The Sideline Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Sideline in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Sideline
The Insider’s Guide
A second phone number app that runs on your carrier's network
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among business phone systems, read from Sideline’s own pages.
Made by Pinger, Inc. · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Sideline’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Sideline’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.8
GPA, above 5 of the 44 other business phone systems we grade
Sideline is a phone app from Pinger that adds a second number to your smartphone for calls and texts, so a personal number stays private. It says calls use the carrier's cellular network rather than VoIP. The site pitches it to professionals, sellers and freelancers.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Sideline, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It is an app you install and start using, with no ID needed to sign up.
- 1
Best for a second phone number on your own phone
Sideline gives you a second number on your phone that calls over your carrier's network rather than wifi, with its own voicemail and spam labels.
- 2
Paid plans start at $14.49 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $14.49 per month as labeled in the App Store (billing period not shown).
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
iOS and Android.
- 4
Second number
Pick a number in the area code you want, or port in a number you already have, and use it beside your main line.
- 5
Carrier network calls
Calls use the carrier's cellular network instead of VoIP, so the line works without Wi-Fi, according to the site.
- 6
Unlimited messaging
SMS, MMS and group messages are unlimited, with an auto-reply that can send a text back after a missed call or message.
- 7
A 1.8 GPA, above 5 of 44
That is against the other business phone systems we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Sideline you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Sideline at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $14.49 per month as labeled in the App Store (billing period not shown)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- iOS, Android
- Made by
- Pinger, Inc.
- Category
- Business Phone Systems
- Our grade
- 1.8 GPA, weak
The report card
Best for a second phone number on your own phone
Sideline gives you a second number on your phone that calls over your carrier's network rather than wifi, with its own voicemail and spam labels. It is for one person, the vendor's own site states no price, and App Store prices of $14.49 a month and $129.99 a year are the only guide.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | $14.49 a month in the App Store, the bottom of the category's cheapest quarter, and $129.99 a year, about $10.83 a month. Billing periods are not shown on the listing. |
| Free plan and trial | F | No free plan and no trial on record, only paid in-app purchases. |
| Features | D | One narrow function: a second number with messaging and voicemail. No team or multi-user plan is shown on the pages read. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. It is an app you install and start using, with no ID needed to sign up. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | iPhone and Android apps only, plus a web messaging page. Nothing else is connected. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Sideline is for
- Fits if you want a second number for selling things or dating without giving out your own
- Works for one person who wants calls to run over the carrier, not wifi
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you need a team phone system, since no multi-user plan is shown
- Skip it if you want a stated price from the vendor, as the site shows none
- Pricey if you pay monthly: $14.49 against $129.99 for the year
- Watch out: the App Store lists plans with no billing period, and a Google Play review mentions $9.99
- Watch out: there is no free plan or trial
Good to know
Good for
- Sellers and freelancers who want one separate number for strangers
- People who want a second line without carrying a second phone
- Users who want carrier-network call quality
Worth knowing
- Only iOS and Android apps are listed; the site pages read for this entry show no team or multi-user plan.
- The App Store shows several in-app purchases without a billing period, so the plan names are the only guide to monthly or yearly.
- The vendor's own site states no price; amounts come from the App Store listing for the US.
- A user review on Google Play mentions $9.99 a month, which differs from the App Store figures.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$14.49
A month to start
Sideline is a paid product, starting at $14.49 per month as labeled in the App Store (billing period not shown).
Billing periods are not shown on the listing.
Monthly plan
$14.49
as labeled in the App Store; billing period not shown
In-app purchase listed as Sideline - Monthly plan. The listing also shows Sideline Pro - Monthly at $14.99 and Voicemail to Text at $2.99.
Yearly plan
$129.99
as labeled in the App Store; billing period not shown
In-app purchase listed as Sideline - Yearly Plan. The same listing shows older or smaller purchases, from $0.99 to $99.00.
Read from apps.apple.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: iOS and Android
A second phone number app that runs on your carrier's network. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: business phone line, business texting.
One narrow function: a second number with messaging and voicemail.
- Second number
- Pick a number in the area code you want, or port in a number you already have, and use it beside your main line.
- Carrier network calls
- Calls use the carrier's cellular network instead of VoIP, so the line works without Wi-Fi, according to the site.
- Unlimited messaging
- SMS, MMS and group messages are unlimited, with an auto-reply that can send a text back after a missed call or message.
- Separate voicemail
- Record a greeting for the Sideline number so callers reach its own voicemail instead of your personal one.
- Spam labeling
- The app suggests names for unknown callers and texters and labels suspected spam, telemarketers and fraud.
- No ID to sign up
- The Google Play listing says an account does not need a government-issued ID and is verified in another way.
Where it runs
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Sideline is made by Pinger, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
5/44
Other business phone systems it is graded above
Sideline's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 5 of the 44 other business phone systems we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 35 of 44) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $14.49 a month, against a middle price of $19 for the category: 9 of the 32 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 8 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 45 business phone systems we grade, cut by the letter each got. Sideline’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 35 of 44
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 44
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 44
- BEase of useAbove 35 of 44
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 1 of 44
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 34 business phone systems. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Sideline is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Sideline you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 36 of the 44 other business phone systems grade higher. It costs $173.88 a year.
What you could not
- Phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network.
- Texts from a business number, registered with the carriers.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Sideline’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Line2, Grasshopper, Google Voice, Quo and Textline
The 5 tools Sideline is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Line2
From $7.99/mo
A second US or Canada phone number on your phone, for one flat fee.
- Only Line2 lists a web app.
- Only Line2 lists a Windows app.
- Line2 also covers transcription.
- 3.0GPA
Grasshopper
Free trial · from $14/mo
Virtual business number on your own phone, priced per account.
- Only Grasshopper lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Grasshopper also covers transcription and shared inbox.
- 2.4GPA
Google Voice
Free plan · from $10/mo
Google's phone number service for calls and texts on any device.
- Google Voice has a free plan. Sideline does not.
- Only Google Voice lists a web app.
- Google Voice also covers transcription.
- 2.8GPA
Quo
Free trial · from $15/mo
Business phone app for calls and texts on shared team numbers.
- Only Quo lists a web app.
- Only Quo lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Quo also covers transcription, shared inbox and AI support agent.
- 2.2GPA
Textline
Free trial
Business texting platform with a shared team inbox.
- Only Textline lists a web app.
- Only Textline lists a browser extension.
- Sideline also covers business phone line.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Sideline free?
No. Sideline is a paid product, starting at $14.49 per month as labeled in the App Store (billing period not shown).
How much does Sideline cost?
Sideline lists 2 plans. Monthly plan: $14.49 as labeled in the App Store; billing period not shown.
What platforms does Sideline work on?
Sideline is available on iOS and Android.
Does Sideline have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Sideline is listed for iOS and Android.
Does Sideline have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Sideline is listed for iOS and Android.
Is Sideline open source?
Sideline is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Who makes Sideline?
Sideline is made by Pinger, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Sideline?
The closest alternatives to Sideline in our directory are Line2, Grasshopper, Google Voice, Quo and Textline.
How does Sideline compare with other business phone systems?
Sideline's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 5 of the 44 other business phone systems we grade, and level with 3.
Is Sideline good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Sideline B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $14.49 a month, against a middle price of $19 for the category: 9 of the 32 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Sideline?
To replace Sideline you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Sideline’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Sideline's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Pinger, Inc. Prices change, so check sideline.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Sideline, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/sideline
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Sideline: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/sideline
Know someone choosing between business phone systems?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/sideline/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded business phone systems after Sideline, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Business Phone Systems Insider's GuideEvery one of the 45 business phone systems we grade, compared
- Zadarma Insider's GuideCloud PBX and virtual numbers in 110+ countries, free to start3.2 GPA
- Grasshopper Insider's GuideVirtual business number on your own phone, priced per account3.0 GPA
- RingCentral Insider's GuideCloud phone system with texting, fax, video meetings and team chat3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Sideline’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Sideline is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Pinger, Inc. Prices and plans change: check sideline.com before you buy.