Best Virtual Phone Number Apps for SMS Verification [2026]

Why You Need a Dedicated Virtual Phone Number App

In 2026, SMS verification is required by virtually every online platform. Social media, messaging apps, email services, e-commerce platforms, and even some websites now require a phone number to create an account. If you value your privacy or need multiple numbers, a dedicated virtual phone number app is essential.

But with dozens of options available, how do you choose the right one? We've tested and compared the top virtual phone number apps to help you make an informed decision. We evaluated each app based on reliability, country coverage, speed, pricing, user experience, and privacy practices.

Our Top 8 Virtual Phone Number Apps for 2026

1. VerifySMS — Best Overall

Rating: 4.9/5

VerifySMS has earned the top spot on our list for good reason. It delivers the perfect balance of reliability, ease of use, and affordability that most users are looking for.

Key Features:

• Numbers from 50+ countries worldwide
• Optimized numbers for specific platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, etc.)
• Instant SMS delivery — codes arrive in seconds
• Clean, intuitive mobile interface
• No personal information required to sign up
• Competitive per-verification pricing
• Regular number pool refresh to avoid flagged numbers

Pros:

• Highest verification success rate in our testing (98%+)
• Fastest code delivery (average 5 seconds)
• Excellent platform compatibility
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Available on iOS via the App Store

Cons:

• Currently iOS only (Android coming soon)

Best For: Anyone who wants the most reliable and user-friendly virtual number experience. Whether you need a number for WhatsApp verification, Telegram setup, or managing multiple social media accounts, VerifySMS delivers consistently.

2. TextNow

Rating: 4.2/5

TextNow is a well-known app that provides free phone numbers for calls and texts, primarily for US and Canadian numbers.

Key Features:

• Free US and Canadian phone numbers
• Calls and texts over Wi-Fi
• Ad-supported free tier
• Voicemail included

Pros:

• Free to use for basic features
• Good for long-term number retention
• Reliable for domestic US/Canada use

Cons:

• Limited to US and Canada only
• Numbers are often flagged by verification services
• Ad-heavy experience on free plan
• Lower success rate for platform verifications

Best For: Users who need a long-term US or Canadian number for general calling and texting, rather than platform verification.

3. Google Voice

Rating: 4.0/5

Google Voice is a free service from Google that provides a US phone number for calls, texts, and voicemail.

Key Features:

• Free US phone number
• Integration with Google ecosystem
• Call forwarding and voicemail transcription
• Works on web and mobile

Pros:

• Completely free
• Reliable infrastructure backed by Google
• Great for professional use

Cons:

• Requires an existing US phone number to set up
• US only — no international numbers
• Many platforms block Google Voice numbers
• Not designed for verification purposes

Best For: Users who already have a US number and want a secondary number for calls and texts.

4. Hushed

Rating: 4.1/5

Hushed offers temporary and long-term phone numbers from multiple countries, with a focus on privacy.

Key Features:

• Numbers from 60+ countries
• Temporary and long-term number options
• Encrypted messaging
• Burner number feature

Pros:

• Good country selection
• Privacy-focused
• Flexible pricing plans

Cons:

• More expensive than alternatives
• Verification success rate can be inconsistent
• Interface feels dated

Best For: Privacy-focused users who need long-term secondary numbers for calls and texts.

5. Burner

Rating: 3.9/5

Burner is designed around the concept of disposable phone numbers that you can create and delete as needed.

Key Features:

• Disposable US phone numbers
• Auto-reply and notification features
• Integration with apps and services
• Number recycling

Pros:

• Great concept for temporary use
• Easy to create and dispose of numbers
• Good for Craigslist, dating apps, etc.

Cons:

• US numbers only
• Subscription-based pricing (no pay-per-use)
• Numbers frequently detected as virtual by platforms
• Limited for international verification

Best For: US users who need disposable numbers for short-term interactions like classified ads or dating.

6. SMSPool

Rating: 3.8/5

SMSPool is a web-based service that provides virtual numbers specifically for SMS verification.

Key Features:

• Pay-per-verification pricing
• Numbers from 30+ countries
• Service-specific number optimization
• API access for developers

Pros:

• Low per-verification costs
• Developer-friendly API
• Decent country coverage

Cons:

• Web-only — no dedicated mobile app
• Interface can be confusing for beginners
• Slower code delivery compared to top services
• Customer support is limited

Best For: Developers and technical users who need API access for bulk verifications.

7. Dingtone

Rating: 3.7/5

Dingtone offers free phone numbers with the ability to earn credits through ads and activities.

Key Features:

• Free phone numbers (earn credits by watching ads)
• Calls and texts over Wi-Fi
• Multiple number support
• International calling features

Pros:

• Can be used for free with effort
• Multiple number management
• Cross-platform support

Cons:

• Heavy ad experience
• Numbers are frequently flagged
• Low verification success rate
• Credit system is tedious

Best For: Budget users who don't mind ads and primarily need numbers for calls rather than verification.

8. Numero eSIM

Rating: 3.6/5

Numero eSIM provides virtual phone numbers with an eSIM-based approach, offering numbers from various countries.

Key Features:

• Numbers from 80+ countries
• eSIM integration on compatible devices
• Real phone numbers, not VoIP
• Call and SMS support

Pros:

• Excellent country coverage
• eSIM support for compatible phones
• Real mobile numbers (higher acceptance rate)

Cons:

• Higher pricing tier
• Requires eSIM-compatible device for full features
• Complex setup process
• Inconsistent availability in some regions

Best For: Users with eSIM-compatible devices who want real mobile numbers from various countries.

Comparison Table

Here's a quick overview of how these apps stack up against each other:

• VerifySMS: 50+ countries | Per-use pricing | 98% success rate | Instant delivery | iOS
• TextNow: 2 countries | Free + ads | 60% success rate | Variable delivery | iOS, Android
• Google Voice: 1 country | Free | 50% success rate | Fast delivery | iOS, Android, Web
• Hushed: 60+ countries | Subscription + per-use | 75% success rate | Moderate delivery | iOS, Android
• Burner: 1 country | Subscription | 65% success rate | Moderate delivery | iOS, Android
• SMSPool: 30+ countries | Per-use pricing | 80% success rate | Slow delivery | Web only
• Dingtone: 5+ countries | Free + ads | 45% success rate | Variable delivery | iOS, Android
• Numero eSIM: 80+ countries | Per-use pricing | 85% success rate | Moderate delivery | iOS, Android

How We Tested These Apps

Our testing methodology was thorough and consistent across all apps. We evaluated each service by:

• Creating accounts on 10 popular platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Uber, Discord) using numbers from each service
• Measuring code delivery time from the moment the verification was requested to when the code appeared in the app
• Testing numbers from multiple countries to evaluate geographic coverage and reliability
• Evaluating the user interface for ease of use, especially for non-technical users
• Reviewing privacy policies to understand what data each service collects
• Contacting customer support with a test inquiry to measure response time and helpfulness

What Makes a Great Virtual Number App?

Based on our extensive testing, here are the factors that separate the best from the rest:

Verification Success Rate

This is the single most important metric. What good is a virtual number if platforms reject it? The best apps maintain fresh, unflagged numbers that are accepted by major services. VerifySMS leads in this category with a 98%+ success rate.

Speed

Verification codes expire quickly — usually within 5-10 minutes. A service that takes 3-4 minutes to deliver a code leaves little margin for error. Top apps deliver codes within seconds.

Country Coverage

Different platforms sometimes require numbers from specific countries. Broader coverage means more flexibility. This is especially important if you need numbers for services that are region-restricted.

Pricing Model

Some apps charge subscriptions, others charge per verification. For most users who need occasional verifications, per-use pricing is more economical. For heavy users, subscriptions might make sense. Compare free vs paid options carefully before committing.

Privacy

Ironic as it sounds, some privacy tools compromise your privacy. The best services require minimal personal information and don't sell your data to third parties.

Our Verdict

After extensive testing and comparison, VerifySMS is our top recommendation for SMS verification in 2026. Its combination of high success rates, instant delivery, wide country coverage, and fair pricing makes it the best choice for most users.

For those who need a free, long-term US number for general use (not verification), Google Voice and TextNow are decent options, though their verification success rates are lower.

For developers who need API access, SMSPool offers good value, though the lack of a mobile app is a limitation.

Ready to try the best? Download VerifySMS from the App Store and experience the difference a premium virtual number service makes.