How to Get a Virtual Number for WhatsApp (Complete 2026 Guide)

published on 27 April 2026
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A WhatsApp virtual number is a cloud-based phone number provided by AiSensy that helps businesses apply for WhatsApp Business API without relying on a traditional SIM card.
With the Virtual WhatsApp number, businesses can easily procure the WhatsApp Business API without needing a physical SIM card.
With AiSensy, you can get a WhatsApp virtual number starting at just ₹166/month along with free onboarding support and easy WhatsApp Business API setup.
With AiSensy’s official WhatsApp Business API platform, businesses can launch campaigns, build no-code chatbots, send bulk broadcasts, and automate customer journeys from a single dashboard.

Looking to get a virtual number for WhatsApp?

A WhatsApp virtual number is one of the most efficient ways to get started with the WhatsApp Business API without the risk of losing your SIM card as it's a cloud-based number that doesn't require a physical SIM. 

WhatsApp Virtual Number
WhatsApp Virtual Number

In this guide, you’ll discover what a WhatsApp virtual phone number is, and how to get one fast with AiSensy starting at just ₹166/month.

Table of Content:

What is a WhatsApp Virtual Number?

A WhatsApp virtual number is a cloud-based phone number that allows you to communicate with users on WhatsApp without requiring a physical SIM card. This number is not linked to specific network operators (like Jio, Airtel, etc). 

It is primarily used by businesses to apply for the WhatsApp Business API and is best suited for businesses or individuals who want to keep their personal numbers private while still being able to communicate with their users at scale

If you're looking for the best WhatsApp virtual phone number provider in India, choosing a reliable platform is important for smooth setup and long-term scalability.

How to Buy WhatsApp Virtual number with AiSensy

Step 1: With AiSensy, you can buy a WhatsApp Virtual number at just ₹166/month (billed annually at ₹2000/year) from the link below.

[Buy a WhatsApp Virtual Number @ ₹166/month]

whatsapp virtual number pricing
whatsapp virtual number pricing

After purchasing the number, follow the steps below to take your WhatsApp API live with AiSensy. 

How to procure WhatsApp Business API after buying virtual number for WhatsApp?


Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Virtual Number for WhatsApp

Watch the above video or read the steps below to apply for WhatsApp API with your Virtual WhatsApp number. 

Step 2: Once you purchase a virtual number with AiSensy, you will receive an automated WhatsApp notification from AiSensy with proper instructions to schedule your onboarding call.

Step 3: Book your procurement call - Schedule a call with the AiSensy team at a time that works for you. This call is completely free and included with your purchase.

Step 4: Attend the call and get your number. The AiSensy team will hand over your virtual number on the call and walk you through the WhatsApp Business API approval process - together, in one session.

Step 5: Connect your number to the API Once approved, link your WhatsApp virtual number to your AiSensy account and you're ready to start messaging at scale. Once your number is connected, you’ll need to log in and manage your account efficiently. If you’re unsure about the process, check out this detailed guide on WhatsApp Business API login to get started smoothly.

Important: Your AiSensy WhatsApp virtual number is valid exclusively for creating and connecting a WhatsApp Business API. It cannot be used for any other purpose, including personal WhatsApp.

Benefits of Getting a Virtual Phone Number for WhatsApp


  • Cost-effective - Using a virtual number for WhatsApp is a much more cost-effective option than using a number from a Telecom operator like Airtel/ Jio.

  • No physical existence - As the name suggests, a virtual WhatsApp number doesn't have a physical existence. It exists, but it's completely virtual.

  • Highly Flexible - The biggest convenience of using a WhatsApp Virtual number is that you don't need a physical SIM card to use it.

  • Accessible Globally - You can communicate with people worldwide using a WhatsApp virtual number or an eSIM USA, making both excellent options for international business or personal communication. 

  • Top-notch privacy - WhatsApp virtual numbers allow you to keep your personal phone number private, particularly useful if you're using WhatsApp for business purposes or communicating with people you don't know well.

Once you've got your WhatsApp Virtual number, you can use it to procure WhatsApp Business API by signing up to AiSensy.

Brands like Skullcandy, Physicswallah, Vivo, Rentomojo, Crib and much more use WhatsApp for Marketing, customer support & automation.

With WhatsApp, they've been able to drive as much as 150x ROI for their businesses.

CASE STUDY: How Skullcandy leveraged a WhatsApp virtual number with AiSensy to improve customer engagement and conversions?

A leading D2C brand like Skullcandy used AiSensy along with a WhatsApp virtual number to improve its customer engagement and recover lost sales.

Before using WhatsApp, the brand struggled with abandoned carts and low response rates from customers. After setting up a virtual number and integrating it with the WhatsApp Business API, they started sending automated reminders and personalized messages.

As a result, they were able to reduce abandoned carts by 45–60% and significantly improve conversions through real-time communication.

Note here that if you wish to do bulk WhatsApp Marketing, it's suggested that you use a platform like AiSensy. AiSensy is a WhatsApp Marketing Platform based on Official WhatsApp Business APIs.

Why Choose AiSensy for a WhatsApp Virtual Number?

If you want a reliable and affordable platform to get a WhatsApp virtual number and access the official WhatsApp Business API, AiSensy is a trusted choice for businesses of all sizes.

  • Official WhatsApp Business API Partner
  • Fast onboarding with quick API activation
  • Dedicated support for easy setup & verification
  • Transparent pricing starting at just ₹166/month
  • Trusted by 210,000+ businesses globally
  • Easy WhatsApp automation, broadcasts, and customer support management
  • No technical expertise required to get started

How to use WhatsApp Virtual Number for your Business?

Here are some ways you can use WhatsApp for your business marketing using a WhatsApp Marketing Platform like AiSensy

1. Shoot Promotional WhatsApp Broadcasts to Unlimited users in one go

Send non-transactional messages like discount offers, promotions on festivals, product launch messages, season-end-sale & much more to boost your business’ sales & conversions.

Add clickable CTA & Quick Reply Buttons to make your promotional messages more actionable with AiSensy. 

Promotional messages on WhatsApp
Promotional messages on WhatsApp

Read: 14 WhatsApp Promotional messages examples

2. Automate notifications on WhatsApp

Use WhatsApp for Business to automate notifications for multiple events like orders, shipping, delivery, abandoned carts & more to users via integration. 

Basically, you can set up automated notifications that will be sent to a user's WhatsApp whenever they trigger an event. E.g. order confirmation notifications/delivery updates.

Now, whenever a user buys a product, they will receive a confirmation on WhatsApp. Similarly, if they add an item to their cart & don't check out, they'll receive an Abandoned Cart notification reminding them to complete their purchase.

Duolingo and NoBroker
Duolingo and NoBroker

3. Run Direct to WhatsApp Ads

A major benefit here is that when a user lands on your WhatsApp, you'll instantly get their name & Mobile number (without having them fill out tiring forms).

You have a 3x better chance of converting a user by getting them on WhatsApp than on your landing page.

Direct to WhatsApp Ads
Direct to WhatsApp Ads

4. Integrate WhatsApp Chatbot to automate Sales & Support

A WhatsApp Chatbot responds like a human agent, understanding & responding to queries instantly. 

Also, it can show personalized recommendations, helping users find the right product & complete sales without human intervention. 

You can easily create WhatsApp Chatbot in 10 minutes without coding expertise with AiSensy's Chatbot flow builder.

There are so many more ways WhatsApp can benefit your business.

Check out some more amazing Use Cases of WhatsApp for your business.


Conclusion


A WhatsApp Virtual number is the safest thing you can purchase to protect your privacy, increase your accessibility & message your audiences globally.

Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, choosing the right virtual number for WhatsApp Business API ensures effective communication, automation, and scalability for your business.

We hope you got to know how to get a WhatsApp Virtual number from this blog.

If you liked it, share it with those you feel will benefit from this information.

Get started with AiSensy today and buy your WhatsApp virtual number to automate your business communication effortlessly.

Below are a few resources which we believe you'll find useful👇

Ultimate Guide to WhatsApp Business API

Top 10 WhatsApp Business API Benefits every Marketer must know

WhatsApp for Business: 10 Effective tools & strategies

Top 12 WhatsApp Business API Use Cases

WhatsApp Virtual Number FAQs

You can buy a WhatsApp virtual number through an official WhatsApp Business API provider. Simply choose a plan, complete payment, and follow the onboarding process to activate your number.

The cost typically starts from ₹166/month (billed annually) and may go up based on features, support, and provider services.

No. Virtual numbers are paid services because they involve infrastructure, maintenance, and API integration costs.

Yes, it is safe if you purchase from an official WhatsApp Business API provider. Always ensure the provider follows WhatsApp’s policies.

No, virtual numbers are only meant for WhatsApp Business API and cannot be used with personal WhatsApp or the regular app.

Activation usually takes a few days, depending on verification and approval from WhatsApp.

Once you get a WhatsApp virtual number, you can use it to access the WhatsApp Business API and manage customer communication at scale. Businesses use it to send promotional broadcasts, automate notifications, run WhatsApp marketing campaigns, and provide real-time customer support without using a personal number. With AiSensy, you can book a demo call to get your WhatsApp virtual number and receive free assistance with the WhatsApp Business API application and onboarding process in the same call.

No, you typically cannot get a reliable WhatsApp virtual number for free because virtual numbers require infrastructure, maintenance, verification, and WhatsApp Business API support. Free virtual numbers are often unreliable, temporary, or may violate WhatsApp policies. With AiSensy, you can get an official WhatsApp virtual number starting at just ₹166/month along with onboarding support and easy WhatsApp Business API setup.

No, WhatsApp itself does not provide virtual numbers. You need to get a virtual number through an official WhatsApp Business API provider like AiSensy, which helps businesses procure and connect virtual numbers to the WhatsApp Business API.

No, virtual numbers are not illegal in India when obtained through authorized and compliant providers. Businesses commonly use virtual numbers for customer communication, WhatsApp Business API, cloud telephony, and support operations. However, businesses must comply with WhatsApp policies and local telecom regulations.

No, WhatsApp requires a phone number for account verification. However, businesses can use a WhatsApp virtual number instead of a physical SIM card to access the WhatsApp Business API and manage customer communication professionally.

No. Most providers offer complete onboarding support, making it easy even for non-technical users.

A virtual number is cloud-based and used for business API integration, while a regular number requires a SIM and is limited in scalability.

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