Sideline Pricing Breakdown: Is It Worth the Cost in 2026?

How much does Sideline cost?

Sideline offers subscription-based pricing for a second phone number that works on your existing device. The pricing structure is simple on the surface, one set of plans for individual users and a separate tier for businesses that need multiple lines. But what you pay depends on both your billing cycle and any add-ons you activate along the way. 

How much does a Sideline Standard plan cost?

The Standard plan is Sideline’s entry-level offering, a single number for calling and texting, built for solo professionals who want to keep their personal number private. It runs on your existing device without replacing your carrier plan.

This plan includes

• Ad-free experience for faster, more reliable communication.
• Permanent phone number ownership with no expiration due to inactivity.
• Unlimited calling and texting, including SMS, MMS, group messages, and auto-reply.
• VoIP calling with the flexibility to switch between Wi-Fi and carrier networks.
• Voicemail-to-text transcription for convenient message reading.
• Automatic replies for missed calls.
• 24/7 premium customer support.
• Web messaging access from your desktop.
• No contracts or long-term commitments, cancel anytime.

Subject to applicable terms, conditions, and calling restrictions. 

How much does a Sideline Enterprise plan cost?

The Enterprise plan is Sideline’s solution for businesses managing multiple numbers. Rather than a fixed subscription fee, pricing is based on the number of phone numbers you can active, at $14.49 per number per month. With room for up to 200 phone numbers under a single account, this tier is positioned for growing teams. 

The Enterprise plan includes all the features of the Standard plan and also unlocks other advanced features, such as:

• No annual billing option
• Auto-attendant features
• International calling

Sideline Add-ons

Even after committing to an Enterprise plan, some of the most commonly needed features still require separate purchases. Sideline’s add-on structure can significantly increase your monthly spend if you are building out a team phone setup. 

• Auto-attendant: Getting an auto-attendant requires three separate upgrades. You must purchase an Enterprise account, the auto-attendant add-on, and an additional line to forward calls to.
• International calling: Not included natively on all base levels; requires additional add-on packages to make calls globally at $14.99/line/month. The Sideline app does not share team numbers; every team member who needs international access must purchase it.
• Number porting: Transferring your existing business numbers to Sideline, or porting a Sideline number, may require separate service requirements or hidden support hurdles, depending on your specific account type.
• Premium add-ons: Management features such as web admin panels, employee roles, and advanced routing are often paywalled or require you to purchase multiple line subscriptions to function properly.

The Hidden Costs of Sideline

Sideline’s pricing is generally transparent; its base prices range from $9.99 to $14.49 per month. However, Sideline users may encounter hidden or secondary add-ons that can raise their monthly bill. When comparing Sideline to other VoIP services, be mindful of these potential surprise fees.

• Ad removal cost: The basic Sideline plans include in-app ads. To remove these ads and have an ad-free experience, users need to pay about $2.99 each month, a cost that doesn’t appear front and center on the pricing page.

• VoIP/Wi-Fi calling fees: Sideline uses your mobile carrier network by default. To use Wi-Fi or in-app VoIP calling features, which can help with call quality and are useful while traveling, you often need to pay an extra $2.99 per month.

• Carrier minutes/text usage: Sideline uses your regular mobile network, so any calls or texts deduct from your personal cellular plan’s minutes and texting limits. If you don’t have an unlimited plan, you’ll incur standard mobile charges.

• Auto-renewals: Subscriptions automatically renew through your App Store Account or Google Play Store, and Android users may see charges up to 72 hours before their current period ends.

Sideline’s plan & pricing compared to KrispCall

Sideline and KrispCall serve distinctly different audiences. Sideline is an individual-to-small-team app designed to add a secondary number through your existing carrier network. It is essentially a second phone number app, not a business phone system.

KrispCall is a fully cloud-based (VoIP) business phone app built for businesses of all sizes, from solo freelancers to mid-market teams. Unlike Sideline, which requires an active carrier plan to function, KrispCall runs entirely over the internet. It’s accessible via web browser, iOS and Android, and a desktop app.

G2 review: I find KrispCall easy to use and very intuitive, with a well-organized dashboard. The quality of calls is very clear, and messages arrive without lag or delay. I really appreciate the first-class customer service, and I want to give a special mention to Rutuja for calling to ensure the service was meeting my expectations, which I appreciated. I like the reliability and consistency of the service. The initial setup was very easy.

• Richard O. Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

Essential Plan 

KrispCall’s Essential plan starts at $12/user/month (annual pricing) and $15/user/month (billed monthly) and is usually best for small businesses, startups, & freelancers with up to 5 users.

It includes key features:

• 1 free local/mobile number per user
• Unlimited calls and unlimited SMS
• Call recording, voice mail, call forwarding, call transfer
• IVR (Phone Tree), call hold with custom music
• Available on Web, iOS, and Android

Standard Plan

The Standard plan is best for the call centers & mid-sized businesses, starting at just $32/user/month (annual).

Everything in Essential, plus: 

• Unlimited users
• Automatic call recording and analytics dashboard
• Power dialer, call monitoring, and whisper coaching
• CRM integrations
• Number sharing across team members

Enterprise Plan

The enterprise plan offers custom pricing and is recommended for large teams or businesses with custom requirements.  

Everything in Essential plus:

• Dedicated account manager and priority developer support
• Advanced reporting and Bulk SMS
• Custom integrations and API/Webhook access
• No per agent rate
• Softphone is also available

Related 👉: Get KrispCall detailed pricing

KrispCall Vs. Sideline: Direct Comparison

KrispCall and Sideline are two distinct needs. KrispCall is a robust, AI-powered VoIP system built for scaling businesses and remote teams. Sideline is a simple app that gives solopreneurs and small teams a reliable second phone number on their personal devices.

Key findings:

• KrispCall’s essential plan at $12/user/month (annual) costs less than Sideline’s Standard plan at $14.49/month, and includes call recording, IVR, call transcription, and analytics that Sideline doesn’t offer at any price.
• Sideline’s auto-attendant requires three separate paid tiers to activate. KrispCall includes IVR on its entry-level Essential plan.
• KrispCall works as a true standalone VoIP service. Sideline requires an active carrier plan and may consume carrier minutes from your existing plan.
• CRM integrations are available on KrispCall’s all plans. Sideline offers zero integrations on any plan. 
• Sidelines has discontinued the shared phone numbers, while KrispCall offers number sharing across team members on all plans. 

How does KrispCall deliver better value for money than Sideline?

KrispCall delivers better value than Sideline by offering a fully scalable, multi-user VoIP platform rather than a basic calling app. It provides advanced team collaboration tools (number sharing, power dialers) and global numbers, making it more cost-effective for growing businesses than paying per-line for Sideline’s limited features. 

The value-for-money comparison breaks down across several distinct advantages:

• Platform vs. single line: Sideline is an app that lets users add a second number to their existing cell phone. In contrast, KrispCall provides a complete cloud-based phone system designed for businesses. 
• Pricing overview: KrispCall plans begin at $12 per user per month (billed annually) for the KrispCall Essential plan, which includes the Unified Callbox and a free virtual number. Sideline offers standard subscriptions and premium (Pro) plans that typically range from $9.99 to $14.99 per phone line per month.
• Team collaboration: Sideline is tailored for individual users, while KrispCall’s Standard plan supports unlimited users on shared numbers, group call distribution, and internal communication threads.
• Global reach: Sideline is primarily available in the US and Canada, whereas KrispCall allows users to purchase numbers from over 100 countries on a single platform.
• Advanced features: KrispCall offers multi-level IVR, call transfers, and AI-powered transcriptions/summaries on select plans. Sideline primarily includes basic calling, texting, and auto-replies.

Should you still use Sideline?

For a very specific use case, a solo freelancer or solo trader who needs a clean secondary phone number to separate personal and work calls, has no need for team features, CRM connections, or international calling, Sideline is a functional and reasonably affordable option. The app is easy to set up, the Standard plan pricing is clear, and for basic calling and texting within the US, it does what it says it will. 

Pros and cons of Sideline pricing plans

See why businesses are switching to KrispCall over Sideline

Businesses are switching to KrispCall because it offers a fuller business phone system, not just a second number. It includes features such as a unified callbox, CRM integrations, call recording, an auto-attendant, and shared team numbers, which Sideline lacks or limits. 

KrispCall also supports more scalable use cases for teams that need to manage business calls, text messages, and customer data in a single platform. For many companies, that makes it a better fit than Sideline’s simpler, individual-focused setup.

Also, KrispCall essential plan at $12/user/month (annual) is cheaper than Sideline’s monthly rate while including capabilities that Sideline doesn’t offer at any price. On the Standard plan, features like automatic call recording, call monitoring, power dialer, and full analytics are included, tools