How to text from a different number: 7 best apps

Your small business is finally taking off, but your cell phone is buzzing non-stop. You try to answer every call, but you’re still overloaded with customer texts and personal messages in your inbox. How do you separate business communications from your personal life without carrying two phones or missing important calls? 

What you need is a second phone number. When you text customers from a different number, you can automatically separate your conversations and protect your peace of mind.

There are four ways to text customers with a different number:

• A business texting app takes a few minutes to set up and gives you access to shared local and toll-free numbers to text customers. You can also use business-friendly texting features like scheduled texts, text templates, and automated text workflows to automatically send messages as needed. . 
• A free texting app also gives you access to local phone numbers. However, you won’t be able to share them with your team. They also don’t come with any advanced texting features. . 
• A carrier second line gives you a different number directly from your mobile provider. Add-ons like Verizon Second Number add another number to your existing plan. They operate just like a personal phone number, so you can’t share them with your team. You’ll need a phone with dual SIM or eSIM features to use this method.

Want the flexibility of phone numbers from multiple carriers? You can get your own second SIM or eSIM. This works just like a carrier second line, but you get a second phone number from a different carrier. 

Keep in mind that if you’re texting customers on behalf of your company, business texting rules apply. You’ll need to file for carrier registration, also known as A2P 10DLC registration, for your business number. You also need to collect SMS consent from customers before messaging them.

4 Ways to text from a different number

Here are four options to consider if you want to send texts from a different number:

Method	Best for	Cost	Pros	Cons
Virtual phone app	Small and growing businesses	$15–$50+ per month	Business features, multiple devices, team collaboration, scalable	Internet-dependent, some expensive providers
Free texting app	Personal use or temporary needs	$0–$10+ per month	No upfront cost, quick setup	Ads, limited features, unreliable for business
Second SIM card	Heavy phone users or those with dual SIM preference	$10-$100+ per month	Works with cell networks, easy to use	Requires compatible phone, managing two plans, limited business phone features
Second number with existing cell carrier	Solopreneurs that want a business number with their carrier	$10-$50+ per month	Unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada	Limited business features, can lock you into expensive contract

1. Get a virtual phone number with a VoIP service

The simplest way to text from a different number for your business is to get a virtual phone number app. This allows you to send texts and make calls from a different number over the internet using a device you already own. 

The main challenge is finding the right provider. Some may have hidden costs, while others aren’t designed to grow with your business. For example, you may have to upgrade or contact support just to add new users or numbers. And choosing a provider without the right features might leave you without the tools you need, like VoIP integrations, shared inboxes, or automated responses.

With Quo, formerly OpenPhone, you can get a different number to use with your business in four simple steps:

1. Sign up for a Quo account. When you sign up, you can try Quo for free for seven days.
2. Choose your new phone number. You can select your city or area code in the US or Canada to pick your phone number, or go with a North American toll-free number. You can also bring your existing number into Quo with phone number porting.
3. Verify your account. Confirm your account with an existing cell phone number and a credit card.
4. Register to text in the US. Once you’ve activated your account and completed your free trial, you can complete US carrier registration to text US phone numbers. This additional step is a requirement for any virtual phone number due to emerging regulations pushed by the large US cell carriers.

That’s it! You now have a virtual phone number ready to use on your iPhone, Android, laptop, or tablet. You can add your team members to a shared number, set up integrations, access call recordings and transcripts, and more.

If you run into any issues during the signup process, fill out this form to reach out to our support team.

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2. Use a free texting app

One of the easiest ways to text from a different number is by using a free texting app like TextNow or TextFree. While you do get a free number to text your contacts, their ads can be intrusive. Some providers also reclaim your number due to inactivity. For example, TextFree numbers expire if you don’t send a text for 30 days. You won’t get features for call management, either. 

Another option is to use an app geared towards mass SMS marketing, like SimpleTexting. Plans start at $39.99 per month and include 500 text credits per month and a local number. You can use this number to send and receive SMS/MMS messages separately from your personal line.

While the initial cost may seem low, additional fees for premium features or additional texting credits can add up. And if you have a team, these apps might not support multiple users or shared numbers, making it hard for your business to scale.

3. Get a second number with your existing cell carrier

Many major cell carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer services that let you add a second phone number to your device. Visit your provider’s website and check what services they offer for setting up additional numbers. You can also contact their customer support and ask if it’s possible to text from a different number on your current plan. Make sure to ask about the costs and requirements.

All these second number plans require a dual- SIM or eSIM-enabled phone. While your provider might assign you a second number, you’ll need an eSIM or a physical SIM card to activate it. Here’s the thing: not all smartphones support dual SIM cards, so you might need to invest in a new device. You’ll also rack up extra costs for the second SIM card and a separate mobile plan. You also won’t get business-friendly features that’ll help your team grow. These numbers operate just like your personal number. 

4. Get a separate SIM card

Your fourth option is to get a second SIM card for your unlocked phone. This gives you a separate number for texting and calling, effectively splitting your personal and professional chats. 

This option is similar to getting a second phone number from your existing carrier. The difference is you can get a second SIM card from another carrier to maximize your network access. Similar to the previous option, this requires a phone with dual SIM or eSIM capabilities. It also doesn’t offer business-friendly features like shared numbers, CRM integrations, or AI call summaries. 

Top 7 virtual phone number apps to text from another number

With so many virtual phone number apps available, choosing the right one can be daunting. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve tested dozens of providers and selected these seven based on reliability, business-focused features, and value for growing teams.

1. Quo: Best scalable solution for small businesses

Pros

• Affordable and transparent pricing
• Unlimited calls and texts to the US and Canada
• Local, toll-free, and vanity numbers available
• Shared phone numbers and inboxes for team collaboration
• Easy to scale
• AI features for call transcriptions, summaries, and action items

Cons

• No verification through two-factor authentication*

*Nearly all virtual phone numbers share this problem. Companies like Facebook, Uber, and Google rarely let you authenticate accounts through a virtual phone number.

Quo is tailored for startups, small businesses, and growing teams. It combines unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada with powerful features to streamline your business communications. It’s easy to use and works on iOS, Android, web browsers, Mac, and Windows.

Quo offers several texting features that help teams send more messages in less time:

• SMS auto-replies provide automatic responses to incoming calls and texts during and after business hours.
• Snippets offers pre-written text templates that teams can use to quickly respond to common customer questions. 
• Scheduled texts allow team members to schedule messages in advance. You can reach customers in their preferred time zones. 
• MMS messaging gives you the ability to send photos, videos, files, and GIFs to your customers. Share more context about an ongoing situation or provide proof of service. 
• Group messaging helps you bring all your stakeholders into a single conversation thread. 
• Automated text messages help you send timely messages to your customers, including appointment reminders and meeting follow-ups, using our Zapier and Make integrations. 

Plus, with Sona for lead capture, you can automatically qualify leads over text. 

Thousands of businesses use Quo to build stronger customer relationships. Don’t just take our word for it. See what they have to say:

“Quo has been an amazing resource for me, and I have used it at two different companies. I love the app; it makes my life so easy! It allows me to text and call applicants directly from the app and keeps my contacts and conversations organized.” — Danielle Fisher, Senior Recruiter, Kin

Try out Quo for free. Sign up today for our seven-day free trial.

Key features of Quo

• As many phone numbers as you need, including toll-free numbers
• Desktop, browser, and mobile apps
• 9,000+ integrations, including HubSpot, Jobber, Claude, and ChatGPT 
• Voicemail transcription
• Automatic call recording 
• AI-powered call summaries and transcripts
• 24×7 AI voice agent

Quo pricing

Quo pricing has three plans with no user minimums: 

• Starter: $15 per user per month for one local or toll-free US or Canadian number, unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, voicemail transcriptions, call recording, and more
• Business: $23 per user per month to unlock CRM integrations, analytics, auto call recording, group calling, ring orders, call transfers, HIPAA-compliance, and more
• Scale: $35 per user per month for AI call tags, dedicated onboarding, inbound phone support, and priority chat and email support

2. Google Voice: Best for existing Google Workspace users

Pros

• Integrates with Google Meet and Calendar
• Simple user interface
• Google AI blocks spam calls

Cons

• Limited to US customers for texting
• Ring groups require upgrade
• No shared numbers or integrations with non-Google tools
• No toll-free numbers

Google Voice is a convenient option for businesses already using Google Workspace. It integrates seamlessly with other Google apps and offers basic calling and texting features suitable for small teams. 

That said, it doesn’t work well for businesses outside the US and doesn’t give you as much bang for your buck as other virtual phone number providers. It also doesn’t have the advanced texting features you need to manage your conversations at scale, such as:

• Scheduled texts
• SMS auto-replies 
• Third-party integrations, which means you can’t send automated text messages with Zapier and Make 

Worse yet, toll-free texting is out of reach because it doesn’t offer toll-free numbers.

Key features of Google Voice

• Unlimited calls and texts in the US
• Forward transcribed voicemails to your email
• Basic call forwarding

Google Voice pricing

Google Voice offers three pricing plans for individuals and three pricing plans for teams. Personal plans are only available to US customers, while team pricing is available in 14 countries, including Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Here are the Google Voice pricing plans for individuals:

• Basic: Free, limited to one user, with unlimited domestic calling and texting.
• Starter: $10 per month to access three-way calling, seamless call transfers, and easy call recording.
• Standard: Introductory price of $10 per month for the first six months, after which it is $20 per month. Access AI note-taking with Gemini and auto-attendants in this plan.

Here are the Google Voice pricing plans for teams:

• Starter: $10 per user per month, with a 10-user maximum, for calls and texts in the US, call forwarding, and SLAs
• Standard: $20 per user per month to access on-demand call recordings, ring groups, and phone menus
• Premier: $30 per user per month to access automatic call recordings and advanced reporting

Google Voice team plans also require a Google Workspace subscription, which starts at $7 per user per month.

3. Grasshopper: Best for solo entrepreneurs and small teams

Pros

• Unlimited calls and texts
• Call forwarding and voicemail
• Local, toll-free, and vanity numbers available
• Mobile and desktop apps

Cons

• Limited advanced features
• No shared numbers or collaborative tools
• Lacks integrations with third-party apps

Grasshopper provides a straightforward virtual phone system that works well for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It offers basic calling and texting features without the need for additional hardware.

While Grasshopper works fine for basic texting needs, it can’t keep up with fast-growing teams. Getting approved for SMS through The Campaign Registry, or TCR, can take for months. Some users reported six or more rejected attempts before they gave up and switched providers. There’s no way to schedule messages or save reusable snippets, so every text has to be typed out manually in real time. If you’re hoping to connect Grasshopper to the rest of your tech stack, you’re out of luck. It doesn’t offer Zapier or Make integrations, webhooks, or an API.

Key features of Grasshopper

• Automated greetings and call routing
• Route calls to your mobile or landline
• Voicemail transcription
• Multi-digit extensions

Grasshopper pricing

Grasshopper pricing has three options:

• True Solo: $14 per month for one user, one number, and one extension
• Solo Plus: $25 per month for unlimited users, one number, and three extensions
• Small business: $55 per month for unlimited users, four numbers, and unlimited extensions

4. RingCentral: Best for larger businesses needing video conferencing

Pros

• Video conferencing and team messaging
• Call queues and IVR menus
• Integrations with many third-party applications
• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Very limited SMS/MMS messages per user per month
• Additional costs for toll-free numbers and minutes
• Complex to set up and manage

RingCentral gives users a fairly wide range of features aimed at larger businesses. These include call management, team messaging, and video conferencing capabilities. 

You should know RingCentral’s texting setup creates real friction for growing teams. TCR registration is a common pain point, with users reporting months-long waits, repeated rejections, and fees charged on each reapplication. Shared texting isn’t included by default either; you’ll need the Business SMS Booster add-on, which costs an extra $25 per month. Storage is capped too. Each user’s SMS inbox holds only 5,000 messages, and going beyond that means paying for long-term storage, which is only available in its most expensive plan.

Key features of RingCentral

• Phone, video meetings, and team messaging in one platform
• Call forwarding, call queues, and IVR available
• Integrations with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce

RingCentral pricing

RingCentral pricing differs based on how many users you have. Here are the prices for one to five users:

• Core: $20 per user per month for business phone or toll-free numbers and unlimited calls within the US and Canada
• Advanced: $25 per user per month to unlock automatic call recording and integrations with CRM tools
• Ultra: $35 per user per month to unlock advanced analytics and AI

5. Sideline: Best for those needing a second number on their mobile device

Pros

• Simple setup with no need for additional hardware
• Basic texting and calling using carrier minutes

Cons

• Limited to one number per device
• No shared numbers
• Lacks integrations

Sideline gives customers a second phone number that works directly through your existing carrier network and plan. If you want to rely on WiFi to text and call customers, Sideline may not be the best choice. 

It doesn’t offer much to growing teams:

• Toll-free numbers and call recordings aren’t available on any Sideline plan. 
• Shared numbers are no longer available, which means you can’t split responsibility for incoming calls and texts.
• Multiple phone numbers or users on your account aren’t supported. 

Key features of Sideline

• Free calls and texts in the US with carrier minutes
• Group messaging with up to 10 recipients
• Voicemail to text
• Auto-replies

Sideline pricing

Sideline pricing only offers one plan. However, you get a discount if you purchase it for six months or one year.

• Monthly: $14.49 per month for one phone number and unlimited calling and texting within the US and Canada
• Half Yearly: $69.99 per month for six months
• Yearly: $129.99 per month for 12 months

6. Burner: Best for temporary or disposable personal numbers

Pros

• Quick and easy setup
• Flexible plans with options for short-term use
• Ability to “burn” a number and get a new one instantly

Cons

• Not suitable for business use
• No advanced features like call recording or integrations
• Can’t port numbers in or out

If you need temporary phone numbers for short-term projects, listings, or any situation where you need a disposable number, Burner might work for you. 

You can get up to three different phone numbers with Burner. These can be disposable phone numbers you delete or swap or a dedicated second line for your business. Each number offers features like unlimited calling and messaging, picture messaging, muting/blocking, and auto-replies.

Unfortunately, Burner doesn’t work great for team use. Here’s why:

• No shared numbers. You can’t easily collaborate on text conversations with your colleagues. 
• No auto-reply customization. You can set auto-replies for incoming texts, but you can’t customize them based on business hours or other activities like missed calls. 
• No scheduled texts or text templates. 
• No third-party integrations. You can’t set up automated texting workflows to follow up with customers. 

It’s a good option if you need a temporary second number, but that’s about it. 

Key features of Burner

• Unlimited disposable numbers
• Automatic text responses
• Spam call blocking

Burner pricing

Burner’s pricing plans depend on where you purchase them:

• Web Standard: $3.99 per month for one number purchased on the web, billed annually
• Web Premium: $5.83 per month for one number, video messaging, AI voicemail transcription, VPN, and reverse number lookup, billed annually
• Play Store: $4.99 per month for one number purchased from the Android app, billed annually
• App Store: $4.99 per month for one number purchased from the iPhone app, billed annually

7. TextNow: Best for high-speed data plans

Pros

• Free phone number
• International calling at affordable rates

Cons

• Removing ads requires a paid plan
• Only available in the US and Canada
• Not compatible with all phones

TextNow is a Canadian virtual phone service that provides unlimited free calls and texts throughout the US and Canada. The platform works across PC, iPhone, Android, and iPad, allowing you to stay connected while switching between devices.

However, the ads that support the app can get intrusive. And you can only access features like voicemail transcription and call forwarding with paid upgrades. Similar to Burner, you don’t have business-friendly texting features like shared numbers, auto-replies, text templates, and automated text workflows. If you want to scale your customer relationships, you’ll have to go with a dedicated business texting platform. 

Key features of TextNow

• Free basic phone number
• Incoming caller ID with upgrade
• International calling and texting with credits

TextNow pricing

TextNow’s basic service is free but includes ads. Here’s a breakdown of its plans:

• Free: $0 per month for a free phone number, nationwide 5G talk and text, and access to unlimited data, verification codes, caller ID, and voicemail transcription by earning them through Rewards
• Plus: $4.99 per week or $18.99 per month for unlimited data without streaming services, an ad-free experience, and full access to verification codes, caller ID, and voicemail transcription without needing to earn them
• Unlimited: $8.99 per week or $35.99 per month for unlimited data that includes streaming

6 powerful reasons to text from a different number

Texting from a different number isn’t just about separating work from personal life. Here are six more reasons it’s a smart move for you and your business:

1. Scale easily as your team grows

Add more lines as your team expands or segment numbers by location, department, or project. Local and toll-free numbers, for instance, help you serve different markets. 

2. Share responsibility with your team

Use shared lines and call forwarding to distribute workload so no client communication falls through the cracks. With Quo’s shared inbox, your whole team has visibility into customer conversations. 

3. Improve work-life balance

Set business hours to make sure you aren’t disturbed during your personal time. This helps prevent burnout for you and your team. Set up routing options and auto-replies for after-hours so your customers aren’t left waiting. 

4. Organize client communications

Keep all your communications in one place and maintain a clear record of calls, texts, voicemails, and interactions for better context and accountability. If a dispute arises with a customer or employee, you’ll have documentation ready. 

5. Integrate with existing tools

Connect your virtual phone number app with CRM systems, email marketing tools, and more to automate workflows and save time. This reduces manual data entry that drains productivity and let details slip through the cracks. 

6. Protect your business from spam calls

Spam calls waste time and are tricky to detect. A second number on a virtual phone app can prevent spam from reaching you. Most apps let you set up an auto-attendant, which robocalls can’t navigate. The result is more time for your team to focus on the customer experience.

Is your data safe in a second number app?

As you evaluate options for a second phone number, you might wonder whether your data is secure in a virtual phone platform. 

Business phone platforms like Quo encrypt your texts and calls, so conversations stay private between you and your customers. Independent auditors regularly review these security practices through SOC 2 audits. For healthcare businesses, some providers offer a HIPAA-compliant platform to manage patient communications. Since business phone providers make their money from customer subscriptions, not from selling data, your information isn’t a product; it’s yours to export or take with you whenever you need to.

With free second number apps like TextFree and TextNow, you aren’t guaranteed these protections. They make money from selling ads, and they don’t advertise data encryption or compliance standards. Keep that in mind as you evaluate which path to choose for your second phone number.

Business texting requirements: What you should know

Once you get a second phone number, you can dial your customers and call from a different number. However, you can’t start texting them immediately. You have to follow the  Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, and the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, or CTIA, regulations. Here’s what you need to do to stay compliant:

1. Get SMS opt-in

You must obtain customer consent to send text messages. You aren’t allowed to message their phone number unless you get their consent first. If a customer texts you first using an SMS link or WhatsApp, you have implied consent, but that only applies to the conversation at hand. Otherwise, customers need to opt in via a digital or physical form, which you should keep in your records. 

2. Register your second phone number

When you have a second phone number from a business phone app, you need to register it under A2P 10DLC compliance regulations. A2P 10DLC stands for Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code. This means that if you use a virtual number to text anyone with a US phone number on behalf of your business, you need to complete US carrier registration. The A2P 10DLC process varies by provider. 

Once your number is registered, you can start texting customers in the US. But compliance doesn’t end there. 

3. Follow compliance rules when texting customers

Stay informed about regulations and follow SMS consent rules. Under TCPA compliance guidelines, companies can’t send promotional texts or call individuals outside 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. These times are based on your recipient’s time zone. It’s also good texting etiquette to send non-urgent messages during regular business hours.

You should also give your customers an easy way to unsubscribe from your texts. For example, you should tell them they can say something like: “Reply END to stop receiving texts.” 

These are the basic business texting requirements you should follow. For a full breakdown on everything you need to know, check out our guide to SMS compliance.

Business texting vs personal texting: Key differences 

When you’re texting for business, you need to do more than just send messages. Business texting providers offer features personal texting apps don’t. These enable customer communication, team collaboration, and professional compliance:

• Unlimited texts and calls. Send as many messages as you need without worrying about hitting limits during busy periods.
• Shared numbers. Multiple team members can call and text from the same number so customers get a response — even when you’re unavailable.
• Automations like auto-replies and scheduled texts. Keep customers in the loop without being glued to your phone 24/7 through automated responses and pre-scheduled messages.
• Text forwarding. Route incoming messages to the right team members to make sure customers get a quick response. 
• Customer history and context. Use contact notes and CRM integrations to access conversation history. This shows customer details at a glance so you can provide personalized responses every time.

Start sending texts from a different number today

Bottom line: If you need a second phone number for personal messaging, sign up for one with a free phone number app. It’s the easiest option to use if you’re fine with viewing ads while texting your contacts. 

For business texting, the more scalable option is to get a second phone number with a provider like Quo. Our platform doesn’t just help your team send more messages in less time. We also have a guided A2P 10DLC registration process that helps you get approved in days, not weeks. 

Prefer to manage compliance yourself and send texts on your own? Get an additional number with your carrier and add it to your device with an eSIM. 

Try Quo for free. Start today by signing up for our seven-day free trial.

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