A virtual WhatsApp number is an essential asset for businesses looking to professionalize their client outreach. With over 200 million users on the WhatsApp Business app, relying on a personal phone number is no longer a scalable or secure strategy. A virtual number directly addresses this challenge.
It provides a dedicated, secure business line that operates over the internet, allowing you to separate professional communications from your personal life without requiring a second device.
This blog offers a direct path to implementation, detailing the core benefits, a step-by-step verification process, and an expert review of the top WhatsApp VoIP number providers to help you choose the best fit for your company.
Compromised brand image, low customer engagement, and insecure communication can hamper customer trust and bring a dip in sales. Avoid this with a robust WhatsApp virtual number that offers advanced automation, analytics, and security features. Not just that, virtual numbers make your business look professional and help you establish a local presence which is not possible with a regular number.
What is a Virtual WhatsApp Number?
A virtual WhatsApp number is a SIM-free phone number that lets you create a WhatsApp Business account to interact with customers online while keeping your personal number private. These legal numbers aren’t tied to a network or location, and you can use them on any internet-enabled device like a smartphone, laptop, or VoIP phone.
The best part? Multiple users can access a shared virtual number on different devices at the same time. It’s an ideal solution for businesses to track and manage calls and messages efficiently with one number.
: How to Use One Virtual WhatsApp Account on Multiple Devices?Why Use A Free Virtual Phone Number for WhatsApp?
The major reason for relying on a free virtual number for WhatsApp is to protect privacy. As your number is not visible, you can avoid several scams and fraudulent calls.
Secondly, by linking your business to a WhatsApp account, you can enhance customer experience and deliver personalized customer support. As a result, these efforts can lead to increased customer loyalty and sales.
Lastly, using a free virtual WhatsApp number frees you from the need for a SIM card. Plus, your WhatsApp messages can be integrated with different CRM software. It facilitates your team to track the messages received and ensure customer queries are resolved promptly without any unnecessary delays.
How to Get a Virtual Number For WhatsApp?
Before creating a virtual WhatsApp number, you need to select a virtual phone number provider to obtain a virtual number. Various platforms offer such services with different features and costs. Once you choose the platform, then:
- Step 1: Sign up on the platform of your preferred virtual phone number provider.
- Step 2: Choose the type of virtual phone number (local, mobile, toll-free, national, etc.) and the country code.
- Step 3: Select your city/state for your virtual phone number.
- Step 4: Pick a subscription plan that suits your needs.
- Step 5: Pay the payment to get the virtual phone number of your choice.
Key Takeaway: Creating a virtual WhatsApp number involves selecting a trusted provider to get a virtual number, registering, and then verifying to activate it as a virtual WhatsApp number. This process ensures efficient and professional communication for business needs.
How To Create a Virtual WhatsApp Number Account?
Now that you have received your virtual number, let us understand how you can create a virtual WhatsApp number account:
- Step 1:.Install the WhatsApp app on your device.
- Step 2: Enter your virtual phone number.
- Step 2: Select your country’s name.
- Step 3: To get a verification code, tap the icon below.
- Step 4: Enter the six-digit verification code received via phone or SMS.
That’s it! Start making and receiving calls and messages from your virtual WhatsApp number for business communication.
Manage Virtual Numbers for WhatsApp with ControlHippo
Seamlessly sync your WhatsApp communications from a single platform and enhance your customer interactions.
How to Maximize the Potential of Your Virtual WhatsApp Number?
After creating and getting a free virtual WhatsApp number, it’s time to start utilizing it in a smarter way for business communication. ControlHippo’s WhatsApp Business API makes managing and using virtual WhatsApp numbers easy in various ways. Here’s how:
1. Manage Multiple Virtual WhatsApp Numbers from One Dashboard
ControlHippo provides a single centralized dashboard where you can manage your multiple WhatsApp Accounts in one place that you have created with your multiple virtual phone numbers, making it easier to keep track of communications and streamline operations.
With this feature, you can monitor and manage all customer interactions efficiently, ensuring no message is missed.
2. Invite Multiple Team Members to Manage Virtual WhatsApp Account
With ControlHippo’s WhatsApp Business API, businesses can invite multiple team members to manage virtual WhatsApp numbers. By granting access to the centralized dashboard, team members can collectively handle customer inquiries, ensuring prompt responses and efficient communication.
This shared access allows each team member to see all interactions and distribute workload, which will reduce the risk of missed messages.
3. Assign and Label Chats to Team Members
ControlHippo allows businesses to assign and label chats to specific team members or departments that have been invited and given access to their virtual WhatsApp account. This will ensure that the customer inquiries are directed to the right person.
Additionally, labeling these chats helps in organizing and categorizing interactions based on criteria such as department, project, or priority.
4. Send Quick Replies from a virtual WhatsApp number to boost Sales
Sending automated quick replies on WhatsApp from a virtual WhatsApp number allows you to respond to common customer inquiries swiftly and consistently. This feature reduces response time, providing customers with immediate answers and keeping them engaged, especially when using local phone numbers for better connection.
By leveraging these automated responses, businesses can effectively utilize an AI receptionist to handle routine inquiries, ensuring prompt and efficient customer service without the need for constant human intervention.
71% of consumers (age 16-24) believe that a quick response from a support team can drastically improve their customer experience.
Here are some use cases of WhatsApp quick replies–
- Product release updates with special launch discounts
- Regular discount offers for existing customers
- Re-engage inactive customers with irresistible offers
- Upsell to existing customers
: How to Use WhatsApp for Free International Voice Calls?Top 5 Virtual Number Providers for WhatsApp
Choosing the right Virtual WhatsApp Number Provider is critical for ensuring reliable WhatsApp verification and unlocking advanced business features. We’ve analyzed the market based on platform capabilities, reliability, and target audience to bring you the top 5 providers.
1. ControlHippo
ControlHippo offers a fully integrated platform where the virtual number is a component of its primary solution: a shared inbox for WhatsApp and other messaging channels. It is purpose-built for teams that need to manage customer conversations collaboratively, turning WhatsApp into a centralized hub for sales and support.
Best For: Teams seeking a collaborative WhatsApp management platform.
Pros
- The platform provides a unified inbox for multiple messaging channels.
- It offers advanced features for chat assignment, labeling, and internal notes.
- The tool includes robust analytics for monitoring team performance.
Cons
- The system may be too comprehensive for individual users or solopreneurs.
- It requires using the ControlHippo platform, as it's not a standalone number provider.
Pricing: Paid plans with advanced features start from approximately $20 per user/month. For a compatible virtual number starting at ?200/month, contact their team at [email protected].
*Pricing as of 19-08-2025
2. CallHippo
CallHippo is a comprehensive VoIP provider that offers a wide array of virtual numbers and an extensive suite of cloud telephony features. It’s an ideal choice for businesses looking to build a complete communication stack that goes beyond WhatsApp to include advanced call routing, analytics, and CRM integrations.
Best For: Businesses needing a feature-rich, global cloud phone system.
Pros
- The tool supports virtual numbers from over 50 countries.
- It offers advanced call management features like IVR and power dialing.
- The platform provides seamless integration with dozens of popular CRMs.
Cons
- Customer support response times can sometimes be slow.
- The sheer number of features can be overwhelming for new users.
Pricing: CallHippo offers several tiers, including a free basic plan. Paid plans with more advanced features start at $16 per user/month when billed annually.
3. Twilio
Twilio is the industry standard for developers and businesses that require a highly customizable communication infrastructure. It operates on an API-first model, providing the building blocks for voice, SMS, and WhatsApp that can be integrated directly into a company’s own applications and workflows.
Best For: Developers and businesses needing custom, scalable communication solutions.
Pros
- The platform provides easy access via a flexible and powerful API.
- It offers unmatched scalability and reliability for global operations.
- The pay-as-you-go model can be very cost-effective for specific use cases.
Cons
- It requires technical expertise or developer resources to implement.
- The pricing structure can be complex and difficult to predict.
Pricing: Twilio uses a pay-as-you-go model. A local U.S. number costs $1.15/month, and WhatsApp conversations are priced per 24-hour session, typically starting around 1.5 cents per conversation.
4. Plivo
Plivo is a powerful cloud communications platform that serves as a direct, high-quality alternative to Twilio. It provides developers and product teams with the essential API building blocks to embed voice and SMS capabilities directly into their own applications. Known for its reliability and strong global network, Plivo is an excellent choice for tech-savvy businesses that need to build scalable, custom solutions for things like account notifications and WhatsApp verification.
Best For: Developers, product teams, and businesses that need to embed custom communication features directly into their applications.
Pros
- It offers a highly reliable and well-documented API for both voice and SMS functionalities.
- The platform is known for its responsive premium support and competitive pay-as-you-go pricing.
- Its visual workflow builder, Phlo, simplifies creating complex communication logic without deep coding.
Cons
- Like other API-first platforms, it is not a plug-and-play solution and requires development resources.
- The platform can be overly complex for individuals or small businesses seeking a simple, ready-to-use virtual number.
Pricing: Plivo operates on a pay-as-you-go model. U.S. virtual numbers start at just $0.80 per month, plus carrier fees for calls and messages.
5. Google Voice
Google Voice is a versatile and highly reliable virtual number service offered by Google. It provides users with a free U.S.-based phone number that works seamlessly across smartphones and web browsers. Its deep integration with the Google Workspace ecosystem makes it an excellent choice for freelancers and small businesses looking for a cost-effective and dependable number for WhatsApp verification and general business calls.
Best For: U.S.-based freelancers and small businesses integrated into the Google ecosystem.
Pros
- It provides a free U.S. phone number with no monthly fees for personal use.
- The platform offers best-in-class voicemail transcription and spam filtering.
- It integrates seamlessly with other Google services like Calendar and Meet.
Cons
- An existing U.S. phone number is required for the initial sign-up process.
- The free version lacks essential business features like an auto-attendant or multiple users.
Pricing: The service is free for personal use in the U.S. For business features, Google Voice is available through Google Workspace plans, starting at $10 per user per month.
Wrapping Up
By connecting your WhatsApp account with a virtual number to ControlHippo, you can use features like chat assignment, multi-user access, and sending promotional messages to efficiently manage business conversations and drive sales. Note that you must register your virtual number on WhatsApp Business API to capitalize on these capabilities.
As API doesn’t have a separate interface, adopt a trusted WhatsApp business solution provider like ControlHippo to best utilize your virtual WhatsApp number.
Yes, you can get a virtual number for WhatsApp through a reliable virtual phone number provider like CallHippo, DialerHQ, RingCentral, and Freshdesk. However, if you want a virtual number for WhatsApp Business (free), sign up for free trials of free virtual phone number(s) providers.
To get a free virtual number for WhatsApp, you just have to sign up for a free trial for a trusted virtual number provider like CallHippo, DialerHQ, and Freshdesk. These virtual phone number providers offer basic calling features like call forwarding, SMS messages, and call recording.
Yes, you can create an Indian virtual number in WhatsApp by choosing paid or free virtual phone number providers, selecting India in the country section, tapping on your desired number type, selecting a pricing plan, and making the required payment.
To get free virtual phone numbers (US) for WhatsApp, sign up for a free US number trial on your selected virtual phone number provider’s platform.
Updated : August 19, 2025
Naina Khare is an experienced content writer specializing in business communication solutions. Her expertise in omnichannel communication shines through in her clear, engaging content. Naina’s writing helps businesses navigate and enhance their communication strategies, making complex concepts more accessible.