Everyone wants to keep their personal and professional lives separate. A personal number is mostly for family, friends, and close contacts. But for business calls, people often use a secondary or alternate phone number. This helps them manage work calls, protect their personal number, and keep communication professional. Whether you run a startup, manage a support team, or work as a freelancer, using an alternative virtual phone number lets you stay connected on any device — without sharing your real number.
Modern VoIP and cloud telephony providers offer alternate phone numbers specially designed for businesses. These numbers come with advanced calling features like call forwarding, CRM integration, SMS, and IVR systems, which make business communication easier and more professional. Unlike regular SIM-based numbers, these are internet-powered numbers that work through VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
In this article, we’ll look at the 11 best alternate phone number providers worldwide that are known for their reliable and powerful services — making them the top choice for businesses of all sizes.
Let’s First Understand What an Alternate phone Number
Think of an alternate phone number as having two phone numbers — one for personal use and one for professional use. The personal number is usually a SIM-based number that we buy from local mobile services provider and use for everyday calls and messages. On the other hand, the professional number is used for business communication. These numbers are not SIM-based; instead, they work over the internet using cloud telephony or VoIP technology.
Such virtual phone numbers are the best alternate numbers for businesses, allowing users to make and receive calls, send SMS, and even use features like call forwarding, voicemail, and IVR menus — all you need is a good internet connection.
Get your Alternate Phone Number Today!
Stay connected, protect your privacy, and grow your business with the right virtual number solution
Let’s Move Ahead and Explore the 11 Best Alternate Phone Number Providers
1. The Telephony Co
The Telephony Co is a smart choice for businesses looking for a reliable alternate phone number or virtual phone system. It offers a powerful cloud-based business phone solution with global phone numbers and advanced AI features like chatbots, intelligent call routing, voice, SMS, and call management — all accessible from an easy-to-use interface.
The Telephony Co also provides a cloud contact center with multiple tools to manage customer communication efficiently, making it a complete solution for modern business needs.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based VoIP system with high uptime
- Call forwarding, IVR, and voicemail management
- CRM and Helpdesk integration
- Multi-device compatibility (desktop & mobile apps)
- AI-powered automation for smart routing
Best For:
Businesses and remote teams that need a secure, cloud-based alternate phone number solution with advanced calling features
2. CallAtlas
Atlas is the best choice for businesses that want to track, manage, and optimize all inbound calls for each marketing campaign using a different-different alternate phone number. Perfect for marketing teams, sales agents, and businesses, Atlas helps monitor and analyze incoming calls to boost customer engagement, improve sales performance, and maximize campaign ROI.
Key Features:
- Local, virtual, and toll-free numbers in 40+ countries
- Advanced call routing and call monitoring
- Call forwarding across multiple devices
- Call recording and analytics dashboard
- Integration with CRM, SMS and sales tools
Best For:
Teams in marketing, sales, or customer service who want an easy way to connect with customers anytime, anywhere.
3. Google Voice
Google Voice is one of the most popular and reliable options for getting an alternate phone number with cloud phone system. It allows businesses and individuals to make calls, send texts, and manage voicemail using a single number across multiple devices. It uses Google AI to block unwanted, spam, and scam calls automatically, keeping your calls safe and free from disturbance.
Its simple setup and integration with other Google Workspace, Google meet, and Google Calendar make it perfect for startups and small teams.
Key Features:
- Ring groups and multi-level auto attendants
- Automated call recording for better call tracking
- SIP trunking for flexible business phone connectivity
- Free and Paid Plans Available (Free for USA Only)
- Supports Mobile and Desktop Apps
Best For:
Individuals and small teams who want a cost-effective virtual number solution with basic calling and voicemail features.
4. Sideline
Sideline is a trusted second phone number app designed for professionals, freelancers, and small businesses who want to separate work and personal communication on the same device. Instead of carrying two phones, Sideline gives you a dedicated business alternate number with powerful call management and texting features.
It uses your existing carrier network (not VoIP Service), ensuring high call quality and reliability even without Wi-Fi. You can customize your voicemail, set autoreplies, and share a single number with your team — perfect for collaborative customer communication.
Key Features:
- Automatically reply to Missed call and text Messages
- Send unlimited texts, MMS, and group chats
- Caller ID and number porting
- Local, virtual or toll-free numbers
- Easily manage multiple numbers from a single dashboard
Best For:
Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want a professional second phone number without using a separate device.
Also Read: What Is an Alternate Phone Number?
5. TextNow
TextNow offers users a free alternate number, making it easy to stay connected without sharing your personal number. With this second phone number, you can make unlimited calls and send texts over Wi-Fi, anywhere in the world, without paying any charges.
It is easy to download on Android, iOS, macOS, and desktop, works on all devices, and lets you get a local phone number to start free calling immediately.
Key Features:
- Call Monitoring and Tracking
- Intelligent Call Routing
- Block unwanted or spam calls automatically
- Group messaging and team collaboration
- Disposable phone numbers
Best For:
Freelancers, students, remote workers, small businesses, and anyone needing a free alternate phone number
6. Burner
Burner lets you get a second phone number for messaging and calling while keeping your personal number private. It provides a local area code alternate phone number, making it easy to stay connected professionally or personally without sharing your main number.
Burner offers unlimited calls and texts, the ability to add or remove numbers, auto-reply and voicemail, and automatically block spam and scam calls.
Key Features:
- Multiple temporary phone numbers
- Block unwanted or spam calls automatically
- Auto-delete and call filtering
- Voicemail and text replies
- Integration with Dropbox and Slack
Best For:
Freelancers, small businesses, online sellers, remote workers, and anyone needing a private secondary number
7. Phone.com
Phone.com is a trusted platform offering a complete business phone solution and temporary phone numbers. Over five thousand small businesses rely on Phone.com for reliable communication. Their numbers come with advanced features like call recording, call routing, call forwarding, call analytics, and more.
Users can easily get any type of business number — local, toll-free, custom, or international — all at reasonable prices.
Key Features:
- Detailed Call Analytics
- Custom greetings and hold music
- Multiple country global phone number
- Call forwarding to multiple devices
- Auto-attendants and voicemail
Best For:
Small businesses, startups, remote teams, customer support, and businesses needing temporary or permanent alternate numbers
8. Quo (OpenPhone)
Keep your personal and professional life separate with Quo’s alternate phone number solution. Get your second number in minutes with no hardware required. Choose from local, toll-free, or vanity numbers to match your brand.
A dedicated secondary number keeps your personal line private while ensuring business calls are always handled professionally. Use it for client communications, online marketplace listings, marketing apps, or side projects.
Key Features:
- Automatically record calls
- automated menus and call forwarding
- CRM Integrations Slack, HubSpot and Salesforce
- Automatic call transcripts
- AI based Call Routing
Best For:
Remote teams, startups, and businesses needing a shared business number.
9. Hushed
Hushed offers a simple way to get an alternate phone number for calls and text messaging, ensuring your privacy and convenience. Its intuitive app makes managing multiple numbers easy, allowing you to send texts and make calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data, and even use disposable numbers when needed.
Key Features:
- Call forwarding and routing
- Create disposable or temporary numbers
- Access international numbers in 40+ countries, 300+ area codes
- Custom voicemail greetings available
- Auto-reply to messages and missed call
Best For:
Privacy seekers, freelancers, small businesses, and anyone needing a separate number for personal or professional use.
10. Surfshark
Surfshark offers more than just VPN protection—now secure your personal number with alternate numbers for complete online privacy and professional communication. Keep your personal phone number private while handling business calls, online registrations, marketplace transactions, and verification codes.
Surfshark’s alternative number service lets you maintain multiple virtual phone numbers without exposing your personal information.
Key Features
- Call masking to protect personal phone number
- Spam-free virtual phone number service
- Disposable numbers for temporary use anytime
- Quick setup with user-friendly interface
- Multi-level IVR System
Best for
Online sellers, marketplace users, small businesses, call centres, and anyone needing secure, private virtual phone numbers.
11. RingCentral
RingCentral is one of the most established business phone system providers, offering cloud-based alternate numbers and AI communication tools. It supports both inbound and outbound calls, making it a complete solution for businesses that need scalability and reliability in their communication setup.
RingCentral temporary phone number blending voice, video, and messaging into one secure platform.
Key Features
- Team messaging, file sharing, and collaboration tools
- Integrations with CRM, Salesforce, and Microsoft 365
- call routing with auto-attendant
- HD voice and video conferencing
- Global Phone Number 100+ Countries
Best for:
Large enterprises, hybrid teams, and growing businesses that need a unified communication system for handling high volumes of inbound and outbound calls.
How to Get an Alternate Phone Number
Identify Your Need
Decide whether you need the number for business, privacy, or temporary use. Choose between local, toll-free, or international numbers.
Choose a Reliable Provider
From the providers listed above, select the one that best fits your business needs. Compare features like call forwarding, SMS, voicemail, and app support.
Sign Up & Verify
Register on your chosen provider’s portal, select a plan, and verify your email or identity.
Select Your Alternate Number
Pick your alternate number — whether local, virtual, toll-free, or international — and activate it instantly. Some providers, like The Telephony Co, also allow number porting.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the top 11 alternate phone number providers that are trusted by businesses worldwide. The Telephony Co leads the list with its advanced calling and communication features, making it ideal for companies of all sizes.
Atlas (Call Atlas), Sideline, and TextNow are great options for freelancers, marketing and small businesses, offering affordable and flexible communication tools. Google Voice stands out as a free alternate number solution suitable for both personal and professional use. Meanwhile, Burner, Phone.com, OpenPhone, and Hushed are well-known choices for remote teams and individual users who value privacy and simplicity.
Choose the provider that best fits your business needs and offers reliable features to help you manage calls, protect your privacy, and grow your communication efficiency.
FAQ's Alternate Number
Can I use an alternate number for online registrations and verifications?
virtual numbers are perfect for online sign-ups, verification codes, and marketplace transactions.
What’s the best alternate phone number provider for small businesses?
Providers like The Telephony Co, Atlas (Call Atlas), Grasshopper, and OpenPhone are excellent for small businesses and startups.
How much does an alternate phone number cost?
Costs vary. Some providers, like Google Voice or TextNow, offer free alternate number, while others have monthly, quarterly, or yearly plans depending on the features you business need.
How do I manage calls and voicemails?
The Telephony Co offer dashboards or mobile apps to view, forward, or record calls and access voicemail easily.
