How to Get an Online Phone Number?

Do you need a phone number for business or personal use, but don’t want to commit to a long-term contract with a mobile carrier? Or maybe you’re traveling to another country and wondering how to get online phone number to use there. 👀

Traditional phone numbers can be expensive and inconvenient, especially if you need one for a short period of time or for specific purposes. You may also be hesitant to give out your personal phone number to strangers or businesses.

In this blog, you will learn how to get an online phone number along with its features, benefits, differences between SIM-based and online phone numbers, top providers in the market, and many more.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What is an Online Phone Number?

An online phone number is a cloud-based phone number that operates through the Internet rather than a phone company or carrier. It is not tied to a physical SIM card and offers users the flexibility to receive calls on both phones and computers and switch between devices in real-time.

An online phone number is not tied to a physical SIM card and works by using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to route calls to various devices or numbers.

Online phone numbers are crucial when you want to keep your personal number private while connecting with customers and manage calls while traveling anywhere in the world. You can also share these numbers with team members to distribute responsibilities.

Features of online phone number:

• Portability: You can take your online phone number wherever you go and use it to make inbound and outbound calls. It has no location restrictions. It’s the best option if you travel frequently.
• Global reach: You can use your online phone number to call anyone worldwide without international roaming charges through an internet connection.
• VoIP features: Online phone number has several VoIP features like call recording, call forwarding, call transfer, call monitoring, voicemail, etc.
• Cost-effective: Since it is cloud-based, it doesn’t require setting up hardware devices like phone wires, cables, etc. Plus, it has a low calling rate and subscription fees.  

What are the benefits of using online phone numbers?

The benefits of using online phone number are as follows:

1. Easy to set up: Anyone with less or no technical knowledge can set up an online phone number in minutes because it doesn’t require extensive hardware setup. 

2. Establish local presence: Getting a local cloud-based number of a specific country can create a local presence and establish ties with the communities there, even if you are not physically there. 

3. Provides flexibility: With a cloud-based number, you can make and receive phone calls from anywhere and from any preferred device as long as there is internet connectivity.

4. Offers advanced features: Besides calling and messaging capabilities, cloud-based online numbers come with several other advanced features, like call monitoring, voicemail transcription, call forwarding, call routing, call recording, IVR, integration options, and many more.

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SIM-Based vs. Online Phone Number: What are the Differences?

Although SIM-based and online phone numbers serve the same purpose of enabling people to make and receive phone calls, there are significant differences between these numbers based on their working mechanism and the technology used. 

Below is the tabular illustration of the differences between SIM-based and online phone numbers:

Parameter	SIM-based number	Online phone number
Technology	It uses a  cellular network like GSM, GPRS, and CDMA to transmit calls and data.	It uses an internet connection to transmit calls and data.
Hardware requirement	It requires telephone wires, cables, and other hardware to set up.	It doesn’t require setting up any hardware equipment.
Access	You can access a SIM-based number only from the cellular device that they are assigned to.	You can access an online phone number from multiple devices like desktops, laptops, and mobile phones.
Cost	Expensive than an online number.	Cheaper than the SIM-based number.
Location	It is dependent on location. It means you can only use it in the area covered by the carrier’s network. For example, you can’t use a USA SIM card to make calls outside the USA.	It is independent of location. You can use it anywhere you travel and make calls.

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What Types of Online Phone Numbers Can You Get?

You can get 2 types of online phone numbers- virtual phone numbers and temporary phone numbers.

1. Virtual/VoIP Numbers

Virtual phone numbers, also known as VoIP numbers, are telephone numbers that allow real-time voice, video, and text communication between geographically distant users with the help of an internet connection.

Virtual phone numbers are of several types: toll-free, local, mobile, and vanity. Similarly, it consists of several advanced VoIP features, including calls on hold, call recording, call routing, call filter, etc.

2. Disposable/Temporary phone Number:

Temporary phone numbers, aka disposable numbers, are online numbers used to make calls and receive SMS for a certain period. It has a limited time span and cannot be used to receive an SMS after a given timeframe. 

There are various websites that offer temporary numbers for free, like Receive SMS Online, Quackr, GetFreeSMSOnline, etc.

How to Get an Online Phone Number for Calls, Message & SMS Verification?

Getting an online phone number for calls, messages, and SMS verification is easy with KrispCall. Just follow the simple steps below, and your number will be ready to use in a few minutes:

1. Create a KrispCall account by providing all the necessary information.
2. Log in to access the KrispCall dashboard.
3. Select the virtual number of the preferred country.
4. Choose the best pricing plan and make payment.
5. Submit necessary documentation (if required).
6. The number will be activated and can be used immediately.

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Top 5 Online Phone Number Providers (Free & Paid) in 2023

1. KrispCall

The most reliable online phone number provider you can count on is KrispCall. KrispCall provides toll-free, local, mobile, and vanity online phone numbers from 100+ countries.

Its cloud-based online number comes with several calling and messaging features like call on hold, call transfer, call recording, message filter, speech-to-text, and many more.

Moreover, KrispCall also provides a number porting service to port your current phone number to this provider. The best part about buying an online number from KrispCall is its affordable pricing plan. Despite providing a range of VoIP features, it provides international online numbers starting at $2. 

Features:

• Message PIN
• Message filter
• Voicemail
• Call recording
• Call monitoring

Pricing plan: Contact the support team

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2. RingCentral

Another popular online phone number provider on the list is RingCentral. RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP business phone system provider. Businesses can use it for voice communications, online meetings, and corporate conferences.

Likewise, RingCentral provides local, toll-free, and international virtual phone numbers with advanced features like call recording, call monitoring, auto attendant, etc. Small, medium, and large-scale businesses can leverage their cloud-based business phone numbers to manage outgoing and incoming calls and messages and simplify their overall business communication.

Features

• Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
• Virtual receptionist
• Integration capabilities
• Advanced call monitoring
• Auto call recording

Pricing plan: Contact the support team

3. Vonage

You can count on Vonage to buy online phone numbers for personal and business use from 80+ countries. Vange provides four types of online phone numbers- virtual, 10 Digit Long Code (10DLC), Toll-free, and Short Codes. 

You can select any of these phone number types to place and receive phone calls. Also, you can use this number to receive a verification code while creating an account on any social media platform. With Vonage, you can facilitate communication quickly and easily.

Features

• Omnichannel support
• Integration with SalesForce
• Call queuing
• Number porting
• Call recording

Pricing plan: Contact the support team

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4. Google Voice

You can opt for Google Voice if you don’t find the above service providers promising. You can get a voice number that works on smartphones and the web with Google Voice. This number lets you place and receive phone calls from anywhere via the Internet.

Moreover, it’s easy to get a voice number with Google Voice. All you need to do is sign up for Google Voice. There are two ways to sign up for Google Voice: port your current USA mobile phone number or sign up for a new one.  

Features

• Call forwarding
• Multi-level auto attendant
• Integration with Google calendar and Google contact.
• Voicemail transcription
• SMS capabilities

Pricing plan: Contact the support team

5. Burner

The last online phone number provider on our list is Burner. Burner offers a second online number that you can use to call, text, and send photos. Besides, you can use this second number to manage your social circles, maintain your privacy, and protect your anonymity across social media platforms. 

Similarly, Burner also provides disposable VOIP numbers with local area codes. It is a popular choice among people who want to communicate quickly and privately throughout various settings.

Features

• Unlimited calls and texts
• Muting and blocking
• Spam blocking
• Auto-reply texts
• Picture messages

Pricing plan: Contact the support team

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Tips to Choose the Best Online Phone Number for Personal/Business Use

There are many online phone number options available, making it challenging to pick the best one. To help you avoid buying the wrong phone number, we have compiled a few tips that you can consider.

• Decide on the type of phone number: First, determine what type of phone number you need, whether you need a temporary number, a toll-free number, a local one with an area code, or a mobile virtual number.
• Check features: Determine what features you need. Then, look at the features of the online number and determine whether they contain all the features your business needs.
• Pricing: Various providers have varied pricing plans for an internet phone number. However, you should choose a virtual phone services provider that fits your budget and won’t charge you for unnecessary features.
• Customer support: The fourth factor to consider is customer support. You must choose a provider that offers the best customer service and uptime. Ensure you can reach the service provider anytime you need.

Final Words

Online phone numbers provide several benefits, from helping establish a local presence to offering several advanced communication features. Apart from this, you can use online numbers to sign up for an account on any online platform if you don’t want to share your private mobile numbers.

In the same way, whether you need an online number to verify your identity online, for business purposes, or for personal use, it’s crucial to pick a trusted provider. Failure to choose the trusted provider and best number may negatively affect your communication. 

Among the many providers, KrispCall stands out as the best one.  It provides online phone numbers from 100+ countries at a reasonable price. It is best known for its scalability and flexibility options with minimum investment. You can easily register your business phone number online with KrispCall.

FAQs

How much does an online phone number cost?

An online phone number costs between $5 to $25. The price varies from provider to provider and the offered features and the country phone number you choose. However, with KrispCall, you can get an online number at an affordable cost, starting from $2.

Why get an online number from KrispCall?

Getting an online phone number from KrispCall benefits you in many ways due to its affordability, scalability, excellent customer support, and advanced features like call on hold, call transfer, call recording, message filter, speech-to-text, and many more.

Do I need any documents to buy an online phone number?

Yes. You need documents like an ID card, password, photo, and temporary and permanent address details to buy an online phone number.  However, this isn’t the case for all providers.

In the case of KrispCall, there is no need to provide documents to obtain USA, UK, and Canada virtual phone numbers. But, if you wish to get virtual numbers other than these countries, you must submit documentation for verification before proceeding to the purchase process.

Can I text with an online phone number?

Yes, you can text with an online phone number. Many online phone number providers typically offer features for both text messaging and voice calls.

What are the main requirements for the implementation of an online phone number?

The main requirements for the implementation of an online phone number are:

• A stable internet connection.
• A reliable online phone number provider.
• A compatible devices like smartphones, laptops, computers and tablets.

How long will it take to activate my new online phone number?

The activation duration of your new online phone number depends on factors like the provider, phone number type, and country. Generally, it will take 2-3 days to complete the process.

Why is it unsafe to get a free online phone number?

It is unsafe to get a free online phone number due to its limited features, security issues, potential for scams, unreliability, hidden costs, and lack of customer support.