10 Best Burner Phone Number Apps in 2026 (Free and Paid)

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Best overall for a genuinely temporary number: Burner. Best flexible paid option: Hushed. Best free US second number: Google Voice. Best free ad-supported alternative: TextNow. Best Cloud SIM replacement: Call.com.

These services are not interchangeable. Some let you delete a number immediately, some keep it active only while you renew a plan, some are free VoIP services, and others—such as Grasshopper, Line2, and MightyCall—are business phone systems rather than disposable-number apps.

This guide updates the lineup commonly discussed in Beebom’s burner phone number app list with current product information, pricing, availability, number-retention rules, verification warnings, and the Cloud SIM-to-Call.com migration.

Prices, number availability, app-store listings, and verification policies can change. Prices below are the latest figures in the cited provider materials and may vary by country, currency, taxes, platform, promotion, or billing cycle.

Quick comparison

App	Best for	Price snapshot	Calls and messages	Number lifecycle	Geography and platform notes
Burner	A number you can burn after dating, selling, or a short project	$7.99/month Standard; annual plans from $47.99/year; prepaid credits also available	Calls, texts, voicemail; Premium adds video messaging	Delete or replace the number immediately	Mobile apps; availability and number type vary
Hushed	Prepaid, subscription, and international numbers	US/Canada unlimited from $6.99/month; prepaid local plans from $7.99 for 30 days	Calls and texts over Wi-Fi or mobile data; features vary by number	Prepaid numbers require manual extension; subscriptions renew automatically	US, Canada, UK, and international options; check the app for exact availability
Google Voice	A free US number for ongoing use	$0 personal plan; standalone paid plans from $10/month	Calls, texts, voicemail, transcription, spam controls	Not designed to be disposable	Primarily US-focused; web and mobile access; current new-number verification may require government ID
TextNow	Free calling and texting in the US and Canada	Free with advertising; optional data and international services	Calls, texts, voicemail transcription, caller ID	Check inactivity and retention rules before using it for recovery	US/Canada-focused; free service is ad-supported
Call.com	International numbers and Cloud SIM migration	US number from $6.99 for one month or $24.99 for 12 months, plus usage credits	Calls and SMS; incoming SMS is free on the cited US plan	Number expires if not renewed and cannot be restored	iPhone, Android, desktop, Linux, and browser access; multiple countries
CoverMe	A second number with privacy-messaging features	Pricing varies in the current app	Private calls, SMS, disappearing messages, vault; encryption qualification applies	Check the current plan and renewal terms	US/Canada second numbers; Android listing confirmed in the cited source
Dingtone	Low-cost international calls	Credits and in-app purchases; eligible first-time US users may receive a free number	Calls and texts over data; rates depend on destination	Depends on number and credit status	International calling to more than 230 countries; iOS and Android listings vary
2ndLine	A low-cost everyday second line	Free or paid features vary by listing, region, and platform	Calls and texts; third-party SMS acceptance varies	Do not assume the number is permanent	Current support says iOS and Android; verify the exact developer listing
Line2	A long-term personal or small-business line	Current iOS listings show personal plans around $9.99–$11.99/month, with other plan prices also listed	Calls, texts, group messaging, voicemail, forwarding, recording	Long-term service, not a burn-on-demand product	Mobile, tablet, and computer access; app-store pricing varies
Grasshopper	A professional business number	Plans listed from $14/month; higher plans add business features	Business texting, forwarding, greetings, extensions, desktop and mobile apps	Business subscription, not disposable	Primarily North American business service

Important: “Free” normally means that the service is supported by advertising, credits, usage limits, data access, or number-retention conditions. It does not mean the number is private, permanent, or suitable for account recovery.

What is a burner phone number app?

A burner number is an additional phone number intended to be temporary or replaceable. You might use it for a Marketplace listing, a short freelance project, online dating, travel, or a web form and then delete it when the interaction ends.

A disposable number is designed for especially short-term use, sometimes for only one transaction or sign-up. Public SMS-receiving websites are a separate and riskier category: the number and incoming messages may be visible to strangers, so they are not equivalent to a private app-based number.

A second number is the broader category. It may be temporary, permanent, business-focused, international, or free. A VoIP number is delivered through an internet connection rather than directly through a traditional cellular SIM. Many apps in this guide provide VoIP numbers.

A traditional burner phone is a separate prepaid handset and cellular line. A burner app puts another number inside an existing phone, usually using Wi-Fi or mobile data. A real cellular second line or eSIM can behave more like a carrier number, but it is usually less disposable and may cost more.

1. Burner: best for a genuinely disposable number

Burner is the clearest match for the word burner. It is designed for situations in which you want a separate number and may later delete or replace it: dating, classified listings, unwanted-contact situations, or a short project.

Current price and features

Burner’s current pricing page lists Standard at $7.99 per month or $47.99 per year, equivalent to $3.99 per month when paid annually. Premium costs $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year, equivalent to $5.83 per month annually. The plans include a private number, unlimited calls and texts, and the ability to delete or switch numbers. Premium adds video messaging, AI voicemail transcription, VPN, and reverse number lookup. See the current pricing page before subscribing.

Burner also supports prepaid credits. Its temporary-number guide positions prepaid numbers for short-term use and subscriptions for numbers kept for months or longer.

What happens when you burn the number?

On iPhone, open Burner, tap More, open Number Settings, choose the number, tap Delete or Switch Number, and select Delete Number Now. On Android, open More, go to Settings, scroll down, tap Burn it, and confirm.

Burner says deleting a number permanently removes its associated texts, calls, and voicemails. Copy anything important first. Deleting the number is also separate from cancelling billing: deleting the account does not automatically cancel an active subscription.

Limitations

• Standard calling may use cellular routing and appear on the carrier bill. In-app VoIP calling uses Wi-Fi or mobile data instead. The exact behavior depends on the calling mode; see Burner’s phone-bill explanation.
• Texts use the app rather than the carrier’s ordinary SMS plan.
• A deleted or expired number cannot be restored with its previous message history.
• Burner’s Verified Numbers may be accepted by more services, but Burner does not promise universal verification success.
• Burner’s separate Dual SIM product supports features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and two-factor authentication, but it has different limits: no cellular data, monthly-only billing, and no number swapping. Details are in Burner’s Dual SIM documentation.

Verdict: Choose Burner when the ability to delete a number cleanly matters more than getting a free line.

2. Hushed: best flexible prepaid and international option

Hushed is a strong alternative when you want more control over the duration of a number. It offers subscription, prepaid, and international options and advertises numbers in more than 300 US, Canadian, and UK area codes.

Current pricing

Hushed’s first-party support table lists a US/Canada unlimited one-line plan at $6.99 per month and a three-line plan at $18.99 per month. Prepaid local plans are listed at $7.99 for 30 days, $20.99 for 90 days, and $55.99 for 365 days. The 30-day local plan includes 50 calling minutes and 150 SMS messages. An international pay-as-you-go plan is listed at $8.99 for 30 days, including $1 in credits.

These are provider support-table figures, not a guarantee of the exact amount shown in every app store or country. Check Hushed’s current plan table and the purchase screen before paying.

Number retention and limitations

• Prepaid plans do not automatically renew; you must extend them manually.
• Unlimited subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled.
• Internet access is required because calls and messages use Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Texting is not available on every number or in every country, and local and international plans are separate.
• Hushed does not guarantee that its numbers will pass third-party verification.

Verdict: Hushed is a better fit than Burner if you want a prepaid number that can remain active for 90 days or a year, or if you need an international number. Older claims that Hushed starts at $1.99 per month should not be treated as its current universal price.

3. Google Voice: best free US second number

Google Voice is useful, capable, and free for eligible personal users in the United States—but it is not a disposable burner. It is best for an ongoing second number tied to a Google account.

Features and price

Google Voice provides calls, texts, voicemail, voicemail transcription, spam protection, blocking, number selection by city or area code, and web and mobile access. Google says almost all calls from the US to the US and Canada are free, with some exceptions. Its current consumer comparison lists the personal plan at $0, while standalone paid plans are listed at $10 and $20 per month.

Setup starts at voice.google.com: sign in, search by city or area code, select an available number, and follow the setup prompts. Personal Voice numbers are US-focused, and Google Voice does not offer 1-800 numbers.

Major privacy qualification

Google’s current documentation says that users requesting a new Voice number must complete identity verification before calls or messages are enabled. The process may require a legal name, government-issued identification, and address, with manual review in some cases. Read the current identity-verification requirements before choosing Voice for a privacy-sensitive purpose.

Google Voice is also tied to a Google account and may be rejected by services that block VoIP numbers. It does not offer the same simple burn workflow as Burner.

Verdict: Pick Google Voice when free, ongoing US calling and texting matter more than disposability or minimizing account linkage.

4. TextNow: best free ad-supported US/Canada line

TextNow is one of the most practical free options for casual calling and texting in the US and Canada. Its current Android listing advertises a free local number, free nationwide US and Canada calls and texts, computer and tablet access, voicemail transcription, caller ID, advertisements, optional data plans, and low-cost international calling.

The trade-off is that the free service is ad-supported and its number-retention policies must be understood before you depend on the number. Like other VoIP services, TextNow numbers may be refused by banking, social-media, messaging, and other verification systems. A free number that can be reclaimed or recycled is a poor sole recovery method for a valuable account.

Verdict: TextNow is the better free choice for ordinary US/Canada communication. It is not the best choice for sensitive verification, high-value account recovery, or maximum privacy.

5. Call.com: the current Cloud SIM replacement

Cloud SIM should not be listed as an unchanged current app. Its official website directs existing users to migrate their numbers and credit balances to Call.com. The migration portal is the appropriate route for existing customers.

Best use and pricing

Call.com is aimed at international numbers, travelers, expats, remote workers, and pay-as-you-go calling. Its US page lists a virtual number at $6.99 for one month, $9.99 for three months, or $24.99 for 12 months. The annual option works out to about $2.08 per month for number rental, but usage is extra: the cited US rates are 1.2 cents per minute for incoming and outgoing calls, free incoming SMS, and 5 cents per outgoing SMS.

The general Call.com pricing page says number subscriptions do not auto-renew and outgoing calls and SMS use account credit. Call.com offers access through iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and a browser according to its download page.

Expiration warning

If the subscription expires, the number can be removed and cannot be restored. Do not use a Call.com number as the only recovery method for a valuable account. Verification acceptance also varies by service and number type.

Cloud SIM migration steps

1. Open the Cloud SIM migration page.
2. Enter the phone number used to register the account and the account email.
3. Enter the verification codes sent to the app and email.
4. Select Migrate my account.
5. Install Call.com and sign in with the existing number.
6. Confirm that the numbers and credits have transferred. Messages and voicemails may take additional time to appear.

Verdict: Choose Call.com if you are replacing Cloud SIM or need an international pay-as-you-go number. It is not a direct copy of the old Cloud SIM product.

6. CoverMe: best for a second number with privacy-messaging tools

CoverMe combines a US or Canadian second number with private calls, anonymous SMS, disappearing messages, remote message recall, and a private vault. Its current Android listing also describes encrypted conversations.

Encryption requires careful qualification

Do not interpret CoverMe’s encryption language as meaning that every call or message is end-to-end encrypted. The provider specifically qualifies end-to-end encryption for app-to-app users. Ordinary SMS or calls to someone outside the CoverMe ecosystem should not be described as having the same protection.

CoverMe is better understood as a privacy-oriented messenger that includes a second-number feature, rather than as a simple delete-and-burn utility. Subscription options and pricing should be checked in the current app because older listicle prices may no longer match the purchase flow. Platform availability also varies by listing and region; the cited Google Play listing confirms Android availability.

Verdict: CoverMe is worth considering when disappearing messages and a local privacy vault matter alongside a second number. It is not a guarantee of anonymous communication or universal encrypted calling.

7. Dingtone: best for low-cost international calling

Dingtone uses Wi-Fi or mobile data for calls and texts and advertises calling and texting to more than 230 countries. Its current listings also promote a free US number for eligible users and low-cost international calls.

Dingtone is credit-based. The exact cost depends on the destination and number selected, so do not rely on old claims such as “plans starting at $1.99 per month.” Check the current rate inside the app or consult Dingtone’s rate information.

Dingtone’s FAQ says a first-time US user may receive a first US number free, while users outside the US may need to buy a number with money or credits. Advertising, in-app purchases, credit expiration, number eligibility, and third-party verification policies all affect the real cost.

Verdict: Dingtone is a budget international-calling tool with a second-number feature. It is less suitable when your priority is a clean deletion workflow or reliable sensitive verification.

8. 2ndLine: best low-cost everyday second line

2ndLine is intended for ordinary calls and texts on an additional number—for example, a work line, side project, or personal number. Its current support documentation says the app is available on both iOS and Android, correcting older coverage that described it as Android-only.

There are multiple similarly named apps in the App Store and Google Play. Use the exact developer listing rather than installing an unrelated app. The cited Android listing identifies the service as affiliated with TextNow, while availability and premium pricing can vary by platform and region.

Do not assume that a 2ndLine number will pass verification. VoIP numbers can be rejected, recycled, or treated differently by each third-party service. Even if a code works once, that does not make the number dependable for future recovery.

Verdict: 2ndLine is a reasonable low-cost second-line app, but it should not automatically be labeled a true disposable number.

9. Line2: best long-term personal or small-business line

Line2 is designed for a continuing second line rather than a disposable identity. Its current App Store listing includes local and vanity numbers, unlimited US/Canada calls and texts, group messaging, voicemail, call forwarding, call recording, and mobile, tablet, and computer access.

Current iOS listings show several prices, including Personal Unlimited entries around $9.99–$11.99 per month and Mobile Starter entries around $15.99–$17.99 per month, plus annual options. Because the App Store displays multiple plans and prices, treat $14.99 figures found in older articles as plan-specific or outdated rather than as a universal current price.

Line2 may suit a freelancer who wants a stable client-facing line, voicemail, forwarding, and desktop access. It is not the right choice if you want to delete a number immediately after a transaction.

Verdict: Choose Line2 for a durable personal or business line, not for anonymity or one-time use.

10. Grasshopper: best professional business number

Grasshopper belongs in this guide only because many readers searching for a burner number actually need a separate business line. It provides local, toll-free, and vanity numbers, business texting, call forwarding, professional greetings, extensions, and mobile and desktop apps.

Current pricing and trial

Grasshopper currently lists plans beginning at $14 per month. Supplied plan information lists True Solo at $14 per month, Solo Plus at $25 per month, and Small Business at $55 per month. Annual billing, promotions, taxes, and plan changes can alter the amount shown at checkout.

The current seven-day trial includes one phone number, three extensions, and 50 business talk minutes. Text messaging and unlimited minutes require a paid plan. See the current trial details.

Verdict: Grasshopper is a polished professional phone system, not a disposable privacy number. It is a better choice than Burner for customer-facing business communication and a worse choice for a short-lived Marketplace listing.

What about MightyCall?

MightyCall is a business alternative rather than a direct personal burner recommendation. Its current materials describe a business phone system, and some plans have a three-user minimum. Features and pricing are therefore aimed at teams that need routing, shared business communication, and administration—not someone who wants one temporary number for a week.

Consider MightyCall alongside Grasshopper or Line2 if you need a team phone system. Its current plan context is described in this 2026 provider document.

Which app should you choose?

Your situation	Best starting point	Why
Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or a short dating interaction	Burner	The clearest delete-or-replace workflow
A number needed for several months or a year	Hushed	Prepaid durations reduce accidental recurring billing
Free ongoing US second number	Google Voice	Good calling, texting, voicemail, and web access, with identity-verification and VoIP limitations
Free US/Canada casual communication	TextNow	Free calling and texting with advertising
Replacing Cloud SIM or needing international service	Call.com	International numbers, desktop access, and pay-as-you-go usage
International calling on a budget	Dingtone	Credit-based rates and broad destination coverage
Disappearing messages and a privacy vault	CoverMe	Privacy features beyond ordinary calling and texting
Stable freelancer or side-business line	Line2	Voicemail, forwarding, group messaging, and desktop access
Professional business number with extensions	Grasshopper or MightyCall	Business routing and team features rather than disposability

Can burner apps receive verification codes?

Sometimes, but never universally. Acceptance depends on the sender, country, area code, number classification, number reputation, and whether the platform blocks VoIP or recycled numbers.

A number may receive ordinary SMS successfully but still be rejected by a bank, social network, marketplace, messaging app, or payment service. Burner distinguishes ordinary numbers from Verified Numbers, but even its verified option is not guaranteed to work everywhere. 2ndLine’s listings likewise warn that SMS delivery and verification depend on the third-party service.

Use a real carrier-backed number, authenticator app, passkey, or security key for banking, your primary email, password manager, cryptocurrency accounts, government services, and other high-value accounts. Never make an easily disposable or recyclable number the sole recovery method for an important account.

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Are burner apps anonymous or traceable?

A second number hides your primary number from the person you contact. It does not make you untraceable.

Depending on the service and use mode, records may connect activity to an email address, Apple or Google account, payment method, IP address, device information, carrier routing, or identity-verification record. Providers may retain some account or activity data, and a lawful request may produce information available to them.

Deleting a number may remove its message content from the provider’s system, but it cannot erase screenshots, downloaded messages, call records, or copies already received by another person. Burner says deletion removes associated content but may retain limited activity records such as dates and times.

Will calls appear on your phone bill?

It depends on how the app places the call:

• App-only VoIP: The call uses Wi-Fi or mobile data and normally does not appear as an ordinary carrier call between your personal number and the recipient.
• Callback or carrier routing: The app may call your personal line and then connect you to the recipient. This can create carrier records and use carrier minutes.
• Cellular Dual SIM: A real cellular line follows the billing and records rules of its carrier.

Burner explicitly says standard calling may appear on the carrier bill, while in-app VoIP behaves differently. Make a test call to a trusted second phone and check the caller ID before sharing the number.

Do burner numbers expire?

Yes, depending on the service:

• Burner: You can burn or replace a number, and deletion is irreversible.
• Hushed: Prepaid numbers require manual extension; subscriptions renew unless cancelled.
• Call.com: The number is removed when the subscription expires and cannot be restored, according to its FAQ.
• Google Voice and TextNow: These are not ordinary burn-on-demand products; check current retention and inactivity rules before relying on a number.
• Business services: Grasshopper, Line2, and MightyCall are intended for continuing subscriptions.

Set a calendar reminder before a prepaid plan expires or an annual subscription renews. If an account still uses the number, update that account before cancelling.

Can one account have multiple numbers?

Several services support multiple numbers, but the limits and billing model differ. Burner supports multiple numbers subject to plan and product type. Hushed supports multiple numbers through separate lines or plans. Call.com provides virtual numbers with availability and pricing shown in its app. Business systems such as Grasshopper and MightyCall can support multiple users, extensions, and numbers, but those features are designed for business administration rather than disposable use.

A safe setup checklist

1. Check your country and operating system. An app being downloadable while traveling does not mean it offers local numbers or SMS in that country.
2. Identify the number type. Look for mobile, VoIP, fixed, app-only, or cellular Dual SIM classification.
3. Choose prepaid or recurring billing deliberately. Prepaid reduces surprise renewals; subscriptions are more convenient for long-term continuity.
4. Test inbound calls and SMS immediately. Confirm that the number works before publishing it in a listing or giving it to a contact.
5. Test caller ID. Call a trusted second phone to confirm that the recipient sees the intended number.
6. Use a low-value service for any verification test. Do not experiment with a bank or primary account.
7. Save essential information before deletion. Burning or allowing a number to expire can permanently remove access to messages and voicemails.
8. Set an expiration reminder. Number rental, usage credits, and subscriptions can have separate deadlines.
9. Cancel billing separately. Deleting a number or uninstalling an app does not necessarily cancel an App Store, Google Play, or web subscription.

Common problems and fixes

The verification code never arrives

1. Confirm that the number receives an ordinary test SMS.
2. Check whether the app supports SMS on that exact number and in that country.
3. Look for a mobile or verified-number option, while remembering that neither guarantees acceptance.
4. Try a voice-code option if the sender provides one.
5. Contact the sending platform if its system is blocking VoIP numbers.
6. For an important account, use a real carrier number or an authenticator instead.

Calls go directly to voicemail

Check push notifications, background-app permissions, battery optimization, Wi-Fi or mobile data, Do Not Disturb, call forwarding, number expiration, and any required credit balance.

The number disappeared after reinstalling the app

You may have signed in with a different method and accidentally created a new empty account. Burner specifically warns about this in its login troubleshooting guidance. Also check whether the number subscription expired, the number was deleted, or a migration was left incomplete.

The subscription keeps charging

Distinguish between deleting a number, deleting an account, cancelling an App Store or Google Play subscription, cancelling a web subscription, and allowing prepaid credit to expire. Review the billing location and cancel through the same store or website where you subscribed.

The recipient sees the wrong number

This can happen when you call through the native dialer instead of the app, select the wrong line, use callback routing, or encounter caller-ID rewriting by a carrier or destination network. Always make a test call before distributing the number.

The number worked for verification once but is now blocked

Phone numbers have reputation histories. A recycled number may have been previously used or abused, and a platform may block it even though the current user has done nothing wrong. A provider’s description of a number as real or verified is not a universal guarantee.

When a burner app is the wrong tool

• You need reliable account security: Use a passkey, security key, authenticator app, or stable carrier number rather than a disposable number.
• You need a permanent second cellular line: Consider a carrier second line, eSIM, or Dual SIM.
• You need customer-facing business communications: Choose Grasshopper, Line2, MightyCall, or another business phone system with forwarding, extensions, greetings, and shared access.
• You need fully private communication: A second number alone is not enough. Evaluate the provider’s identity requirements, metadata, storage, payment trail, and whether encryption applies to app-to-app traffic or ordinary SMS and calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free burner phone number app?

For an ongoing free US number, Google Voice is the strongest starting point, but it is not disposable and current new-number requests may require identity verification. For free ad-supported calling and texting in the US and Canada, TextNow is the more direct option. Dingtone may offer a free US number to eligible users. None should be assumed to work with every verification service.

Which burner apps let you delete the number immediately?

Burner has the clearest immediate delete workflow. Hushed and Call.com generally use prepaid expiration or manual renewal, while Google Voice, TextNow, Line2, and Grasshopper are intended more as continuing second-line services. Deleting a number does not erase copies already received by another person.

Can a burner number be used for banking or two-factor authentication?

It may work technically in some cases, but it is a poor choice for banking, primary email, password managers, cryptocurrency accounts, government services, or other valuable accounts. VoIP, recycled, prepaid, and shared numbers can be rejected or later reclaimed. Prefer a stable carrier number, authenticator app, passkey, or security key.

Can burner phone number apps be traced?

They can hide your primary number from the recipient, but they do not guarantee anonymity. The provider, payment processor, app account, device, IP address, carrier routing, or identity-verification records may connect activity to you, and deletion cannot erase recipient-side copies.

Will a burner app call appear on my phone bill?

It depends on the calling method. App-only VoIP calls use internet data, while callback or carrier-routed calls may create a call record between your personal number and the service and may use carrier minutes. Check the app’s calling mode and make a test call before relying on it.

The Bottom Line

Choose Burner when the priority is deleting a temporary number. Choose Hushed for flexible prepaid durations and international options. Choose Google Voice or TextNow when free US/Canada calling matters more than disposability. Choose Call.com if you are replacing Cloud SIM or need international pay-as-you-go service. For client communication, choose Grasshopper, Line2, or MightyCall—but treat those as business phone systems, not anonymous burner apps.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.