Looking for a free US phone number? Compare TextNow, Google Voice alternatives and get reliable virtual numbers for SMS verification. Updated for 2025.
Need a US virtual number to receive SMS verifications? For a comprehensive overview, check out our guide on getting a free US phone number: complete guide for 2025. This guide compares the best free and paid options for getting reliable US numbers that actually work for online verification.
Quick Summary: Best Options for US Virtual Numbers
| Service Type | Best For | Price Range | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Temporary | One-time use | USD $0 | 30-50% |
| Premium Temporary | Important verifications | USD $0.2-$1 per SMS | 90-95% |
| Dedicated Virtual | Long-term use | USD $2.5-$10/month | 99%+ |
Free US Virtual Numbers for SMS
Before choosing a free service, read our article on 13 risks of using your real phone number online to understand why virtual numbers are important.
1. SignupFast.org - Best for Quick Verifications
- Pros:
- Completely free
- No registration needed
- US numbers available
- Instant access
- Cons:
- Shared numbers
- Limited availability
- Numbers change frequently
- Not for important accounts
2. FreeNumber.org - Largest Free Number Pool
- Pros:
- Many US numbers
- Regular updates
- Simple interface
- No ads
- Cons:
- High competition
- Numbers may be used
- Slow refresh rate
- Basic features only
Warning: Services to Avoid
For a detailed comparison of popular services and their limitations, read our guides on TextNow alternatives, Google Voice alternatives, and why not to use Twilio for SMS verification.
Important: Be cautious of these popular but unreliable services:
- Google Voice (requires US number, strict policies)
- TextNow (numbers removed without notice)
- TextFree (high failure rate)
- Twilio (complex setup, not for personal use)
Premium US Virtual Number Services
Learn more about premium virtual numbers in our guide about virtual phone numbers for OTP: which services accept them.
1. Receive-SMS.com - Best for Dedicated Numbers
- Features:
- Permanent US numbers
- 99%+ delivery rate
- 24/7 support
- Email forwarding
- Pricing:
- USD $2.5/month per number
- USD $30/year (best value)
- Free credits available
- Volume discounts
2. VerifyPlease.com - Best for One-Time Use
- Features:
- Fresh US numbers
- Pay per verification
- Instant activation
- Money-back guarantee
- Pricing:
- From USD $0.2 per verification
- Bulk discounts
- No subscription needed
- Pay only for success
How to Choose the Right US Virtual Number Service
For guidance on selecting the best service for your needs, check out our article on temporary vs dedicated numbers: which option is right for you.
For One-Time Verification:
- Free Option: Try SignupFast.org first
- If Failed: Use VerifyPlease.com (USD $0.2)
- Why: Better to pay USD $0.2 than risk account issues
For Regular Use:
- Best Choice: Receive-SMS.com dedicated number
- Why: Reliable, permanent, cost-effective long-term
- Tip: Use free credit offers to reduce costs
Step-by-Step: Getting a Free US Number
Method 1: Using SignupFast.org
- Visit SignupFast.org
- Select "United States" from country list
- Choose an available number
- Use for verification (try another if failed)
Method 2: Free Credits on Receive-SMS.com
- Create account on Receive-SMS.com
- Go to "Free Credit" in sidebar
- Share on available platforms
- Use credits for permanent US number
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free US virtual numbers safe?
Free temporary numbers are safe for basic testing but not recommended for important accounts. They're shared publicly and may be blocked by services.
Why do some services block virtual numbers?
Services block virtual numbers to prevent abuse. Premium providers use higher-quality numbers less likely to be blocked.
Can I keep my US virtual number permanently?
Yes, with paid services like Receive-SMS.com. Free services don't guarantee number permanence.
How fast do SMS verifications arrive?
Premium services deliver instantly. Free services may have delays of 1-5 minutes or may miss messages entirely.
Comprehensive SMS Reception Services Comparison
Here's a comparison of SMS reception services I've personally tested and recommend:
| Service | Number Type | Duration | Countries | Cost | Unique Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receive-SMS.com | VoIP | Dedicated | US, CA, GB | $9/month $2.5/month on yearly rentals |
|
| SignupFast.org | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 20+ Countries | Free |
|
| FreeNumber.org | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 30+ Countries | Free |
|
| FakePhoneNumbers.org | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 15+ Countries | Free |
|
| TemporaryPhoneNumber.org | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 15+ Countries | Free |
|
| Temp-Numbers.com | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 15+ Countries | Free |
|
| VerifyPlease.com | VoIP | Temporary | US, CA, GB | $0.2 Per Number |
|
| NumberAPI.org | VoIP | Temporary | US, CA, GB | Free: 1/day Starter: $20 (10/day) Pro: $50 (50/day) Unlimited: $90 |
|
| PVANow.com | Non-VoIP | Temporary | 100+ Countries | From $0.3 per verification |
|
| NumberLLC.com | Non-VoIP | Dedicated | 50+ Countries | From $250/1000 numbers |
|
| BurnerNumber.org | Non-VoIP | Dedicated | 50+ Countries | From $20 per number |
|
Note: While there are many other SMS services available in the market, the ones listed above are those I have personally tested and can vouch for based on my experience. Your experience may vary depending on your specific needs and location.
Conclusion
For reliable US virtual numbers, we recommend:
- Quick Test: SignupFast.org (free)
- One-Time Important: VerifyPlease.com (USD $0.2)
- Regular Use: Receive-SMS.com (USD $2.5/month)
Avoid free "permanent" virtual number services that may remove your number without warning. For important accounts, investing in a reliable service is worth the small cost.
