What is a virtual SIM card? eSIM, virtual numbers and soft-SIM apps compared
"Virtual SIM" is used for three very different things: an eSIM, a virtual number for receiving SMS, and soft-SIM apps. This guide separates them, shows what each can and cannot do, and which one to use when you travel.
Quick answer
- A virtual SIM card is not one product; the term covers three different things. An eSIM is a real SIM profile downloaded to your phone for mobile data. A virtual SMS number is an internet-based phone number that receives texts through an app. Soft-SIM or multi-IMSI apps switch carrier identities through software. Only an eSIM gives you a mobile network connection.
- Our eSIMs are data-only: there is no phone number, and no calls or SMS. If you need to receive OTP codes, keep your home SIM active and use our eSIM for internet only.
What does "virtual SIM card" actually mean?
There is no single standard definition. Someone searching "virtual sim card" may mean any of three things: an eSIM built into the phone, a virtual phone number used to receive SMS, or an app that imitates a SIM in software. Knowing which one you actually need up front stops you buying the wrong thing, because the three solve different problems.
Is a virtual SIM the same as an eSIM?
Sometimes, but not always. An eSIM is a real SIM that works through an eUICC chip inside the device, following GSMA standards: you download an operator's profile, usually by scanning a QR code, so no plastic card is needed. People sometimes call this a virtual SIM because there is no card to hold, but technically it connects to a real operator's mobile network exactly as a normal SIM does.
The eSIMs we sell are data-only travel plans: you buy on the website, the QR code arrives by email right away, and no app is needed. For how the technology works in detail, see our guide to what an eSIM is.
What is a virtual SMS number?
A virtual number, or virtual phone number for SMS, runs over VoIP and an app instead of being tied directly to a SIM in the phone. Texts sent to that number appear in the app or on a website, and you need an internet connection already for it to work. We do not sell this service. Our guide to virtual phone numbers covers how it works in depth; this page focuses on comparing it with an eSIM.
What are soft-SIM and multi-IMSI apps?
The IMSI is the identifier that tells a mobile network who you are. Multi-IMSI and soft-SIM apps or services switch that identity depending on country or network, using software or an add-on device. The catch is that they only work with certain phones and providers, and terms vary a great deal. We do not sell this type of service, so read each provider's conditions carefully before relying on one.
How do an eSIM, a virtual number and a soft-SIM compare?
| Topic | eSIM (what we sell) | Virtual number (VoIP) | Soft-SIM / multi-IMSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A real SIM profile on an eUICC chip | A phone number delivered over the internet | Network identity switching done in software |
| Provides mobile data | Yes (ours is data-only) | No, needs existing internet | Depends on the provider |
| Receives SMS | Not on our plans | Yes, in an app or on a website | Depends on the provider |
| Best for | Internet while traveling | A secondary or business line | Frequent travelers who accept device limits |
Can I receive SMS on a virtual SIM?
It depends which kind you mean. A VoIP virtual number can receive SMS inside an app, but our data-only eSIM has no number and cannot receive SMS, so do not buy it expecting to get verification codes.
How should I handle OTP codes while traveling?
The most dependable approach is to keep your home SIM active in the phone (or in a spare device) so bank SMS still arrives normally, and use a data eSIM for internet. On a dual-SIM phone the two work together: leave the home SIM for SMS and set the eSIM as your mobile data line. Our guide to receiving SMS and OTP abroad has the full steps.
Which one is the right tool for which job?
- You need mobile internet while traveling: use a data eSIM, installed before you leave or on arrival.
- You need bank OTP codes: keep your home SIM active rather than relying on a virtual number.
- You want a secondary or business line separate from your personal number: a virtual number may suit, but check first that the services you need accept it.
- You travel constantly and want automatic network switching: a soft-SIM or multi-IMSI service may be an option, but check device compatibility and the provider's terms.
Before buying an eSIM, check that your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. You can use our device checker, then follow the steps in our guide to installing an eSIM.
FAQ
What is a virtual SIM card?+
It is a loose term that can mean an eSIM (a real SIM downloaded to the device), a virtual number that receives SMS through an app, or a soft-SIM app. Each works differently, and only an eSIM connects you to a real mobile network for internet.
Is a virtual SIM the same as an eSIM?+
Not always. An eSIM is a real SIM following GSMA standards, installed by QR code, while a virtual number is a VoIP service that gives no mobile network connection. Some people call an eSIM a virtual SIM simply because there is no physical card.
Can I receive SMS on a virtual SIM?+
A VoIP virtual number can receive SMS in an app, but our data-only eSIM has no number and cannot receive SMS. For bank OTP codes, keep your home SIM active instead.
Is a virtual number safe to use for SMS?+
It depends on the provider and how you use it. Shared numbers can expose your codes to other people, and many services block them, so avoid them for banking or important accounts. Never use one to commit fraud or evade identity checks.
Can I use a virtual SIM for WhatsApp?+
WhatsApp verifies a number by SMS or call, which our data eSIM cannot do. Once your account is already set up, though, WhatsApp runs over the internet, so chats and in-app calls work fine on our data eSIM.
Does your eSIM come with a phone number?+
No. Our eSIMs are data-only, with no phone number and no calls or SMS, just mobile internet. Keep your home SIM active if you need to receive SMS.
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