international calling
  • Free SMS texting
  • HD-quality calls
  • Works on Wi-Fi or cellular
Features
Read full description

FreedomPop free calling and texting app works with or without FreedomPop service. Interested in 100% FREE cellular phone service in the United States, Spain, UK. Learn more below. **** This application runs on any device running iOS 8.2 and above **** Download to unlock free calling and texting with your new FreedomPop phone number. Works with FreedomPop SIM cards, smartphones, or any iOS 8.2 and above device connected to a cellular network or Wi-Fi. Free Phone Number: Numbers available from the US, UK, and Spain Free Domestic Calling: Free minutes to call anyone in the US Free International Calling: Free minutes to call anyone internationally* HD-Quality Calling: Make high-quality phone calls over WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE Free Texting: Includes free SMS to any US, UK, or Spain number Free Second Phone Number: Phones with existing numbers, get a second line Easily Share: Quickly share your new number with existing contacts Any Network: Works with Wi-Fi, FreedomPop 100% FREE 4G LTE, or any other 3G/4G/LTE cellular network No Spam: We do not share your new phone number with any third parties No Fees: Plans always start at FREE, no hidden charges No Contracts: No commitments, cancel anytime Save $100s: Save on usage overages and international calling Interested in 100% FREE cellular phone service in the United States, Spain, or UK Learn more about FreedomPop smartphones and SIM cards: United States Cheap Phones (Refurbished & Used) - https://shop.freedompop.com Free SIM Card Service - https://www.freedompop.com/sim-card Free Cell Phone Service - https://www.freedompop.com/phone International Spain - https://es.freedompop.com UK - https://uk.freedompop.com *International free calling includes calls to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and United States. International calling coming soon to Bangladesh, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam.

About

Sideline

This app provides a separate phone number for calls and texts, allowing you to maintain privacy by not sharing your personal number. It offers features like unlimited texting, custom voicemail, and auto-replies, all while using your carrier's reliable network.

Highlights
  • Second phone number for private calls and texts
  • Unlimited SMS and MMS messaging
  • Customizable voicemail with transcripts
  • Auto-reply for missed calls
  • Choose or port a phone number
  • Reliable cellular calling (not VoIP)
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

FreedomPop4 screens
Sideline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sideline at 4.4 against FreedomPop's 3.3. Sideline also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 1.1K). FreedomPop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (8.2 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. Sideline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. FreedomPop asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sideline holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sideline has 15K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of FreedomPop's written reviews are positive against 35% of Sideline's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FreedomPop ships an update every 3 months, Sideline every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
FreedomPop versus Sideline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedomPopSideline
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (1.1K ratings)4.4 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.3% of reviews35.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K15K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#30 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS8.2 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB163 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSTS Media, Inc.Pinger, Inc.

Customer experience

FreedomPop

All ratings1,095 ratings
Positive56.3%
Neutral7.2%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews173 reviews
Positive28.3%
Neutral5.8%
Negative65.9%

Sideline

All ratings14,840 ratings
Positive83.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews234 reviews
Positive35.5%
Neutral11.5%
Negative53.0%

User reviews

FreedomPop

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Affordable service
  • 🔓 Free basic plan
  • 💡 Useful as backup device
  • 👍 Works well when it does

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable service
  • 🔇 Poor call quality
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel/manage account
  • 💰 Hidden/unexpected charges

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

FreedomPop

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes and bugs after updates
  • Activation and number selection issues
  • Missed calls and delayed text messages

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improve call reliability and quality
  • Better account management and cancellation options
  • Integrate with native phone dialer and messaging apps

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

None

FreedomPop

No in-app purchases

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 Pro – Monthly1 Month trial$14.991 Month
  • Sideline$99.001 Year
  • Sideline - Yearly Plan1 Month trial$129.991 Year

Questions

Is FreedomPop free?
FreedomPop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sideline free?
Sideline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FreedomPop or Sideline?
Sideline is rated higher. FreedomPop averages 3.3 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Sideline averages 4.4 from 15K ratings.
Do FreedomPop or Sideline have ads?
Neither FreedomPop nor Sideline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FreedomPop or Sideline?
FreedomPop ships an update every 3 months, and Sideline every 2 weeks. Most recently, FreedomPop was updated on November 1, 2026 and Sideline on November 5, 2026.

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