One-time SMS numbers
VNumbr vs 5sim: a 5sim alternative
5sim is a service built around receiving a single SMS code on a number rented for a short time, priced per activation and often paid in cryptocurrency. That model suits a quick, one-off check. It is a different product from VNumbr, which gives you one permanent number that keeps receiving messages for as long as you renew it, so later sign-ins and account recovery still reach you.
Written and maintained by the VNumbr team · Last updated 24 September 2026
Key points
- 5sim: one-time sms numbers.
- VNumbr: real-carrier numbers you can keep, plus per-use OTP numbers, paid in crypto.
- Details such as prices change often, so check each provider directly before deciding.
Side by side
| VNumbr | 5sim | |
|---|---|---|
| Number type | Real mobile-carrier numbers via our carrier partner | Short-term rented numbers per activation - check their site |
| Countries | Countries shown live in the catalog | Many countries - availability varies |
| How you pay | Cryptocurrency (Cryptomus, NOWPayments) or wallet balance | Balance top-ups, including cryptocurrency - check current options |
| Getting started | Email signup, pay by crypto or wallet balance | Account signup - check their terms |
| Keeping the number | Yes, for as long as you renew it (monthly or yearly) | Usually for the length of one activation |
| Best for | Receiving SMS and 2FA codes on a number you keep | One-off verification codes |
What 5sim does well
- Large catalogue of countries and services for one-off activations.
- Pay-per-use pricing, so a single verification can be very cheap.
- Accepts cryptocurrency, like VNumbr.
Where VNumbr fits better
The number does not disappear
A rented activation number is gone after the code arrives. A VNumbr line stays assigned to your account, so the next code, next week or next year, still lands in your inbox.
Better for accounts you keep
Two-factor codes and password resets can be requested months later. A permanent number keeps those routes open.
A private inbox
Messages arrive in your own dashboard rather than a pool that other renters can also see or reuse.
Predictable cost
One flat monthly or yearly price, instead of paying again for every verification.
Choose 5sim instead when
- You need a single throwaway code and never expect to use the account again.
- You are testing many services briefly and want to pay per attempt.
- You do not need the number afterwards.
Which should you pick: 5sim or VNumbr?
You need one code and never need the account again
5sim or VNumbr OTP numbers both fit. Compare current prices for your app and country.
The account uses SMS two-factor authentication
Choose a number you keep. A VNumbr permanent number stays assigned to you while you renew, so later codes keep arriving.
You want to pay with cryptocurrency and sign up with just an email
VNumbr checkout is built around that. Check 5sim's current payment options if this matters to you.
You need voice calls or a full calling app
VNumbr numbers receive SMS only. If calling matters, an app built for it may suit you better.
Moving from 5sim to VNumbr
- 1Buy a number in the country your account expects.
- 2Open the account you want to move and find its phone number or security settings.
- 3Add the new number and confirm it with the SMS code that arrives in your VNumbr inbox.
- 4Only after the change is confirmed, let the old 5sim number lapse.
How VNumbr works
Choose a country
Pick where the number should be based. The prefix tells apps where you are.
Pay in crypto or wallet
Cryptomus, NOWPayments or your balance. Email-only signup, no ID.
Use it for verification
Enter the number where the app asks and request the SMS code.
Read it in your inbox
Messages appear in your dashboard in real time and through the API.
Common questions
Does VNumbr sell one-time activation numbers like 5sim?
Yes. Alongside the main catalog of permanent numbers on monthly or yearly plans, VNumbr also sells single-use OTP numbers billed per activation.
Which is cheaper?
For a single code, a per-activation service usually costs less. For a number you will use repeatedly, one flat plan is usually simpler and cheaper overall. Check both providers' current prices.
Can I keep the number afterwards?
With VNumbr, yes, for as long as you renew. Short-term rentals generally expire once the activation is over.
Should I use 5sim and VNumbr together?
Many people do. A per-use or app-based service can cover a quick one-off, while a VNumbr permanent number covers accounts that need codes again later. They are not mutually exclusive.
Are VNumbr numbers real mobile numbers?
Yes. They are allocated on real mobile carrier networks rather than internet-based pools. Each app decides which numbers it accepts, so no provider can guarantee a result.
How do I pay and sign up at VNumbr?
Sign up with an email address, then pay with cryptocurrency through Cryptomus or NOWPayments, or from a wallet balance. No identity documents are required.
How do I switch from 5sim to VNumbr?
Buy a number, register it on the account you want to move, and update the verification number inside that app while your old number still works. Only then let the old one lapse.
Just need one code, not a number to keep?
This comparison is about VNumbr's permanent numbers. VNumbr also sells single-use OTP numbers billed per activation, for a one-off verification code.
More comparisons
Try a permanent number.
Crypto checkout, keep it for as long as you renew.