Comparison

Virtual Number vs SMS Activate

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Virtual Number

Get temporary virtual phone numbers to receive SMS messages online. Protect your privacy by using these numbers for online registrations and verification codes without revealing your personal number. It offers a fast and easy interface with numbers from multiple countries.

Highlights
  • Virtual phone numbers
  • Receive SMS instantly
  • Multiple countries available
  • OTP verification
  • No registration required
  • Fast and easy interface
Features
Read full description

Receive SMS lets you receive SMS messages online using virtual phone numbers from different countries. Use our public numbers to receive verification codes (OTP) from popular services without using your personal phone number. Features: • Virtual numbers • Receive SMS online instantly • Multiple countries available • Perfect for OTP verification • No registration required • Fast and easy interface Protect your privacy by using temporary SMS numbers for online registrations.

About

SMS Activate

Receive SMS verification codes online using virtual numbers from over 180 countries. Protect your privacy by not sharing your real phone number during account registration and verification. Manage your number status and SMS history for clearer use.

Highlights
  • Receive SMS verification codes online
  • Virtual numbers for over 180 countries
  • Temporary and longer-term number rental
  • Enhanced privacy by not sharing real number
  • View number status and SMS history
  • Extended keyboard for faster code input
Features
Read full description

Receive SMS verification codes online with virtual numbers, complete account verification, and reduce the need to share your real phone number. SMS Activate covers more than 180 countries and regions, giving you flexibility for both temporary verification and longer-term use. • Quick verification: Choose an activation number to receive codes fast • Longer-term use: Choose a rental number for ongoing verification needs • More privacy: Share your real phone number less when registering or verifying accounts • Clearer information: View number status, SMS history, and point details • Faster input: Use the extended keyboard to quickly view and enter verification codes Choose a country and use case to get an available virtual number. Enter the number on the target website or app, and the SMS verification code will appear in SMS Activate. You can also reactivate a number or extend its rental period as needed. After linking your Apple Account, you can restore your account data when reinstalling the app or switching devices. The extended keyboard is used only to retrieve number and SMS status information. It does not record or upload text entered with your regular keyboard. SMS Activate is ideal for users who need a temporary number, backup number, or online SMS verification. View number records, SMS history, and point details to manage every use more clearly. Whether third-party platforms accept virtual numbers depends on their service rules, risk-control policies, and current status. We do not guarantee that every platform, country, or service will be available at all times. SMS Activate provides virtual numbers and SMS receiving services only. Download SMS Activate now and complete online SMS verification with more flexible numbers.

Screenshots

Virtual Number4 screens
SMS Activate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SMS Activate at 4.8 against Virtual Number's 3.7. Virtual Number's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Virtual Number sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and SMS Activate sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SMS Activate holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Virtual Number ships an update every 6 days, SMS Activate every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Virtual Number versus SMS Activate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVirtual NumberSMS Activate
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarun CINBIRT林辉 朱

Customer experience

Virtual Number

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

SMS Activate

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Virtual Number

One-time3
  • Add Credits$0.99
  • Add Credits$4.99
  • Add Credits$9.99
8 purchases

SMS Activate

One-time8
  • 1 gold coin$0.99
  • 9 gold coin$1.99
  • 12 gold coin$2.99
Show 5 more
  • 25 gold coin$4.99
  • 45 gold coin$9.99
  • 85 gold coin$19.99
  • 200 gold coin$39.99
  • 450 gold coin$99.99

Questions

Is Virtual Number free?
Virtual Number is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SMS Activate free?
SMS Activate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Virtual Number or SMS Activate?
SMS Activate is rated higher. Virtual Number averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SMS Activate averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do Virtual Number or SMS Activate have ads?
Neither Virtual Number nor SMS Activate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Virtual Number or SMS Activate?
Virtual Number ships an update every 6 days, and SMS Activate every 4 days. Most recently, Virtual Number was updated on November 5, 2026 and SMS Activate on October 31, 2026.

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