4 min read
1. Skip the phone completely
Many apps let you sign up with email or Google/Apple. It’s free, private, and the best option whenever it’s offered.
2. Free VoIP apps
Google Voice (which needs an existing US number to set up) and TextNow give you a free number. They work for friends and some websites, but many apps block VoIP numbers for verification.
3. Free receive-SMS websites
They show a list of public numbers and every text they get. Anyone can read your code, the numbers were used by hundreds of people, and most apps already refuse them. Fine for a throwaway test, risky for an account you care about.
4. When paying a little is better
A private temporary number costs cents for many apps, only you see the code, and if no SMS arrives in 20 minutes you pay nothing.
Quick rule
- Account you don’t care about: free options are fine
- Account with your name, photos or messages: use a private number
- Account with money or recovery value: use a number you keep