Available in 50+ Countries

Go Global with
Virtual Numbers

Establish a local presence anywhere in the world instantly. Buy real local phone numbers from the US, UK, Canada, and more. Receive calls directly in your browser or forward them to your mobile.

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INSTANT ACTIVATION
🇺🇸
+1 (415) 555-0123
San Francisco, CA
🇬🇧
+44 20 7123 4567
London
🇨🇦
+1 (647) 555-0199
Toronto, ON

Why You Need a Virtual Number

More than just a phone number. It's a tool for privacy, professionalism, and global reach.

Business Presence

Look like a local business in London, New York, or Sydney without opening an office. Build trust with local customers by offering a local number.

Privacy Protection

Keep your personal mobile number private. Use a virtual number for online dating, classifieds, or signing up for services to avoid spam calls.

Digital Nomad

Keep a consistent contact number while you travel the world. Friends and family can call a local number to reach you anywhere without international fees.

Popular Virtual Number Destinations

Instant setup. No contracts. Cancel anytime.

🇺🇸

United States

from $1.00/mo

🇬🇧

United Kingdom

from $1.50/mo

🇨🇦

Canada

from $1.00/mo

🇦🇺

Australia

from $2.50/mo

🇩🇪

Germany

from $2.00/mo

🇫🇷

France

from $2.00/mo

🇮🇱

Israel

from $3.00/mo

🇧🇷

Brazil

from $4.00/mo

Enterprise Features included

Every virtual number comes with a full suite of VoIP features at no extra cost.

Inbound & Outbound Calling
Call Forwarding to Mobile
Voicemail to Email
Custom Caller ID
Browser & Mobile Access
Call Recording

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a SIM card?

No. Virtual numbers work entirely over the internet (VoIP). You can use them via our browser dashboard on any device.

Can I receive SMS verification codes?

It depends on the service. While our numbers support SMS, some services (like WhatsApp or Banks) may block virtual numbers (VoIP) for security reasons. We recommend testing with a low balance first.

How long does activation take?

Instantly. As soon as you purchase the number, it appears in your dashboard and is ready to receive calls.

Can I make calls with this number?

Yes! You can use your virtual number as your Caller ID when making outbound calls, so people see your local number instead of your personal one.

Get Your Number Today

Join thousands of businesses and travelers using StartACall.

Number Types, Paperwork and the Path a Call Actually Takes

In short

Shopping for a virtual number gets easier once three things are clear: the real differences between local, national, mobile and toll-free formats, why some countries demand documents before a number activates, and what physically happens between a caller dialing your number and your browser ringing. This section explains all three, plus how to choose strategically.

Local, National, Mobile and Toll-Free Compared

A local number carries a city code and signals presence in that specific market, which is why it converts best for businesses courting customers in one metro area. Callers treat it as an ordinary domestic call, usually covered by their existing plans.

National and toll-free formats trade locality for scale. A national number looks the same to callers everywhere in the country, while toll-free shifts the entire call cost onto you, which suits support lines but is wasteful for numbers mostly used as an outbound identity.

Mobile-format numbers exist because some countries route SMS and certain services only to mobile ranges. If receiving text messages matters, the number format determines whether that is even possible, so decide on SMS needs before choosing the type rather than after.

Why Some Countries Ask for Documents

Telephone numbers are regulated national resources, and many governments require proof of identity or a local address before a geographic number is assigned. Much of Europe enforces address rules for city numbers, and several countries extend similar checks to any number type.

North America sits at the permissive end, which is why US and Canada numbers activate almost instantly with no paperwork. Through StartACall those numbers cost between $2.14 and $5 per month, making them the fastest route to an inbound line for callers, businesses and travelers alike.

When a provider asks for a utility bill or ID for another country, that is compliance rather than bureaucratic whim. Numbers issued without the required checks can be reclaimed by regulators, so the paperwork is what keeps a number safely yours.

The Journey of an Inbound Call

When someone dials your virtual number, their carrier routes the call through the national network to the provider that holds the number range, exactly as it would for any local line. The caller pays their normal rate and sees nothing unusual.

At the provider's gateway the call leaves the traditional network and becomes internet traffic, travels to wherever you are, and rings your browser through WebRTC in Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge. No app or SIM is involved, and answering works the same from any country.

This architecture is why a single number can follow you across continents. The public network only ever delivers the call to the gateway, and the final leg is rebuilt dynamically to wherever you happen to log in that day. Log in from a different continent and the next call simply follows.

Choosing a Number Strategically

Pick the country where your callers live rather than the country where you do. A consultant in Lisbon serving Toronto clients is better served by a Canadian number they can dial as a local call, since the point of the purchase is lowering the barrier for the people reaching you.

Start with one number and let real call volume justify additions. Because there is no contract, a number that turns out to be in the wrong market is a cheap lesson rather than a sunk cost, and a second market can be tested the month demand appears.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a local and a toll-free virtual number?+

A local number carries a city code, signals presence in that market, and costs callers their standard local rate. A toll-free number is free for callers nationwide while you absorb the call costs, which suits inbound support lines.

Why do some countries require ID to buy a phone number?+

Regulators treat numbers as national resources and often require identity or local address proof, especially for city-specific numbers in Europe. Providers that skip these checks risk having the numbers reclaimed, so the paperwork protects you as the owner.

How much does a US or Canada virtual number cost?+

Between $2.14 and $5 per month, with activation that is effectively instant because North American numbers require no documentation. Inbound calls then ring your browser wherever you are logged in.

Where does a call to my virtual number actually ring?+

The caller's network delivers the call to the provider holding the number, where it converts to internet traffic and rings your browser over WebRTC. You can answer in Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge from any country.

Should I pick a mobile-format virtual number for SMS?+

If receiving texts matters, often yes. Several countries deliver SMS only to mobile number ranges, so the format decides the capability. Check the SMS support for the specific country and number type before purchasing.

Last reviewed June 2026Reviewed by the StartACall calling teamDialing rules cross checked against ITU international dialing procedures
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