Second phone number guides

A second phone number for dating

Give matches a second number instead of your real one. Call and text from Ghost, set auto-replies, and delete the number when you're done. Cancel anytime.

A phone number for selling online

Sell on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp without listing your real number. Get a Ghost number with a local area code. Cancel anytime.

A second phone number for your business

Add a business line to the phone you already have. Separate work calls and texts, set business hours, auto-reply, and a text signature. Cancel anytime.

Keep your real phone number private

Use a second number for signups, strangers, and shopping so your real number stays private. Up to 5 numbers per plan on the phone you already have.

The best second phone number apps, compared

Ghost, Burner, Hushed, Google Voice, TextNow, and more: prices, how many numbers you get, and the catches, checked September 2026.

Ghost vs Burner

Burner is cheaper for one number. Ghost includes up to 5 numbers with business hours, auto-reply, and voicemail transcripts. Prices checked Sept 2026.

Ghost vs Hushed

Hushed starts at $6.99/mo for one line. Ghost includes up to 5 numbers with hours, auto-reply, and signatures. Prices checked September 2026.

Ghost vs Google Voice

Google Voice is free but needs a US mobile number to sign up and can reclaim idle numbers. Ghost includes up to 5 numbers. Compared September 2026.

Ghost vs TextNow

TextNow is a free, ad-supported number and a cellular carrier. Ghost is an ad-free second-number app with up to 5 numbers. Compared September 2026.

How To Protect Your Privacy With A Second Phone Number

Learn how a second phone number can protect your personal information and keep your real number private from spam, scams, and unwanted contacts.

How to Get a Second Phone Number on iPhone

Three ways to add a second number to one iPhone: a second line with eSIM, a free Google Voice number, or a second-number app. What each costs and when to pick which.

How to Text Someone Without Giving Out Your Number

Your iPhone can hide your number on calls but not on texts. Here are the options that actually work for texting without sharing your real number.

Burner Number vs Second Phone Number: What’s the Difference?

A burner number is meant to be thrown away. A second line is meant to last. Here’s how to decide which you need, and why most people want a bit of both.

What Is a Virtual Phone Number and How Does It Work?

A virtual phone number is a real number that isn’t tied to a SIM card. Here’s how it works, what it can and can’t do, and how to pick an area code.