How to get a vanity number: 4 ways, by cost

How to get a vanity number: the 4 ways

Four paths get you a vanity number. Pick a number out of a phone provider's stock at signup, or buy a listed number a seller offers and port it. A provider can also assign a toll-free number spelling your word. Or port a vanity number that you already have. What you spend ranges from no extra cost on a plan you already have to a one-time charge of over $10,000 from a seller.

First, make sure the word fits

After the area code, a local number carries 7 digits, so a local vanity word tops out at 7 letters. RingBoost advises against 8-digit local vanities, since a mobile phone may fail to complete the call. Longer words work with toll-free numbers: the call connects once the seventh digit is dialed, so 1-800-HOMECARE still works. Use words to phone number to turn your word into digits, or test spellings with the vanity number generator.

1. Select a vanity number out of a provider's stock

When you open an account, most phone services let you look for a number. Your word costs nothing beyond the plan if it is still free in their stock. TextNow provides another way to get a vanity phone number at no cost. On its free plan, you can select a local number, though your choices depend on what is left. This also explains how to get a vanity phone number for free.

Providers that talk about vanity numbers in their plans:

• UniTel Voice: every plan offers a custom vanity number, subject to availability. Solo costs $84 billed yearly; each extra number is $4.99 a month.
• Grasshopper: pick local, toll-free or vanity numbers when you sign up. True Solo runs $168 a year; each extra number costs $9 a month.
• 800.com: local numbers and vanity toll-free numbers can be searched and put into plans, and activation takes 1 to 5 days. The Startup plan runs $228 a year, billed yearly.
• RingCentral: each extra vanity number adds a one-time $30 plus $4.99 a month, above a plan that starts at $240 for the first year.

Stock is the catch, since you see only numbers nobody else holds. Most good toll-free numbers, PhoneNumberGuy says, are long gone. Compare plans for virtual phone number and business phone numbers.

2. Buy a vanity number from a seller's list

Sellers and brokers post numbers at a one-time price, then pass them to you through a port. Published starting prices look like this. Exclusive Digits has daily specials at $9, with regular pricing of $49. NumberBarn comes in at $9.95 and PhoneNumberExpert at $100. For a standard 212 number, 212areacode.com asks $150, and PhoneNumberGuy asks $200 on its store page. Need a specific ending? PhoneNumberGuy tries to order a four-digit ending tied to an area code for $350 and up. The Custom tier at 212areacode.com, at $750 and up, lets you pick the last 4 digits.

Once you pay, the seller sends account details that your new carrier needs, and then you port the number in. Buying a local number and porting it to your mobile carrier is how to get a vanity cell phone number. Google Voice takes ports only from mobile carriers, so send the number to a cell carrier first when Google Voice is the goal. To compare sellers, use vanity number sellers; to search listings, use buy a phone number.

3. Get a toll-free vanity number assigned

Nobody sells toll-free numbers. A Responsible Organization (RespOrg) reserves the number in the national toll-free database for you, and that role often falls to your phone provider or a business it works with. FCC rule 47 CFR 52.107 bans any sale of one for a fee. Providers can assign your word to you on a normal plan whenever 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833 still has it free. When the word is taken, brokers such as RingBoost may license a number they hold, month by month. RingBoost remains on record as the subscriber, and its licensed numbers cannot move to another carrier. You will find the details in vanity toll-free numbers.

4. Port in a vanity number that you already have

When you change providers, you can keep a number that spells something if you already hold it. Quo, Phone.com, Ooma, Grasshopper, KrispCall port numbers in at no charge; NumberBarn bills $5 for each number you port in to park. 47 CFR 52.35 requires a simple port to be finished within one working day of a complete request. For the steps, see porting a phone number.

Questions

What does a vanity number cost?

Sellers charge a one-time price of $9 to over $10,000 for a local vanity number, and running it takes a service plan too. A toll-free vanity number gets assigned on a plan, or you can license one from RingBoost, typically at $15 to $100 a month or more.

Can I get a vanity number at no cost?

It works only when a provider still has your word in free stock. On its free plan, TextNow lets you choose a local number, and plenty of paid plans include one at no extra charge.

Do I get to pick my own number?

Whatever is on offer, you can choose. PhoneNumberGuy can attempt a four-digit ending you pick for $350 and up, but it states that a five, six or seven-digit sequence cannot be ordered.

What is the wait for a vanity number?

Random numbers at 800.com are activated within 1 to 2 hours, while vanity numbers take 1 to 5 days. A local number you buy then needs a port, and sellers put the wait at a few working days.