Renting a Virtual Number for Receiving SMS — 5 Proven Services

When the need arises to create a new profile on a particular social network, service, or online store, problems most often arise with account verification via SMS. The user's current number is already taken, and there isn't a second one at hand. In such a situation, renting a virtual number for SMS becomes the optimal solution. Before considering where you can receive a message for any site, let's explain what this service is in general and why it is relevant.

What are virtual numbers for SMS and why are they in demand

Legislative requirements and internal regulations of internet platforms increasingly require unambiguous identification of a unique user, and there is no better tool for solving this task than a mobile number. But if you need a number for one-time use or from another GEO, buying a SIM card may be impractical, inconvenient, or expensive. Renting a virtual number is a simpler option. However, it is not always legal, and services providing such a service are periodically closed. This happened, for example, at the end of 2025 with the largest specialized site, SMS-Activate.

Let's break down how to choose a platform for this service and where to find proven services that offer virtual number rentals for receiving SMS.

Where and how virtual numbers for SMS can be used

A virtual number is a telephone number that works over the internet without using a physical SIM card or being tied to a specific device. A virtual number is useful if:

• you need to create another account on a site or social network, and your main number is already taken
• to confirm registration or place an order, you need to receive an SMS, code, and one-time password, and you have no desire or ability to leave your main number
• it is necessary to bypass GEO restrictions or gain access to foreign platforms

Ultimately, a virtual number is a good option if you have a quality service: for a nominal fee, you get the opportunity to receive SMS messages and can quickly create an unlimited number of profiles anywhere.

How to choose the best service for renting a virtual number

There are dozens of internet platforms providing phone number rental services, but not all of them are equally reliable and convenient. To choose the optimal platform, we suggest following a simple and clear algorithm.

1. Study the offers available on the market, analyze what opportunities they offer, and check if the platform is functioning — for example, by studying the service's social networks.
2. Determine your needs: what you use the number for, what number GEOs you will require, what additional functions are necessary during work (receiving calls, the possibility of long-term number rental, etc.).
3. Read reviews on the internet — for example, in thematic chats on Telegram. Additionally, find out about the technical support operating hours and service guarantees.
4. Take a free trial period if available.

In this simple way, you can test several number issuance platforms at once and ultimately determine which one suits you best.

Overview of the best services for renting a virtual number in 2026

The virtual number rental market is changing rapidly and currently represents a multitude of services with completely different functionality and offers. We have selected the best options to make it easier for you to choose.

Onlinesim

This is one of the largest sites for renting virtual phone numbers. It provides one-time SMS reception to a number in 115 countries, with a total of more than 10 million unique numbers available. In addition, long-term number rental for a period of 1 day or more is available to service clients, which is convenient when you need to receive several messages. This service is available for 44 countries.

A clear plus of Onlinesim is the rich selection of countries: there are tier-1 countries in Europe and the USA, and budget GEOs include India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In addition, a free trial for 20+ countries of the world is available to platform users: simply select any available number from these GEOs and enter it into the desired application to see the SMS directly on the site (but all other users will also see it).

You can top up your personal account in Onlinesim using the following methods:

• Visa/MasterCard
• AliPay
• Capitalist
• Bank Transfer
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• WeChat
• Crypto, etc.

Tiger SMS

The service specializes in cheap rental of virtual numbers for social networks and messengers. Also available in Tiger SMS is receiving messages for email registration and creating accounts in popular online stores.

Among its main advantages, the service highlights anonymity and security of using its rental numbers. Prices are indeed low, but numbers are not always in stock depending on the selected GEO.

You can top up your account balance in Tiger SMS using:

• Visa/MasterCard
• MIR
• SBP (Faster Payments System)
• YooMoney
• SberPay
• SteamPay
• WeChat, etc.

SMS MAN

This international service operates in more than 10 languages and provides virtual numbers for more than 1500 popular sites. Among its advantages are API integration and a Telegram bot, through which you can automate the process of renting a number and receiving messages.

SMS-MAN also offers a free trial: numbers from more than 10 GEOs are available for testing, to which you can order an SMS. But there is a nuance: both the number and the text of the message can be seen by all users.

To rent a virtual number on SMS MAN, use the following payment methods:

• PayPal
• AliPay
• Payeer
• AdvCash
• WeChat
• UnitPay
• CoinBase
• Crypto, etc.

365SMS

The service works with more than 170 countries around the world. It supports such popular platforms as Telegram, VKontakte, TikTok, and others, and you can deposit money into the account in dozens of different ways, including using cryptocurrency.

365SMS also has a loyalty program for regular customers: 5 levels from basic Classic to the most advanced Diamond. To obtain one of the levels, it is necessary to top up the personal account balance by a certain amount every week. For this, you will get a personal support manager at your disposal and reduced prices for many number rental services.

On the platform, you can top up the account via:

• Visa/MasterCard
• Crypto
• YooMoney, etc.

Grizzly SMS

The service works with all popular social networks and messengers:

• Telegram
• Viber
• TikTok
• Instagram, etc.

On the Grizzly SMS website, you can also find a lot of useful tips and recommendations in the blog maintained by the creators of the service. Both security issues and additional options for working with virtual phone numbers are discussed there.

To top up the balance on the Grizzly SMS website, use:

• Visa/MasterCard
• Crypto
• Trustly
• MyBank
• Satispay, etc.

Comparison of services

To give you an understanding of how all virtual number rental platforms differ from each other, we have compiled a table describing the features of each service.