Virtual phone numbers
Buy a virtual phone number for the calls you make.
Choose a dedicated number for outgoing calls, give contacts a US number that rings your mobile, and manage your calling from one SayFone account. Start with how you want the number to work, then choose its country and monthly price.
By SayFone · Updated November 5, 2026
Choose the number for the way you want to call
A virtual number is a telephone number managed through an online service. The number’s country and area code tell callers what they are dialling. Its actual calling features depend on the product you choose. Start by deciding whether you want a dedicated outgoing identity, a number contacts can call, or both.
| What you want to do | SayFone option | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a number to show on outgoing calls | Dedicated virtual number | Select an available number and choose it as caller ID in the browser dialer. |
| Give people a US number they can call | US call forwarding | Incoming calls ring your verified US or Canadian mobile. |
| Call an international landline or mobile | Calling credit | Fund your balance and dial the full international number. |
| Budget for regular international calls | Monthly calling plan | Add calling credit to the same account each month. |
How to buy and set up a virtual number
1.Choose the country and number
Open number search, select a country and compare the available local, national or mobile options shown for that search. For a US number, you can search an area code.
2.Review the monthly price
The price is displayed beside the number. Choose a number for its country, area code and calling purpose, then sign in and finish checkout.
3.Select your caller ID
Open the SayFone dialer and select your purchased number as the outgoing caller ID. Add calling credit and check the rate for the destination you will call.
4.Place your first call
Enter the full international number, allow microphone access and make a short call to a contact. Check the number displayed on the receiving phone and confirm that both sides can hear each other.
For incoming US calls, use the forwarding setup. Verify your existing US or Canadian mobile by text message, choose an available US forwarding number and complete the monthly checkout. You can pause forwarding or manage renewal from your account. The plan allows 10 forwarding attempts per UTC day, with up to 5 minutes per call.
What to check before buying a virtual number
| Check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Calling direction | Outgoing caller ID and incoming forwarding solve different needs. | Choose the calling product for the way you want to use the number. |
| Monthly fee and calling balance | Renting a number and placing calls have separate costs. | Review the monthly number price and the rates for your main destinations. |
| Country and area code | A listed country does not describe the stock of every area code. | Search current inventory and compare available numbers. |
| Activation requirements | Countries and number types can have different carrier requirements. | Review the requirements shown for your search before paying. |
| SMS and account verification | A voice number’s calling features do not establish that a third party accepts it for codes. | Check SMS capability and the rules of the service where you plan to register. |
| Renewal and account access | The number belongs in a service account you can continue to manage. | Keep access to the account email and review renewal in your settings. |
The number fee and the cost of calling
The monthly number fee and outgoing calling credit cover different parts of the service. The number picker displays the price of each available number before checkout. Outgoing calls then use your balance at the rate for the country you call. Choosing a US caller ID does not turn a call to another country into a US-rate call.
| Destination | Rate / minute, USD | 10-minute call | 30-minute call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $0.14 | $1.40 | $4.20 |
| Egypt | $0.32 | $3.20 | $9.60 |
| India | $0.08 | $0.80 | $2.40 |
| United Arab Emirates | $0.08 | $0.80 | $2.40 |
| United Kingdom | $0.08 | $0.80 | $2.40 |
| United States | $0.08 | $0.80 | $2.40 |
Calls are billed in started minutes. A 61-second call uses two minutes, and two separate 30-second calls also use two minutes. The receiving person answers a normal phone call. Your internet provider’s data charges are separate from your calling balance.
For repeat calls, use monthly calling credit to fund a regular budget. For occasional calls, choose prepaid credit. Divide the available balance by your destination’s per-minute rate to estimate how many whole billable minutes it covers.
Use your number at work, at home or abroad
A freelancer can select a dedicated US caller ID when contacting clients. A business can give contacts a US forwarding number that rings an existing US or Canadian mobile. An expat can use browser calling to reach family landlines, banks or government offices, with a saved number and a visible rate before calling.
When travelling, combine your calling account with a travel eSIM for mobile data. Check the destination, allowance, validity and device compatibility before choosing a data plan. Calling credit pays for the telephone call, while your Wi-Fi or mobile-data connection carries your side of the browser call.
For a quick purchase, start with the US virtual-number page. For more countries, use the country number directory. If a specific area code has no live stock, compare other available areas within the country.
Questions before you call
How do I buy a virtual phone number online?
Choose the country and available number in SayFone’s number search, review its monthly price, sign in and complete checkout. For a US number that receives calls on your existing US or Canadian mobile, use the US call-forwarding setup.
Do I need a physical SIM for a virtual number?
A virtual number is managed through your online account. You can use a dedicated caller ID in SayFone’s browser dialer. US call forwarding delivers incoming calls to your verified US or Canadian mobile.
Can I buy a US number while living abroad?
You can search for a US number online and review the available choices in SayFone. The number picker shows stock and the monthly charge. For US call forwarding, the receiving mobile must be an eligible verified US or Canadian number.
What do I pay besides the monthly number fee?
For an outgoing caller-ID number, the monthly fee keeps the number on your account and calls use your balance at the destination rate. For forwarding, review the monthly product price and included call limits before completing checkout.
How do I receive calls on a US virtual number?
Choose SayFone’s US call-forwarding product, verify your existing US or Canadian mobile, select an available US number and complete checkout. Incoming calls to that number are forwarded to the mobile you verified.
Do I need to buy a number before making an international call?
You can make international calls through SayFone with calling credit. Renting a dedicated number adds a caller ID you can select for outgoing calls. Receiving calls through a US forwarding number is a separate choice in the product range.
Can I use any virtual number for bank codes or WhatsApp verification?
Check the number’s SMS capabilities and the destination service’s rules before buying it for verification. Acceptance depends on the service, number type and provider. Choose a voice number for its calling capabilities.
