If you use your personal cellphone for business, you likely have two main concerns: keeping your personal number private and knowing when an incoming call is business vs. personal.
Getting a second phone number dedicated to business use is the simplest way to protect your privacy and differentiate between your business and personal calls.
Below, we’ll look at why a second phone number is necessary and how it impacts your business. Plus, we’ll explain how to get a second phone number for your Android device or iPhone, how much it costs, and different tools to help you accomplish it.
What is a second number?
A second number is an additional phone line you can use on the same device, allowing you to separate personal and business communications without needing a second phone. OpenPhone offers a second phone number starting at $15 per month, with features like call forwarding, texting, call transcriptions, and integrations designed for business use.
How to get a second phone number in 3 steps
You can obtain a second phone number with OpenPhone that you can use on your computer and smartphone in three simple steps:
- Sign up for an account with OpenPhone — when you sign up, you can try out OpenPhone free for seven days.
- During signup, select your city or area code in the US or Canada to pick your phone number or select a North American toll-free number.
- After finishing the signup process (including picking your preferred plan), you can start calling and customizing your phone settings.
You now have a virtual phone number. If you run into any issues during the signup process, fill out this form to reach our support team.
See how easy it is to sign up by watching the video below.
Breaking down the best second phone number providers
You have plenty of second phone number providers to choose from, but which ones should you prioritize?
We’ve broken it down for you below:
| Provider | Starting price | Unlimited calling to US & Canada | SMS, MMS to US & Canada | Shared phone numbers | Additional phone numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenPhone | $15 per user per month | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $5 per number per month |
| Google Voice | Free for personal use, $16 per month for business use | Unlimited calls to Canada from the US only | US only | Requires upgrade (ring groups only) | X |
| Burner | $4.99 per month | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Line2 | $7.99 per month | ✓ | ✓ | X | $14.99 per number per month |
| 2ndLine | Free with ads | ✓ | ✓ | X | $4.99 per number per week |
| Verizon | $30 per number per month | ✓ | ✓ | X | $10 per number per month |
1. OpenPhone: The best option to get a second phone number for businesses
OpenPhone is a VoIP phone service that can add a work number to your existing mobile phone. It’s easy to create a professional phone experience — you can set business hours, create custom voicemail greetings, and set up a phone menu so customers know when they can reach your team.
Here’s how you can make your business communications more efficient with OpenPhone:
- Easily use OpenPhone from your computer, laptop, or smartphone
- Save time texting with auto-replies, snippets, and scheduled messages
- Foster collaboration by letting your teammates comment on conversations internally
- Catch up on conversations faster with call recordings and instant AI call summaries and transcriptions
- Automate manual workflows by integrating with your CRM, Slack, email, and 7,000+ tools with our Zapier integration
Don’t just take our word for it: OpenPhone is the #1 business phone for customer satisfaction on G2. We make it easy to manage your business calls and texts without sacrificing the privacy of your personal number.
Ready to get a second phone number? Simply start a free seven-day trial, download the OpenPhone app to your computer, iPhone, or Android device, and then start placing phone calls directly through your WiFi connection.
Get started with one of these phone numbers
Or choose from thousands more local or toll-free numbers:
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OpenPhone pricing
OpenPhone’s pricing offers three different plans for getting a second phone number.
These include:
- Starter: $15 per user per month for shared phone numbers, voicemail transcriptions, free calls and texts in the US and Canada, and dozens of ways to streamline your business’s phone communication
- Business: $23 per user per month for auto-attendant (IVR), call transferring, CRM integrations, analytics, and more advanced features
- Enterprise: Custom-fit pricing for custom-fit solutions that include priority support and a dedicated account manager
2. Google Voice: The second phone number for Google Workspace users
If you’re looking for a second phone number for personal or freelancer use, Google Voice may be a good fit.
Personal users can get a Google Voice number for free and unlock unlimited calling and texting in the US using WiFi or your carrier’s plan. The free plan also comes with voicemail transcripts and call forwarding. But if you’re located outside the US, you can’t access this version of Google Voice.
Google Voice does offer multiple plans to business owners that are available globally, but the features are severely limited. You get auto attendants and ring groups on the second-tier plan, but you can’t get toll-free numbers or caller ID. You also can’t access advanced messaging features like auto-replies, snippets, and scheduled messages.
Keep in mind there aren’t integrations with tools outside your Google account. Google Calendar, Google Meet, and Google’s BigQuery are the only integrations available.
So if you want a free second phone number app for personal use or if you need a new number for buying and selling on Craigslist, Google Voice may be a solid choice. Otherwise, businesses should look elsewhere for a solution that has the features they need.
You can learn more about Google Voice’s pros and cons in our comprehensive guide.
Google Voice pricing
For individuals, Google Voice is free.
For businesses that want a second phone number, you must select from one of three Google Voice plans:
- Starter: $10 per user per month for call forwarding, voicemail transcriptions, and unlimited texting in the US (limited to 10 users in the US)
- Standard: $20 per user per month for unlimited users, auto-attendant, and desk phone support
- Premier: $30 per user per month for advanced reporting features and support for international users
Keep in mind that all Google Voice plans require a Google Workspace subscription, which starts at an additional $6 per user per month.th.
3. Burner: The second phone number option for multiple personal numbers
Burner is a second phone number app that allows you to create a pseudo phone number. First, you purchase a number for personal use. Then, you can ditch it and get a new number (yes, like the paid-for flip phones of the early 2000s).
The Burner app uses a VoIP call forwarding service to send voice calls and texts to your existing phone. Each number you buy comes with calling and messaging, picture messaging, caller ID, and the ability to block and mute contacts.
A few other features are worth mentioning here. Auto-reply texts come with every plan, which allows you to set boundaries for your time after hours. You can also create multiple numbers in your account, but be warned: you have to pay a separate subscription for each number you use.
Unfortunately, those are the only ‘business’ features you get with a Burner account. You won’t have access to toll-free numbers, call recording, or third-party integrations.
But if you just want a second phone line for your personal life, this may not necessarily be a limitation.
Burner pricing
Burner charges double its monthly price if you sign up on its mobile app versus the web app. So if you’re interested in checking out a second number with Burner, you should sign up on the web to save on your monthly fees.
- $4.99 per number per month if you sign up on the web
- $9.99 per number per month if you sign up through the mobile app
4. Line2: The basic second phone number for businesses
Line2 is a simple second phone number app designed for solo business owners. Like many other apps on this list, it offers the basic features you need to make calls (think call forwarding, call blocking, and voicemail transcriptions).
But Line2 isn’t great if you’re scaling your operations. You can’t get missed call notifications or shared access to phone numbers, and there’s no way to set your business hours.
Other key features missing from Line2 include:
- Integrations
- Snippets
- Auto-replies
Line2 is a solid upgrade from using your private phone number for business. But if you’re looking to expand your team, it doesn’t match up to other VoIP providers.
Line2 pricing
There are two ways to pay for a second number through Line2:
- $9.99 per month (billed monthly)
- $7.99 per month (billed annually)
5. 2ndLine: Best free second phone number option
Need a second phone number for personal use on your Android or Apple device? 2ndLine might be the right option for you. It offers unlimited calls and texts in the US and Canada over WiFi or data and lets you make international calls at affordable rates.
2ndLine may be a decent option if you’re a personal user who wants to keep costs low. But since this second number provider doesn’t offer shared numbers, CRM integrations, call transcriptions, or advanced messaging features, it may not be the best solution for business owners.
2ndLine pricing
You can download 2ndLine on your mobile phone for free. However, extra features that most businesses need require an upgrade or in-app purchase.
- Standard plan: $5.99 per week, $12.99 per month, or $59.99 per year for a credit-based, pay-as-you-go system for calls and texts and an ad-free experience
- Unlimited plan: $19.99 per month or $99.99 per year to unlock unlimited calls and texts, an ad-free experience, call forwarding, and anonymous calls
Other add-on options include:
- Additional numbers: $4.99 per week
- Change your number within the app: $14.99 one-time fee
6. Verizon: Best for cellular plans
Verizon, a major US cellular carrier, now offers the option to add a second phone line to an existing device. The second line includes unlimited calling and texting within the US, Mexico, and Canada. However, if more than 50% of your usage is in Mexico or Canada over a 60-day period, Verizon may discontinue the service.
Some features, such as visual voicemail, may not work on the second line. To qualify, you need a primary line on an eligible plan and a device that supports dual SIM. Downsides include slow customer support response times and a lack of business features like call forwarding, auto-replies, and call recording.
Verizon also offers One Talk, an add-on VoIP service for businesses. However, One Talk has unclear pricing and reliability issues and extra costs for basic features like auto-receptionists. Additionally, you must purchase desk phones directly from Verizon. For many users, alternative VoIP services may offer better value.
Verizon pricing
Verizon’s second phone line costs $10 per number. In addition, you’ll need to pay for a primary line through one of their pricing plans. The following plans are for four lines:
- Unlimited Welcome: $30 per number per month for limited 5G data, unlimited talk and text, and up to 480p HD streaming quality
- Unlimited Plus: $45 per number per month for unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband data, 30 GB mobile hotspot data, and up to 720p HD streaming quality
- Unlimited Ultimate: $55 per number per month for unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband data, 60 GB mobile hotspot data, and up to 1080p HD streaming quality
One Talk’s pricing starts at $15 per number per month in addition to these plans.
Why should you get a second phone number?
Not yet convinced you need a second phone number?
Here are a few reasons why a second phone number can upgrade your business and your personal privacy:
1. Share your business number with your team
As a customer, you’ve probably faced situations where you called a local business and couldn’t reach them. The reason is their number is likely with their owner and isn’t shared by all their team members. Shared numbers can help you avoid this situation by giving your team access to incoming calls and messages. You don’t have to leave your customers waiting (or feel glued to your phone during peak business hours).
2. Protect your personal phone number
Getting an alternate phone number means you don’t have to give your personal number to customers. You also don’t have to publish it directly on your website, which means bad actors and spammers can’t scrape your personal details. With separate contact books, you’ll know which calls are personal and which are for work — so you’ll know exactly how to respond to every incoming call.
3. Record your calls to track customer requests
Business phone numbers can help you record calls for future use. This helps you keep track of what you’ve promised your customers and can maintain a paper trail in case any disputes occur.
4. Integrate with your tool stack
If you run a business, you probably use several tools to manage your daily operations. With the right second phone number provider, you can share your call and message data with your CRM and Slack accounts. This means you don’t have to spend time keeping track of your customer relationships — you can focus on building them instead.
5. Balance work and personal time
Without a second phone number, you’re vulnerable to getting calls at any time. The right second phone number app lets you set working hours so customers know what times they can reach you. When you’re unavailable, you can set up a voicemail or call forwarding workflow to set clear expectations and provide additional information.
6. Filter spam and robocalls
A second phone number helps filter spam and robocalls, saving your team time by using an IVR (auto-attendant) to block most spam, as robocalls are unable to interact with IVRs. This feature keeps your line clear for genuine business contacts and improves productivity.
Download OpenPhone to get a second phone number
As a small business owner, getting a second phone number is a simple way to promote work-life balance. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools you can use to get a second number without another line or SIM card.
But not all apps are built alike. If you want the best bang for your buck, you need to invest in a platform that can grow alongside you.
OpenPhone is the best small business phone system and the easiest way to add a work number to your existing phone number (and enjoy advanced features designed for business owners by business owners).
Ready to see how OpenPhone can transform business communications? Get started today with our seven-day free trial.
FAQs
The best second phone number app for businesses can largely depend on your team’s use case. That said, for many growing businesses, the top solution is OpenPhone. We are admittedly biased, but thousands of professionals rely on our platform due to shared inboxes, automations, and dozens of other ways to save time while building better relationships with customers.
For personal use, Burner and Hushed are great second phone number app options. They’re easy to use, affordable, and may have the features you need, like call forwarding, texting auto-replies, and custom voicemail greetings.
You can get a free Google number by signing up for a personal Google Voice account in the US. Unfortunately, free Google numbers aren’t available internationally.
Second phone numbers that use VoIP technology rely on the internet to make calls and send messages. They turn voice and text data into digital signals that transmit directly over your internet connection.
Once you get a specific phone number, you can make calls with a VoIP phone number from wherever you are as long as you have a WiFi connection.
Yes! We take a lot of pride in delivering a secure and reliable product and protecting our customers’ information. We store your data on OpenPhone for as long as you need it, and we support data privacy principles like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
An alternate number is a second phone number that functions as an alternative to a person’s primary phone number. Businesses can have an alternate number that they use to forward calls after business hours or as a backup in case they’re in the middle of an emergency. Individuals can have an alternate number that they use to keep their personal numbers private when they’re communicating with new contacts or businesses.
A second phone number typically costs around $10-$50 per month, depending on the provider. OpenPhone offers one of the best values, starting at $15 per month, as it includes essential business features like call recording, shared numbers, and auto-replies that other providers often charge extra for.
