The price on the plan page is only part of the cost. What you actually pay over a year depends on how long you keep the number, how much you call, and what happens if the number is taken away. Here is a straight comparison of the three usual choices.
What does each option cost over 12 months?
| Option | 12-month cost | What drives the cost | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free number app | No fee | Ads, paid add-ons to keep or lock the number, credits for calls | Number reclaimed after inactivity |
| TripoSIM, yearly plan | $100 | One payment; extra minutes only if you call over 300 a month | Paid upfront and not refunded |
| TripoSIM, monthly plan | $155.88 ($12.99 × 12) | Monthly payments; same minutes and extras | Costs more if you keep it all year |
| Keeping a US carrier plan abroad | Monthly plan fee × 12, plus roaming | The plan itself, roaming or international day passes, and any minimum plan the carrier requires | The highest monthly bill; roaming charges add up fast |
We do not list carrier or free-app prices, because they change often and differ by plan. Check your own carrier’s current plan and roaming charges, then put them next to the TripoSIM figures.
What do you get for the TripoSIM price?
Both plans include the same things: a US number you choose by state or area code, 300 outgoing minutes a month to US and Canadian numbers, incoming calls with fair use of 300 minutes, voicemail, and texts from US and Canadian senders. The yearly plan adds a $5 welcome credit.
Know the limits too. You cannot send or reply to texts, there is no emergency calling, and it is an app-based VoIP number rather than a carrier line. If you need a full US mobile line, a carrier plan does things the app cannot.
Should you pay monthly or yearly?
It comes down to how long you need the number. Up to 7 months, monthly costs less. From month 8, the yearly plan is cheaper. Over a full year, yearly saves $55.88, about 36%.
| Months | Monthly total | Yearly plan |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $38.97 | $100 |
| 6 | $77.94 | $100 |
| 8 | $103.92 | $100 |
| 12 | $155.88 | $100 |
The break-even month explained walks through examples, and the cost calculator runs your own numbers.
What hidden costs should you count?
Top-ups. If you call more than 300 minutes a month, add 100 minutes for $5. Each outgoing call is rounded up to the next full minute; unanswered calls are free. A year on the yearly plan with two top-ups comes to $110; on the monthly plan, $165.88. Our guide to how far 300 minutes goes helps you estimate.
Your internet. The number works over Wi-Fi or mobile data. If you rely on mobile data abroad, that data plan is part of the cost.
Losing the number. This is the cost people forget. A number linked to your bank, WhatsApp or clients is worth more than its monthly fee. Free apps can reclaim a number you have not used for a while. With TripoSIM, if a plan ends, the number is kept 30 days (yearly) or 90 days (monthly), then released and not recoverable. Moving every account to a new number takes hours, and some accounts may lock you out in the process.
No refunds. TripoSIM payments are not refunded, except a full refund if your number is not delivered within 72 hours, or where local law requires. Buy for the time you are sure about.
Carrier roaming. If you keep a US carrier plan abroad, a single month with heavy data roaming can cost more than a year of an app number. Check whether your carrier charges per day.
Which option is cheapest for you?
- A short trip or a test: a free app or a month of the TripoSIM monthly plan.
- A stay of 8 months or more, or a permanent move: the TripoSIM yearly plan.
- You need to send texts or want a full mobile line: a US carrier plan, accepting the higher monthly cost.
- You only want to keep your old US number: read keep your old US number or get a new one.
For a closer look at free and paid numbers, see free vs paid US numbers. When you are ready, compare both TripoSIM options on the plans page.