How to Get a Personal VoIP Number: Free & Paid Options

Ordinary phone numbers have long been tied to cellular networks and SIM cards. While that paradigm still works, it's usually costly, restrictive, and not well suited to today's fast-paced online existence. That's where VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) shakes things up. Instead of relying on mobile networks, VoIP uses the internet to allow a virtual phone number.

A personal VoIP number is the best option for freelancers, remote employees, businesspeople, and even ordinary smartphone users who require a second phone number for calls and messages without purchasing another SIM card. If you want a business line for commercial usage or just need to keep personal and business calls separate, VoIP makes it easy, cheap, and feature-packed.

In this article, we are going to tell you what a personal VoIP number is, why you need it, the top free and paid providers in 2025, and a step-by-step guide on how to set yours up.

What is a Personal VoIP Number

A VoIP number is a web-based phone number that operates fully on the internet rather than on personal mobile networks. What that implies is that your calls, voicemails, and texts travel over the internet as data, which means you have added convenience and less cost.

Despite some drawbacks to a SIM-based number, a VoIP number:

• Is Likely to function on multiple devices, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even desktop VoIP phones.
• Allows you to make and receive calls wherever you are connected to the internet.
• Is capable of being used for regular phone calls, SMS, voicemail, video conferencing, and even business collaboration tools.
• Basically, it turns your phone number into a cloud-based communications hub that does not rely on one carrier or one device.

Advantages of Having a Personal VoIP Number

Cost Savings

Among the largest benefits of VoIP is that it is affordable. Carriers usually have high monthly rates, particularly for international calls. VoIP reduces these rates by making calls over the internet. Most apps provide free VoIP phone numbers with unlimited local texting and calling, with a premium option much cheaper than mobile carrier plans.

Flexibility

You can use a VoIP number wherever you happen to be as long as you're online. You can be overseas and still receive calls on your home number. With SIM phones, you're limited to one device, you can run your VoIP account on several devices simultaneously.

Privacy & Security

Sharing your SIM number everywhere exposes you to spam, robocalls, and privacy risks. With a VoIP number, you can conceal your personal number while staying reachable. Most services also have spam blocking, robocall filtering, and end-to-end encrypted calling, so your interaction is secure.

Extra Features

Regular phone lines never give you anything more than voicemail. With VoIP, you get voicemail transcription, call forwarding, auto-attendant, call recording, spam blocking, and cloud storage for your voicemail. Companies can even create custom greetings or forward calls to multiple employees.

Free VoIP Number Options

Google Voice

Google Voice is still among the top free US VoIP services. It provides you with a free phone number that you can link to your Gmail and Google Workspace accounts. You can use it to forward calls, send texts, and even read voice messages that are transcribed and sent to your email.

It's especially wonderful for freelancers and small business owners who are already utilizing Google products. It's free to call in the US, and international calls are affordable. The availability is the worst thing about it, it only works for US users, so international users will have to use something else.

TextNow

TextNow is a great option for anyone who wants to have a totally free number in the US and Canada. It features unlimited texts and calls, one of the top free VoIP features out there. Its free edition is ad-supported, but you can pay to eliminate ads and have international calling.

TextNow is ideal for students, price-conscious consumers, or anyone who needs a second number for discretion. It does not have all of the features that carriers like premium VoIP transcription voicemail or business use have.

Skype (Limited Free Features)

Skype has been the word for web phone calls and video calls for years. Although Skype-to-Skype calls are totally free anywhere in the world, buying a VoIP number using Skype is not free and is paid for as a subscription. Despite this, Skype is a popular option for everyone since it is ubiquitous, stable, and user-friendly.

If you're already engaging in video calls via Skype, having a VoIP number consolidates all of this into one location. It's pricey, but its convenience factor and worldwide support make it worthwhile.

Paid VoIP Number Services

Grasshopper

Grasshopper is ideal for professionals and small businesses who need a business-class VoIP solution. Grasshopper provides features such as voicemail transcription, extensions, customized greetings, and call forward. Grasshopper has the ability to make you sound professional despite operating your business from a single smartphone.

The service is also seamless on both mobile and desktop platforms, where you can handle calls from anywhere. Although pricier than free alternatives, the option to divide professional and personal communication makes it worth every penny for entrepreneurs.

RingCentral

RingCentral is among the biggest cloud-based phone system brand names used by startups, businesses, and remote teams in large numbers. It offers VoIP phone numbers with a complete communication platform consisting of team messaging, video conferencing, call routing, and sophisticated call analytics.

The solution is also scalable, meaning single freelancers can begin with one number, and larger teams can be given a sequence of lines and extensions. With its professional-grade features, RingCentral is the ideal solution for anyone who needs a full-scale communications solution instead of a stand-alone VoIP number.

Zoom Phone

And since you're already on Zoom for meetings, it naturally makes sense to extend with Zoom Phone. It adds VoIP calling, voicemail, and call forwarding to the world of Zoom, making you have a holistic solution for voice and video conversations.

Zoom Phone is especially compelling to remote workers who spend much of their day on Zoom calls and need a business number. It's cheaper than other paid alternatives, but its value lies in integration with Zoom's already mature platform.

8x8

8x8 is a top pick for individuals who frequently call other countries. It offers unlimited calls to the majority of the world, making it perfect for international freelancers, remote workers, and small businesses with worldwide clients.

In addition to calling, 8x8 also offers video conferencing, SMS, voicemail-to-email, and collaboration features. It's relatively affordable and the benefit of worldwide connectivity with the freedom of a new VoIP system. The only drawback is it tends to be more business-like at times, but users can still utilize its feature richness.

How to Set Up a Personal VoIP Number

Step 1: Select Free or Paid Service

Begin by considering what you want. Do you simply need a free second number for casual use, or do you require more sophisticated features such as voicemail transcription, auto-attendants, and call analytics for business?

Step 2: Sign Up & Choose a Number

After you select a provider, register and select your number. You could be presented with options like local numbers, toll-free numbers, or vanity numbers (which are personalized to spell out a word or brand name).

Step 3: Download the App

The majority of providers provide mobile and desktop apps. Download the app to handle your calls, messages, and voicemails on devices.

Step 4: Configure Settings

Establish call forwarding, voicemail messages, caller ID, and additional customized features. If you're planning to use it for business, include extensions or routing instructions.

Step 5: Begin Making Calls

When you're done, begin using your own VoIP phone number for personal or business purposes.

Free vs. Paid VoIP Numbers: Which One to Use?

Free VoIP Numbers

Free alternatives such as Google Voice, TextNow, and Skype are perfect when you just require a basic number for texting and calling. Perfect for personal use, everyday communication, or sign-up guard while signing up with web services. But be prepared for restrictions such as ads, geolocation limitations, and minimal business-class features.

Paid VoIP Numbers

Paid options like Grasshopper, RingCentral, Zoom Phone, and 8x8 offer you more advanced features like voicemail-to-text, auto-attendants, and call recording. They are much more professional and reliable and thus best for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Conclusion

Having a personal VoIP number is no longer difficult and costly. With free providers like Google Voice and TextNow, a second line for phone and text is available for anyone free of charge. Or, pay providers like RingCentral and Grasshopper provide sophisticated, business-class capabilities for serious business people who need stability and scalability.

The best option will depend on your needs, whether you require a free casual number or an entire communications system. Either option, though, allows you to stay in touch, preserve your anonymity, and exert greater control over the calls.

Ready to take your communication to the next level? 

Schedule a demo with PowerDialer.ai and learn how cutting-edge VoIP solutions can automate your calls and make business communication a piece of cake.

FAQs

Q1. Can we have a free VoIP number?

Yes, platforms like Google Voice and TextNow offer free VoIP numbers with limited calls and messages.

Q2. Can I have a VoIP number for my cell phone?

Yes, all VoIP applications are perfectly suitable to be used on both iPhone and Android.

Q3. Are VoIP numbers secure?

Yes. Major VoIP providers employ encryption, firewalls, and secure servers to safeguard your communication.

Q4. Can I port my existing phone number to VoIP?

Yes, most services enable you to import your current SIM number into their VoIP configuration.

Q5. What VoIP service is best for individual use?

Google Voice is highly recommended to use for free. For business purposes, RingCentral or Grasshopper are good options.