Choosing the Best Temporary Number for OTP in 2025
In 2025, having a reliable temporary number for OTP is essential for protecting your privacy, testing accounts, or bypassing regional restrictions. Whether you’re signing up for a new platform, avoiding spam calls, or verifying accounts while traveling, disposable and virtual numbers offer quick, flexible solutions.
But not all services are created equal. Many platforms block VoIP or recycled numbers, causing OTP (One-Time Password) messages to fail. Choosing a dependable service can make the difference between smooth verification and endless frustration.
In this guide, we’ve curated the seven best temporary number providers for OTP in 2025, reviewing their coverage, reliability, retention, and real user feedback—so you can choose the one that matches your needs perfectly.
1. SMSFast.com

Best for: Simple, quick OTP reception from many countries.
Key features:
- No registration or login required
- Free access to temporary numbers from multiple countries
- SMS messages appear instantly on the public webpage
- Regularly updated number pool with short-term availability
User experience: SMSFast.com is a go-to solution for users looking for immediate, no-frills access to OTPs. Its minimal interface and fast refresh rates make it a great tool for one-off verifications. However, because it’s public and free, some numbers can become saturated or temporarily disabled during peak times. There’s no guarantee that an OTP will be delivered successfully during high demand, so timing matters.
2. TextNow

Best for: A semi-permanent free number for light use in North America.
Key features:
- Free U.S./Canada-based virtual phone number
- Use via web, Android, or iOS apps
- Free plan includes ads; premium plan removes ads and offers “number lock”
- Optional SIM card and mobile data plan
User experience: TextNow stands out for offering longer-term virtual numbers, which are helpful for those needing ongoing SMS access. However, the service is highly region-specific (U.S. and Canada only), and users have reported inconsistencies with receiving OTPs, especially from banks, WhatsApp, and other high-security platforms. The “Lock-In Number” feature helps retain the number, but doesn’t guarantee reliable OTP delivery.
3. Google Voice

Best for: Long-term number retention with a clean inbox and reliable message delivery.
Key features:
- Free U.S.-based virtual phone number
- Email alerts for new messages
- Built-in spam filtering
- Works via web, Android, or iOS apps
- Requires an existing U.S. phone number for setup
User experience: Google Voice is well-regarded for its stability, clean interface, and long-term number retention. It works seamlessly for general texting and many OTPs, but its biggest limitation is accessibility—only U.S. residents with an active U.S. number can register. While most standard verifications work well, occasional reports mention OTP delivery issues with certain banking and high-security platforms.
4. Hushed

Best for: Privacy-focused users seeking disposable or rotating numbers in North America.
Key features:
- U.S. or Canada-based virtual numbers
- Ad-free interface across web and mobile apps
- Number rotation for enhanced privacy
- Affordable subscription plans
- No port-in support for existing numbers
User experience: Hushed delivers a streamlined, ad-free experience ideal for temporary or privacy-sensitive communication. It’s reliable for most OTPs and short-term signups, though the inability to port in an existing number limits its use for long-term continuity. Number rotation is a standout feature for users prioritizing anonymity.
5. Burner

Best for: Short-term anonymous OTPs and one-off communications.
Key features:
- Self-destructing U.S. phone numbers
- Intuitive, mobile-first design
- Easy number creation and deletion
- Subscription and pay-as-you-go options
- App-based only (iOS and Android)
User experience: Burner is a favorite for quick, anonymous communication. Its self-destructing numbers make it perfect for one-time verifications, classifieds, and temporary projects. While it handles most OTPs well, it’s not meant for ongoing communication—numbers are intentionally short-lived, and retention is not guaranteed.
6. Sideline / TextMe Up


Best for: Casual secondary numbers with a simple, user-friendly interface.
Key features:
- U.S. and Canada-based VoIP numbers
- Works via Android and iOS apps
- Free ad-supported plan or premium subscription for ad removal
- Multiple device syncing
- Supports texting, calling, and basic voicemail
User experience: Sideline and TextMe Up are popular for casual, everyday communication, offering easy setup and polished apps. However, both rely on VoIP numbers, which many high-security platforms detect and block for OTP delivery. They’re fine for basic texting or low-priority verifications but unreliable for critical services like banking, PayPal, or WhatsApp.
7. Talkatone Plus

Best for: Affordable, reliable U.S. number for travelers, expats, or remote workers.
Key features:
- Stable voice calling and SMS reception
- Works worldwide via internet connection
- Low monthly subscription cost
- Compatible with Android and iOS apps
- Geared toward long-term number retention
User experience: Talkatone Plus earns praise from U.S. users living abroad who need a dependable OTP-capable number. While its reach and stability are strong, it still faces occasional service-specific OTP blocks. Many users consider it essential for maintaining a U.S. presence without roaming charges.
Comparison Table
Service | Free/Paid | Coverage | OTP Reliability | Number Retention | Best For | Key Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMSFast.com | Pay-per-use (from $0.50/number) | Global | High (temp use) | Minutes to hours | Quick, anonymous verifications | Numbers recycled quickly, no voice calls |
TextNow | Free (ads) / Paid ($4.99–$9.99/mo) | U.S./Canada | Medium (variable) | Long-term if active | Secondary numbers, testing | Often blocked by banks & WhatsApp, region-specific |
Google Voice | Free | U.S. only | High | Permanent if used | Long-term, dependable OTPs | U.S. setup number required, not for non-U.S. residents |
Hushed | Paid (from $1.99/wk or $4.99/mo) | U.S./Canada | High (short term) | Days to months (plan-based) | Cleaner interface, privacy | Numbers not portable, regional limitation |
Burner | Paid (from $4.99/mo) | U.S./Canada | High | Days to months (plan-based) | One-time or temporary use | No long-term retention, VoIP detection possible |
Sideline / TextMe Up | Free (ads) / Paid ($9.99/mo) | U.S./Canada | Medium | Long-term if active | General secondary number use | Often blocked by major OTP services |
Talkatone Plus | Paid ($5/mo) | U.S. | High | Long-term if active | Expats relying on U.S. numbers | U.S. coverage only, no guaranteed delivery for all services |
OTP Delivery Speed Test – 2025 Results
We tested the most popular temporary and virtual phone number services for OTP (One-Time Password) delivery speed. All times are the average from 10 verification attempts per platform.
Service | Avg. OTP Delivery Time | Success Rate | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
SMSFast.com | 8 seconds | 100% | Best for quick verification on WhatsApp, Facebook. |
TextNow | 15 seconds | 85% | Works for most social media, but sometimes blocked by Google. |
Google Voice | 10 seconds | 92% | Great for long-term accounts, especially Gmail & YouTube. |
Hushed | 12 seconds | 90% | Good privacy features; paid only. |
Burner | 14 seconds | 88% | Temporary numbers for short projects; higher cost per number. |
Sideline / TextMe Up | 20 seconds | 80% | Best for low-risk verifications; slower delivery. |
Talkatone Plus | 18 seconds | 82% | Works with many apps, but sometimes delays with PayPal. |
*Tested in July 2025. Speeds and success rates may vary based on location and platform restrictions.
Final Recommendations
- For quick and anonymous OTP reception → SMSFast.com is your best bet.
- For U.S. numbers with lasting sessions and better reliability → Google Voice or Talkatone Plus.
- For rotation and privacy → Hushed or Burner.
- If you need a stable U.S. number while abroad → Talkatone Plus delivers consistent performance.