caddy.com

What It Is

Caddy is a second phone number service provided by 800.com, Inc. Its core selling point is that users can choose a new number with a specific U.S. or Canadian area code, then make calls and send SMS/MMS over Wi‑Fi or cellular networks. The number can be kept long term as long as it remains active or the user subscribes to an unlimited plan. It is mainly intended for avoiding exposure of a real mobile number, reducing spam calls, and minimizing unnecessary interactions.

Core Features and Coverage

In terms of channels, Caddy supports voice calls, SMS, and MMS, but the main text does not show support for email, IM, API-based SMS gateways, or similar capabilities. Its coverage is clearly defined: it currently only supports U.S./Canada numbers, as well as calls and texts within North America, with no international use supported for now. As such, it is more like a personal second-number app than a global communications provider.

Pricing and Performance

Pricing combines free credits, paid credits, and subscriptions: users receive 10 credits per month for free; SMS costs 1 credit per text segment, calls cost 1 credit per minute, and MMS costs 4 credits. Unlimited subscriptions start at U$9.99. However, “unlimited” use is subject to a fair use policy, such as normal personal use only, 1,000 minutes per seat per month, 1 concurrent call per extension at a time, and the possibility that a single call lasting over 6 hours may be terminated. The main text does not disclose delivery rates, connection rates, SLA, or latency metrics, and states that message delivery/storage and Caller ID display are not guaranteed.

Compliance, Privacy, and Restrictions

Caddy imposes many anti-spam and compliance restrictions: it prohibits bulk messaging, spam voice/fax advertising, auto-dialing, predictive dialing, PBX/trunking, call center hotlines, and similar use cases. It also references requirements such as the TCPA, FCC rules, Do Not Call, and the Patriot Act. Numbers can only be changed once per month, and inactive numbers may be reassigned after 14 days. On privacy, the platform says it maintains strict confidentiality, restricts access, and encrypts sensitive personal data.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

The advantages are number selection, support for voice/SMS/MMS, a low cost of entry, and suitability for protecting personal privacy. The downsides are that coverage is limited to North America, international communications are not supported, unlimited plans come with clear restrictions, and it is not suitable for business bulk messaging, customer service centers, or developer integrations. It is best suited to individual users who need a U.S./Canada second number, cross-border account registration, or low-frequency communication scenarios.

Access from China and Alternatives

The main text does not provide information on access from mainland China, payment methods, or availability, so its accessibility from China can only be considered unknown. For similar services, users may compare Google Voice, TextNow, Hushed, Burner, and OpenPhone. For business SMS APIs or global reach, alternatives such as Twilio, MessageBird, and Vonage should be considered.