Ever needed to call someone but didn't want to hand over your personal number? Maybe you're selling something online. Maybe you want a separate number for work. Or perhaps you're travelling and need a local number without carrying another phone around. The good news is you don't need a second handset anymore. A virtual mobile number app lets you make calls from another legitimate number using the phone you already have. The recipient sees your second number - not your personal one. Here's how it works and which apps are worth looking at in 2026.
How Do You Call From a Different Number?
The simplest way is to get a second phone number through a virtual number app. You choose a number, add it to your account and make calls through the provider's app or web platform. It's important to understand one thing, though: this isn't the same as spoofing someone's caller ID. You're calling from a real number assigned to your account. That's the key difference.
1. Cooee - Best for International Numbers and Travellers
Cooee makes the most sense if your problem isn't just getting a second number - it's getting a number from a different country.
Say you're living in Australia but need a UK number. Or you're travelling overseas and want to keep a local number without carrying another physical SIM. That's where Cooee comes in. You can manage supported local virtual numbers through the Cooee app, without using another physical SIM slot. Cooee currently supports numbers across multiple destinations and positions its service around calls, SMS and supported verification use cases.
Best for: Travellers, expats and people who need international virtual numbers.
2. Quo - Best for Teams and Business Calls
Previously known as OpenPhone, Quo is aimed much more at businesses than individual travellers. If you have a team sharing calls and messages, need integrations or want a proper business phone system, it's worth considering. For someone who simply wants another number for personal use, though, it may be more than you actually need.
Best for: Startups and growing teams.
3. Google Voice - Best Free Option for Eligible US Users
Google Voice is still the obvious option for people who qualify for it and just want a simple US-based second number. The catch is eligibility. It's not designed as a global solution for everyone, particularly people trying to get numbers across different countries.
Best for: Eligible users who need a simple US second number.
4. Hushed - Best for Temporary Privacy
Hushed is useful when you don't necessarily want a permanent number. For example, you might want a separate number for online listings, short-term communication or situations where you'd rather not give out your personal line.
Best for: Temporary or privacy-focused use.
5. Burner - Best for Disposable Numbers
The clue is pretty much in the name. Burner is designed for situations where you want another number without making it your permanent identity. Useful for short-term situations. Less useful if you're looking for a number to keep long-term.
Best for: Short-term second numbers.
6. EasyRinger - Best for International Virtual Numbers and Call Forwarding
EasyRinger is worth looking at if you want a local number from another country and need more flexibility around where calls go. You can choose a virtual number, forward incoming calls to another phone, and make calls through your browser. It also supports features such as SMS on supported numbers and caller ID options.
It's particularly relevant for travellers, expats and people who want to stay reachable on a local number while they're somewhere else.
Best for: International virtual numbers, call forwarding and staying reachable across borders.
7. Dialpad - Best for Larger Business Setups
Dialpad is built for business communication rather than someone casually looking for another phone number. If you need business calling tools and team features, it's worth looking at. If all you want is a second number to call from, it's probably overkill.
Best for: Business teams.
8. TextNow - Best for a Free Calling Option
TextNow is often considered by people looking for a low-cost or free alternative. Just remember that free services usually come with limitations, so check whether the number and calling features actually work for what you need before relying on it.
Best for: Users looking for a low-cost option.
Is It Legal to Call From a Different Number?
Yes - if you're using a legitimate number assigned to you. A virtual number gives you another phone number to use for calls. That's very different from changing your caller ID to impersonate another person. Don't use any service to deceive, impersonate or commit fraud.
The Bottom Line
If you just need a second number for short-term privacy, an app like Hushed or Burner could do the job. If you're running a business team, Quo or Dialpad will probably give you more tools than you know what to do with.
But if your problem is bigger - you need to call from a different local number while travelling or living overseas - that's where CallCooee makes more sense.
You don't need another phone in your pocket or another physical SIM hiding in your wallet. Just choose the country and number you need, then manage it from the same place.
