--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Burner: Second Phone Number" developer_entity: "Ad Hoc Labs, Inc" bundle_id: "com.adhoclabs.burner" app_store_id: "505800761" category: "Utilities" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Subscription" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-05-05" report_date: "2026-05-07" last_verified: "2026-05-07T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "7.8.0" total_reviews: 173178 overall_rating: 4.6 sentiment: "Upset" sentiment_score: 15 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.8 top_praise_theme: "Reliable call and text quality provides functional utility for users needing secondary communication lines" top_complaint_theme: "Misleading free trial offers result in immediate unauthorized charges to user payment methods" review_sample_size: 184 total_review_count: 184 analyzed_review_count: 100 data_age_days: 101 momentum_velocity: "active" intelligence_version: 1 nemesis: "Hushed: US Second Phone Number" competitor_count: 9 tags: ["utilities", "subscription", "upset sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "individuals", "seeking", "privacy"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-adhoclabs-burner" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Burner: Second Phone Number Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Utilities · Subscription - **Signal**: Rating 4.55 · Sentiment Upset - **Recent focus**: Users report: misleading free trial offers result in immediate unauthorized charges to user payment methods (top complaint) · Reliable call and text quality provides functional utility for users needing secondary communication lines (top praise) > **TL;DR:** Burner: Second Phone Number is a utilities app by Ad Hoc Labs, Inc, rated 4.55/5 by 173.2K users, with Upset user sentiment (15/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Burner: Second Phone Number faces Upset user sentiment (4.55/5 from 173.2K reviews), with users reporting misleading free trial offers result in immediate unauthorized charges to user payment methods as the primary concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.55/5 (173.2K reviews) | | **User Mood** | Upset | | **Category** | Utilities | | **Developer** | Ad Hoc Labs, Inc | | **Pricing** | Subscription | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.8/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 101d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Ad Hoc Labs, Inc - **Category:** Utilities - **Target Audience:** Individuals seeking privacy for online marketplaces, dating, or professional communication who need to keep their primary number hidden. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Reviewed:** 7.8.0 - **Report Date:** 2026-05-07 - **Signal Count:** 184 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.8/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 505800761 - **Bundle ID:** com.adhoclabs.burner - **Google Play ID:** com.adhoclabs.burner - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-07 - **Short Description:** 2nd Phone Number Line for Anonymous Texting, Calling, and Picture Messages ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Burner is a utility app for iOS and Android that provides temporary, disposable phone numbers for anonymous calling and texting. **Why users hire it:** Users hire Burner to maintain personal privacy and communication boundaries without the social cost of sharing a primary number. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Disposable Phone Numbers:** Generation of temporary, anonymous phone numbers for calling and texting with the ability to delete them instantly - **[Differentiator] VPN Service:** No-logs VPN for anonymous browsing and tracker blocking * *User Intent:* Users want visibility into their own performance and progress. - **[Differentiator] AI Voicemail Sorting:** Automated transcription and organization of incoming voicemails * *User Intent:* Users expect intelligent, adaptive experiences that learn from their behavior. ## Market Position {#market-position} Burner sits #10 Grossing in the US Utilities category, but its rank is trending downward. The reliance on a subscription-only model creates a conversion ceiling compared to ad-supported rivals. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Subscription - **Tiers:** Free trial (3-day), Monthly subscription at $9.99/month, Annual subscription at $59.99/year, Premium annual subscription at $89.99/year - **Analysis:** Subscription-only model anchored at $9.99/month, utilizing a 3-day trial to convert users into recurring revenue. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 100 of 184 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.55/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.7/5 (92.2K ratings) | Android 4.4/5 (81K ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Upset - **Note:** The 4.55/5 store rating reflects cumulative history, while the Upset sentiment reflects recent user reviews analyzed by our AI pipeline. ### Top Praises - **Reliable call and text quality provides functional utility for users needing secondary communication lines** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Users report: Misleading free trial offers result in immediate unauthorized charges to user payment methods** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Privacy-first workflow reduces friction for casual users - Color-coded inboxes increase session duration for power users - Brand recognition in major tech publications **Growth Levers:** - Expansion into international markets to counter Hushed - Development of a web-based interface to match Text Free - B2B integration for professional marketplace users ## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes} Burner's competitive position is declining due to increased user churn from billing disputes and persistent technical failures in core messaging. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-05-07 ### High-impact changes - **[Declined] Sentiment and Rating Decline** (sentiment) - **[Added] Billing Fraud Complaints** (sentiment) ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] New Competitive Threats** (swot) - **[Shifted] Pricing Strategy Critique** (positioning) ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Burner: Second Phone Number vs Hushed: US Second Phone Number - **Hushed: US Second Phone Number** by AffinityClick Inc.: Hushed maintains a direct feature-for-feature overlap in the virtual burner number niche with a high release cadence of 6 updates in the last six months. - **Key differences:** - Offers international number support across multiple countries, whereas Burner focuses primarily on North American area codes. - Provides a pay-as-you-go credit system for short-term usage, contrasting with Burner's subscription-heavy model. - Integrates directly with Slack and Dropbox for business-oriented users, targeting a professional productivity segment. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **Google Voice** by Google: Google Voice is a massive, high-velocity competitor that leverages ecosystem integration to provide a permanent secondary number solution. - Deep integration with the Google Workspace ecosystem allows for seamless synchronization across Gmail, Calendar, and Drive. - Provides free, permanent number retention without the subscription-based expiration cycles typical of Burner apps. - **TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited** by TextNow, Inc.: TextNow dominates the ad-supported communication space, offering a free, permanent number model that challenges Burner's subscription revenue. - Operates an ad-supported model that provides free unlimited calling and texting, undercutting Burner's paid subscription model. - Offers a unique SIM card program that allows users to turn devices into full-service mobile phones. - **Talkatone: WiFi Text & Calls** by TALKATONE, INC.: Talkatone focuses on high-quality VoIP performance over WiFi, serving as a strong alternative for users prioritizing connectivity over anonymity. - Optimized specifically for high-quality VoIP calls over unstable WiFi connections, reducing reliance on cellular data. - Provides a more streamlined, simplified interface that appeals to users who find Burner's privacy features overly complex. - **Text Free: Second Phone Number** by Pinger, Inc.: Text Free maintains a long-standing presence in the communication space with a focus on simple, reliable messaging. - Focuses on a simplified messaging-first experience that removes the complexity of managing multiple burner lines. - Provides a robust web-based interface for desktop messaging, which is a significant gap in Burner's mobile-only strategy. ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **Robokiller: Spam Call Blocker** by Mosaic S.r.l.: While not a burner number app, it occupies the same 'phone utility' space by solving the spam problem that drives users to Burner. - Uses AI-powered answer bots to waste spam callers' time, providing an entertainment layer to security. - Focuses on blocking unwanted traffic rather than providing a secondary identity for outgoing communication. - **Getcontact** by GETVERIFY LDA: Getcontact operates in the phone utility space by providing caller identification and spam protection at a massive scale. - Leverages a massive crowdsourced database for caller identification, creating a strong network effect moat. - Focuses on transparency and identity verification, which is the functional opposite of Burner's anonymity-first mission. ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **Planet Free VPN ™ Super Proxy** by FREE VPN PLANET S R L: Rapidly emerging in the utility space with high release velocity, signaling an aggressive push for market share. - **JumpJumpVPN: Fast & Secure** by SOON BODYWERKZ AUTO PTE. LTD.: A newer entrant showing strong update activity and high user engagement in the privacy utility category. ## What's New - **Latest (v7.8.0, yesterday):** General bug fixes and performance improvements. ## App Momentum (Active) {#momentum} - Shipped media attachment fix for Samsung. - Ships stability updates for conversation history. > **Cadence:** 5 total versions · 2 majors in last 6 months · 1 days since last update · 10 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Burner: Second Phone Number is a utilities app. With a 4.55/5 rating from 173.2K reviews, it draws more critical themes in recent reviews than its store average suggests. > **Bottom Line:** Burner holds its category lead through sticky privacy-first workflows but bleeds users to ad-supported alternatives, so revenue growth hinges on fixing the billing trust gap. **Best for:** Individuals seeking privacy for online marketplaces, dating, or professional communication who need to keep their primary number hidden. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [PIVOT] Audit trial billing logic because 1★ reviews flag unauthorized charges as the top complaint → reduce refund surge ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - International number support (available in Hushed but missing here) ### Outlook: Declining The privacy-utility market is consolidating around high-velocity entrants that bundle VPN and proxy services. Burner's reliance on a rigid subscription model leaves it exposed to competitors that offer more flexible, ad-supported access, so the app must pivot to a hybrid model to defend its market share. - 🔴 Users report: misleading trial billing reports are driving a surge in refund requests, which erodes long-term brand trust and increases churn. - 🔴 Persistent message delivery failures in the latest release prevent core utility, directly impacting the daily active habit and rating baseline. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.55/5 | | Total Reviews | 173.2K | | Sentiment | Upset (15/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Subscription | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Burner: Second Phone Number** (this app) | 4.55/5 | Upset | Ad Hoc Labs, Inc | | [SpecterSense](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-spectersense) | 5.0/5 | N/A | Alex Dobson | | [DFCleanup-AI Cleaner Storage](https://marlvel.ai/apps/wfg-smart-gallery) | 4.0/5 | Mixed | 飞 杜 | | [Stardew Save Editor](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-stardewsaveeditor) | 3.9/5 | Mixed | Chad Smith | | [Connect TV Remote](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-universaltvremoteapp-app) | 4.3/5 | n/a | East End Technologies Ltd. | | [Free VPN – Fast & Secure Proxy](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-freevpnapp-freevpn) | 4.7/5 | n/a | Free VPN LTD (Apps) | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Ad Hoc Labs, Inc - **Website:** [https://burnerapp.com](https://burnerapp.com) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://instagram.com/burnerapp) · [Facebook](https://facebook.com/burnerapp) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/burner) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ad-hoc-labs) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/burner-second-phone-number/id505800761?uo=2) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adhoclabs.burner&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://burnerapp.com) - **Sources:** Developer website content, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*SpecterSense*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-spectersense) (Alex Dobson) · 5.0/5 Rating - [*DFCleanup-AI Cleaner Storage*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/wfg-smart-gallery) (飞 杜) · 4.0/5 Rating - [*Stardew Save Editor*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-stardewsaveeditor) (Chad Smith) · 3.9/5 Rating - [*Connect TV Remote*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-universaltvremoteapp-app) (East End Technologies Ltd.) · 4.3/5 Rating - [*Free VPN – Fast & Secure Proxy*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-freevpnapp-freevpn) (Free VPN LTD (Apps)) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*Hondata*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/sasanian-hondata) (Alphabit Software Inc.) · 3.6/5 Rating - [*VPN Lumos: Open & Connect USA*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/bernikovich-vpn) (LUMOS, OOO) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*CleanX: Photo Storage Cleaner*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-app-smart-cleaner-cleanx) (TAPSUITE YAZILIM HIZMETLERI ANONIM SIRKETI) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*EasyMSR*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/gbtf-easymsr) (向阳 张) · 2.9/5 Rating - [*BuildCalc*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-buildcalc-buildcalc) (42nd Parallel) · 4.7/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.8/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 184 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 101 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-adhoclabs-burner) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.