Best Second Phone Number Apps in 2026: Complete Comparison

Whether you need a second number for business, privacy, or travel, there are dozens of apps claiming to be the best solution. We've tested the major players to help you find the right fit for your needs.

Quick Comparison

Detailed Reviews

Google Voice

Best for: US-based users who want a free second number

Google Voice is the go-to free option for Americans. It provides a real US phone number that can make calls, send texts, and receive voicemail.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Integrates with Google ecosystem
• Voicemail transcription
• Works on any device
• Spam filtering

Cons:

• US numbers only
• Requires existing US number to set up
• No international numbers
• Limited privacy (it's Google)
• Can't port number out easily

Pricing: Free

Verdict: Great if you're in the US and don't mind Google having your data. Not suitable for international users or privacy-focused individuals.

Hushed

Best for: Temporary numbers and short-term privacy needs

Hushed offers numbers in the US, Canada, and UK with flexible pay-as-you-go or subscription options.

Pros:

• Multiple countries available
• Pay-as-you-go option
• Can have multiple numbers
• No contract required
• Decent privacy policy

Cons:

• Gets expensive for regular use
• Call quality can be inconsistent
• Limited international forwarding
• Credits expire

Pricing:

• Pay-as-you-go: From $2/week
• Unlimited: $5-25/month depending on plan

Verdict: Good for occasional use or temporary numbers. Expensive if you need consistent, long-term service.

Burner

Best for: Truly disposable numbers for short-term use

Burner pioneered the "disposable phone number" concept. Create a number, use it, then burn it when done.

Pros:

• Easy to create/destroy numbers
• Good for online dating, selling items
• Simple interface
• Auto-reply features

Cons:

• US and Canada only
• Gets expensive quickly
• Numbers expire if unused
• No call forwarding
• Limited features vs competitors

Pricing:

• 1 line: $5/month
• 3 lines: $9/month
• Unlimited: $15/month

Verdict: Good concept but limited execution. Fine for truly temporary needs, expensive for anything else.

TextNow

Best for: Budget-conscious users who tolerate ads

TextNow offers free phone numbers supported by advertising. You can also get a physical SIM for data.

Pros:

• Free tier available
• Can get physical SIM
• Desktop app
• Group messaging
• Voicemail

Cons:

• Ad-supported (lots of ads)
• US and Canada only
• Numbers get recycled if inactive
• Some services block TextNow numbers
• Privacy concerns with ad tracking

Pricing:

• Free (ad-supported)
• Ad-free: $10/month
• SIM with data: $9-40/month

Verdict: You get what you pay for. Fine for casual use, but ads are intrusive and some services reject these numbers.

OpenPhone

Best for: Small businesses and teams

OpenPhone is designed for business use with shared numbers, CRM integration, and team features.

Pros:

• Professional features
• Team collaboration
• CRM integrations
• Call recording
• Business hours settings
• Shared phone numbers

Cons:

• Expensive for personal use
• US and Canada only
• Overkill for individuals
• Annual billing pushed

Pricing:

• Standard: $15/user/month
• Premium: $25/user/month

Verdict: Excellent for businesses, but overpriced and over-featured for personal use or solo travelers.

Conduit

Best for: Digital nomads, travelers, and privacy-focused users

Conduit focuses on international users who need reliable numbers while traveling, with strong privacy features.

Pros:

• US + UK numbers today (more countries planned)
• Forwards anywhere in the world — your number follows you
• Call recording on Pro plan
• Account sharing (add a teammate by email)
• Privacy-first design (passwordless magic-link auth)
• Flat, transparent pricing — no per-minute billing, no overage charges
• No contracts

Cons:

• Newer service
• Limited country coverage (US + UK at launch)
• No free tier
• No CRM integration yet

Pricing:

• Starter: $7/month (120 mins included)
• Nomad: $15/month (300 mins included)
• Pro: $29/month (600 mins included, call recording)

Verdict: Best option for international travelers and anyone prioritizing privacy. Simple pricing without the gotchas.

Feature Comparison

International Support

Winner: Conduit for international users

Privacy

Winner: Hushed or Conduit for privacy

Business Features

Winner: OpenPhone for full team workflows; Conduit if you mainly want recording + a shared number without the CRM lock-in.

Value for Money

Winner: Depends on needs. Google Voice for free, Conduit for value.

Use Case Recommendations

"I just need a free second number"

→ Google Voice (if in US) or TextNow (if you tolerate ads)

"I'm selling stuff on Craigslist/Marketplace"

→ Burner or Hushed for truly temporary numbers

"I'm a digital nomad traveling internationally"

→ Conduit - Only real option with international numbers and forwarding

"I need a business phone for my startup"

→ OpenPhone - Built for teams and business use

"I want maximum privacy"

→ Conduit or Hushed - Minimal data collection, anonymous signup

"I'm on a tight budget"

→ Google Voice (free, US only) or TextNow (free with ads)

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" app - it depends on your needs:

• Free & US-based: Google Voice
• Temporary/Disposable: Burner or Hushed
• Budget with ads: TextNow
• Business teams: OpenPhone
• International travel & privacy: Conduit

For digital nomads and privacy-conscious users, Conduit offers the best combination of international availability, privacy features, and straightforward pricing.

Try Conduit free →

This comparison was last updated May 2026. Prices and features may change.