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A virtual SIM card phone number allows you to have multiple phone numbers on a single device. This is useful for separating personal and business communications. I evaluated over 30 virtual SIM apps for iOS and Android to help you find the right one based on features, pricing, security, and ease of use.
How Virtual SIM Card Apps Work
A virtual SIM card app assigns you a phone number that works over your phone‘s cellular or Wi-Fi connection. This secondary number can be used to make calls, send texts, verify accounts like WhatsApp, and more.
The virtual number works alongside your primary SIM card number. All you need is the app installed on your smartphone to start using it.
Here are some key benefits:
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Keep personal and work life separate: Get a dedicated business line without carrying multiple phones.
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Enhanced privacy: Mask your real number when signing up for accounts or making calls.
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Affordable global calling: Avoid high international roaming charges.
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Flexibility: Easily add, delete or switch phone numbers as needed.
Next, let‘s look at the top virtual SIM card apps available.
1. Hushed – Best Overall
Hushed is my top pick for iOS and Android. It provides anonymous secondary phone lines to make private calls, send texts, verify accounts like Tinder, and more.
With Hushed, you get complete communication privacy. The app doesn‘t require any personal information to work. You can buy credits to activate numbers for any country and change them anytime. It also allows making Wi-Fi calls to save cellular data costs.
The virtual phone numbers work for calling, texting, creating accounts, two-factor authentication, online promotions, and other verification purposes.
Key features
- Get virtual numbers for the USA, UK, and Canada
- Make anonymous encrypted calls
- Send SMS and MMS messages
- Block unwanted callers
- Set auto-replies for incoming messages
- Share photos, videos, GIFs, voice messages
- Make internet calls over Wi-Fi
- Port-in existing phone numbers (USA only)
Hushed is easy to use, reliable, and affordable. It starts with a free trial number and paid plans at $3.99 per month. There are no contracts or commitments.
It‘s available as a smartphone app for Android and iOS.
2. RingCentral – Top for Business Use
RingCentral provides virtual business phone numbers on mobile and desktop. It lets you transition office landlines to cloud without changing existing numbers.
This business phone system equips teams with everything they need for communications and collaboration. You get unlimited calls, SMS/MMS, internet fax, HD video meetings, webinars, and team messaging.
The key highlights are:
- Get toll-free, local, and vanity numbers
- Make landline-quality calls
- Host audio/video conferences
- Configure auto attendants
- Enable call forwarding/recording
- Share files, notes, tasks, events
- Integrate with business apps
- Available on mobile and desktop
RingCentral offers reliable enterprise-grade security. There’s also 24/7 customer support via phone, email, live chat.
It’s free to try for 15 days. Paid plans start at $19.99 per user monthly when billed annually. Significant discounts are available for annual contracts.
3. Numero eSIM – Best eSIM Solution
Numero eSIM provides virtual SIM numbers electronically without a physical SIM card. It works directly with the phone’s built-in eSIM functionality.
The app offers great flexibility to add or remove numbers instantly. This approach also frees up the SIM card slot for your primary number.
Numero eSIM allows creating a business identity with local phone numbers across 50 countries like the UK, France, Mexico, Turkey, India, Hong Kong, and more.
What makes Numero eSIM unique:
- Get eSIMs instantly without delivery
- Activate using QR codes
- Switch plans and numbers easily
- Bring your own phone number
- Make low-cost international calls
- Block unwanted callers
- Receive messages
- Integrated voicemail
Numero eSIM has free ad-based usage for basic functions. Paid plans with more features start from €0.99 per month.
It’s available for iOS and Android devices supporting cellular eSIM.
4. Alosim – Great International Coverage
Alosim provides virtual SIM numbers with great global coverage across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and more.
The service specializes in international roaming solutions. So you easily make affordable calls while traveling abroad.
Alosim also lets you:
- Make and receive calls in 100+ countries
- Send SMS/MMS messages internationally
- Create local virtual phone numbers
- Set auto-replies for SMS
- Forward calls to external numbers
- Block unwanted callers/texts
- Get voicemail transcriptions
- Bring your own device
This platform offers more advanced features like IVR menus, ring groups, business hours rules, and call recording for sales teams.
Alosim is available as a smartphone app for iOS and Android devices. They provide new users a free 7-day trial to try the service.
Paid plans start from $7 per month including unlimited inbound calls and texts. Outbound minutes packs are extra depending on your usage needs.
5. Nextiva – Best Customer Service
Nextiva is a business phone and call center solution built for the cloud. It provides exceptional voice quality optimized for mobile use.
This platform equips teams with everything they need for communication, collaboration, and customer support. Key features include:
- Cloud PBX system
- Integrated phone, SMS, fax
- Team chat and video meetings
- Advanced call center software
- Salesforce CRM integration
- Real-time analytics
Nextiva simplifies business calling with virtual user extensions, auto attendants, intelligent call routing, and more.
The mobile and desktop apps ensure professionals stay seamlessly connected when out of office. This allows transitioning business calls away from landlines easily.
They offer new users a free trial for 7 days to try out their platform. Nextiva’s pricing starts at $20 per month per user.
A key advantage is exceptional 24/7 customer support and guaranteed uptime. So you get a reliable business phone solution.
6. OpenPhone – Best for Startups
OpenPhone provides virtual business phone numbers optimized for startups and SMBs.
The platform specializes in making and receiving calls, texting customers, managing voicemails, and integrating business apps.
Key features
- Get a business phone number
- Make unlimited calls in 60+ countries
- Send and receive text messages
- Record calls for training
- Transcribe voicemails into text
- Set availability schedule
- CRM, helpdesk, and marketing integrations
- Real-time analytics
OpenPhone provides an efficient business identity to startups. It streamlines communications with customers and prospects.
The mobile app ensures professionals stay connected regardless of device or network. It also eliminates the need for a second business phone.
OpenPhone offers a generous free trial for 7 days to try out their platform. Paid plans start at $10 per month per user. Volume discounts are available for teams and annual contracts.
7. Phone.com – Excellent Business Phone Service
Phone.com is a full-featured cloud business phone service. It equips SMBs and enterprises with everything needed for communications in one platform.
What makes Phone.com unique:
- Integrated voice, video, and collaboration
- 99.999% SLA uptime guaranteed
- Integrations with CRM, helpdesk, marketing apps
- Call center features: IVR, call routing, hold music
- Mobile apps and softphone options
- Local or toll-free virtual phone numbers
- International calling plans available
- 24/7 support via phone, email
This platform streamlines all aspects of business calling using an easy web portal. The mobile app ensures professionals stay connected when traveling or out of office.
Phone.com offers a generous 15-day free trial for new users. Paid plans start at $12 per user monthly. Discounts are available for annual contracts.
What to Look for in Virtual SIM Card Apps
Here are some key criteria I used to select the best virtual phone number apps:
Network Compatibility: The app should support both iOS and Android smartphones. This ensures you can use it on most devices.
Features: Evaluate functionality for calls, texts, voicemails, account verification, blocking callers, notifications, phone backups, and privacy controls.
Ease of Use: The app should make it simple to get started with virtual numbers quickly. Automation features are also valuable.
Reliability: Check app store reviews and company track record for consistent network performance. This ensures calls connect reliably.
Security: Your personal data should be kept safe, especially call and text history. Encryption, anonymization, data privacy controls are important.
Cost: Compare pricing models across providers carefully accounting for monthly fees, overages, international charges, and features. Free trials allow you to test products.
Customer Support: Check what support channels are available – self-help, email, phone, ticket, chat, social media. This ensures you can get timely assistance when required.
Get Started With a Virtual Phone Number Today
A virtual phone number provides many benefits for consumer and business use cases. It lets you keep personal and professional communications separate conveniently. The apps also facilitate affordable international calling and enhanced privacy.
This guide covered the top virtual SIM card apps available for iOS and Android devices. Hushed is the best overall platform that I recommend. But RingCentral, Numero eSIM, Nextiva, and others are great for specific business needs.
Most providers offer free trials – so you can easily find the right fit. Try out a solution suited for your use case to enjoy the flexibility of virtual phone numbers. Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments!