2ndLine alternative: SMS Conecta compared with 2ndLine
Short answer: 2ndLine, affiliated with TextNow Inc., is a free, ad-supported calling and texting app handing you a US-area-code number for calls and texts within the US and Canada. SMS Conecta becomes the paid alternative worth considering when you need a number in another country, SIP access, or an ad-free line meant to stick around long term.
Free apps and paid numbers answer different needs. This page lays out what 2ndLine delivers according to its Google Play listing, and the situations where SMS Conecta is the more sensible pick.
What 2ndLine is
2ndLine is a second phone number app you will find on Google Play. According to its listing, you get a brand-new number free of charge in the US area code you pick, then call and text anywhere within the US and Canada over Wi-Fi or data. Free calls to Canada and paid international calls to more than 230 countries are also on offer, with rates the listing describes as starting below $0.01 USD per minute.
The listing goes on to say there are no monthly or yearly fees at all: the whole service runs on in-app ads, and anyone who would rather skip them can buy a subscription to remove them. It also states that 2ndLine is affiliated with TextNow Inc.
2ndLine vs SMS Conecta at a glance
| Feature | 2ndLine | SMS Conecta |
|---|---|---|
| Number countries | US area codes | 181 countries |
| Cost model | Free with in-app ads; subscription removes ads | From $1.80/month billed yearly, no ads |
| Free calling | To the US and Canada | 1,000 outgoing minutes and 500 outgoing SMS per month included |
| Platform | Android app on Google Play | Browser web dialer, any SIP softphone or PBX |
| SIP credentials | Not listed | Yes, per number |
| Call forwarding | Not listed | To any phone |
| Payment | Google Play in-app purchases | USDT or USDC only |
When 2ndLine is the better choice
- A free US number funded by ads is exactly what you are looking for.
- The bulk of your calls and texts stay within the US and Canada.
- An Android phone with a familiar dialer and messaging app is your setup of choice.
- You place the occasional international call and want cheap per-minute rates with no monthly fee attached.
When SMS Conecta fits better
- Your number needs to be outside the US — SMS Conecta carries mobile, local and toll-free numbers across 181 countries.
- A paid number that stays tied to your account for as long as you keep renewing appeals to you, complete with a 7-day grace period on renewals.
- Connecting the number to a softphone, desk phone or PBX through SIP credentials is a requirement.
- You work from a laptop and want to call via a browser, or forward calls to any phone.
- Unlimited incoming SMS for verification codes plus a dashboard SMS inbox matter to you, along with a free replacement number within 7 days if some app rejects yours.
Reachability and devices
2ndLine functions as an Android dialer and messaging app, and its listing mentions that message history syncs across your devices. It is built phone-first, aimed squarely at people whose talking and texting stays within the US and Canada.
SMS Conecta, meanwhile, does not care which device you use. Calls can come from the browser web dialer on any computer, the number can be registered on a SIP softphone for iPhone, Android, Windows or macOS, or calls can be forwarded to any phone worldwide. Incoming calls and SMS have no limit, and the dashboard keeps call logs and an SMS inbox together in one place — useful when several people on a small team share responsibility for a line.
Cost in practice
2ndLine costs nothing upfront and earns revenue from ads, with an optional ad-free subscription available. SMS Conecta, by comparison, is a plain paid service: from $1.80 per month billed yearly ($21.60 per year), paid in USDT or USDC, with no setup fee or contract attached.
Switching from 2ndLine to SMS Conecta
- Work out which country and number type you need; for a US number, weigh up local, mobile and toll-free options.
- Register with an email address and switch on two-factor authentication.
- Load your wallet or pay at checkout using USDT or USDC.
- Once the number is live, update it on your accounts one at a time, checking each code lands in the dashboard SMS inbox.
- Hold onto 2ndLine until every account has been fully migrated.
Free versus paid numbers
Free app numbers cost nothing, which suits casual calling well. A paid number earns its keep when something important rides on it, such as a business contact line or the recovery number behind your messaging and email accounts. Our guide comparing real versus free SMS numbers digs further into that trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2ndLine free?
Per its Google Play listing, yes — no monthly or yearly fees exist, the service runs on ads, and an optional subscription removes them, as of September 2026.
Is 2ndLine part of TextNow?
The listing confirms 2ndLine is affiliated with TextNow Inc. A separate TextNow alternative guide is also available on this site.
Does SMS Conecta have free numbers?
No. Every SMS Conecta number is paid, starting at $1.80 per month billed yearly, and none are shared with other users.
Can I get a number outside the US with SMS Conecta?
Yes — real numbers exist across 181 countries, all at the same price regardless of type.
Can I try SMS Conecta without risk?
A 7-day money-back guarantee covers you as long as the number has not been used for any call or SMS.
Related pages
- see every alternative compared
- our TextNow alternative guide
- real versus free SMS numbers
- choosing local, mobile or toll-free
- US numbers
- the web dialer guide
- our refund policy
- Twilio for personal phone numbers: when a ready-made number is simpler
- Burner alternative: SMS Conecta compared with the Burner app
Get a number in these countries
Sources
- Google Play: 2ndLine - Second Phone Number (as of September 2026)