In an era where privacy is increasingly scarce, temporary phone numbers have become essential tools for protecting your personal information. We spent three months testing the most popular burner phone apps to help you choose the right one.
Why You Need a Temporary Phone Number
Every time you sign up for a new service, you're asked for your phone number. Dating apps, online marketplaces, social media platforms—they all want your digits. But sharing your real number opens you up to spam calls, data breaches, and unwanted tracking.
A temporary phone number acts as a buffer between you and these services. You can receive verification codes, make calls, and send texts without exposing your actual contact information.
Our Testing Methodology
We evaluated each app based on five key criteria:
- Privacy: Does the app collect minimal data? Are there no-log policies?
- Reliability: Do SMS codes actually arrive? How's the call quality?
- Coverage: Which countries and services are supported?
- Pricing: Is there a free tier? Are paid plans reasonable?
- User Experience: How intuitive is the interface?
Top 5 Temporary Phone Number Apps
1. Hushed - Best Overall
Hushed consistently delivered the best balance of features and privacy. The app offers numbers from 60+ countries, supports both calls and texts, and maintains a strict no-log policy. Verification codes from major platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon arrived within seconds.
Verdict: If you need a reliable second number for everyday use, Hushed is our top recommendation.
2. Burner - Best for Simplicity
True to its name, Burner excels at providing disposable numbers you can "burn" (delete) when you're done. The interface is clean and straightforward—create a number, use it, burn it. Perfect for one-time signups or short-term dating app usage.
Verdict: Ideal for users who want temporary numbers without long-term commitment.
3. TextNow - Best Free Option
TextNow offers a completely free US/Canada number supported by ads. While you won't get the privacy features of paid alternatives, it's perfect for casual use. The catch? Some services block TextNow numbers for verification.
Verdict: Great starting point if you're budget-conscious and primarily need text capabilities.
4. MySudo - Best for Privacy Purists
MySudo takes privacy to another level by creating complete digital identities (Sudos) rather than just phone numbers. Each Sudo includes a phone number, email, and virtual card. The app uses end-to-end encryption and stores no metadata.
Verdict: The best choice if you want compartmentalized digital identities with maximum privacy.
5. Google Voice - Best for Google Users
Google Voice provides a free US number that integrates seamlessly with Google services. You can make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails. However, it requires a US number to sign up and links to your Google account—not ideal for anonymity.
Verdict: Perfect for G Suite users who want a secondary number but don't need strict privacy.
Comparison Table
<!-- comparison -->| App | Price | Countries | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hushed | $4.99/mo | 60+ | 9.2 |
| Burner | $4.99/num | US/CA | 8.8 |
| TextNow | Free | US/CA | 8.0 |
| MySudo | $0.99/mo | US | 8.5 |
| Google Voice | Free | US | 7.5 |
The Bottom Line
For most users, Hushed offers the best combination of privacy, features, and reliability. If you're on a tight budget, TextNow gets the job done. Privacy-focused individuals should consider MySudo for its comprehensive identity protection.
Remember: a temporary phone number is just one layer of your privacy stack. Combine it with encrypted messaging, a VPN, and good operational security practices for comprehensive protection.