Info

What is The Best For You: 2ndLine or ViOTP?

February 14, 2023

Virtual phone number – this phrase has now become quite familiar to individuals and businesses. Thanks to the usefulness and convenience of use, virtual numbers are loved by many users. Moreover, the outbreak of the pandemic has created the habit of working and playing online. Therefore, virtual numbers are more and more popular to use online. Virtual number users for many different purposes.

In this article, we will introduce you to the most basic knowledge about virtual phone numbers and analyze the two most popular virtual number service providers on the market today: 2ndLine and ViOTP.

Let’s start learning about them now!

What is a virtual phone number?

A virtual number is a phone number that is independent of a phone line or physical device or specific location. Virtual numbers are Internet-based and can make and receive calls from any communication device with an IP address, including personal cell phones, computers, and landlines in business offices.

Virtual phone numbers have many different benefits. Users can use phone numbers like:

Faster, more flexible than traditional phone numbers
Easily manage multiple numbers at the same time
Customize the number head, choose a beautiful number
Cost savings

What is 2ndLine?

2ndLine is a second US or Canada phone number that works on your smartphone, tablets as a full-featured business phone system, designed for mobile professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Call and message from a separate number on devices you and your team already have, via Wi-Fi or your existing cellular network, with anyone in the U.S. and Canada.

2ndLine uses your Data or WiFi connection to provide your phone with an additional line. Just download the app, pick a phone number, and immediately access unlimited calling and texting from an additional line on your phone.

Key features:

– Make and receive voice calls

– Emojis, stickers and gifs

– Full picture messaging : send, receive and save pictures!

– Voicemail Transcription: transcript of your voicemail

How to use the 2ndLine?

To get started with 2ndLine, head over to the Google Play store and search for “2ndLine.” Be sure to type it in exactly, as there are a lot of apps that use the words “second line.”

Once you’ve installed the app, 2ndLine asks you to create an account before letting you proceed further and utilize the services (free or otherwise). You’ll need to enter an email address that you have access to, as well as create a password. Remember, as with any service, you’ll want to create a password that is long, and utilizes both upper and lower case letters as well as numbers. For good measure, we also suggest throwing in a special symbol or two as well such as a # or % sign.

Once you choose a password, you have the option to save it to Google SmartLock so you don’t have to remember it. Out of sight out of mind. Nice touch if you’re into that thing.

After that, you’re asked if you want to set up 2ndLine to make and receive calls. Unless you installed the app solely for texting, you’ll want to do this.

If you click “Set Up,” you are asked to give permission for the app to make and manage phone calls, record audio, and access your contacts. Note that this is an invasive “ask” from the app, so be sure you trust the software developers and that you always keep the app up to date so you get all the security updates. That said, the app has to ask for this as do many similar apps in order to function correctly. For example, if the app can’t access your microphone for phone calls, how do you expect the person on the other end to hear you if the mic doesn’t work?

Next, 2ndLine asks if you want a phone number in your location. If you’re using the phone number to call/text local people or businesses this might be a bonus. Alternatively, if you’re using the app to sign up for services you may need to have a local number to verify you are a real person etc.

If you click “Use my location,” the app will ask permission to access your phone’s location. Then you enter your area code and you’re given a list of free numbers to choose from. After that, you’re taken to 2ndLine’s main interface.

Advantages and disadvantages of 2ndLine

Advantages:

Completely online, No need to go to the place to rent / buy the SIM card.
Unified inbox: send and receive your texts directly via 2ndLine – use 2ndLine as your one-stop SMS texting app!
Text and call support (free for US and Canada)

Disadvantages

Only available for Android
No 24/7 customer support
Charges for international calls outside the U.S. and Canada
Can only be used in the U.S. and Canada
Users report frequent errors
Reports of scam calls/texts
Some users find the ads annoying
Some reports of poor sound quality when making call

Verdict: If you need or want a second phone number for texting, 2ndLine seems like a good option. You also need to live in the U.S. or Canada, otherwise, you can’t use the app. The complaints about sound quality are a bit concerning, so if you need to make calls on your second line, you may want to look for a more reliable option.

ViOTP sim rental service

ViOTP is the best online SMS and virtual phone number service with affordable packages and easy-to-use interface.

ViOTP offers business rental service with unlimited domestic calls, texting and voicemail. ViOTP provides for you phone numbers to receive SMS OTP verification when you register many services (ex: Google, Facebook, Microsoft…)

With the largest sim store in Asia, ViOTP allows tenants to choose the operator and number to suit their needs. ViOTP is committed to confidentiality of customer information, it’s prestige, trust and transparency. Support customers 24/7 online.