In this article, we’ll look at some of the leading temporary phone number services – also known as disposable or burner numbers – of 2024, together with the pros and cons of each service. You’ll no doubt have noticed that the market is saturated with options right now, and it can be really confusing when trying to decide which one to use.
Temporary phone numbers are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that they offer a lot more privacy and anonymity than using your own number for basic tasks such as receiving an SMS verification code online. After all, using your own number can result in it being used for marketing purposes and even being sold on to third parties for the same reason.
The types of temporary phone number services available online vary quite a lot. Some you will have to pay for, some may offer a free trial only, and others may not be particularly user friendly or don’t offer high quality numbers. Yet, dig deep enough and you will find some great options. Luckily for you, we have done all the hard work for you!
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What Is a Temporary Number and How Can You Use It For Verification?
A temporary number is a way in which you are able to receive the SMS you need, but online instead of through your own number. You’re able to choose from a list of online numbers which you’ll enter into the app or service you’re trying to register with. To the service you’re signing up to, this number will look no different to your own; but to you, you’ll see the benefits by still being able to sign up to that service, yet not falling victim to your number being used for marketing purposes. Your SMS message will appear online as opposed to via your actual phone.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Temporary Number for Account Verification?
There are so many benefits of using a temporary number for account verification. The majority of them have one thing in common: your privacy! Let’s take a look at some of them in more detail.
- Using a temporary number for verification means that no online entity can get hold of your details and bombard you with unwanted sales correspondence.
- It won’t be possible for your details to be sold onto third parties for the same reason, as all they’ll have access to is the temporary number you used, which is useless to them.
- You’ll be able to sign up to services more anonymously.
- You’ll greatly reduce your risk of online identity theft.
- Some of the services available are free to use and don’t require any personal details
- If your job or business requires verification in bulk or having numerous accounts, temporary numbers are ideal.
Who Provides These Services?
As previously mentioned, there are many different providers of temporary numbers online. It can be really tricky to decide which one to use, so below we have made a list of some of the best, together with information on each of their pricing, pros and cons. Which one you go for is, of course, entirely up to you, and depends on your specific set of circumstances and individual requirements.
AnonymSMS
Making the top of our list of the best temporary phone number services in 2024 is AnonymSMS. Offering free numbers to use from around the world, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better service than this. All of the numbers listed on the AnonymSMS website are of a high quality, this is due to the fact that they frequently replace numbers with brand new ones, ensuring SMSs are received quickly and without any delays.
Pros
- Choice of hundreds of different numbers from around the world.
- Choose from free numbers for one off SMS verification, or rent a number exclusively for your own use for a minimum of 24 hours. Great if you need to receive messages in bulk.
- User-friendly site means you can receive your SMS in minutes.
- No personal information needed – receive your SMS anonymously.
Cons
As it stands, we were unable to find any cons in AnonymSMS’s service at all.
Pricing
If you’re choosing a number simply to receive one or two SMSs on, the service is entirely free. If you’re a business and require a number for a longer period of time, you can choose to rent one. During this time, you’ll have total exclusivity of the number. Prices vary from $4.90 for 24 hours for a European number, to $19.90 for a US number. You can extend the time you rent the number for if need be.
TemporaryNumber
Much like AnonymSMS, TemporaryNumber offers hundreds of different worldwide numbers, all accessible without even having to enter your name. This means you can receive your SMS verification all the while maintaining absolute online anonymity. This level of privacy and online security is priceless, so the fact that it’s totally free is just a bonus! New numbers are added on pretty much a daily basis and you can choose from any country that suits you.
Pros
- Entirely free service – it won’t cost you a cent to receive your SMS verification.
- No need to register or enter any personal details whatsoever. Simply click on your number of choice and you’re good to go.
- High quality numbers which are replaced frequently with new ones.
- The whole process takes as little as 2 minutes.
- Extremely easy to navigate website.
Cons
- No option as of yet to rent a number for a longer period of time.
Pricing
TemporaryNumber is totally free to use. Whether you want to receive SMS on a number from Europe or the US, it won’t cost anything at all.
Quackr
Quackr is another big name on the temporary phone number market. While their website may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, the service they offer is still fairly sound. There are numbers from around the world to choose from, which are regenerated on a frequent basis. You also have the option to rent a private number with Quackr, too.
Pros
- Over 20 different countries to choose numbers from.
- Choice of using free numbers or renting a number for a period of time that works for you.
- Easy process – possible to receive your SMS within 5 minutes.
Cons
- Many ads on the website can make it hard to use.
- SMSs can sometimes take a while to come through.
- Website is not very user-friendly.
SMSPool
Slightly different from the others above due to the fact that SMSPool offers a subscription service; SMSPool allows you to search for the specific service you’re looking to receive verification for, after which it will offer you a rough price of use of one of their numbers. Their website is slick and very user-friendly, but does not currently offer a free service.
Pros
- Easy to use website which tailors a price according to your specific SMS needs
- Competitive prices that are broken down into single-use costs.
- Offers numbers from around the world
- No ads or pop-ups on the site
Cons
- This is a subscription service, meaning you have to both register and pay to use it. This may put off those who are looking to maintain online anonymity.
- Due to having to register and pay, the process can take slightly longer than that of a free service.
Pricing
While none of the numbers on SMSPool are free to use, they do offer competitive pricing. You can use a number from less than 30 cents, with other options available.
SMS-MAN
Much like SMSPool, SMS-MAN is a subscription-based service whereby, before you’re able to do anything, you’ll need to create an account in order to access their services. SMS-MAN is, however, really well laid out and easy to both use and understand. Each of the numbers on offer have a one-time cost attached, with hundreds of different worldwide numbers available to use. Prices vary according to exactly which service you want to receive a verification SMS for.
Pros
- Easy to use and navigate the SMS-MAN website.
- Prices are easy to understand and are broken down by whichever service you want to use it for.
- Online chat option for easier access to support.
Cons
- Requires you to register, once again meaning that those who are looking to receive SMS anonymously may be disappointed.
- Not a free service, you’ll have to pay to use this service.
Pricing
The price of the number you use will depend on which service you want to receive a verification SMS for. For example, prices are advertised at around 17 cents for Instagram, but $2.15 for WhatsApp. This is a supply-and-demand pricing system.
To Sum Up
As you can see, there are lots of different options available when it comes to temporary phone numbers. Taking a look at all of the options available, you’re probably better off with a service like AnonymSMS who offer the best of both worlds: free numbers to use for personal SMS verification, together with the option of renting a number exclusively for you or your businesses’ use. Whatever you decide, the services listed in this article are, in our opinion, the top 5 out there, so you can’t go wrong either way.