9 Best Free Virtual Phone Number Providers

Virtual phone numbers are flexible, private, and easy to use. With just an internet connection, you can call or text from anywhere without relying on SIM cards. Moreover, many are free or low-cost, work across multiple devices, and even let you choose numbers from other countries. They’re perfect for keeping your personal number private, handling business calls, or receiving verification codes safely.

• Reliable: You don’t have to depend on traditional carrier networks. With a stable internet connection, you can make and receive calls from anywhere.
• Cost-Effective: Many providers offer a virtual number for free, and their plans are also inexpensive compared to regular phone plans.
• Flexible: You can use your number on multiple devices, such as your phones, tablets, or computers, without needing extra SIM cards.
• Private: Keep your personal number hidden while using a virtual one for business, online services, or temporary needs.
• Global Reach: You can choose numbers from different countries, helping you connect internationally without roaming fees.
• Easy Setup: No hardware or contracts are required. Just install an app or sign up online, and you’re ready to go.
• Great for Verification: Many virtual numbers can receive SMS codes, making them perfect for online registrations or two-factor authentication.
• Scalable for Business: You can add, remove, or manage multiple numbers anytime, making it suitable for startups and remote teams.

Google Voice is a communication service by Google where you can acquire a free US virtual phone number for calling, texting, and voicemail. It works over the internet, meaning you can use it anywhere once you’ve set it up.

Key Features

• Voicemail transcription: Read your voicemails directly in your inbox and search them like emails.
• Custom greetings: Record and personalize your voicemail greetings for a professional touch.
• Low international call rates: Make international calls at very affordable prices.
• Spam protection: Automatically detects and filters spam calls and messages.
• Call blocking: Block unwanted numbers with a single tap.

Pros and Cons

TextNow is a mobile and web-based service that lets you get a free US and Canada virtual phone number for calling and texting over Wi-Fi or data. It’s one of the most popular free alternatives to carrier-based calling, offering both a web version and mobile apps for convenience.

Key Features

• Unlimited US and Canada calling: Make and receive calls across the US and Canada completely free.
• Cross-platform use: Access your number from your phone, tablet, or computer through the same account.
• Voicemail and group messaging: Manage voicemails and send texts to multiple contacts at once.
• Free multimedia messaging: Send and receive photos, videos, and other media without extra charges.
• Number customization: Choose your own area code and change your number whenever needed.

Pros and Cons

TextFree by Pinger is another reliable platform to get a free Canada and US virtual phone number for calling and texting over the internet. It’s lightweight, simple to use, and great for anyone who wants to stay connected without paying for a carrier plan. You can use it on your phone or computer, making communication easy wherever you are.

Key Features

• Unlimited texting: Text any US or Canadian number without limits.
• Free US calling: Make free calls within the United States, and earn credits to make international calls.
• Custom voicemail: Record personalized greetings and access all messages in one place.
• Group chats: Stay connected with multiple contacts at once.
• Cross-platform access: Switch between web and mobile seamlessly with synced messages.
• Easy number setup: Choose or change your number anytime within the app.

Pros and Cons

textPlus is another reliable global Wi-Fi calling and texting app that gives you a free virtual phone number in the US. It’s designed for anyone who wants to stay connected without paying for a carrier plan. You can call, text, and receive messages worldwide, all through an internet connection.

Key Features

• Free texting: Send unlimited SMS and MMS to any US or Canadian number.
• Free incoming calls: Receive calls on your textPlus number at no cost.
• Free app-to-app calls: Call other textPlus users worldwide for free.
• Low-cost outbound calls: Make domestic and international calls starting from 2¢ per minute, including countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and the UK.
• Earn credits: Watch ads or complete offers to earn free call minutes instead of buying credits.

Pros and Cons

TextMe is one of the few apps that truly gives you a free virtual phone number right after signing up. It mainly offers free US and Canadian numbers. Interestingly, certain versions, like Text Me: Second Phone Number on iOS, also mention the option to get a free UK mobile number.

Key Features

• Free texting: Send SMS to the US, Canada, and over 40 other supported countries.
• Free app-to-app calling: Make unlimited voice or video calls with other TextMe users worldwide.
• Low-cost outbound calls: Earn or buy credits to call any regular number outside the US or Canada.
• Free incoming calls: Receive calls to your TextMe number for free.
• Voicemail and media sharing: Exchange photos, videos, and manage voicemail easily.
• Multiple number options: Get local numbers from different countries (US, UK, France, etc.).

Pros and Cons

Talkatone is a simple and dependable app that gives you a free virtual US phone number for calling and texting. If you are in the United States, Canada, or one of the supported countries, you can easily get a US number with Talkatone. Once you have your number, you can use it anywhere in the world.

Key Features

• Free calling and texting: Unlimited calls and SMS to any US or Canadian number.
• MMS and voicemail: Send photos, receive picture messages, and manage missed calls easily.
• App-to-app communication: Free Talkatone-to-Talkatone calls and texts anywhere in the world.
• Wi-Fi calling: Make calls without using carrier minutes or mobile data plans.
• Number flexibility: Change your number anytime from within the app.
• Light ads: Displays minimal ads compared to most other free services.

Pros and Cons

Receive-smss.com provides free virtual phone numbers from multiple countries, including Nigeria, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, the US, Croatia, India, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany.

You don’t need to sign up or log in. Just visit the site, choose a number from your preferred country, and use it wherever a phone number is required. Enter it on any platform or share it with someone, then refresh the page to view incoming SMS messages instantly.

Simply visit SMS Activate’s official site, and go to the “Free Price” section from the header. There, you will find a list of countries. Decide on which country’s number you want and click on the “Receive free SMS” section. Choose a number, copy it, and use it on the platform or send it to a person from whom you need to receive a message.

You can choose from a list of multiple nations, including South Africa, Canada, Malaysia, Romania, the UK, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Pakistan, Cambodia, Cyprus, the USA, Latvia, New Zealand, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Australia, Kenya, Bosnia, Portugal, Austria, and Croatia.

AnonymSMS is another online service that offers you free temporary virtual numbers. With it, you can receive SMS from anywhere in the world. Like the providers mentioned above, you don’t need to sign up or share personal details.

Just visit the site, choose a number from countries like the US, the UK, or across Europe, and use it wherever a phone number is required. You will receive a message usually within a few seconds. If it doesn’t show right away, refresh the page to see the latest messages.

Pros and Cons

Since Receive-smss.com, SMS Activate, and AnonymSMS work in very similar ways, offering free temporary numbers without registration, here is a table outlining the pros and cons of using such services.

You can get a free virtual phone number by signing up with providers such as TextNow, Google Voice, or Talkatone. Create an account on any of them, then pick a free number in the countries they offer and start calling or texting.

Steps to get a free virtual phone number:

• Step 1: Choose a provider (TextNow, Google Voice, Talkatone, etc.).
• Step 2: Create an account using email, Google, or Apple sign-in.
• Step 3: Search available numbers by city or area code.
• Step 4: Select a number you like.
• Step 5: Start using the number on the app or web and keep the account active so the number isn’t reclaimed.

Alternatively, you can get a free temporary number from sites like AnonymSMS, Temp-SMS, or Receive-smss.com. On those sites, you simply select a number, enter it where required (or give it to someone), then refresh the page to read incoming SMS.

These public services work instantly and need no login, but remember they display messages publicly and are best only for low-risk, one-time verifications.

Before getting a free virtual phone number, it’s important to check its reliability and limitations. Some free numbers may not support verification codes, expire after inactivity, or depend heavily on internet quality, so always choose a trusted provider to ensure stable and secure use.

• Availability: Some providers only offer free numbers in select countries like the US or Canada. Plus, most free numbers are from the same region.
• Verification Limits: Free numbers may not always receive verification codes from banks or secure platforms.
• Number Expiry: Many services reclaim inactive numbers after a short period of no use.
• Ads and Restrictions: Free plans are often ad-supported and may include usage limits or reduced call quality.
• Privacy: Messages or calls may pass through third-party servers. So, avoid using them for sensitive or personal information.
• Feature Limitations: Most free numbers support texting and calling only. Ensure your selected provider also offers MMS and voicemail, among other features.
• Legitimacy: Always use trusted and verified platforms to avoid scams or fake number generators.

Free virtual phone numbers are a great way to stay connected without spending money. They’re easy to set up, convenient for online verifications, and perfect for those who want a quick, low-cost communication option. Whether you use apps like Google Voice and TextNow or temporary services like Receive-smss.com and AnonymSMS, these tools offer flexibility and privacy while keeping your personal number safe.

However, free virtual phone numbers come with limitations. Most providers only offer free numbers from countries like the US, UK, and Canada, and their features are often basic, limited to texting and calling. Some may support voicemail or MMS, while others don’t.

For a more professional and feature-rich option, consider Calilio, a trusted virtual phone number provider. With Calilio, you can get a free US virtual phone number after subscribing to one of our affordable plans. You can also acquire virtual numbers from over 100 countries at minimal cost. Plus, Calilio includes powerful call management features like call forwarding, call recording, voicemail, and more.