Burner vs. Google Voice: Which Second Number App Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a second phone number, Burner and Google Voice are two options worth comparing. Both give you another number for calls and texts without requiring a second phone, but they’re designed around different priorities.

Google Voice offers a straightforward second number that works within Google’s ecosystem. Burner puts more emphasis on privacy and flexible number management, with options for multiple numbers, number deletion, spam filtering, and additional privacy tools on eligible plans.

Here’s how Burner and Google Voice compare across privacy, calling and texting, multiple numbers, spam filtering, pricing, and other features.

Burner vs. Google Voice at a Glance

Both services cover the basics of a second number, but the differences become clearer when you compare how each number handles privacy, multiple numbers, and additional features.

Features, availability, and pricing can change, so check each service for current details. You can find current Burner options in Plans and Pricing.

What Is Burner?

Burner is a second phone number app available on iOS, Android, and the web. Calls, texts, picture messages, and voicemail to your Burner number stay separate from your personal number, and the people you contact see your Burner number instead. Burner also gives you the flexibility in how you manage those numbers.

Depending on your plan and device, you can use multiple numbers, swap numbers, delete a number when you no longer need it, filter spam calls, set Do Not Disturb, and use auto-replies. That flexibility can be useful when you want different numbers for dating apps, online marketplaces, travel, or other situations where you’d rather not share your personal number.

What Is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a calling and messaging service from Google. Personal users in the U.S. can get a Google Voice number for calls, texts, voicemail, and call forwarding, with access supported across phones and computers. For personal use, Google Voice is primarily designed around maintaining one additional number. It also includes features such as spam filtering, call screening, and voicemail transcription.

Burner and Google both provide a second number, but they approach number management differently. Google Voice focuses on maintaining an additional number through Google’s services, while Burner offers more flexibility to create, manage, and delete numbers based on how you use them.

For other options, compare Google Voice alternatives.

Burner vs. Google Voice for Privacy

Both Burner and Google Voice give you a second number you can share instead of your personal number. When you call or text using that number, the recipient sees the second number.

With Burner, you can create different numbers for different situations and delete a number when you no longer need it. Deleting a Burner number also erases its associated call, text, and voicemail history.

Google Voice keeps communication through your Voice number separate from your personal number and includes spam filtering and call screening. For personal users, it’s designed to maintain one additional number rather than regularly creating or deleting multiple numbers.

The difference comes down to how you want to manage your second number: Google Voice keeps the setup relatively consistent, while Burner gives you more flexibility to separate and change numbers over time.

Burner vs. Google Voice for Calling and Texting

Burner subscriptions include unlimited calling, texting, picture messaging, and separate voicemail. Additional features vary by platform and plan. Burner Premium includes expanded call-management and privacy features, while other available features may include custom voicemail greetings, in-app calling over Wi-Fi or mobile data, auto-replies, Do Not Disturb, group texting on iOS, and spam filtering.

Google Voice supports calling, texting, voicemail transcription, call forwarding, spam filtering, and access across supported devices. Its call-forwarding features also let calls to your Voice number ring on linked devices.

For basic calls and texts, both services cover similar ground. The differences become more relevant when you compare number management and additional privacy features.

Burner vs. Google Voice for Multiple Numbers

Google Voice is primarily designed around one Voice number for personal accounts. If you want one consistent second number for calls and texts, that may be all you need.

Burner supports multiple numbers on one device, depending on your plan. You can use separate numbers for different parts of your life, keep them for as long as you need them, or delete and replace a number when it’s served its purpose.

For example, you might use one number for online marketplaces and another for dating apps without mixing those conversations together.

Related: Ways to Use a Second Phone Number

Burner vs. Google Voice for Spam and Unwanted Calls

Americans are receiving 2.5 billion robocalls a month on average, which is why apps like Burner and Google Voice include tools for managing unwanted calls.

Burner includes robocall filtering on new numbers by default and offers Nomorobo Connection for additional spam protection. Number Lookup can also provide more information about unfamiliar callers before you decide whether to respond.

Google Voice includes built-in spam filtering and call screening, with suspected spam automatically identified or filtered based on your settings.

Both services can help reduce unwanted calls. Burner adds these features to a second-number setup that also lets you manage or replace numbers when needed.

Burner vs. Google Voice for Dating Apps and Personal Privacy

There are plenty of reasons to move a conversation off a dating app. That doesn’t mean you have to give someone the same phone number connected to the rest of your life.

Burner lets you use a private number for dating apps while keeping your personal number to yourself. Calls, texts, and voicemail stay separate, and the person you’re talking to sees the Burner number. If you eventually want to share your personal number, you can. If you’d rather keep the conversation separate, you can do that, too.

Google Voice also keeps dating conversations separate from your personal number. You can call, text, and receive voicemail through your Voice number, which may be enough if you’re comfortable using the same second number for dating and other personal interactions.

Burner vs. Google Voice for Verification Codes

Some websites and services don’t accept VoIP or internet-based phone numbers for account verification or two-factor authentication. This can affect both standard Burner numbers and Google Voice numbers.

Google Voice numbers can receive verification texts from some services, but compatibility varies. Some banks, subscription services, and other businesses may not send verification messages to VoIP numbers.

Burner offers Verified Numbers through a separate subscription. These are still VoIP numbers, but they use a different setup from standard Burner numbers and may be accepted by more third-party services.

Acceptance ultimately depends on the third-party service. If verification codes are important to you, check the specific service’s requirements and review sites compatible with Burner Verified Numbers.

Burner vs. Google Voice: Privacy Features Beyond a Second Number

Keeping your personal number private is one part of protecting your privacy. Burner Premium goes further with tools designed to limit how much of your personal information is exposed in other parts of your digital life.

Depending on your device and plan, Burner Premium can include:

• VPN: Helps secure your connection on public Wi-Fi.
• Personal Info Protection (PIP): Searches data broker sites for your personal information and helps eligible subscribers begin the removal process.
• Number Lookup: Provides available information about unknown numbers.
• AI Voicemail: Transcribes voicemail and helps identify likely spam on iOS.
• Voice and Video Messaging: Adds more ways to communicate, with availability varying by platform.

Google Voice offers privacy through the separation of a second number and the call-management features covered in earlier sections. Burner Premium expands that approach beyond the number itself.

Is Burner Free Like Google Voice?

Google Voice offers free personal options in the U.S., while Burner is primarily a paid service.

Eligible new Burner accounts can receive a three-day free trial when purchasing a subscription through the iOS or Android app. After the trial, subscription pricing varies based on the number of active lines and features included. Standard subscriptions include unlimited calls, texts, and picture messaging, while Premium adds additional privacy features.

Burner also offers prepaid options purchased with credits, which include a set number of minutes and texts.

If pricing is a deciding factor, Google Voice’s free personal option has the advantage. You can get one additional number for personal calls, texts, and voicemail without adding a monthly subscription.

Burner vs. Google Voice on iPhone and Android

Burner and Google Voice are both available on iOS and Android, but some features vary by platform.

Burner’s core subscriptions are available on both platforms. Features including group texting, AI voicemail, voice messages, larger multi-number plans, and Dual SIM may be limited to iOS or differ between devices.

Google Voice supports mobile and desktop access through compatible devices and browsers. If a specific feature is important to you, check its current availability for your device before choosing either service.

Burner vs. Google Voice FAQs

Is Burner better than Google Voice?

Google Voice is a solid option if you want one free number for calls, texts, and voicemail. Burner may be a better fit if you want more flexibility around number management and additional privacy features.

Is Burner more private than Google Voice?

Both services let you use a second number instead of sharing your personal number. Burner offers additional privacy tools on eligible plans, including VPN and Personal Info Protection.

Can I get a free Burner number?

Eligible new users can receive a three-day free trial when purchasing a subscription through the Burner app on iOS or Android. Burner is primarily a paid service after the trial.

Get a Second Number with Burner

Google Voice makes sense if you want a free second number for everyday calls and texts. Burner gives you more flexibility over how you use that second number, with options for multiple numbers, number deletion, spam filtering, and additional privacy tools on eligible plans.

Your personal number doesn’t need to be your number for everything. Keep it private and use Burner when you want another option.

Get Burner and create your phone’s other number today.