G
G5SIM vs Sonetel
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
5
Choose 5SIM if…
- you're in its core audience: privacy-minded individuals, developers automating sign-ups
S
Choose Sonetel if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you work on iOS, Android
- you're in its core audience: entrepreneurs, small businesses
Side by side
Feature 5SIM Sonetel
Pricing modelPaidFreemium
Starting price——
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategorySMS verification servicesVirtual phone numbers
Company—Sonetel AB · since 2009
Full feature lists
5 5SIM
- Temporary virtual numbers for SMS receiving
- Numbers from 150+ countries
- Supports 1100+ services, including Telegram and WhatsApp
- Pricing set per country and operator
- API key from the account menu
- Works with the SMS-activate API format
- Referral program
S Sonetel
- Local business numbers in 60+ countries
- Calls ring in iPhone and Android app
- Call forwarding to any phone worldwide
- SMS on some number types
- AI call summaries and call scoring
- Voicemail to email, with transcription on higher plans
- IVR voice menu for call routing
- Communications API
What you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
5SIM
Pay per numberFrom $0.008 per number
Sonetel
Phone numberFrom €1.79/mo
Strengths and limitations
5SIM
- Prices start from $0.008 per number
- Large coverage: 150+ countries and 1100+ services
- Compatible with the SMS-activate API format
- Prices vary by country and operator, with no flat rate
- Numbers are temporary, meant for receiving codes
Sonetel
- Numbers from €1.79 per month
- Free signup with no credit card required
- Free calls to 40+ countries on paid plans
- Publicly listed company operating since 2009
- AI summaries, call scoring and IVR only on Premium and Business plans
- SMS works only on some number types
- Showing your business number on outbound calls requires identity verification
More comparisons
Other options to consider
GG
Paid
G
Pay-per-use virtual numbers for receiving SMS verification codes
SMS verification servicesAPI
S
SS
Paid
S
Temporary and rental phone numbers from 60+ countries for SMS verification
SMS verification servicesAPI
H
HH
From $6.99/mo
H
Second and temporary phone numbers for private calls and texts over Wi-Fi
Virtual phone numbers
F
FEmail and phone masks that forward messages and keep your real identity private
Free, from $0.99/mo
F
Free, from $0.99/mo
F
Email and phone masks that forward messages and keep your real identity private
Email & phone aliasesFree planOpen source
C
CEmail and phone aliases, data broker removal and spam call blocking for consumers
From $9.99/mo
C
From $9.99/mo
C
Email and phone aliases, data broker removal and spam call blocking for consumers
Email & phone aliases
Z
ZZ
Free, from $4/mo
Z
Cloud business telephony with virtual numbers, free PBX, CRM and AI agent
Cloud phone systems & VoIPFree planAPI
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy