Short projects and trips
Rent a mobile number for a month while you travel, run a campaign landing page or test a new market.
Phone number rental
Rent a phone number for SMS and calls, month by month
To rent a phone number, you pay for a set term and use the number for SMS and calls until it ends. PhoneBorn rents real mobile numbers in 200 countries on 1, 3, 6 or 12 months terms, from a browser dashboard. Renew to keep the same number, or let it expire when you're done.
Updated By PhoneBorn TeamEditorial policy
Who it's for
Who this is for
A number for a country you're not in
Rent a local number in the UK, US, Germany or 197 other countries without a SIM, address or local contract.
Accounts that need a steady number
Rent a number for SMS verification on accounts you'll keep, and renew so recovery codes always reach you.
Developers and small teams
Rent numbers through the API, read SMS by webhook and let each rental expire when the work is done.
How it works
How phone number rental works at PhoneBorn
Renting a phone number means you get a number for a fixed period instead of signing a contract or buying a SIM. At PhoneBorn you rent a real mobile number — not a VoIP line and never a shared inbox — and it is assigned to you alone for the whole term.
- Choose a country. Any of 200, from the United States to Singapore.
- Choose a term. 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Longer terms cost less per month — From $1.80/month on the 12-month plan. 1-, 3- and 6-month terms are also available — see all term prices at checkout.
- Pay with crypto. From your wallet balance or via direct checkout.
- Use it. SMS and calls arrive in your browser dashboard, and you can reply, text and call from the same page, or connect the API.
When the term ends, you decide: renew and keep the number, or let it go.
Side by side
How the options compare
Renting a number is one of several ways to get a second line. Here is how a PhoneBorn rental compares with free inboxes, VoIP apps, a prepaid SIM and single-use OTP numbers.
| Feature | Free receive-SMS sites | VoIP apps | Prepaid SIM | PhoneBorn plan | PhoneBorn OTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number type | Shared public numbers, often VoIP or virtual | VoIP number | Mobile number on a SIM card | Real mobile number, assigned only to you | Single-use number for one service |
| Who can read your SMS | Anyone — the inbox is a public web page | You, in the app | You, on the phone holding the SIM | Only you, in a private dashboard inbox | Only you, in a private dashboard inbox |
| How long you keep it | You don't — numbers rotate without notice | Usually while active or subscribed; inactive numbers can be reclaimed | While you top up — rules vary by carrier | As long as you renew (1, 3, 6 or 12 months) | One code, then it is released |
| Outgoing SMS & calls | No | Yes, inside the app | Yes, under your carrier plan | 500 SMS + 1,000 min a month; unlimited incoming | No — receive only |
| Identity needed | None | An account; some apps need an existing number | Often — many countries require SIM registration with ID | Email only | Email only |
| Payment | Free (ad-supported) | Free with ads or subscription — varies | Carrier top-up | Crypto | Crypto (wallet) |
| Price | Free | Varies — check each app | Varies by carrier | From $1.80/mo (12-month plan) | Per code, from $0.10 |
| If an app refuses the number | Not applicable | Varies by provider | Varies by carrier | Free replacement within 7 days · money back if unused | Automatic refund if no code arrives |
| Device needed | Any browser | Phone or computer with the app | A phone with a free SIM slot | Any browser — no SIM | Any browser — no SIM |
| Best for | Throwaway tests with nothing at stake | Cheap calling and texting between people | A local line in the country you are in | Accounts you keep — messaging, banking, 2FA | One-off sign-ups |
| Rental length | None — the number is shared and rotates | Usually a subscription (check the provider) | As long as you keep topping up | 1, 3, 6 or 12 months | One code, within a short window |
Typical options as of 2026 — check each provider's current terms. Every platform decides which numbers it accepts.
Step by step
Rent a phone number: step by step
- 01
Create an account
Sign up with an email and password. No ID, address or existing phone number is needed.
- 02
Add funds with crypto
Top up your wallet with a supported coin or stablecoin, or pay for the rental directly at checkout.
- 03
Pick a country and term
Choose where the number should be from and a term of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Leave auto-renew on if you'll keep it.
- 04
Start using the number
The number is assigned instantly. Read SMS in the live inbox, send texts and make calls from any browser.
- 05
Renew or let it expire
Auto-renew keeps the same number. Turn it off when you're done, and the number is released after the grace period.
Renting vs owning a phone number
Strictly speaking, nobody "owns" a phone number — even your personal SIM number is assigned to you by an operator for as long as you keep the contract. The real difference is how you hold it:
- A contract or prepaid SIM ties the number to a physical card, a handset slot and, in many countries, an ID registration.
- A VoIP app number lives inside one app and is usually refused by sign-ups that check the line type — see virtual phone number vs real mobile.
- A rented PhoneBorn number is a real mobile number held by our telecom partners and assigned to you for the term you pay for. You use it from a browser, with no SIM and no ID.
Start with a month, and if the number becomes important — for WhatsApp or 2FA — renew on a longer term. The number stays the same on every renewal.
Rent a mobile number by the month or by the year
Every term includes the same features; only the length and price per month change.
| Term | Good for |
|---|---|
| 1 month | Trying the service, a trip, a short project |
| 3 months | A season of selling, a job search, a relocation |
| 6 months | A longer project or a new business line |
| 12 months | Accounts you'll keep — the lowest price per month |
From $1.80/month on the 12-month plan; exact prices for each term are shown at checkout. Each term includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, plus 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes every 30 days. You can renew on a different term when the time comes.
Every rental is backed by the 7-day replacement guarantee. PhoneBorn numbers work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Telegram and 110+ apps — and if yours doesn't work for your app within 7 days of purchase, replace it free with a new number from the same country, up to 3 times. Never used it? If the number hasn't sent or received a single SMS or call, you can take a full refund instead within the same 7 days.
Auto-renew, expiry and the grace period
What happens at the end of a rental is simple, and it's worth knowing before you sign up accounts to the number.
- Auto-renew on. Shortly before the term ends, the rental renews for the same term from your wallet balance. Same number, no action needed — just keep enough balance.
- Not enough balance, or auto-renew off. The rental enters a 3-day grace period. Top up and renew during those days to keep the number.
- After the grace period. The rental expires and the number is released. It may later be assigned to another customer, and codes sent to it will no longer reach you.
- Done early? You can release a number yourself from the dashboard at any time.
Released numbers go back into circulation — that's number recycling, and it's common across providers. So before a rental ends, move any account that uses the number, or keep renewing. Renewals don't reopen the 7-day replacement window, which runs from the original purchase.
Rent a number for SMS once: OTP rentals
If you only need to rent a number for SMS for a single verification code, a monthly rental is more than you need. OTP numbers are one-time rentals: pick a country and an app, receive one code, and the number ends. If the code doesn't arrive in time, the order is refunded automatically.
The catch is recovery. An app may send a new code months later, and a one-time rental can't receive it. Use OTP numbers for sign-ups you won't revisit, and a monthly rental for anything you'll keep. Our temporary phone number and phone number for verification guides explain the choice in more detail.
Popular apps
Popular apps people verify
Country picks
Good countries to start with
- United States+1A popular choice: a +1 mobile number for US apps, banks and contacts.
- United Kingdom+44Rent a +44 7 mobile number for UK services, marketplaces and business contacts.
- Germany+49An EU mobile number for European accounts, rented for as long as the project lasts.
- Canada+1A +1 alternative to the US for North American services that accept both.
- France+33A French mobile number for local services, rentals and contacts during a stay.
- Australia+61A +61 mobile number for Australian apps, time zones and short-term stays.
Pricing
One flat price in every country
Phone-number plans
From$1.80/mo
on the 12-month plan
Choose 1, 3, 6 or 12 months at checkout — all term prices are shown there. Same price in all 200 countries.
See plans & buy- Real mobile number — not VoIP
- Unlimited incoming SMS & calls
- 500 SMS + 1,000 min out / month
- Keep it as long as you want
- 7-day replacement guarantee
- Pay with crypto — no KYC
7-day replacement guarantee — or your money back
If your number doesn't work for WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Telegram or any app you need within 7 days of purchase, replace it with a new number from the same country for free — instantly from your dashboard, up to 3 times, no questions asked.
Never used it? If the number hasn't sent or received a single SMS or call, you can take a full refund instead within the same 7 days.
- 1Buy a number and try it with your app
- 2Not working? Press “Replace number” within 7 days
- 3Get a new number from the same country — instantly, free
Applies to every phone-number plan. Single-use OTP numbers are refunded automatically if no code arrives.
FAQ
Rent a phone number: FAQ
How long can I rent a phone number for?
Terms are 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. You can renew as many times as you like, on the same or a different term, and you keep the same number on every renewal.
What happens when my rental ends?
With auto-renew on and enough wallet balance, it renews automatically. Otherwise there's a 3-day grace period to renew; after that the number is released and may later be assigned to someone else.
Can I rent a number for just one SMS?
Yes. A single-use OTP number is a one-time rental for one verification code for a chosen app. If the code doesn't arrive in time, the order is refunded automatically. For accounts you'll keep, rent on a plan instead.
How much does it cost to rent a number?
From $1.80/month on the 12-month plan. Shorter terms cost more per month, and the exact price for each term is shown at checkout. Every term includes the same SMS and calling allowances.
Can I get my money back?
Every plan comes with a 7-day replacement guarantee — or your money back. Never used it? If the number hasn't sent or received a single SMS or call, you can take a full refund instead within the same 7 days. The refund goes to your PhoneBorn wallet, and the automatic welcome SMS doesn't count as use. If you did use the number but it doesn't work for your app, replace it free within 7 days instead.
Do I need a SIM card or ID to rent a mobile number?
No. The number is used from a browser dashboard on any device, and sign-up needs only an email and password. Payment is by crypto.
Can I make calls and send texts from a rented number?
Yes. Every plan includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, plus 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes every 30 days, all from the dashboard. OTP numbers are receive-only.
Keep reading
Related guides
Rent a real mobile number in 200 countries
Pick a term, pay with crypto and use it from your browser. Keep it as long as you renew.