The 7 best apps you can use to get a free second phone number

There are a variety of apps that can give you a second phone number for free. Karl Tapales/Getty Images

• Several apps can get you a free second number for your phone, whether it's for business or personal communication. 
• Google Voice is free with zero ads and has its own web interface as well.
• Other apps offer free second numbers with ads, but the best experience may require a subscription fee.

You don't have to own a second phone to have a second phone number. Whether you have an iPhone or Android, you can get a second phone number that you can use for a second business or side hustle, to make purchases on Craigslist or to arrange first dates on Tinder without giving away your main number. The secret? There are a variety of apps that can give you a free second phone number, essentially giving you two lines on your mobile phone. 

Google Voice

Google has offered its Google Voice service since 2009, but hasn't kept it as up to date as some of Google's other apps and websites. That's a reasonable trade-off, though, for an app that can add a permanent second line to your iPhone or Android phone for free, with no strings attached — unlike every other option here, there are no time limits, in-app ads, or subscription fees. And in addition to using Google Voice on your phone, you can also access calls and voicemail in a web browser as well. 

Google Voice is the best all-around app to get a free second number. Dave Johnson/Insider

Textfree

Textfree adds a second line to your Android or iPhone for free. After installing the app, you can get a second number that delivers unlimited texting for free and 60 minutes of voice calls per month. And while the ads can be pretty intrusive, you can extend Textfree to be ad-free inexpensively. You can also buy additional time, such as 100 minutes for $1.99. Remember that if you go with the ad-based service, you need to use your number regularly or you'll lose access to it and need to sign up again with a new number. 

Dingtone

You can get a free phone number from Dingtone that includes unlimited voice calls and text messages, as long as you are willing to tolerate in-app ads interrupting your experience. Moreover, if you don't use the app regularly, you can lose your number. If you want to place international calls, you can purchase Dingtone credits or earn credits for free by doing things within the app, like watching ads or referring other users. 

TextMe

Formerly known as FreeTone, TextMe is another second line app that has a free tier of service. Like Textfree and Google Voice, Text Me gives you access to a free number that lets you text and place voice calls within the US and Canada, though like Textfree (and unlike Google Voice) the free service is ad supported. It's a good option if you're looking for a permanent number that never requires you to earn credits or pay subscription fees, though the advertising within the app can get annoying. 

Text Me gives you free access to a second line, but the in-app ads can be intrusive. Dave Johnson/Insider

Flyp doesn't offer a completely free tier of service, but you can try it for free for seven days. If you have a very limited need for a second number, that could be good enough. And unlike most second number apps, Flyp lets you set up any number of additional numbers — up to five — for $7.99 per month each. Each line gives you unlimited text and calling along with customizable voicemail and other features. And each number can have a different area code.  

Hushed

Available for both iPhone and Android devices, Hushed offers some features you won't find in other apps, like the ability to set up a toll-free number. Unfortunately, Hushed doesn't offer an ongoing free, ad-supported second line, but the first time you use the app, you can get a three-day free trial. Hushed doesn't capture any payment information, so there's nothing to cancel after three days — your number simply expires. For regular service, you can get Hushed for as little as $1.99 for a week of voice and text service. If you need to keep the number active for more than that, you can subscribe to a $3.99 per month plan or even get a full year for $29.99. 

Hushed is available for three days for free. Dave Johnson/Insider

Sideline

While most second number apps rely on WiFi to give you voice and text service using the internet, Sideline uses your existing cellular service to give you a second number. That means you can't use this on a phone that doesn't have a working cellular plan, but it does ensure reliable service using your existing carrier. Moreover, Sideline doesn't give you the option for a free tier of service; you can choose between the Standard ($9.99 per month) or Pro ($14.99 per month) plans, but first-time subscribers can get a seven-day free trial of either tier. Standard gives you little more than just the second number, while a Pro subscription includes a suite of features like contact list that's separate from the default one in your phone and text marketing tools.