Best Second Phone Number Apps for iPhone, Compared
By 2Phon Team · · 7 min read
The best second phone number app depends on what you need it for — texting, a free US number, or a real number for verification codes and calls. Here's a fair comparison for iPhone.
Key takeaways
- There is no single "best" second number app. Pick by the job: texting, a free US number, or verification codes and calls.
- Google Voice is free but personal accounts work only in the US. TextNow, Hushed and Burner focus on the US, Canada and (for Hushed) the UK.
- 2Phon gives you a real mobile number from dozens of countries for verification codes and real calls. It does not send texts.
- A carrier eSIM is the most traditional second line, but it means a second plan from a carrier.
The best second phone number app for iPhone depends on what you need the number for. If you live in the US and want free calling and texting, Google Voice is hard to beat; if you need a real number that apps accept for verification codes and calls — especially outside the US — 2Phon is built for exactly that.
Below is a fair comparison of the main options as of October 2026: Google Voice, TextNow, Hushed, Burner, a carrier eSIM line and 2Phon. Every competitor fact comes from that company's own App Store listing or help pages. If you're new to the idea, start with what a second phone number is.
Quick picks: which second number app fits your need?
The fastest way to choose is to start from what you'll actually do with the number.
| Your main need | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Free calling and texting, and you live in the US | Google Voice |
| A free US number and you don't mind ads | TextNow |
| A private line with US, Canadian or UK numbers, texting included | Hushed |
| A US or Canadian second line for calls and texting | Burner |
| Receive verification codes and make real calls, numbers from many countries | 2Phon |
| A full second carrier line with texting, calls and data | Carrier eSIM (Dual SIM) |
What to look for in a second phone number app
Five questions separate the apps that will work for you from the ones that won't.
- Where do the numbers come from? Several popular apps only offer US (and sometimes Canadian or UK) numbers.
- Is it a real mobile number or an internet (VoIP) number? VoIP means voice over internet protocol — calls and texts run over data. Some services decline VoIP numbers when they send a verification code.
- Does it send texts? If you need to text people, rule out apps that don't. If you only need codes and calls, texting doesn't matter.
- Can you make real calls? All the options here can, but how calls are billed differs.
- How long is the number yours? Paid apps usually keep your number while you subscribe; free tiers may have conditions.
The best second phone number apps for iPhone (as of October 2026)
Here is what each option does well and where it falls short.
2Phon — best for verification codes and calls from many countries
2Phon is an iPhone app that gives you a real second phone number from dozens of countries. It does two jobs: it receives verification codes when you sign up for apps and services, and it makes and receives real calls, at home or abroad.
- Numbers are real mobile numbers, not VoIP, so WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, Tinder and the other popular apps accept them.
- Codes arrive with a push notification, usually within seconds. If a service offers "Call me instead", the automated call rings on your 2Phon number.
- People you call see your 2Phon number, not your personal one. Calls use minutes in the app.
- Rated 4.8 on the App Store with 30,000+ ratings.
The honest limits: 2Phon is iPhone only and it does not send text messages. Start with a free trial; current plans are shown in the app.
Google Voice — best free option for US residents
Google Voice gives you a free number for calls and texting that syncs across your devices. Its App Store listing says it "only works for personal Google Accounts in the US and Google Workspace accounts in select markets." Google's account-type comparison lists local numbers as US only for personal plans.
- Good for: US residents who want a free extra number for calls and texting.
- Not for: anyone outside the US who wants a personal number.
TextNow — free US number with ads
TextNow offers a free US number for calling and texting, funded by in-app ads, according to its App Store listing; paid plans remove the ads and add data. Its listing describes numbers from US metro areas, with no-cost calling and texting within the US and Canada.
- Good for: a free US calling-and-texting line if ads don't bother you.
- Not for: people who need a number from outside North America.
Hushed — private line with US, Canadian or UK numbers
Hushed's App Store listing offers numbers from the US, Canada and the UK, with calling and texting that "run over the internet using VoIP." It sells subscriptions with a free trial. On verification, the listing is candid: "Some services allow Hushed numbers to receive verification codes by text or call, depending on their policies."
- Good for: a private calling-and-texting line in those three countries.
- Not for: numbers from other countries, or services that reject VoIP numbers.
Burner — US and Canada second line
Burner's App Store listing describes a second number that "works like your main one" for calls and texting, "available in the US and Canada (excluding Puerto Rico)." It's subscription-based after a trial.
- Good for: a separate US or Canadian line for calls and texting.
- Not for: anyone who needs a number elsewhere.
A carrier eSIM line — the most traditional option
Recent iPhones support Dual SIM: two active numbers on one phone, using a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs on iPhone 13 and later, per Apple's Dual SIM guide. The second line is a full carrier plan with calls, texting and data.
- Good for: a "normal" second line, including texting, from your local carrier.
- Not for: people who don't want a second contract, or who need a number from another country.
Side-by-side comparison
The table below sums up the differences that matter most. Competitor details are as listed on their own pages in October 2026.
| 2Phon | Google Voice | TextNow | Hushed | Burner | Carrier eSIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers from | Dozens of countries | US only (personal) | US | US, Canada, UK | US and Canada | Your carrier's country |
| Real mobile number | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | No (VoIP) | Not stated | Yes |
| Receives verification codes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Depends on the service | Not stated | Yes |
| Make and take real calls | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sends texts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| How you pay | Free trial, then subscription | Free (US) | Free with ads, or paid | Free trial, then subscription | Trial, then subscription | Carrier plan |
Which second number app should you choose?
Match the app to the job, and you'll rarely need to switch later.
- You live in the US and want no-cost calling and texting: start with Google Voice or TextNow.
- You need to text people from the second number: pick Google Voice, TextNow, Hushed, Burner or a carrier eSIM. 2Phon is not a texting app.
- You need a number for sign-ups and verification codes: choose a real mobile number. Read how to pick a phone number for verification before you commit.
- You live outside the US: most free options won't cover you. See Google Voice alternatives for people outside the US.
- You want a separate line for clients or a side business: compare a carrier eSIM and an app in our guide to a separate work number on iPhone.
Why "real number vs VoIP" matters for verification codes
Many services check what kind of number you give them before they send a code. Some decline internet-based (VoIP) numbers, which is why a code that works on one app can fail on another.
Hushed says so openly in its listing, and it's true of the category: whether a VoIP number gets codes is up to each service. A real mobile number avoids that question. The full explanation is in virtual vs real phone numbers.
Where 2Phon fits
2Phon is the pick when your second number has two jobs: getting verification codes and making and taking real calls, without exposing your personal number. You get a real mobile number from dozens of countries, codes by SMS or by voice call, and caller ID that shows your 2Phon number.
It's not for texting — 2Phon doesn't send SMS or MMS. Texts that people send to the number show up in the app, and you reply with a call. It's also iPhone only. The number stays yours while your subscription is active.
Get 2Phon on the App Store — a real second number for verification codes and calls, on your iPhone.
The bottom line
The "best" second phone number app is the one built for your main use. For free US texting, Google Voice or TextNow. For a texting line with a US, Canadian or UK number, Hushed (or Burner for the US and Canada). For a full carrier line, an eSIM. For a real number from many countries that receives codes and makes real calls, 2Phon.
Setting one up takes minutes — here's how to get a second phone number on iPhone, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best second phone number app for iPhone?
It depends on the job. In the US, Google Voice is a solid free choice for calls and texting. If you need a real number for verification codes and calls, or a number from outside the US, an app like 2Phon fits better. If you want the most traditional line, add a second carrier plan on an eSIM.
Can I send text messages from a 2Phon number?
No. 2Phon receives verification codes and makes and takes real calls. It doesn't send SMS or MMS, so if texting is your main need, pick a carrier line or a texting app instead.
Do second number apps work for verification codes?
It depends on the app and the service. Some services don't accept internet-based (VoIP) numbers. 2Phon gives you a real mobile number, not VoIP, so popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Google accept it.
Is Google Voice available outside the US?
Not for personal accounts. As of October 2026, Google says personal Google Voice works only in the US; a business version is sold through Google Workspace in select countries. See Google Voice alternatives for people outside the US.
Is a second number app the same as a second SIM?
No. A second SIM or eSIM is a separate carrier plan with its own bill. A second number app runs inside an app on your existing iPhone, with no second carrier contract.