5SIM Review 2026: Is It Legit?
Our verdict
Lets you pick a specific mobile carrier inside a country when buying a number.
Best for: Choosing a specific carrier within a country.
Pros
- Automatic refunds when no SMS arrives
- 1,300+ services
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Prices and country count differ between pages
- No outgoing SMS or calls
What is 5SIM
5SIM has been around since at least 2016 and shows more than 500,000 numbers online. The homepage mentions numbers from around 180 countries, while its country filter lists 153, and it supports 1,329 services.
How it works and what it costs
Numbers are single-use and receive SMS only — no outgoing messages or calls. Prices start from fractions of a cent depending on the service, and if no SMS arrives the money is refunded automatically. Support is available 24/7, with an AI assistant and a help center. SMS from senders on its stop list can't be received.
Who it's for
5SIM suits users who want a large catalog and automatic refunds for one-off codes. If you need rentals, a mobile app or a published API reference on the homepage, compare it with the alternatives below.
5SIM: key facts
| Website | 5sim.net |
|---|---|
| Number type | Carrier-level numbers |
| Operator | Not stated on the site |
| On the market since | 2016 (copyright) |
| Countries | ~180 (filter shows 153) |
| Services | 1,329 |
| Price from | from $0.008–0.014 |
| One-time number lasts | Not stated on the site |
| No SMS — refund? | Yes, automatic |
| Rentals | Not stated on the site |
| API | Not stated on the site |
| Payment | Not stated on the site |
| Apps & bots | Not stated on the site |
| Sign-up | Not stated on the site |
| Support | 24/7, AI assistant, help center |
| Scale | 500,000+ numbers online |
Checked on the official site: 12.10.2026 · 5sim.net
Before you pay
- Outgoing SMS and calls aren't supported.
- SMS from senders on the "stop list" can't be received.
- Starting price differs between pages.
5SIM vs alternatives
| 5SIM | Tiger SMS | HeroSMS | TextVerified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | ~180 (filter shows 153) | 260+ | 180+ | US numbers only |
| Price from | from $0.008–0.014 | $0.001 | from $0.0075 (Instagram) | $0.25 per verification |
| No SMS — refund? | Yes, automatic | Yes — instantly to balance; you pay only for received SMS | Yes — automatically to balance | Yes, for paid verifications |
| Rentals | — | No | Yes ("Full rent"); terms not stated | Yes: 1–14 days from $1.50; monthly from $5 |
| API | — | Yes, with incoming-SMS webhook | Yes | Yes (v2) |
| Our score | 8.4 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 8.6 |
Data from each provider's official site, checked 12.10.2026.
Apps 5SIM works for
5SIM FAQ
Is 5SIM legit?
5SIM is an established service that works on a prepaid balance. Keep only what you plan to spend on the balance, and turn on 2FA on accounts you register.
What if the SMS doesn't arrive?
Cancel the order and take a number from another country. Full checklist.
What are the best 5SIM alternatives?
See 5SIM alternatives. Our #1 pick is Tiger SMS.
How much does 5SIM cost?
The site lists prices from from $0.008–0.014. The final price depends on the app and the country.
Does 5SIM refund you if the SMS doesn't arrive?
Yes, automatic.
Can I rent a number on 5SIM?
Rentals aren't mentioned on the site.
Help center
- Why Am I Not Receiving Verification Codes? 9 Causes and Fixes — The main checklist: why the code doesn't come and how to get your money back.
- How Refunds Work When a Code Doesn't Arrive — Cancel the order and get your money back.
- "This Phone Number Cannot Be Used for Verification": How to Fix It — Google and other apps reject the number — what it means and what to do.
- Recovering an Account Registered on a Temporary Number — What to do when the number isn't yours anymore.
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