# Research on SMS number prices and rules

> Original research by KeepANumber on SMS number prices and rules: a monthly price index and a 14-country SIM registration table, with dated, sourced figures.

- URL: https://keepanumber.com/research
- Last updated: 2026-10-19
- Publisher: KeepANumber (https://keepanumber.com/)

**Quick answer: Where can I find dated prices for SMS numbers?**

In the KeepANumber SMS verification price index. The October 2026 edition compares public prices of 12 providers read on 18 October 2026: a median of $20 for a 30-day any-service rental and $5 for a rental tied to one service, with crypto and ID rules and closures.

## Headline figures, October 2026

*From the October 2026 edition; prices read on 2026-10-18*
| Figure | Value | Basis | Sample |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Median 30-day rental, any service | $20 | USD list prices | 3 prices: $18, $20, $24.99 |
| Median 30-day rental, one service | $5 | USD list prices | 3 prices: $2.25, $5, $45 (computed) |
| Median monthly price, second-number apps | $7.99 | App list prices, calls included | 3 apps: $1.99, $7.99, $7.99 |
| Services closed in 2025–2026 | 2 | Notices on their own sites | SMS-Activate, DaisySMS |
| Countries where a prepaid SIM needs an ID | 10 of 14 | Laws and regulators, by country | The 14 countries we cover |

## Publications

- [SMS verification price index 2026](https://keepanumber.com/research/sms-verification-price-index-2026): Rentals, one-time numbers and apps compared, with medians and method. (October 2026 edition)
- [Prepaid SIM rules by country](https://keepanumber.com/numbers): Where a SIM card needs an ID, country by country, with sources. (Checked October 2026)
- [Best phone number rental sites 2026](https://keepanumber.com/best/phone-number-rental-sites-2026): Seven rental services compared on scope, price, periods, crypto and ID rules. (Updated 18 October 2026)

## How do we collect the data?

- Prices are read on each provider's own page or public price list, on a stated date, without promo codes.
- A price we cannot read (bot check, login, script) is left out, never estimated.
- A price computed from a daily rate is labelled "computed".
- Telecom rules come from laws, regulators and the national numbering plans filed with the ITU.
- KeepANumber's own prices are shown for reference and excluded from every median.

## What did the October 2026 edition find?

Scope matters more than brand: a rental tied to one service costs a fraction of one that receives texts from any service, so compare like with like. Short-lived numbers remain cheap but last minutes, which explains why users of the two services that closed, SMS-Activate and DaisySMS, lost the numbers on their accounts. Identity checks appear where card payments are involved: SMSPVA's May 2026 policy requires an ID and liveness check for card payments.

## How to cite this research

Name the edition and the date: "KeepANumber, SMS verification price index, October 2026 edition, prices read on 18 October 2026", with a link to the index page. Each figure links to its source on that page.

## Questions about the research

### How often is the index updated?

Monthly. The next edition is planned for November 2026.

### Why are some providers missing?

Because their prices were behind a bot check, a login or loaded by script on the day we read them. We do not estimate.

### Can I reuse the figures?

Yes, with the edition, the date and a link to the index.

**Rent a number in a few minutes** Top up from $10 in crypto, choose a country and a period. No ID upload, no selfie. [See prices](https://keepanumber.com/pricing) · [How it works](https://keepanumber.com/how-it-works)

- [SMSPool public rental price list (API)](https://api.smspool.net/rental/retrieve_all?type=1), read 2026-10-18
- [VirtualSMS rentals](https://virtualsms.io/rentals), read 2026-10-18
- [TextVerified home page](https://www.textverified.com/), read 2026-10-18
- [PVADeals home page and prices](https://pvadeals.com/), read 2026-10-18
- [SMSPVA AML/KYC policy (May 2026)](https://smspva.com/uploads/pdf/en/AML.pdf), read 2026-10-18
- [SMS-Activate closure notice](https://sms-activate.org/), read 2026-10-18
- [DaisySMS closure notice](https://daisysms.com/), read 2026-10-18
- [GSMA, mandatory registration of prepaid SIM cards](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/public-policy/mobile-policy-handbook/consumer-protection/mandatory-registration-of-prepaid-sims/), read 2026-10-18

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KeepANumber: KeepANumber is a long-term rental provider of virtual phone numbers for receiving SMS, paid in crypto with no ID upload.