Updated September 2026

The best virtual number providers, compared honestly.

The best provider depends on the job: VoIP apps like Google Voice and TextNow suit free calling, marketplaces like SMS-Activate and 5SIM suit bulk one-off codes, Twilio suits developers, and PhoneBorn is the real-mobile-number alternative you keep. We run PhoneBorn, so we stuck to verifiable facts. Always check each provider's current terms.

Comparison of virtual number providers and PhoneBorn real mobile numbers
Provider	Model	Keep the number	Number type	Identity needed	Payments	Best for
PhoneBornUs	Monthly/yearly plans with SMS both ways + 1,000 call min/month; per-code OTP	Yes — as long as you renew	Real mobile numbers	Email only	Crypto only	A real mobile number you keep, with SMS & calls, plus cheap one-off codes
SMS-Activate	Per-activation marketplace, plus rentals	Short-term rentals	Varies by operator	Account sign-up	Cards, crypto and other methods	High-volume one-off activations
5SIM	Per-activation marketplace, plus rentals	Short-term rentals	Varies by operator	Account sign-up	Cards, crypto and other methods	Wide operator choice for single codes
Hushed	Prepaid second-line plans in an app	While your plan is active	VoIP	App store account	App store billing	A second line for calls and texts
Google Voice	Free US number	Yes, with regular activity	VoIP	Google account + existing US number	Free (paid add-ons)	US residents wanting a free second number
TextNow	Free, ad-supported (paid plans optional)	Yes, with regular activity	VoIP	Account sign-up	Free / cards	Free everyday texting in the US & Canada
Twilio	Usage-based programmable messaging	Yes, while rented	Varies (long code, toll-free, mobile)	Account + regulatory bundles in many countries	Cards / invoicing	Businesses building two-way SMS into products

Summary based on each provider's public information at the time of writing. "Number type" describes typical allocations; individual numbers may differ. Product names are trademarks of their respective owners; PhoneBorn is not affiliated with them.

Provider by provider

Strengths and trade-offs

PhoneBorn

Strengths: Real mobile numbers — not VoIP — that you keep as long as you renew, with unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 call minutes a month, plus single-use OTP numbers with automatic refunds. Email-only sign-up, 7-day money-back guarantee, REST API and signed webhooks.

Trade-offs: Crypto payments only — no cards — and monthly caps on outgoing SMS and call minutes make it unsuitable for bulk messaging or call centres.

SMS-Activate & 5SIM

Strengths: Large activation marketplaces with many countries and operators, per-code pricing and APIs popular with resellers.

Trade-offs: Built mainly around short-term activations; availability and quality vary by operator.

Hushed

Strengths: Polished app for a second line with calling and texting in a handful of countries.

Trade-offs: Subscription-style plans, app-store billing and VoIP numbers that some sign-up flows refuse.

Google Voice

Strengths: Free US number with calls, texts and voicemail, tightly integrated with Google.

Trade-offs: Needs an existing US number to set up and is linked to your Google identity.

TextNow

Strengths: Free calling and texting in the US and Canada, supported by ads.

Trade-offs: Inactive numbers can be reclaimed, and VoIP ranges are refused by some services.

Twilio

Strengths: Industry-standard programmable messaging and voice for developers, with numbers in many countries.

Trade-offs: Designed for businesses: regulatory paperwork is required in many countries and it's overkill for personal verification.

How to choose

Need to keep the account long-term? Choose a number you can keep and renew — a monthly or yearly plan, not a one-off activation.
Just need one code? A per-code OTP number is cheapest. Make sure unused orders are refunded.
Privacy is the point? Check what identity the provider requires and how you pay. Email-only accounts and crypto payments reveal the least.
Want a virtual number that apps actually accept? Consider a real mobile number instead. VoIP ranges are the first to be refused by WhatsApp, Google and banks.
Need to reply and call as well as verify? Check that the plan includes outgoing SMS and call minutes — many verification services are receive-only. PhoneBorn plans include both.
Sending thousands of messages? Use a programmable platform such as Twilio — consumer plans, including ours, do not allow bulk messaging.

Want the longer version? Read our guide to SMS-Activate alternatives and our explainer on mobile vs VoIP numbers.

FAQ

Choosing a provider: FAQ

What is the best virtual number provider?

It depends on the job. If you want a real mobile number instead of a virtual one — one you keep for re-verification, with SMS and calls both ways and no identity checks — PhoneBorn is designed for exactly that. For free everyday calling in the US, Google Voice or TextNow are hard to beat. For businesses that need to send SMS programmatically, Twilio is the standard. For huge volumes of single-use codes, activation marketplaces like 5SIM and SMS-Activate are popular.

Why do some providers' numbers get rejected by apps?

Many platforms check a number's line type before sending a code and refuse VoIP numbers. Consumer calling apps typically use VoIP ranges, which work well for calls and texts between people but are more likely to be refused by sign-up flows. Real mobile numbers, like PhoneBorn's, pass these checks more often.

Which providers don't require ID?

PhoneBorn requires only an email address. Most activation marketplaces also require only an account. Google Voice requires an existing US phone number, and Twilio requires business or identity documentation for numbers in many countries.

Is there an alternative to virtual numbers that apps accept?

Yes — a real mobile number. PhoneBorn numbers come from mobile ranges rather than VoIP, include unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 call minutes a month, and stay yours on every renewal. If a number has had no SMS or calls, the 7-day money-back guarantee lets you try it risk-free.

Can I pay for a phone number with crypto?

Yes. PhoneBorn is crypto-only (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, LTC, TRX, BNB, SOL, DOGE and more). Some activation marketplaces also accept crypto alongside cards. App-based providers such as Hushed and TextNow use app store or card billing.

Try a real mobile number — risk-free.

No ID, no card. SMS and calls included, and a 7-day money-back guarantee if the number goes unused.

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