Running a business, selling online, or just trying to keep personal chats separate creates the same need. You will need a separate WhatsApp line without buying another SIM card.
That is exactly what a virtual number solves. It lives in an app, runs over the internet, and can receive the verification code WhatsApp requires.
Finding a virtual phone number for WhatsApp that actually passes verification takes some digging. WhatsApp blocks many VoIP ranges. The list below focuses on some such services that still work this year, what each one does best, what it costs, and where to grab it.
Quick note on pricing:Â Pricing is subject to change. Please refer to the official pricing page for the latest information.
What Makes a Good Virtual Number for WhatsApp?
The best options share a few traits:
- Receives SMS and voice calls for WhatsApp SMS verification
- Stays active long enough so the account does not get logged out
- Allows renewal to keep the same WhatsApp number long term
- Works on iPhone and Android
- Clear pricing and support
For a one time test, a short term app works. For a customer facing line, business grade stability matters more than a free price tag.
1. Hushed
Best for: Privacy focused use, marketplace selling, dating, or any situation where sharing a real number feels risky
Hushed leans heavily into privacy. Numbers come in 300+ area codes across US, Canada and UK, and signup does not ask for much personal information.
Every number includes voicemail, call forwarding, custom voicemail and auto reply texts. Numbers can stay temporary or last for years. The app stores numbers securely, no SIM swap needed.
Setup feels simple. Buy a number inside Hushed, open WhatsApp, enter that number, request verification by SMS or call. Hushed handles both.
Pricing: Prepaid plans start around $7.99, Unlimited monthly starts at $6.99/month. Lifetime deals appear on the site often.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
Also read:Â How to Use WhatsApp Without Phone Number or SIM
2. Numero eSIM
Best for: Travelers, freelancers with overseas clients, and anyone who needs a local presence in another country
Numero eSIM stands out because coverage extends far beyond US numbers. Real mobile numbers from 80+ countries, plus travel eSIM data in 150+ countries, all inside one app.
That makes it ideal for an international WhatsApp number. Need a US number for clients, a UK number for a store, or a local number while traveling? Numero has options. The app also lists virtual number for WhatsApp registration as a core use case.
Pricing stays low, with monthly and yearly options.
Pricing: Virtual numbers start from €2 to €50 per month depending on country. Annual plans reduce effective monthly cost.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
3. TextNow
Best for: Casual testing of a second phone number app without paying upfront
TextNow offers a free US or Canada number that works over WiFi. The model is ad supported, which keeps the entry cost at zero.
Many folks try this as an online phone number for WhatsApp first because trying costs nothing. Success rate sits around 70% in public tests. WhatsApp sometimes flags TextNow ranges as VoIP, so trying a different area code or using call verification helps.
Free numbers expire when left inactive, so some activity keeps the line alive.
Pricing: Free with ads. Optional ad free upgrade around $18.99/month.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
Read this too: WhatsApp Auto Reply Messages for Small Businesses
4. Google Voice
Best for: Anyone already deep in Google ecosystem who wants a free second line for calls
Google Voice provides a cloud based number linked to a Google account. Voicemail transcription, spam filtering, and ringing across devices come built in.
As a virtual mobile number for WhatsApp, results are mixed. Google Voice numbers are VoIP, and WhatsApp detection systems often label them as virtual. Some accounts verify fine, others get blocked quickly. It works best as a calling and texting second line, with WhatsApp as an extra experiment.
Pricing: Free for personal use in the US. Paid plans start at $3.50 per user per month through Google Workspace.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
5. Talkatone
Best for: Simple, free US presence plus affordable international calls
Talkatone has provided free US numbers for years. Calls and texts run on data, and burning a number to get a new one takes seconds.
It can receive WhatsApp verification codes via SMS, and international calling rates stay cheap. Call quality stays decent on WiFi.
Pricing: Talkatone provides free unlimited calling and texting within the US and Canada with a complimentary phone number. Users can upgrade to Talkatone Premium for $2.99 per month to remove advertisements or opt for Talkatone Plus at $4.99 per month to maintain inactive numbers and receive verification codes.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
6. TextFree
Best for: Fast setup of a US number when time matters
TextFree mirrors TextNow in concept. Pick a US number, text and call over WiFi, keep voicemail and number reservation.
For those needing an online number for WhatsApp quickly, TextFree gets the job done without paperwork. Interface stays clean and lightweight.
Pricing: Free with ads. Paid packs starting from $9.99 for reserved numbers and ad removal.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
Another interesting read:Â Best Free Call Recording Apps for Android
7. MySudo
Best for: Privacy first workflows where multiple separate lines make life easier
MySudo rethinks second lines. Instead of just a number, it creates a Sudo identity. Each Sudo includes a phone number, email addresses, private browser and more. Up to nine identities can live in one app.
That structure shines for privacy. One Sudo for shopping, one for business, one for personal projects. Each identity keeps calls and texts separate, and numbers support SMS and voice for verification.
Pricing: Free tier includes 1 number and 3 emails. Paid plans start around $1.99 per month.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
8. Sonetel
Best for: Small businesses, agencies and startups that need an international business line
Sonetel targets business users. It offers virtual phone numbers from 50+ countries and reports a higher success rate with WhatsApp Business verification than many free apps. Features include free incoming calls, call forwarding, voicemail and team inbox.
For a virtual number for WhatsApp Business that needs to look local to customers in another market, Sonetel provides that local presence without an office.
Pricing: Plans start at $1.79 per month for some numbers, most popular options $9.95 to $29.95 per month if billed annually.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
9. Quo (formerly OpenPhone)
Best for: Founders, sales and support teams that need a dependable business line that can grow
Quo is the new name for OpenPhone. Same team, same product, just rebranded as a shared business phone and inbox.
The reason it stands out for WhatsApp use stays the same — number stability, team collaboration, and business grade features that free burner apps do not offer.
Quo provides a virtual phone number for WhatsApp Business compatible calling and texting, with unlimited calls and texts in US and Canada, shared inbox, CRM integrations, voicemail to email, AI summaries, call recording and Slack integration. Teams can share one number, assign conversations, and keep full history in one place.
Pricing: Starter plan costs $15 per user per month for one number, Business plan is priced at $23 per user per month with more advanced features. Extra numbers will cost $5 per month.
Get the app: Play Store | App Store
10. Twilio
Best for: Developers and companies building automated WhatsApp flows
Twilio sits in a different category. It is a developer platform for programmable numbers. Businesses buy a number via API and use it for messaging, voice and WhatsApp.
Twilio numbers verify reliably with WhatsApp Business and form the backbone of Twilio’s WhatsApp API. This is the route many larger brands take for automation, chatbots and support at scale. Setup requires some technical knowledge, but control is unmatched.
Pricing: Pay as you go. US toll free numbers around $2.15 per month, SMS around $0.0075 per message, WhatsApp from $0.005 per message.
Get started: Official Site
How Does Activation Work With a Virtual Phone Number?
The flow stays the same across apps:
- Install chosen app and claim a number
- Open WhatsApp and enter that number
- Request code via SMS first, then voice call if SMS does not arrive
- Enter code in WhatsApp
- Keep subscription active to retain ownership
If a code fails, waiting 10 minutes and trying voice call often helps. Some VoIP ranges get flagged, so switching area code sometimes solves it.
Which Option Comes Out on Top?
For free testing, TextNow and TextFree provide the lowest barrier. For travel and international presence, Numero eSIM delivers the widest country choice. For strict privacy with multiple personas, MySudo leads.
For serious business use, free apps recycle numbers, lack support, and carry higher risk of losing access to a WhatsApp account. That risk often costs more than a monthly fee.
Quo (formerly OpenPhone) emerges as the best all around choice for most small businesses and growing teams that need a virtual phone number for WhatsApp.
The combination of number stability, shared inbox, integrations, and unlimited calling in US and Canada creates a professional setup that free apps cannot match.
The pricing stays transparent at $15 per user per month to start. Sonetel follows closely for international needs, and Numero eSIM wins when country variety matters most.
Twilio wins when API control and scale matter, but for non technical teams Quo provides the most balanced value.
