The best Google Voice alternative depends on your location and what you need the number for. Google Voice remains the cheapest way to get a free US number — but it requires an existing US phone number to activate, only works in the US and Canada, and rejects many VoIP lines. Here are five alternatives ranked by use case.
Why people leave Google Voice
- US-only — unavailable in most countries; you cannot even sign up without a US number.
- Activation catch-22 — you need a US number to get a US number.
- VoIP rejection — Google\'s carrier lookup refuses many internet numbers.
- No international calling — cheap but limited to US/Canada usage.
The five alternatives
| Service | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AgoVerify (virtual numbers) | One-off SMS verification, any country | Per-use, cents–dollars |
| Hushed | Ongoing second line, calls + texts | From ~$3/mo |
| TextNow | Free US number with ads | Free tier / ~$10/mo ad-free |
| Burner | Disposable numbers, privacy | From ~$5/mo |
| Carrier eSIM (US Mobile, Tello) | Real US number, full service | From ~$5-10/mo |
Which one should you pick
- You need a US number once, for verification: a virtual US number on AgoVerify is fastest and cheapest — minutes, pay-per-use.
- You want an ongoing second line with calls: Hushed or Burner — real apps, monthly fee, US/UK/Canadian numbers.
- You want free and do not mind ads: TextNow — genuinely free US number, supported by advertising.
- You need a real US carrier number for strict services: US Mobile or Tello eSIM — actual carrier, porting possible, but monthly cost and US-address requirements apply.
The honest take on "free" alternatives
TextNow and similar free tiers fund themselves with ads and data — your number is not private. Free public SMS-inbox websites are worse: shared numbers that any stranger can read your codes on. For anything beyond casual use, paid options are worth the few dollars.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Google Voice alternative?
TextNow offers a free US number supported by ads. For verification-only needs, pay-per-use virtual numbers cost less than a dollar and avoid the privacy trade-offs of free services.
Can I get a Google Voice number without a US phone?
Indirectly — rent a US virtual number, use it to complete Google Voice activation, then your Voice number is yours. See our dedicated guide for the steps.
Do Google Voice alternatives work internationally?
Hushed and Burner support multiple countries. Most others are US/UK-centric. For non-US/UK numbers, virtual number services like AgoVerify offer the widest country coverage.