A one-time number is set aside for you for a few minutes so you can receive a single verification code. A rental number lets you keep the same number for days or weeks and receive several texts during that time. Which one you need depends on how many times you'll need the number.
Key differences
| One-time number | Rental number | |
|---|---|---|
| How long you use it | A few minutes (Onay360 orders stay active for 5 minutes) | Days, weeks or months |
| Texts you can receive | One verification code | Several, for the rental period |
| Cost | A single, one-time price | Based on the rental period, usually higher |
| Best for | One-off sign-ups and verifications | Repeated logins, regular codes |
| When it ends | Access to the number ends | Access ends unless you renew |
When is a one-time number enough?
- You're signing up for an app and will keep using it with an email and password.
- You want to try a service for a short time.
- You can add two-factor authentication and an email address after verifying.
In these cases you won't need the number again, so paying for a longer rental isn't necessary. The steps to take after verification are listed platform by platform in our guide to keeping your account.
When do you need a rental number?
- The platform sends a code to your phone at every login and doesn't let you switch it off.
- You expect another code on the same number within a few days, for example for a second verification step.
- You need to test an app's SMS flow repeatedly over several days.
Rental numbers aren't permanent either. When the rental ends, the number can be given to someone else, so for important long-term accounts your own number is always the safer choice.
A common mistake: expecting a second code on the same number
A frequent surprise for people who sign up with a one-time number is that, a few days later, the platform sends a new code to that number. That code won't reach you, because the number is no longer assigned to your order. Adding an email address and two-factor authentication right after sign-up prevents this.
What does Onay360 offer?
Onay360 numbers are single-use. Each number is assigned for one verification only and is never reused for a second one; rental numbers aren't offered. You can choose a service and country to get a one-time phone number and compare current prices on the pricing page without signing up.
For a broader look at the different kinds of numbers, see our guide on what is a virtual number.