Whether you’re trying to keep your personal and work life separate, or you want to have a disposable number for online dating or classified ads, there are plenty of reasons to have a second number. Having a second phone number can be extremely useful.
There are different ways to get a second phone number.
You can sign up for a service that provides you with a temporary or disposable number. You can also use a VoIP service that gives you a second number that’s tied to your primary phone. Or you can port your existing phone number to a new carrier.
Thanks to the proliferation of smartphone apps, it’s easier than ever to get a second number. Aside from the fact that they’re typically very easy to use, they also don’t require any special equipment. And since they run on your existing smartphone, they’re usually very affordable or even free.
There are tons of different apps that offer second phone numbers, namely Flyp, TextNow, FreeTone and others. However the best free second phone number app is Google Voice. The app is free, rich on features and integrates easily with other Google apps.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best free second phone number apps including the ones mentioned above. This will help you decide which one is right for you.
Let’s get started.
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Best Free Second Phone Number Apps
1. Google Voice
Google Voice is one of the best second phone number apps. It has been around forever and it’s very reliable.
It offers a free phone number that you can use for calls, texts, and voicemails. You can also use Google Voice to make calls to the US for free. The app also has great features like call forwarding, caller ID, and voicemail transcription.
Even though the app doesn’t get updated frequently, it is still one of the best of its kind.
One of the best parts of the app is its web interface. You can use Google Voice from any web browser and it works great.
You will not be able to make calls from your web browser, but you can send and receive text messages, even voice messages.
Google Voice also has an amazing spam filter that will keep most of the unwanted calls away from you.
This filter can recognize spam calls and texts and will send them straight to the blocklist.
You can integrate this app with other Google products like Hangouts and Gmail.
Other features of Google Voice include:
- Voicemail greeting customization
- Do Not Disturb mode
- Call recording
- Voicemail transcription
- Voice messages
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2. Flyp
Flyp gives you a free number that you can use to call and text as much as you want. It also has some great features like voicemail transcription, group chat, and call forwarding.
One of the things I love about the app is that the phone number is not tied to any account or device. This means that you can use it on any phone or tablet, and you can even port the number if you need to change devices.
You don’t have to worry about giving your number to people that you are not all that familiar with and you can block any number that you want.
The app lets you make calls and send text messages just like you would with your normal phone number. The only difference is that the texts go through Flyp’s servers but your privacy is protected.
For calls, the app routes them through your existing phone number and service so it appears as if you are using your regular number.
When a call comes in for you, you will see the Flyp number and not your real number. The same goes for when you make a call from the app. This is great for privacy and security.
Another cool feature is its quick reply feature. When you get a text message, you can quickly reply without opening the app. This is really handy when you are on the go and don’t have time to stop and chat.
You can also select ‘Do not disturb’ if you don’t want to be bothered by calls and texts. This is great when you are in a meeting or just need some peace and quiet. This option ensures that you do not receive any calls or texts unless you want to.
The app also has a built-in call recorder, which is great for recording important business calls or just keeping a record of your conversations.
You can add more than one number to Flyp, but after the first free number, you will need to pay for each additional number.
The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
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3. TextNow
TextNow is one of the most popular second phone number apps. It offers a free phone number that you can use for calls and texts.
With the app, you get to lower your monthly cost since it uses your data connection instead of minutes.
The app piggybacks on other networks to give you free coverage so you don’t have to worry about being cut off or paying roaming charges.
You can order a phone from TextNow or get a SIM card from them to use with your existing phone if you want to port your number over.
The app offers a variety of features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and caller ID. It also has a decent selection of international numbers.
They have massive tech support that can help you with any problems you have.
If you want an add-free plan, you can get one for $9.99/month which is still cheaper than a lot of other carriers out there.
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4. FreeTone
FreeTone lets you choose one free number just like Flyp, but you get to keep it for as long as you want.
With the number, you can call or text any number in the United States, but there’s a catch. It comes with ads, and if you want to remove them, you’ll have to pay a monthly charge.
Whichever plan you are on, you can use this application without a SIM card, and it will still work. The only time you’ll need to use your actual number is when you’re calling emergency services.
This application also has a voicemail feature, so if you can’t answer a call, the person will be able to leave you a message.
You can make video calls of HD quality and also use emojis and stickers to enhance your conversations.
There’s no cap on the number of text messages you can send, plus there’s an option for group messaging that allows you to message several at once.
5. TextFree
As the name implies, TextFree is a free app that gives you a second phone number to use for free texting and calling. The app is available for both Android and iPhone, and there are no ads or in-app purchases.
TextFree is a great option if you need a second phone number that can do more than just receive calls and texts. With this app, you can also make calls to real phone numbers, as long as you have data.
It is a great app to protect your privacy if you want to dabble in online dating, for example. All you need is a data connection, and you can text and call without giving away your real phone number.
You will be able to choose your area code with TextFree which I find to be a great plus as you can pick an area code from anywhere in the United States.
The app also supports voicemail and MMS, so you can send and receive multimedia messages without any problems.
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6. Dingtone
Dingtone, the best second phone number app for iOS and Android, gives you a free US or Canada phone number that you can use for calling and texting.
Your Dingtone friends can call and text you just like they would any other US phone number, and you can call and text them back for free.
There are no catches, and there are no hidden fees. You get a real US phone number, and you can use it to call and text anyone in the world for free.
The way it stays free is through its gamified credit system. You can earn credits by playing games and completing offers such as inviting friends. These credits can then be used to make calls and texts to anyone in the world.
Unlike other apps that give you access to only a single call code, Dingtone gives you access to multiple area codes so you can choose a local number for yourself or your business.
Dingtone is a great way to stay in touch with your friends and family, without having to give out your personal phone number. It’s also a great way to save on your phone bill since you can use your Dingtone number for all of your outgoing calls and texts.
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7. Talkatone
Talkatone is for when you need a second phone number that’s a burner phone. A temporary disposable phone number to receive SMS online without your real number, to protect your privacy, or simply to avoid spam.
Talkatone is one of the best second phone number apps because it offers a variety of features for its users. For starters, you can choose between a local or toll-free number, which is great if you need to make international calls.
You can also customize your voicemail greeting and choose how long your phone number will be active. Plus, there are no ads on the app, so you can use it without having to worry about being interrupted.
Another great thing about the app is that you can make cheap international calls. The rates are very reasonable, and you can even save on your calling plan if you use the app frequently.
The only catch is the ads that appear on the screen when you’re making a call. But other than that, Talkalone is a great app for anyone who needs a second phone number.
If you want to get rid of the ads, you can upgrade to the premium version for $9.99/month. But even the free version is good enough for most people.
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8. Telos
If you are looking for a second phone number app, you should check out Telos. With Telos, you can get a free US or Canadian phone number that you can use for calling and texting. You can also use Telos to make VoIP calls and send faxes.
Telos offers a variety of features that make it a great second phone number app. For example, you can use Telos to get a free temporary phone number. This can be useful if you need a second phone number for a short period of time. You can also use Telos to port your existing phone number to a new service.
Moreover, Telos offers some unique features that other second phone number apps don’t offer and some that they do.
For example, it has a call recorder that can be used to record incoming and outgoing calls. This can be useful if you need to keep a record of your calls for business or personal purposes.
Another feature that sets Telos apart is its support for MMS, which allows you to send and receive picture messages.
It also provides a voice-to-text feature that can be used to transcribe voice messages into text.
You can use Telos to make international calls at very low rates. You can also use Telos to send bulk SMS messages.
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9. TextMeUp
TextMeUp is for people who need a second phone number for work, dating, or other purposes. It’s one of the best free second phone number apps on the market.
The amazing part about this app is that you can add as many phone numbers as you want and use them for different purposes. For example, you can have a work number and a dating number.
TextMeUp is totally free to use, and there are no ads.
This one requires that you create an account before you start using it. You can sign in with your Google account or Facebook account.
Once you’re signed in, you can add phone numbers from different countries.
The app will give you a number from the country you choose, and you can use that number to call or text anyone in the world.
You can also use the app to make calls and texts to people in other countries. The rates are very reasonable if you want unlimited calling or texting.
You can also share media files in personal or group chats.
TextMeUp is available for Android and iOS devices.
10. TextPlus
TextPlus allows you a telephone number to use for free texting and calling.
You can either pick your own phone number or have a random one assigned. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices, and it doesn’t require you to sign up for an account.
TextPlus also has some unique features, such as the ability to send GIFs and make group calls. You can also use the app to earn rewards, such as free minutes of calling time, by completing certain offers or tasks.
On this app, I like how you can access your chat history from anywhere in the world via the internet. This is a great feature for people who travel often or have to juggle multiple phone numbers. The app also has a very user-friendly interface.
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Conclusion
The above apps are the best second phone number apps available, whether you want a number for private calls, business calls, or temporary use.
Google Voice will always remain my number one pick because it offers the most features and is the most reliable, it is completely free, and the fact that I can sync with other Google products is the icing on the cake.
Your requirements might vary, so choose the app that best suits your needs and enjoy the convenience of having a second phone number.
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