VoIP vs Non-VoIP Numbers Explained
Every phone number carries a line type in carrier databases. Apps read it before they send a code, and it decides whether a verification SMS is sent at all. Here is how it works and why it matters.
The short answer
A non-VoIP number is issued by a mobile carrier and belongs to a SIM card or eSIM. A VoIP number is issued by an internet phone provider and works through an app. Both can send and receive texts, but carrier databases label them differently, and apps use that label to decide whether to trust the number.
The four line types
| Line type | Examples | How apps usually treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile (non-VoIP) | A SIM or eSIM from a mobile carrier | Trusted. Codes are sent |
| Landline | A home or office phone line | Cannot receive SMS on most lines; some apps offer a voice call instead |
| Fixed VoIP | Internet home phone tied to an address | Mixed. Accepted by some, blocked by banks |
| Non-fixed VoIP | Google Voice, TextNow, Skype numbers | Least trusted. Often blocked for verification |
How an app checks your number
- You type your number into the sign-up form.
- The app sends it to a carrier lookup service, which answers in under a second with the carrier name and line type.
- If the line type is on the app's block list (often non-fixed VoIP), the app shows an error or silently skips sending the code.
- If the line type is mobile, the code is sent.
Apps do this because VoIP numbers can be created in bulk for almost nothing, which makes them popular for spam and fake accounts. A mobile number costs a carrier contract or SIM, so it is a stronger signal of a real person. Our blog post on carrier lookup and SMS verification goes deeper.
Which should you use?
Popular USA services and prices
Live prices for the services customers buy most. Each link opens that service's page with the current price and a direct sign-up link.
| Service | Price per number |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp number (USA) | $2.20 |
| Telegram number (USA) | $1.20 |
| Gmail number (USA) | $0.35 |
| Yahoo number (USA) | $0.10 |
| PayPal number (USA) | $0.50 |
| Venmo number (USA) | $0.20 |
| Kraken number (USA) | $0.30 |
| Facebook number (USA) | $0.50 |
| Instagram number (USA) | $0.40 |
| Google Voice number (USA) | $0.35 |
| Walmart number (USA) | $1.00 |
| Credit Karma number (USA) | $0.25 |
| CashApp number (USA) | $0.20 |
| Amazon number (USA) | $0.15 |
| Coinbase number (USA) | $0.30 |
| TikTok number (USA) | $0.20 |
Looking for something else? See all services and countries.
For developers
The same numbers are available through a REST API: request a number and poll for the SMS, at the website's prices and with the same charge-on-delivery rule. Endpoints and examples are in the API guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a VoIP number a real phone number?
Yes. It can call and text like any other number. The difference is that it is issued by an internet phone provider instead of a mobile carrier, and carrier databases label it as VoIP.
Is Google Voice VoIP or non-VoIP?
Google Voice numbers are VoIP. That is why many banks, payment apps and some social apps refuse to send verification codes to them.
Can an app tell if my number is VoIP?
Yes. A carrier lookup returns the line type in under a second, and most large apps run one before sending a code.
What is non-fixed VoIP?
A VoIP number not tied to a street address, such as Google Voice or TextNow. It is the type apps trust least. Fixed VoIP, such as a cable company home phone, is tied to an address.
Where can I get a non-VoIP number?
From a mobile carrier with a SIM or eSIM, or on demand from SMS Pin Verify, where USA numbers are carrier mobile lines from $0.10 per code.