Created by Pinger, Inc, Sideline—Real 2nd Phone Number, or Sideline, is a freemium communication that enables you to have another contact number for personal or business purposes. With its high-quality audio, you can enjoy clear and seamless communication with colleagues, family, and friends. 

The app also doesn’t require an internet connection, allowing you to text and call your loved ones anytime, anywhere. Bear in mind that you have to sign up for a Sideline account and select your desired subscription plan before starting your one-week free trial. Upon expiry, your chosen plan will be applied to your account.

For users in the contiguous United States

When registering a new account, it’s important to remember that Sideline: Second Phone Number only accepts numbers within the contiguous United States — which comprises the District of Columbia and the country’s lower 48 states. Therefore, users with Canadian, international, or non-contiguous United States numbers are ineligible to create an account. You also can’t select a Canadian or overseas area code for your alternate phone number. 

Limitations aside, it boasts features that up your communication game. Missed calls, for example, trigger the program to send a custom message to the recipient, letting them know why you can’t pick up their call at the moment. Voice messages are also automatically transcribed for convenient reading. Not to mention — with its Favorite system — you can easily contact a loved one without the hassle of scrolling through your contacts list.

However, the app has its flaws. Among the complaints of users are unreceived calls, unsent images appearing as sent on their end, slow upload speeds, and sudden dropping of calls, just to name a few. These issues can cause embarrassment, especially if they’re using their Sideline number for communicating with clients and business partners. Other alternatives for this app include Pinger, Inc’s very own Text Free and Index.

For personal or business use, your call

While not developed with international users in mind, Sideline: Second Phone Number presents itself as an app that values your privacy through the creation of an alternate number. Whether you’re using the program for your personal or business needs, it is designed to provide you with high-quality, seamless communication with your peers and loved ones. The fact that you can text and call offline is a huge bonus too.