Second Phone Number for Business: 5 Ways to Get One (UK)

If you run a small business in the UK, you have probably thought about getting a second phone number for work. Maybe you are tired of customers ringing your personal mobile at 10pm. Maybe you want a number you can put on your van, your Checkatrade profile, or your invoices without giving out your private number.

You are not alone. According to Moneypenny, 77% of UK freelancers still use their personal number for business. It works — until it does not. Once clients, suppliers, and customers all have your personal number, there is no going back.

The good news is that getting a second number is easier and cheaper than you think. This guide covers every option available in the UK, what each one actually costs, and which one makes the most sense for your business.

Why you need a second business number

Using one number for everything might seem simpler, but it creates problems that get worse over time:

• No off switch — customers can reach you 24/7 because they are calling your personal phone. There is no way to separate work calls from personal ones.
• Unprofessional image — a dedicated business number tells customers you are established and serious. A personal number does not.
• No team sharing — if you hire someone or bring on a partner, they cannot answer calls to your personal mobile. You become a bottleneck.
• GDPR headaches — once your personal number is on invoices, Google listings, and directory sites, it is public forever.
• Missed calls cost money — when you are on a job and cannot answer, there is no fallback. The customer calls the next tradesperson on the list.

A second number solves all of these. You get a clear boundary between work and personal life, and your business looks more professional from day one.

5 ways to get a second phone number in the UK

There is no single right answer here. The best option depends on your budget, whether you work alone or in a team, and whether you need SMS alongside voice calls. Here is an honest breakdown of each method.

1. Second SIM card

The traditional approach. Buy a SIM-only plan from EE, Vodafone, Three, or O2 and use it in a second phone or a dual-SIM handset.

Pros: Simple to understand. Works offline. Separate billing.

Cons: You need a second phone or a dual-SIM device. No shared inbox for teams. No business hours feature. Usually requires a 12-24 month contract. Two bills to manage.

Cost: £5-15/month on contract.

2. eSIM

Similar to a second SIM, but the number is provisioned digitally. Most newer iPhones and Android phones support eSIM, so you can run two numbers on one device without physically swapping cards.

Pros: No SIM swap needed. Two numbers on one phone. Works offline.

Cons: Not all phones support eSIM. Still two separate plans and two bills. No team features, no shared inbox, no business hours. Network lock-in with a contract.

Cost: £5-15/month on contract.

3. Virtual number app (e.g., Line)

A virtual number app gives you a real UK mobile (07) number that lives in an app on your existing phone. You can send and receive texts, make and take voice calls, and manage everything from one device — no extra hardware.

Pros: Cheapest option. Real 07 mobile number. SMS and calls included. Shared team inbox. Business hours so you can switch off. No contract. No second phone. Setup in minutes.

Cons: Requires an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for calls.

Cost: From £1.70/month with Line.

4. VoIP phone system (e.g., Dialpad, RingCentral)

Full-featured business phone systems designed for larger teams. They offer call routing, IVR menus, analytics, and integrations with CRMs.

Pros: Feature-rich. Good for teams of 10+. Call analytics, auto-attendants, and integrations.

Cons: Expensive — per-seat pricing adds up quickly. Complex to set up and manage. Often require annual contracts. Many features you will never use if you are a small team. Usually provide landline numbers, not mobile 07 numbers.

Cost: £12-25/month per user on annual contracts.

5. Call forwarding service

The simplest option. You get a number that forwards incoming calls to your personal phone. There is no app, no inbox, just redirection.

Pros: Dead simple. Works on any phone. No app to install.

Cons: No SMS — callers cannot text your business number. No shared inbox. No call history or team features. Forwarded calls still come through to your personal phone with no separation. You cannot call out from the business number.

Cost: £3-10/month, plus per-minute forwarding charges.

If you want to understand call forwarding in more detail, read our guide to forwarding calls to another phone.

How the 5 options compare

*Unless you have a dual-SIM phone.

For solo tradespeople, freelancers, and small teams, a virtual number app hits the sweet spot — it is the cheapest, the fastest to set up, and the only option that gives you SMS, calls, and team features without a contract.

How to set up a second number with Line

The whole process takes under 3 minutes. You will have a working business phone number before your kettle has boiled.

What to look for in a second number provider

If you are comparing options, here are the things that actually matter:

• Real mobile (07) number — landlines cannot receive texts, and customers are less likely to call unfamiliar 0800 or 03 numbers.
• SMS and voice — you need both. Many VoIP providers only do calls.
• No long-term contracts — your needs change. Monthly rolling means you can cancel anytime.
• Shared inbox — even if you are solo now, you might bring someone on later. A shared inbox means a seamless handoff.
• Business hours — the whole point of a second number is to separate work from personal life. If there is no way to switch off, you are back to square one.
• Transparent pricing — watch out for per-user, per-minute, and per-message charges that add up. Look for plans with inclusive credit.

Next steps

Getting a second business number is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. It takes minutes, costs less than a coffee, and immediately makes your business more professional and more manageable.

If you are ready, sign up for Line and have your number in under 3 minutes. First month is just £1.70 — no contracts, no hardware, cancel anytime.

Already have a business number elsewhere? Read our guide to getting a UK business mobile number for advice on porting and switching providers.