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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Burner vs Text Free

Burner 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Burner
Text Free 4.7★ · Free + IAP 40

Burner is the better choice for users seeking a more reliable second number experience, despite its higher price point and billing issues, while Text Free struggles with consistent call quality and an overwhelming number of ads.

Full reviews: Burner · Text Free

Burner generally offers a more functional and intuitive experience for a second phone number, though it faces significant complaints regarding billing and app speed. Text Free, while popular, is plagued by poor call quality, excessive ads, and issues with verification codes and account access.

Head to head

Features edge: BurnerR5R7R15R29
Burner Burner users appreciate the ability to pick local area codes, easily switch numbers, and use it for privacy in various situations like online dating or business R5R29. Some users also like the included VPN . However, some note a lack of reaction functions R7 and limitations on outbound calls even with paid plans R15.
Text Free Text Free is valued for providing a free second number for texting and calling . However, a significant number of users are frustrated that features like receiving verification codes require payment R64R67R71R106. Users also report issues with sending photos and the absence of a block list feature .
Ease of Use & Performance edge: BurnerR3R5R7R9
Burner Burner is praised for its simple, intuitive layout and ease of use R5. However, a recurring complaint is the app's slowness, with users reporting long loading times for the app itself and for sending/receiving messages R3R7R9. Some also find it glitchy R7 and clunky R9.
Text Free Text Free users report frequent issues with the app freezing, loading slowly, or not working at all R70. Many also find the interface strange and not very customizable . Login problems are common after updates or logging out .
Reliability edge: BurnerR5R6R12R20
Burner Burner generally works well for its intended purpose of providing a second number R5R29. However, users report issues with messages not always sending , calls registering under incorrect names R12, and the app causing disruptions to phone functions like Spotify playback or data connection R6. Some accounts are also banned without clear explanation R20.
Text Free Text Free suffers from significant reliability issues, particularly with call quality, which is frequently described as horrible, spotty, low volume, or breaking up R66. Calls may also disconnect after an hour or not ring unless the app is open . Users report problems receiving verification codes even after paying R67.
Price/Value tieR2R4R10R13
Burner Burner is considered by some to be reasonably priced and an affordable alternative . However, a major point of contention is its billing practices, with numerous users reporting being charged immediately despite free trials R4R22R26R28, or continuing to be billed after cancellation R2R10R13. Some also feel that the $90 yearly plan is a rip-off due to call caps .
Text Free Text Free is advertised as free, and many users appreciate its free texting and calling . However, a significant number of reviews express frustration that essential features like receiving verification codes require payment R64R67R71R106. Users also complain about the overwhelming number of ads in the free version R66.
Support edge: BurnerR1R10R18R45
Burner Burner's customer support receives mixed reviews. Some users praise it for resolving issues R45, but many report difficulty contacting anyone, finding AI-generated help pages worthless, or being directed to Apple support for refunds R1R10R18.
Text Free Text Free's customer service is largely described as useless . Users report accounts being suspended or blocked without reason, and support being unable or unwilling to unblock them .
Pick Burner if

You need a second number for privacy or business and prioritize a generally more functional app experience, are willing to pay for it, and are prepared to closely monitor billing R5R29.

Pick Text Free if

You primarily need a free texting app and can tolerate frequent ads, poor call quality, and potential issues with verification codes and account access .

Evidence note: Burner's negative reviews are heavily skewed towards billing and subscription issues, often related to free trials, which might inflate its perceived negativity compared to its general functionality. Text Free's free tier attracts a large user base, and many complaints stem from the limitations of the free version and the push to pay for features like verification codes.

Frequently asked

Does Burner offer a free trial?
Yes, Burner offers a free trial, but many users report being charged immediately or shortly after signing up, even if they cancel during the trial period R4R22R26R28.
Can Text Free receive verification codes?
Text Free generally requires users to pay to receive verification codes, and even then, some paying users report not receiving them R64R67R71R106.
What are the common complaints about Burner?
Common complaints about Burner include issues with being charged despite canceling free trials or subscriptions, the app being slow and clunky, and difficulties with customer support R2R3R7R9.
What are the common complaints about Text Free?
Common complaints about Text Free include poor call quality, an excessive number of ads, the need to pay for features like verification codes, and frequent app glitches or login issues R66R67R70R71.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Burner 5/5 · US Amazing service: I needed to respond to a text from my builder after closing, but didn’t want him to have my new phone number. This app worked perfectly. Simple, intuitive layout, and they even let you pick from a variety of local area codes. 5/5
  2. [R7] Burner 2/5 · US Glitchy, slow, and lacks functionality: Not a fan so far. If you’re using this for online dating privacy/screening, be aware that it has no reaction function, which is standard on both iPhone and Android. It’s also incredibly, frustratingly slow. This is the only app I have where it takes several seconds to register typed characters. Dictation is a little better, but frankly if this doesn’t resolv
  3. [R15] Burner 3/5 · US Number of calls: Out of no where with no heads up we have been limited on how many calls we can make with a number
  4. [R29] Burner 5/5 · US Effective: Provides number for call you do not want recipient to have the number you usually use.
  5. [R3] Burner 3/5 · US App way too slow: I like the app it’s just SUPER slow. Also wont alert you that you have a text unless the person’s number is saved. Could be better but overall it serves its purpose.
  6. [R9] Burner 3/5 · US Works but clunky: I have been using this app for about a month now or so, and it is very slow to open, very slow to download messages, and send them out. I find that it’s very clunky. I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and it takes about 20 seconds just to start the program. To send out messages and receive, it probably takes about another 20 seconds for each action. I’ve use other numbers, including Goo
  7. [R6] Burner 3/5 · US Spotify and burner problems: Everything works on this app very well including getting really good updates on texts and calls but the one thing I would say is a big negative and I would love to get some more information on how to fix this because Google is no help, is why every single time I’m on Spotify and I go to check a text or respond to a text and when I get off of the Burner app back onto Sp
  8. [R12] Burner 3/5 · US Confusing: Anytime I call it registers under the name Alicia Oliver? And that makes it confusing. And I can’t tell if I can have multiple numbers on here or not.
  9. [R20] Burner 1/5 · US Don’t Even Bother With Burner: I signed up for a number to use for a new small business. One week later (after having used the number on critical business documents), I open the app to get a message that my account has been banned since I “violated the Burner Terms of Service.” Clearly someone before me was using the number for crime, burned the number, and then I was the unlucky next person to cl
  10. [R2] Burner 5/5 · US Don’t do free trial: I did like this app quite a lot until it charged me for a subscription to a free trial that i had cancelled right after subscribing to it, almost a week later and now its causing disruptions to my whole phone !!
  11. [R4] Burner 1/5 · US Stole $16.99 from me and lied: Do not use this app they will say you have a trial but as soon as you download the app, they will cancel the trial and charge you automatically. I use this app for like 15 minutes and didn’t like that user interface so I deleted it off my phone the next day I can’t download apps because all of a sudden they charged me $16.99
  12. [R10] Burner 1/5 · US Keeps billing after cancellation: The app “works,” but after we burned the two numbers we had, we kept being billed for months more. Impossible to resolve because Apple simply blames the developer - and the developer says they cannot issue refunds, only Apple can. Online searches show this “feature” extends to other users. Be careful!
  13. [R13] Burner 1/5 · US Scam cancellation: I didn’t want this subscription and never did y’all’s FREE APP WOULD LET ME CONTINUE WITH OUT A FREE TRIAL WHEN. I seen it was a yearly and 100$ I instantly cancelled but still being charged I want my money and would let to stop being charged for something I never intended on using
  14. [R1] Burner 1/5 · US App is Broken: There is no way to contact anyone. And the ai generated help page is worthless. I have paid for the service, used it for over a year, renewed even. And the app wont go past the login. Would be super if someone would get back to me.
  15. [R18] Burner 1/5 · US Rip off: I purchased $20 worth of credit credits I did not receive my credit. They will not reply. and when they decided to reply, they said to reach out to Apple support, and Apple support is about as useless as the Burner support.
  16. [R45] Burner 5/5 · US Great app and support: This is the best app I’ve ever used. The unlimited texts and calls work perfectly. I ran into a few issues but customer support helped me resolve them. Thanks!
  17. [R22] Burner 1/5 · US Cancelled subscription still charged: I select a 3 day trial. I cancel the subscription the first day after downloading. I get charged $14.99 anyway. Not happy about it.
  18. [R26] Burner 2/5 · US Cancelled during free trial but still billed: It works, but I realized I didn’t actually need it and cancelled during the free trial. However I was still billed and then denied a refund. Messed up, I didn’t authorize the charge but apparently tech companies can steal and not trip about it.
  19. [R28] Burner 1/5 · US 3-day free trial was really 2 days, and trying to grab 90 bucks: This app works great. It you pay. I downloaded last week, opted for the 3 day trial, and started poking around. It seems solid, but I don’t need a second number i can change at will for 90 bucks. I made a mental note towards the end of the 2nd day to make sure I canceled it and deleted it. Tell me how this app just a couple hours la
  20. [R64] Text Free 2/5 · US THE CODESSSS: Literally the only reason I got this app was to verify a code please make this free I realize everything else is free but I feel like a lot of people only need the app to do this
  21. [R67] Text Free 1/5 · US Verification Codes: I paid the 10$ and it specifically said in the paid section I would get this perk. Well I paid and this number I was provided has not been receiving verification codes!
  22. [R71] Text Free 4/5 · US No verification codes: It’s pretty good. But you need to pay just to see a verification code
  23. [R106] Text Free 2/5 · US No verification: Will not allow you to receive verification codes unless you pay them
  24. [R66] Text Free 3/5 · US Could be better: It always has adds and when you call the quality is horrible even when I have internet!.
  25. [R70] Text Free 1/5 · US Won’t even work: Years ago I had this app and it worked well, now I’ve downloaded it on my iPhone 16 pro max and this app keeps freezing, unable to even create an account. I’ve been trying for days and it’s like I download a fake imposter.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store