9 Best Virtual Phone Number Services of 2026

This list is for freelancers, consultants and small teams who want a separate business number on the phone they already carry, without paying for a full office phone system. We ranked each service by value first, then features, then ease of use, and paid close attention to the cheapest monthly price, whether texting is included, and what you give up on the budget plans. Prices are the lowest paid plan in USD as shown on each vendor's page on the check date. We compared documented features and published prices.

1. 01Top value

   

   Google Voice

   8.8/10

   Google's phone number service that rings on your phone, computer and desk phone, with a free basic plan and paid business tiers.

   Price

   $10per user per month

   Basic plan at no cost; Voice Only Starter $10 per user per month for one US user; Standard $20; Premier $30

   “Get Voice Only Starter $10 USD” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.4

   Features (35%)

   8.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forSolo freelancers in the US who want one business number on every device for the lowest business price.

   Google Voice tops the list because it costs the least for a proper business line and needs almost no setup. Google's product page says you can get started with a basic plan at no cost, and the Voice Only Starter plan is $10 per user per month for one user in the US. That plan includes a single number for all your devices with call forwarding, unlimited domestic calling and unlimited US texting, voicemail transcription, three-way calling, call transfers and call recording, plus 24/7 access to Google Voice support. Teams of up to 10 can add Starter to a Google Workspace plan in 14 countries. Standard at $20 adds auto attendants, ring groups, call queuing and eDiscovery, and Premier at $30 adds automatic call recording and BigQuery reporting. Voicemails and texts can arrive in Gmail, and calls can go to voicemail outside your Google Calendar working hours. The limit is scope: one user on Voice Only Starter, and no menu routing until Standard.

   • ✓A basic plan is available at no cost
   • ✓$10 a month is the lowest business-grade price on this list
   • ✓24/7 Google Voice support on paid plans

   • ✕Voice Only Starter is limited to one user in the US
   • ✕Phone menus and ring groups need Standard at $20 per user
   • ✕Fewer texting automations than Quo

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Voice Only Starter, $10 per user per month

   Free option:

   Basic plan at no cost

   Starter availability:

   Voice Only Starter in the US; Workspace Starter in 14 countries for up to 10 users

   Desk phones:

   Desk phone and ATA support, HP Poly zero touch setup

   Bottom line: Google Voice gives a solo freelancer a real business number on every device for $10 a month, or nothing on the basic plan. Move to Quo or Google's Standard plan when you need menus or several people on one line.

   Visit workspace.google.com ↗

2. 02

   

   Quo

   8.7/10

   A business phone app, formerly OpenPhone, that gives each user a local or toll-free number with shared calling and texting.

   Price

   $15per user per month

   Starter from $15 per user per month billed annually ($19 monthly); Business $23 annually; Scale $35 annually

   “The essentials to get you and your team up and running $ 15 Per user/per month Billed annually at $ 180” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   8.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forFreelancers who plan to add a partner or assistant on the same business line.

   Quo is the strongest choice once more than one person needs to answer a business number. Its pricing page lists Starter at $15 per user per month billed annually at $180, or $19 month to month, and every plan includes one new or ported local or toll-free number per user with calling and messaging to US and Canadian numbers. Extra numbers cost $5 a month each and get their own inbox and settings, which suits a freelancer running two brands. Every plan includes 1,000 free automation credits for the Sona AI agent, which Quo says equals about 10 calls, with paid credit tiers from $25 a month. Business at $23 a user on annual billing adds AI call summaries and transcripts, group calling, custom ring orders and call transfers. Quo also passes through texting registration costs: a one-time $19.50 review fee and a monthly messaging fee of $1.50 to $3. For one person on a tight budget, Google Voice is cheaper.

   • ✓Clean shared inbox for calls and texts
   • ✓Additional numbers cost only $5 a month
   • ✓Number porting help with no service disruption for most customers

   • ✕Included calling and texting cover the US and Canada only
   • ✕Monthly billing raises Starter to $19 per user
   • ✕US texting registration adds a $19.50 one-time fee plus $1.50 to $3 a month

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Starter, $15 per user per month billed annually

   Monthly price:

   $19 per user

   Extra numbers:

   $5 per month each

   Automated SMS:

   $0.01 per outgoing text

   Bottom line: Quo is the most polished second-number app for small teams that text clients all day. Pay annually, and budget for the US texting registration fees.

   Visit quo.com ↗

3. 03

   

   Dialpad

   8.4/10

   A cloud phone and messaging app with built-in AI transcripts and call summaries on its entry plan.

   Price

   $15per user per month

   Standard from $15 per user per month; Pro $25; Enterprise custom

   “Standard $15 user/month Seamless customer and team communication with unlimited calls, AI-powered meetings, and built-in messaging” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.0

   Features (35%)

   8.9

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forFreelancers and small teams who want automatic notes from client calls.

   Dialpad is the pick for freelancers who spend their day on client calls and want the notes written for them. Its pricing page lists Standard at $15 per user per month, described as unlimited calls, AI-powered meetings and built-in messaging for small teams. The plan includes HD calls and meetings with real-time transcripts and instant call summaries, and Dialpad's FAQ says its Connect product includes voicemail transcription and AI Recaps with call summaries and action items. That is more AI than any other entry plan here. Dialpad also supports international local numbers in over 50 countries, useful for consultants with clients abroad. Pro at $25 adds advanced integrations, 24/7 support and multi-office management, so anyone who wants calls logged in a CRM has to step up. For a freelancer who only needs a number that rings on their phone, the extra features cost $5 a month more than Google Voice Starter and bring more settings to learn.

   • ✓AI call summaries are included at the entry price
   • ✓Local numbers in over 50 countries
   • ✓Video meetings come with the phone line

   • ✕Costs more than Google Voice for a single user
   • ✕CRM integrations need Pro at $25 per user
   • ✕More setup than a simple second-line app

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Standard, $15 per user per month

   Plans:

   Standard, Pro, Enterprise

   International numbers:

   Local numbers in over 50 countries

   Currencies shown:

   USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, NZD, AUD

   Bottom line: Dialpad packs the most AI into a $15 entry plan, which pays off for call-heavy consultants. Light users will get the same basic second line cheaper elsewhere.

   Visit dialpad.com ↗

4. 04

   

   Line2

   8.3/10

   A single-plan second number app with unlimited US and Canada calls and texts, run by Ziff Davis.

   Price

   $7.99per month

   Line2 Unlimited $7.99 per month billed yearly, or $9.99 billed monthly

   “Annual: $7.99/month, billed yearly (save 20%).” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   7.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forFreelancers who want an ad-free second number with human support at a low flat price.

   Line2 is the simplest cheap second line for someone who wants a business number without business software. Its pricing page offers one plan, Line2 Unlimited, at $9.99 a month billed monthly or $7.99 a month billed yearly. The plan includes unlimited talk and text in the US and Canada, a choice of US and Canada numbers with your own area code, call blocking, voicemail transcription and separate contacts, and Line2 stresses that the platform is ad-free with real customer support. The number works on a smartphone, tablet and desktop browser, and new subscribers get a 30-day money back guarantee. Line2 says its numbers are real phone numbers that can call, text and send photos. The trade-offs are clear: there are no shared lines, menus or call queues, the unlimited plan is subject to overages described in the terms, and the page itself sends business buyers to eVoice. For a solo freelancer it is still a clean, low-cost option.

   • ✓One plan with no tiers or credit counting
   • ✓Ad-free with real customer support
   • ✓Voicemail transcription included

   • ✕No team features such as shared lines or phone menus
   • ✕Unlimited use is subject to overages under its terms
   • ✕Line2 points business buyers to its sister product eVoice

   Plan:

   Line2 Unlimited

   Price:

   $7.99 per month billed yearly, $9.99 monthly

   Coverage:

   Unlimited talk and text in the US and Canada

   Guarantee:

   30-day money back

   Bottom line: Line2 is a dependable, ad-free second number for under $10 a month. Choose it for a solo practice and look elsewhere once you need team features.

   Visit line2.com ↗

5. 05

   

   Burner

   7.8/10

   A private second number app with unlimited calls and texts, and numbers you can switch or delete at any time.

   Price

   $3.99per month

   Standard $3.99 per month billed annually ($47.99 a year) or $7.99 monthly; Premium $5.83 per month billed annually

   “Just $3.99/month, billed annually” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   9.0

   Features (35%)

   5.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forSide hustlers who want the lowest monthly price for a separate number.

   Burner is the cheapest way to get a working second number on your phone. Its pricing page lists Standard at $3.99 a month billed annually as $47.99, or $7.99 billed monthly, and says subscribing online saves 20% compared with the app stores. Every subscription includes one private number, unlimited calls and texts, spam blocking, auto-reply, muting and blocking, picture messages, and the option to delete or switch numbers. You can pick a local area code and color-code the inbox when you run several lines. Premium at $5.83 a month on annual billing adds video messaging, AI voicemail transcription, a VPN and reverse number lookup. Burner's own pitch is privacy, with examples such as dating and selling on Craigslist, so there are no business features like call transfers, phone menus or shared team access. For a freelancer testing a side business, that may not matter, and the auto-reply feature helps cover missed client messages.

   • ✓Lowest verified paid price on this list
   • ✓Auto-reply for missed texts
   • ✓Color-coded inbox for several lines

   • ✕Built for privacy, with no business tools such as menus or shared lines
   • ✕Voicemail transcription needs Premium
   • ✕Month-to-month price doubles to $7.99

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Standard, $3.99 per month billed annually

   Monthly price:

   $7.99

   Premium:

   $5.83 per month billed annually, $12.99 monthly

   Online discount:

   20% less than app store subscriptions

   Bottom line: Burner is the lowest-cost second line here at $3.99 a month on an annual plan. It suits side projects, not a business that needs routing or teammates.

   Visit burnerapp.com ↗

6. 06

   

   Talkroute

   7.7/10

   A virtual business phone system with calling, texting, video meetings and call routing in one app.

   Price

   $19per month

   Basic $19 per month with 1 user, $5 per additional user; Plus $39 with 3 users; Pro $59 with 10 users

   “$19 /month 1 user included $5 per additional user” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Free trial

   7 days

   Value (40%)

   7.6

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.0

   Best forFreelancers who want a toll-free or vanity number with call forwarding and business texting.

   Talkroute is a full virtual phone system priced for very small businesses. The pricing page lists Basic at $19 a month with one user included and $5 per additional user. Basic comes with one phone number, one mailbox, 500 text messages a month, unlimited calling, video meetings, call forwarding and routing, desktop, mobile and web apps, the Talkroute API and 24/7 support. The plan comparison shows unlimited US and Canada minutes for both local and toll-free numbers, and Talkroute sells local, vanity and 800 numbers, with porting for an existing number. Plus at $39 adds a second number, three users, a phone menu, extensions and live call transfer, while Pro at $59 covers 10 users and call recording. An AI receptionist starts at $39 a month as an add-on and needs a Business Phone plan. The 7-day free trial charges nothing if you cancel in time. For a freelancer who only needs a second line, $19 is a lot more than Google Voice or Line2.

   • ✓Toll-free numbers with unlimited US and Canada minutes
   • ✓24/7 support on the entry plan
   • ✓Extra users cost only $5 each

   • ✕$19 entry price is double Google Voice Starter
   • ✕Phone menus and call transfer need Plus at $39
   • ✕Basic caps texting at 500 messages a month

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Basic, $19 per month with 1 user

   Texts included:

   500 a month on Basic

   Free trial:

   7 days

   Additional numbers:

   $5 per number per month

   Bottom line: Talkroute is a sensible pick for a freelancer who wants a toll-free or vanity number that looks established. Solo users who only need a mobile second line can pay less elsewhere.

   Visit talkroute.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Hushed

   7.6/10

   A second number app with US, Canadian and UK numbers on prepaid, unlimited and pay-as-you-go plans.

   Price

   $6.99per month

   Unlimited plans start at $6.99 per month, with up to 20% saved on annual plans; Prepaid from $7.99; Pay-as-you-go from $8.99

   “Unlimited calling & texting starting at just $6.99” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   6.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forFreelancers who need a US, Canadian or UK number on a flexible low-cost plan.

   Hushed is a low-cost second number app with more plan types than its rivals. The pricing page lists Unlimited auto-renewing subscriptions starting at $6.99 a month, with savings of up to 20% on an annual plan, Prepaid plans from $7.99 for 30, 90 or 365 days, and a Pay-as-you-go international plan from $8.99 a month that includes $1 in credits. Every plan lets you choose a number from Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, with custom voicemail greetings and call forwarding, and Hushed says US and Canadian numbers can call and text within both countries. The features page adds auto-reply rules, separate contacts and the option to route outgoing calls through your regular mobile number when you lack data. Hushed is made by AffinityClick in Ottawa and pitches the app for privacy uses such as dating and selling. That means no shared lines, menus or business admin, but a freelancer with UK or Canadian clients gets a local number cheaply.

   • ✓UK numbers as well as US and Canada
   • ✓Prepaid plans for 30, 90 or 365 days with no auto-renewal
   • ✓Call routing through your mobile number when there is no data

   • ✕Consumer privacy app with no shared team lines
   • ✕Needs Wi-Fi or mobile data for normal use
   • ✕Unlimited calling covers local calls only

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Unlimited, from $6.99 per month

   Number countries:

   United States, Canada, United Kingdom

   Area codes:

   300+

   Company:

   AffinityClick Inc., Ottawa, Ontario

   Bottom line: Hushed is a flexible, cheap second number with UK coverage most rivals lack. It works for solo freelancers, not for teams that share a line.

   Visit hushed.com ↗

8. 08

   

   RingCentral RingEX

   7.5/10

   A full cloud phone, meetings and messaging platform with toll-free minutes and AI features.

   Price

   $20per user per month

   Core from $20 per user per month billed annually ($30 monthly); Advanced $25; Ultra $35

   “Core Unify calls, meetings, and chat in an all-in-one, professional app. $20 Price when paid monthly: $30 /user/month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   6.2

   Features (35%)

   9.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.4

   Best forSmall teams that expect to grow into a complete business phone system.

   RingCentral RingEX is the most complete system here, which is also why it ranks low for a freelancer on a budget. The plans page lists Core at $20 per user per month paid annually, or $30 paid monthly, with unlimited domestic calling, on-demand call recording, 100 toll-free minutes and 25 SMS per user a month, HD meetings for up to 300 participants, and LLM plugins and MCP connectors. RingCentral's AI Virtual Assistant is included, and an AI Receptionist that answers and routes calls starts at $39 as an add-on. Advanced at $25 adds CRM integrations, multiple sites and 1,000 toll-free minutes, and Ultra at $35 raises toll-free minutes to 10,000. Paying annually saves up to 33%. For a single freelancer, the 25-text allowance on Core is tight if clients prefer to text, and the price is twice Google Voice Starter. It makes more sense for a small firm that will add staff, meeting rooms and a contact center later.

   • ✓Deepest feature set on this list
   • ✓Meetings for up to 300 participants included
   • ✓Scales to CRM integrations and multiple sites

   • ✕Highest entry price here at $20 annually or $30 monthly
   • ✕Only 25 texts per user a month on Core
   • ✕More admin than a freelancer usually needs

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Core, $20 per user per month billed annually

   Monthly price:

   $30 per user

   Texts on Core:

   25 SMS per user a month

   Annual saving:

   Up to 33%

   Bottom line: RingCentral is overbuilt and overpriced for a single second line. Pick it only if your small team is planning a full phone system.

   Visit ringcentral.com ↗

9. 09

   

   Ooma Office

   7.4/10

   A no-contract small business phone service with a mobile app, virtual receptionist and a free toll-free number.

   Price

   $19.95per user per month

   Essentials $19.95 per user per month with no contract; Pro $24.95; Pro Plus $29.95

   “Essentials $19.95 Per User / Per Month No Contract Necessary” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   6.8

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.0

   Best forSmall offices that want no contract and a toll-free number, and can pay for Pro if they need texting.

   Ooma Office is a solid small business phone service, but its entry plan is a poor fit for a freelancer who needs to text clients. The Ooma Office page lists Essentials at $19.95 per user per month with no contract necessary, including more than 100 standard features, unlimited calling in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, a virtual receptionist, the mobile app, one free toll-free number and digital fax. Text messaging is not on the Essentials list: it starts on Pro at $24.95, capped at 250 messages a month, alongside the desktop app, videoconferencing for up to 25 people, call recording and enhanced call blocking. Pro Plus at $29.95 adds AI transcriptions, CRM integration and up to 1,000 texts a month. AI Answering Service and AI Receptionist are sold as add-ons. Ooma's free trial is limited to new subscribers with up to five users. For a mobile second number with texting, the effective price is $24.95, more than three times Line2.

   • ✓No contract on any self-serve plan
   • ✓A free toll-free number is included
   • ✓Unlimited calling also covers Mexico and Puerto Rico

   • ✕Essentials does not list text messaging
   • ✕Texting starts at $24.95 per user on Pro, capped at 250 a month
   • ✕Desktop app also needs Pro

   Cheapest paid plan:

   Essentials, $19.95 per user per month

   Contract:

   No contract necessary

   Texting:

   Up to 250 a month on Pro, 1,000 on Pro Plus

   Toll-free number:

   One free on Essentials

   Bottom line: Ooma Office suits a small office that wants a free toll-free number and no contract. Freelancers who text clients will pay less with Google Voice or Quo.

   Visit ooma.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.