“Which service should I use to get a temporary phone number for receiving SMS messages?”

Short answer: pick based on what you need the number for and how long you need it.

If you just need a quick, disposable number for general texts (marketplaces, dating, listings)

• Apps with temporary/second numbers: Burner, Hushed, or MySudo. They give you an app-based number you can create and discard quickly; SMS works for most person-to-person messages. Note that some websites block VoIP/virtual numbers, so one-time-password (OTP) texts may not arrive. (burnerapp.com)

If you must receive verification/OTP codes reliably (banks, big tech, government, many apps)

• A real mobile number (prepaid eSIM/SIM) has the highest acceptance. Activate a short-term prepaid line from a US carrier (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) on eSIM and use it for a month; you’ll get a true carrier number that most services accept for OTP. Setup is app-based and quick on modern phones. (verizon.com)

If you only need a one-off code for a niche site and don’t care about reuse or privacy risks

• “Activation marketplaces” rent a real-SIM number for a single verification (pay per attempt). These can work when VoIP apps are blocked, but quality varies, numbers are shared/abused, and policies can change. Use with caution. (sms-act.net)

A few gotchas to avoid surprises

• Many services silently block VoIP numbers and/or short-code messages; even when a VoIP app “supports SMS,” a site may never send to it. This is a sender-side policy, not (just) the app’s fault. (support.hushed.com)
• Twilio/VoIP routes have limitations with short codes; delivery depends on the sender allowing VoIP recipients. That’s why true carrier numbers tend to work better for OTP. (help.twilio.com)

Quick picks by scenario

• Lowest friction, disposable: Burner or Hushed. Create → receive SMS → burn the number. (burnerapp.com)
• Highest chance OTP success: a 30‑day prepaid eSIM line from Verizon/AT&T/T‑Mobile. Cancel when done. (ws02.static-verizon.com)
• Edge cases where VoIP is blocked but you don’t want a whole month of service: try a per-activation real‑SIM provider (understand the risks). (sms-act.net)

Want me to tailor a recommendation? Tell me:

• Which service(s) you need to receive codes from,
• How long you need the number (hours, days, a month),
• Your country/region and budget.

There are several good options depending on what you need — whether it's a quick, free public number or a more private/reliable paid one. Here's a quick breakdown:

Free, No-Signup Options

These use public shared numbers (anyone can see the messages, so they're only good for low-stakes verifications like forum signups):

• Quackr.io –

Many users report it's quick and easy to use and much more reliable than other temp number services, with a helpful support team. It also offers phone numbers from USA, UK, India & more.

• Textr –

Lets you receive SMS online with free temporary numbers to instantly verify accounts on sites like Bumble, Karrot, and Fanbase with no sign-up required.

• esimplus.me –

Provides disposable phone numbers from 33 countries so you can receive SMS without entering personal info.

• tempsmss.com –

Offers free temporary phone numbers from 7 countries with no registration required — just pick a number, use it, and read the SMS on the page.

Paid, Private Options (Better for Real Verifications)

If you need a number that only you can access (not shared publicly), these are safer:

• TextVerified – A popular paid service where

you can receive an SMS one-time-code (OTP) or respond to a voice call to register for almost any service, including Gmail, Tinder, and WhatsApp , with non-VoIP US numbers available for as little as $1.50 per rental.

• Textr Go –

A reliable option for OTP verification — for under $3.50/month, you get a disposable mobile number that lets you receive unlimited verification codes while keeping your personal number private.

• MobileSMS.io –

Good if you want to protect your personal phone number while signing up for websites and apps, offering disposable 10-minute mobile phone numbers for quick verification.

• OnlineSim –

Offers a 15-minute number that lets you receive unlimited SMS from one service, drawing from a pool of more than 20 million numbers across multiple countries.

Which to pick?

• Just need to verify a random website/forum once? → Quackr, Textr, or tempsmss.com (free, instant, no signup).
• Need something private (e.g., for WhatsApp, Gmail, banking-adjacent signups)? → TextVerified or Textr Go — these give you a number only you control, which is safer since free public numbers can be seen by anyone.
• Need a number for a longer period (weeks/months)? → Textr Go or TextVerified's long-term rental plans.

One caution: avoid using these temp numbers for anything sensitive like banking, 2FA on important accounts, or recovery options — since free/public numbers are shared, your verification codes could be visible to others.

The best service for getting a temporary SMS number depends on what you need it for (e.g., a one-time OTP verification, a burner number for privacy over a few days, or just a free test inbox).

Here is a breakdown of the best options by category:

1. Best for One-Time SMS Verification / OTPs (Paid, Real Non-VoIP)

Many major services (Google, WhatsApp, banking apps, OpenAI, Uber) block virtual (VoIP) numbers like Google Voice or Skype. These platforms provide real SIM-card numbers specifically designed to bypass OTP verification for a few cents to a couple of dollars per message:

• TextVerified:
• Best for: US-based verifications.
• How it works: Provides temporary, non-VoIP US phone numbers for virtually any major service. You only pay if the SMS is successfully received.
• SMS-Activate:
• Best for: Global coverage and variety.
• How it works: Huge inventory covering dozens of countries. Extremely cheap (often $0.10–$1.50 per verification depending on the platform).
• 5SIM:
• Best for: Budget-friendly international one-time activations.
• How it works: Similar to SMS-Activate, lets you filter by country, operator, and the specific app you want to register for.

2. Best for Short-Term / Reusable "Burner" Numbers (Paid Apps)

If you need a number that you can keep for a few days, weeks, or months to both send and receive texts (and calls):

• Burner:
• Available on iOS and Android (US/Canada).
• Good for Craigslist, dating apps, or temporary work projects. You can "burn" the number whenever you want and get a new one.
• Hushed:
• Offers numbers in 300+ area codes across the US, Canada, and the UK.
• Flexible prepaid plans (e.g., 7-day, 30-day, or pay-as-you-go).

3. Best Free Services (Public Inboxes — Low-Security Use Only)

If you just need a quick number for a low-stakes website and don't care about privacy, you can use public temporary SMS inboxes:

• AnonymSMS
• Receive-SMSS
• Temp-Number

⚠️ Important warnings for free services:

• Messages are public: Anyone viewing the webpage can see the SMS code sent to that number.
• High failure rate: Because these numbers are publicly listed, most major websites (Google, Telegram, Facebook) have already blacklisted them.

Quick Recommendation Guide:

• To bypass account verification on a strict platform: Use TextVerified (US) or SMS-Activate (Global).
• To give a number to strangers/dating apps for a couple of weeks: Use Hushed or Burner.
• For critical personal accounts (banking, primary email): Do not use temporary numbers. If you ever lose access or get logged out, you will permanently lose access to your account.

If you just need a temporary phone number for receiving SMS, the safest practical choice is usually a dedicated virtual-number provider rather than a public inbox site. Sonetel describes two main approaches—free temporary SMS services and dedicated virtual phone number services—and explains that dedicated numbers are SMS-capable numbers you activate and keep on your account.¹²

From the services in your results, the more established dedicated options are:

• Sonetel for a paid, account-based SMS-capable number.¹²
• Onlinesim for virtual numbers with service/country selection and fast SMS delivery.¹⁵
• PVAPins if you want many country options and a dashboard-based workflow.[Special]
• NumberOTP if you want a free starter credit and broad platform support.[Special]

If you want a free, quick, disposable option, the public-inbox style services in your results include:

• InstantNum.⁸
• Receive SMS Online - GetSMS.⁶
• Receive SMS: Temp Phone Number.³
• FreePhone.io.⁵

For privacy and reliability, I would pick a dedicated virtual number service like Sonetel or Onlinesim over a public temporary inbox, because public numbers are shared and may be reused by others.¹²⁸¹¹ If your goal is only one-time testing, a public temporary service can be faster to try.⁸¹¹

If you want, I can narrow this down to the best free option, best paid option, or the most reliable option for a specific app.

Short answer: it depends on whether you need a one-off code, a number you keep for a while, or maximum success on picky platforms like Google/Apple. All three services in the search results use the same basic pitch — real carrier (non‑VoIP) numbers rather than VoIP lines, which are what most platforms block.

Quick comparison

How I'd choose

• Broadest platform support and a free way to test: numberotp.com claims 1,500+ services and gives you $0.10 in credits at signup with no card required, so you can try it at essentially no cost.
• You need the number to stay alive for more than a few minutes, or you need a specific country: pvapins.com is the only one of the three that explicitly offers rentals alongside one-time activations, and it advertises 200+ countries. Its free "testing" inboxes are also useful if you just want to see how it works.
• A platform that aggressively rejects virtual numbers (Google, Apple ID, banking, Coinbase): verifynumber.io markets exactly this use case, claiming 98–100% success via physical eSIM infrastructure where VoIP gets "flagged" or "blocked." Treat those percentages as vendor marketing — nobody independent verified them — but the eSIM approach is the most plausible for stubborn platforms.

Things to weigh before you commit

• 1.All the success-rate and coverage numbers above come from the vendors' own pages, not from independent testing. Free credits or free test inboxes are the cheapest way to find out whether a given service actually works for your target platform.
• 2.Number reuse is a real risk. If a temp number is recycled to another user, that person could potentially trigger a password reset on the account you created with it. Don't use these for anything you'd be devastated to lose.
• 3.Check the platform's terms. Many services explicitly prohibit virtual or disposable numbers for verification, and violating that can get the account banned — often after you've put real data or money into it.
• 4.*Don't use a temp number as the only recovery method* for a primary email, banking, crypto, or government account. Use a number you control for anything important; temp numbers are best for throwaway signups, testing, or avoiding spam.

It depends on how temporary, private, and reliable you need the number to be. There is no single best service for every case.

Avoid free public SMS sites for anything you care about

Sites that list shared numbers you can open in a browser (no signup) show every incoming text to anyone who visits the page. Verification codes, password-reset links, and other messages are public. Those numbers are also heavily reused and frequently blocked by major apps. Use them only for throwaway, low-stakes tests where account takeover would not matter.

Better options by need

Private one-time or short-term SMS (most common useful choice) Paid services assign a number to you for a short window (or a rental of days) so only you see the messages, and they refund or credit you if the code never arrives.

• TextVerified — Long-running option focused on US non-VoIP numbers. Often works better on services that reject ordinary VoIP. Pay-per-verification (prices vary by platform, commonly starting around a few tenths of a dollar and higher for stricter ones).
• SMSPool or 5sim — Wider country coverage and usually lower prices. Quality and success rates vary more; useful when you need a specific country or want to spend less.

Expect some platforms (banks, WhatsApp, Google, and others) to still reject numbers from these services. Non-VoIP / real-carrier numbers succeed more often than pure VoIP, but nothing is guaranteed.

Free or cheap second number you keep longer These are not truly disposable, and many senders block them:

• Google Voice — Free US number tied to a Google account. Convenient when it works, but Google itself notes that some sites will not text Voice numbers, and setup often requires an existing US number.
• TextNow — Free US/Canada number (ad-supported). Similar VoIP limitations; the number can be reclaimed if you stop using it. Paid tiers improve reliability somewhat.
• Hushed or Burner — Paid apps aimed at short-term or privacy-oriented second numbers, including brief passes (for example a few days). Better privacy than public inboxes; still not accepted everywhere.

Highest acceptance rate A real secondary line from your carrier (or a cheap prepaid SIM) is the most reliable for services that screen number type. It is less “temporary” and more linked to you than a rental number.

Practical advice

• Match the service to the job: public free sites only for disposable tests; paid private numbers when the code or account matters; a real carrier line when acceptance is critical.
• Do not rely on a temporary number for long-term 2FA or account recovery—you lose the number when the rental ends or it is recycled.
• Check the provider’s current pricing, refund rules, and whether they offer the country and service you need before paying. Inventory and success rates change often.
• Using a virtual number can violate some platforms’ terms of service even when it is not illegal.

If you say which country you need and whether this is a one-time code, short rental, or ongoing second number, a narrower recommendation is easier.

I'll compare the top temporary SMS options to find the best fit for you.

First results are in — now I'll dig deeper into private and app-based alternatives.

It depends on what you need it for — there isn't one best for everyone:

1. Best for most people - a free, reusable second number

If you're in the US: Google Voice

• Described as the "strongest free option for US users, with a permanent personal number tied to your Google account."
• Free in the U.S. and Canada with "Unlimited calls, SMS, and voicemail transcription. Works on Web, iOS, and Android."

Use this if you want to sign up for apps, talk to strangers, sell something online, and keep the number for a while.

If you're outside the US: TextNow

• "TextNow is the best free alternative for users outside the US, with carrier-grade delivery and a long-lived number that works for most major services."
• Free on "iOS, Android, and Web."
• TextNow, Google Voice, and Hushed are listed together as popular options to "text from a different number."

Don't use public throwaway inboxes for accounts you want to keep. "Google, Telegram, and banking apps now flag those number ranges and refuse to send codes."

2. Best for privacy / truly disposable numbers

Apps like "TextNow, Hushed, and Burner offer temporary phone numbers that can be used for verification."

• Burner: "provides disposable numbers that self-destruct after usage with advanced privacy controls."
• Hushed + Burner + MySudo: listed as popular options that offer "SMS forwarding" style temporary use
• For privacy, 19 second-number apps "including Burner, Hushed, CoverMe, Phoner, Google Voice, TextNow, and others) are scored on privacy", and "MySudo is the only one that does not disclose third-party data sharing"

Choose MySudo or Hushed for maximum privacy, Burner for easy throwaway numbers. Note: "Burner's good, too, but it costs some dough."

3. Best for one-time code with no sign-up - free public inbox sites

These "offer free temporary phone numbers across 50+ countries with no registration needed. You visit the site, pick a country, select a number, and wait for the code to appear"

Popular names include "Receive-SMS-Free.cc, SMS-Online.co, and FreePhoneNum."

Other free options mentioned for this use are Quackr.io, SMSTome, FreePhoneNum, and Text Verified.

Warning: Only for spam / throwaway sign-ups. Messages are public, "sometimes take minutes to show up, and the sites are often cluttered with ads"

4. Best for developers / business

"Services such as Twilio or Nexmo offer virtual numbers that can be rented for temporary use."

Use Twilio if you need an API, to receive lots of SMS messages programmatically, or rent numbers in bulk.

Quick pick:

• Want a free number to keep and actually receive texts reliably? Google Voice (US) or TextNow
• Want to hide your real number for dating, marketplaces, short-term projects? Burner, Hushed, or MySudo
• Just need one code right now and don't care if it's public? Use a free receiver site like 7sim / FreePhoneNum / Receive-SMS-Free.cc

What are you trying to verify — e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, bank, or just avoiding spam? I can narrow it to 1 choice.

Quick answer: it depends on what you need the “temporary” number for. Pick one of these based on your use case:

• Short-term calling/texting with a real app (most reliable, easy)
• Burner: disposable numbers you can create and delete; prepaid or subscription plans; works over data/Wi‑Fi; 3‑day trial via in‑app signup. (support.burnerapp.com)
• Hushed: similar to Burner; pay‑as‑you‑go or subscriptions; US/Canada numbers; manage entirely in the app. (support.hushed.com)

• Free or very low cost number (OK for light use; not ideal for verifications)
• TextNow: free, ad‑supported US/CA numbers; works over Wi‑Fi/data; numbers can be reclaimed for inactivity and some services won’t send verification codes to it. (help.textnow.com)

• Privacy‑focused multi‑persona numbers (keep a number for weeks/months)
• MySudo: create separate profiles with their own numbers; monthly plans with specific number entitlements. Good for compartmentalization. (mysudo.com)

• One‑time SMS code for account signup (least reliable; often against site ToS)
• “Activation” marketplaces (e.g., 5SIM; SMS‑Activate alternatives) rent numbers for single verifications. Success varies, delivery isn’t guaranteed, and many platforms block recycled/VoIP numbers—use at your own risk. (5sim.com)

What I recommend

• If you just need a short‑term second line you control: Burner or Hushed. They’re straightforward, and you can delete the number when you’re done. (support.burnerapp.com)
• If you need free and don’t mind limitations: TextNow, but expect reclaimed numbers and verification issues. (help.textnow.com)
• If privacy/compartmentalization matters over weeks or months: MySudo. (mysudo.com)

A couple of gotchas

• Many services block VoIP or recycled numbers for 2FA/OTP; success isn’t guaranteed even with paid apps. (api.repository.cam.ac.uk)
• Using rented “activation” numbers can violate other services’ terms and may fail unpredictably. (5sim.net)

Want me to narrow this to your situation? Tell me:

• Country you need the number in
• Purpose (calls, texts, or a single verification)
• How long you need it (hours/days/weeks)
• Budget range

The best service depends on what you need the number for—whether it is a one-time SMS verification code, a temporary line for calling and texting (e.g., Craigslist or dating), or a long-term secondary number.

Here is a breakdown of the best options by use case:

1. For One-Time SMS Verification (Signing up for apps)

Many platforms (like WhatsApp, Uber, or social networks) block standard VoIP numbers. These services specialize in providing real mobile numbers for verification codes.

• TextVerified (Best for US services):
• Uses non-VoIP (real carrier) numbers, so it rarely gets rejected.
• Pay-as-you-go credits per verification.
• SMS-Activate (Best for international coverage):
• Huge global selection of countries and platforms.
• Extremely cheap (often a few cents per code).
• 5SIM:
• Similar to SMS-Activate; useful alternative if a specific country or service is out of stock.

2. For Privacy, Selling, or Dating (Calls + Texts)

If you need a functional second number that you can keep for a few days, weeks, or months to talk and text without sharing your real identity.

• Burner (iOS & Android):
• The gold standard for disposable numbers in the US/Canada.
• Lets you create a number, use it, and "burn" (delete) it whenever you want.
• Offers a 7-day free trial, then subscription-based.
• Hushed:
• Very flexible pricing: offers prepaid 3-day, 7-day, or 30-day packages without recurring subscriptions, as well as lifetime deals.
• Supports numbers from the US, Canada, and the UK.
• Cloaked:
• A privacy-first identity manager that generates working throwaway phone numbers and emails on demand, auto-forwarding messages to your real phone.

3. For Free or Long-Term Use (VoIP)

• Google Voice (Best free option, US only):
• Free calling and texting to US/Canada numbers.
• You can keep the number indefinitely as long as you use it periodically.
• Note: Requires an existing US mobile phone number to set up, and some strict verification services reject it because it is VoIP.
• TextNow:
• Free calling and texting supported by ads.
• Can be kept active as long as you send a message or make a call regularly.

4. For Completely Free, Throwaway Public SMS

If you don't care about privacy and just need to bypass a low-stakes website.

• Quackr.io or Receive-SMS-Online.info:
• Free, no registration required.
• Warning: The inboxes are completely public. Anyone on the internet can see the SMS codes sent to these numbers. Never use them for banking, personal accounts, or anything sensitive.

Summary Recommendation

• Need a quick 2FA code that works reliably? $\rightarrow$ TextVerified or SMS-Activate.
• Selling on Facebook Marketplace or going on a blind date? $\rightarrow$ Burner or Hushed.
• Want a free second line for long-term use? $\rightarrow$ Google Voice.

It depends on what you need the temporary number for. For SMS/OTP verification, services like SMSFAST, NumberOTP, VerifyNumber.io, 5SIM, and TextVerified are built for receiving codes; for calls/texts as a short-term second line, apps like Burner, Hushed, or MoreMins are more appropriate.^9117127

A practical way to choose:

• Best for one-time verification codes: SMSFAST or NumberOTP. SMSFAST says it offers free temporary numbers across 190+ countries with instant SMS delivery and no sign-up required,⁹ while NumberOTP says it provides real non-VoIP numbers for 190+ countries and supports 1,500+ services.²
• Best for a short-term private number with calls/texts: Burner, Hushed, or MoreMins. Burner is designed for privacy and offers unlimited calls/texts,¹⁷ Hushed offers a second number for calling and texting starting at $6.99,¹² and MoreMins offers temp numbers in 50+ countries with free incoming SMS and calls.¹
• Best for longer rental or business use: TextVerified or a virtual-number service like 1001SMS. TextVerified says its numbers can be rented for 1 to 14 days for SMS and voice verification,⁷ and 1001SMS positions itself as a platform for temporary numbers, virtual numbers, and eSIMs in one account.²

If you want the simplest recommendation:

• Use SMSFAST or NumberOTP if your goal is receiving OTP codes.⁹²
• Use Burner or Hushed if you want a temporary private phone line for calls and texts.¹⁷¹²

One important caveat: many platforms block or flag temporary or VoIP numbers, so a provider’s “works with X app” claim is not guaranteed in every case.²⁷

It depends on whether you need a number for a one-time verification code or a standing second number you'll keep using.

Quick comparison

My recommendation

For verifying an account (WhatsApp, Google, Telegram, etc.): go with verifynumber.io if the platform is one that tends to reject virtual numbers — its whole pitch is carrier eSIM numbers that pass checks that standard VoIP lines fail, and it publishes per-platform success rates (e.g., 100% for Google/Gmail, 99% for Amazon/AWS, 99% for Apple ID). If you just need something cheap and fast and the platform is lenient, numberotp.com is the lighter option: 1,500+ supported services, numbers assigned in ~3 seconds, a few cents per activation, and $0.10 in free credits to test it.

For an ongoing number — receiving calls, texting people back, keeping a line separate from your real one: use burnerapp.com. The OTP services are explicitly disposable; numbers expire after use, so they're useless for anything you need to log back into later.

Caveats worth knowing

• These are vendor claims. Success-rate figures and "non-VoIP" assertions come from the services' own marketing pages, not independent testing.
• One-time numbers can't recover an account. If you verify with an expiring number and later get locked out, you may lose access permanently. For anything important, use a number you control long-term.
• Terms of service. Many platforms prohibit virtual/disposable numbers for verification. Check the rules before you rely on one, and don't use this for anything involving financial or identity verification where a real number is required.
• Pricing. numberotp.com quotes a few cents per activation with the price shown before you confirm; verifynumber.io doesn't list pricing on the page above, so check before committing. burnerapp.com is a subscription rather than per-use.

It depends on what you need the number for. There isn’t one best service for every case.

Calls and texts (privacy, selling something, dating, short projects)

These are the usual picks:

• Google Voice — Best free option if you’re in the US and can verify signup with a real mobile number. Good for a lasting second line. It is VoIP, so many apps and banks reject it for verification.
• Burner — Best when you want a number you can delete when you’re done (marketplace listings, one-off contacts). US/Canada, paid, with short trials. Often recommended for true temporary use.
• Hushed — Good if you want short prepaid windows (including multi-day passes) or numbers outside just the US. Paid.
• TextNow — Free with ads for basic calling and texting. Numbers can be reclaimed if you go inactive, and verification success is inconsistent.

PCMag and similar roundups consistently point at Burner, Hushed, and Google Voice for this kind of second-number use. [¹](pcmag.com/how-to/burner-second-phone-number-...) [²](pcmag.com/how-to/i-set-up-a-burner-phone-num...)

One-time SMS codes only

• Avoid free public “receive SMS online” sites for anything that matters. Those inboxes are shared; anyone can read the code, and major apps often block the numbers. Use them only for throwaway, low-stakes signups you will never need again. [³](securitysenses.com/posts/temporary-phone-num...)
• Paid private numbers (for example TextVerified-style non-VoIP rentals, or similar per-code services) work more often on strict apps because the number isn’t public and is less likely to be flagged as VoIP. They cost a small amount per code or rental, and success is still not guaranteed.

Practical limits

• Don’t tie banking, crypto, government, or any account you need to recover to a temporary number. The number can expire or be reassigned, and you can lose the account.
• Many platforms block virtual/VoIP numbers on purpose.
• Using a temporary number for privacy is generally fine. Using one to commit fraud, spam, or evade bans can violate the law and the other service’s terms.

If you say whether you need calls, a few days of texts, or just one verification code—and which country—the recommendation can be narrowed further.

It really depends on what you need the number for. Here's a quick breakdown based on common use cases:

For a one-time SMS verification code (free, low stakes)

If you just need to receive a single code and don't care about privacy or reliability long-term: - If you just need a number for one verification code and nothing else, a free receive-only service like Quackr or Temp Number will do—no need to pay for an app .

• Keep in mind these free shared numbers are public —

Quackr also offers premium private numbers for users who need a dedicated number that only they can access, since free numbers are shared and messages are publicly visible . - Free shared temporary numbers don't work for things like WhatsApp verification since WhatsApp blacklists them, but a private, non-VoIP number works because the platform can't distinguish it from a regular carrier SIM .

For a real, functional number you'll use for a while (dating, selling online, short projects)

• Burner is a popular pick:

Burner numbers are mobile-classified, so they work with most platform verification — Cash App, PayPal, Facebook, Amazon, and more — which is a real differentiator from free VoIP alternatives that get blocked . It's best for marketplace selling, dating, short-term projects, or anyone who wants a real temporary number with full functionality . It also lets you delete numbers instantly when no longer needed, providing complete control over your privacy .

• Hushed is similar but with more flexible pricing:

it offers a pay-as-you-go option that works well for truly occasional use — if you need a number once every few months, paying per minute/text rather than a monthly subscription can make more sense . It's also strong for international numbers: Hushed offers temporary phone numbers in a wide range of countries and prioritizes security by encrypting calls and messages .

For a free, permanent-ish second number (don't need deletion/privacy)

• Google Voice:

if you just need a free second number for basic calling and texting and don't care about deleting it later, Google Voice works — think of it as a permanent second number you happen to use temporarily . It's best for people who want free and don't need deletion, privacy, or verification, and it's completely free .

• TextNow:

gives you a free number with ads, unlimited texting and calling with no subscription required — the trade-off is ads, VoIP-based calling (which can cause verification issues), and number recycling if you don't use it regularly .

For developers/OTP automation at scale

• NumberOTP:

provides private, non-VoIP virtual numbers that work on WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, Instagram, and any platform that accepts real carrier numbers, available in 150+ countries with instant activation , and developers can use its SMS API to automate number provisioning and OTP reading .

My recommendation: For quick, casual verification → try Quackr (free). For a real number you'll actually use for a while → go with Burner or Hushed. Let me know your specific use case (dating app, marketplace selling, business, international, developer/API) and I can narrow it down further.

I'll search for top temporary phone number services to compare options.

I found some promising leads. Now I'll open detailed pages to gather specifics for comparison.

There is no single best - it depends on what you need the number for:

1. Quick decision guide

If you want a free, long-term 2nd number for calls + texts: Use Google Voice or TextNow.

• Google Voice is described as a trusted choice for a free, long-term U.S. phone number backed by Google, to make and receive calls, send texts, and access voicemail from any device.
• It integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar and includes voicemail transcription, call forwarding, spam filtering, and multi-device sync.
• Limitation: Free U.S. number only, requires a Google account, U.S. only and limited international support.

• TextNow is one of the most popular apps for a free U.S. or Canadian number, allowing unlimited texts and Wi-Fi calls without a SIM.
• It also offers voicemail, call forwarding, and cross-device sync on iOS, Android and web.
• Limitation: ad-supported, only U.S. or Canadian numbers, and inactive numbers may be recycled.

At a glance from 2026 comparisons: TextNow = free calling & texting, Google Voice = long-term second number.

If you want a true disposable / burner number for dating, marketplace, freelancing: Use Burner.

• Burner is the go-to app when you need a quick, disposable phone number for privacy or short-term use like Craigslist, dating apps, or keeping your real number private.
• You can create multiple temporary numbers, each with its own inbox for texting, calling and voicemail, then “burn” it when done.
• Burner is a virtual phone number app designed for situations where not every number needs to be permanent.
• Compared to Google Voice: Google Voice is free and tied to a Google account for a single, permanent number, while Burner is a paid service designed for flexibility, multiple numbers, short-term use, and clearer separation.
• Burner supports multiple active numbers on one device and includes features like auto-replies to keep lines organized.

Burner is generally trial/paid, not free for continued use, while TextNow and TextFree offer free second numbers.

If you want cheap one-off / occasional use, including non-U.S. numbers: Use Hushed.

• Hushed is listed alongside Burner as Trial/paid Temporary numbers for calls + SMS, best for private temporary numbers.
• Hushed is a mobile app that provides additional numbers for calling and texting, often used for occasional or short-term needs.
• Compared to Google Voice, Hushed is more focused on temporary or ad-hoc numbers rather than a single long-term number tied to an account.
• Paid apps like Burner or Hushed offer secure short-term numbers, while Google Voice provides a permanent virtual number.

2. Very important: free numbers often fail verification

If you need the number to receive an OTP from WhatsApp, Tinder, banks, Stripe, PayPal, etc., do NOT use free public "receive SMS online" sites or free VoIP apps.

• Free temporary numbers are virtual numbers generated using VoIP technology, usually accessible via websites or apps, with some services displaying received messages publicly.
• Messages on free numbers can be publicly visible, many services block temporary numbers, and recycled numbers can leak earlier messages.
• Free public burner sites issue numbers shared across thousands of strangers, almost always tagged as VoIP, and routinely rejected by WhatsApp, Tinder, banking apps, and Stripe.
• Specifically: TextNow, TextFree, Hushed in free mode, 2ndLine issue VoIP-flagged numbers from ranges that Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, Bumble, Tinder, and most banks reject.

For that use-case you need a real U.S. mobile, non-VoIP number assigned only to you, for example:

SLYNUMBER - provisions every number through the regulated North American Numbering Plan as a real U.S. mobile line, assigned only to you.

• It serves 200,000+ users across 150+ countries, starts at $4.99/month, and encrypts calls and SMS with TLS and SRTP.
• Comparison table claims: Real U.S. mobile number Yes for SLYNUMBER vs No for Google Voice, SMS verification Yes vs Limited, Starting price $14.99 / 3 months vs Free.
• Recap: SLYNUMBER passes SMS verification for WhatsApp, banking, Tinder, Instagram, while Google Voice is free but VoIP-flagged and fails many verifications, and burner apps at $2-$5/week are often blocked by high-trust services.
• Plans start at $4.99 per month on quarterly billing ($14.99 billed every three months), with annual $49.99/year also available.

My recommendation for you

• Just need to avoid spam for signups, dating, Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace, freelancing? -> Burner if you are in the U.S./Canada and want to burn numbers, Hushed if you want cheap one-offs or international numbers.
• Want a free permanent 2nd number and live in the U.S.? -> Google Voice. Want free without a carrier link? -> TextNow.
• Need to pass SMS verification for a bank, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder? -> Pay for a real-mobile provider like SLYNUMBER, not a free public inbox.

Do you want me to narrow it down? Tell me:

• 1.U.S. or other country?
• 2.Calls + SMS or SMS-code only?
• 3.Free only, or OK to pay a few dollars?