How to Get a US Phone Number Outside the US

Need a US phone number but don't live in the US? Whether you're traveling, relocated, or running a business abroad, most providers make it surprisingly hard to sign up.

Getting a US number from abroad is surprisingly complicated. Most services require a US address, US credit card, or existing US phone number to sign up. Here's how to actually get one.

Google Voice: Free, but only if you already have US access

Google Voice gives you a free US phone number. Sounds perfect, right? The catch: you need an existing US phone number to set it up. If you're abroad with only a foreign number, you can't sign up.

• Cost: Free for US calls
• Requirements: US Google account + US phone number for verification
• Best for: Americans abroad who already have it set up
• Limitations: Can't sign up from abroad

OpenPhone: For businesses with budget

OpenPhone (now Quo) is built for businesses. You get a dedicated US number with team features and CRM integrations. At $15/user/month, it's overkill for personal use.

• Cost: $15/user/month
• Requirements: Credit card, identity verification
• Best for: Small businesses with US clients
• Limitations: Expensive for individuals

Zenophone: The simplest option for international users

Zenophone is built for people outside the US who need US calling. No US address required. Sign up from anywhere in 60 seconds.

For $1.50/month, you get a real US phone number. Receive unlimited calls for free—you only pay the monthly subscription. First month is free, so you can try it risk-free.

Need to make outbound calls too? Zenophone charges $0.01/min to call any US number. No hidden fees, no expiring credits.

• US phone number: $1.50/month (first month free)
• Receiving calls: Free (included with your number)
• Making calls: $0.01/min
• Works from any country, no US verification needed

Quick comparison

Bottom line

If you're outside the US and need a US number, Zenophone is the simplest option. $1.50/month gets you a real US number with free incoming calls. First month is free.

Google Voice only works if you already have US access. OpenPhone costs $15/month. Zenophone is 10x cheaper and you can sign up from anywhere.