Why do you need anonymous numbers?
Most online services require a phone number for 2FA verification. Use of personal number connects your identity to your account. Anonymous numbers allow you to register without revealing your true identity, but each type has its advantages and disadvantages.
A quick comparison
| Type | Evaluation | Detection | Price | Long-term use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Numbers | Recommended | Not detected | $0.05-0.50/SMS | Yes (depends on platform) |
| Virtual Number | With caveats | Not detected | $5-25/month | Yes |
| VoIP | With caveats | Often detected | Variable | Yes |
| eSIM | Not recommended | It depends on the service | Expensive | Yes |
Temp Numbers
Temporary SMS numbers
🟢 RecommendedOne-time numbers for SMS verification. Undetected by most services, cheap and anonymous.
Advantages
- • Not detected (one-off = no trace)
- • Cheap ($0.05-0.50 per SMS)
- • Works for most services
- • No connection to identity
Disadvantages
- • Some platforms have blacklists
- • The number can be recycled
- • Not for long-term 2FA
Recommended providers:
Wide selection of countries, accepts crypto
Reliable, many platforms
Cheap prices, API available
Long on the market, stable
More services: kycnot.me | BHW List 2025
Virtual Number
Virtual numbers
🟡 With reservationsThey use actual physical SIM cards hosted in remote farms. They look like normal mobile numbers.
Advantages
- • Not detected (real SIM cards)
- • Long-term and short-term use
- • Looks like a normal number
Disadvantages
- • More expensive ($5-25/month)
- • Depends on geolocation
- • Remote access via the Internet
Recommended providers:
VoIP
VoIP (Voice over IP)
🟡 With reservationsInternet telephony using SIP clients. Allows calls and SMS, but often detected as virtual numbers.
Problems
- • Detected- operators and services often block VoIP numbers for 2FA
- • Requires internet (SIP client, consumes data)
- • Can be expensive
Advantages
- • Real phone numbers
- • Calls and SMS
- • Long-term use
Recommended providers:
eSIM
eSIM
🔴 Not recommendedVirtual SIM card directly in the device. Convenient, but with serious privacy issues.
Problems
- • Requires device support- only newer phones, can link to device IMEI and fingerprint
- • Dates only- no native SMS/calling, need to use apps
- • Very expensive
- • Logging- operators can keep logs, exposing usage patterns (EU mandates)
- • Correlation- easier for adversaries to correlate information via IMEI or OS telemetry
Providers (if you must):
Tips for anonymous telecommunications
Security principles
- • Pay with cryptocurrencies (XMR preferred)
- • Use Tor when registering
- • Never link to personal identity
- • Different number for each service
Recommendation
- • For registration: Temp numbers (cheap, anonymous)
- • For long-term 2FA: Virtual numbers
- • For calls: VoIP with a good provider
- • Avoid eSIM for privacy purposes
When to use what?
Account registration
One-time SMS verification for a new account.
Long-term 2FA
Regular SMS login codes.
Anonymous call
You need to actually make or receive calls.