# The SMS-Activate alternative with a compatible API

Source: https://tempsmsverify.com/compare/sms-activate-alternative · Last updated: 2026-10-23

SMS-Activate stopped operating in December 2025, and many people still have bots, scripts and habits built around it. TempSMSVerify is an SMS-Activate alternative that speaks the same handler_api protocol, so most integrations move over by changing a URL and an API key, and every number follows a simple rule: pay only if the code arrives.

## What is the best SMS-Activate alternative in 2026?

If you relied on SMS-Activate's API, look for a service that supports the same handler_api protocol. TempSMSVerify offers an SMS-Activate-compatible endpoint plus a REST API, US and UK numbers, and billing where your balance is frozen on purchase and charged only when the SMS arrives, with automatic refunds otherwise.

## Verdict

SMS-Activate is no longer an option: its own site says it ceased operations on December 22, 2025, and withdrawals closed on February 5, 2026. If you want to keep your existing integration, TempSMSVerify accepts the same handler_api requests and charges only when a code arrives. If you need a very wide country list, compare several providers before you migrate.

## Comparison

|  | TempSMSVerify | SMS-Activate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Status in 2026 | Operating | Closed. Notice on sms-activate.org says operations ceased December 22, 2025 |
| Billing model | Balance frozen on purchase, charged only when the SMS arrives | No longer selling numbers |
| Refunds | Automatic, in full, if no SMS arrives before the number expires | Withdrawals were available until February 5, 2026, per the closure notice |
| API compatibility | SMS-Activate-compatible handler_api endpoint plus REST v1 | Original handler_api protocol, no longer served |
| Payment methods | Card via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay); Crypto (USDC or SOL on Solana) | Top-ups no longer accepted |
| Minimum top-up | $5 | Not applicable |
| Countries | 140+ countries from HeroSMS and 5sim lines; live stock in the catalog | Not applicable |
| Languages | English | Closure notice available in Russian, English and Chinese |
| Support | Tickets in the dashboard and email at contact@tempsmsverify.com | Notice says important questions could be emailed until April 30, 2026 |
| Successor named | Not applicable | Notice says its technology went to the HeroSMS team |

## Steps

1. **Create an account and top up.** Sign up at TempSMSVerify and add at least $5 with Card via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay); Crypto (USDC or SOL on Solana). API access unlocks after your first top-up.
2. **Generate your API key.** Open the API section of your dashboard and generate a key. It is shown once, so store it safely; generating a new one revokes the old key.
3. **Change the base URL.** In your bot or script, replace the old SMS-Activate host with https://tempsmsverify.com/api/stubs/handler_api.php and paste the new api_key.
4. **Check codes and countries.** Call getServicesList and getCountries to confirm service codes and country ids. Omit country to use the default, USA.
5. **Run a test activation.** Call getBalance, then getNumber, poll getStatus every few seconds and finish with setStatus 6, or cancel with setStatus 8 if no code arrives.

## What happened to SMS-Activate?

According to the closure notice still published on sms-activate.org (checked October 23, 2026), the service ceased operations on December 22, 2025, after about 10 years. The same notice says withdrawals were available until February 5, 2026, that users were notified by email and through the bot, and that important questions could be sent by email until April 30, 2026.

The notice also says SMS-Activate handed its technology to the team behind HeroSMS, and it warns that the SMS-Activate name is gone: any site presenting itself as a new SMS-Activate should be treated as a scam. TempSMSVerify is not SMS-Activate, is not affiliated with it and does not claim its name. We simply support the same API protocol so existing tools keep working.

## Why are people looking for an SMS-Activate replacement?

SMS-Activate's handler_api became a de facto standard. Bots, browser extensions, account tools and in-house scripts were written against actions like getNumber, getStatus and setStatus. When the service closed, all of that code started failing at once, and rewriting it for a completely different API takes time.

The second reason is trust in billing. People who lost small balances during a shutdown understandably want a model where money is not spent until something is delivered. With TempSMSVerify, a purchase only freezes the price; the charge happens when the SMS arrives, and anything not delivered goes back to your balance automatically.

## Is the TempSMSVerify API compatible with SMS-Activate?

Yes, for the core activation flow. TempSMSVerify serves the handler_api protocol at https://tempsmsverify.com/api/stubs/handler_api.php and accepts the api_key and action parameters in the query string or as a POST form. Responses are plain text such as ACCESS_NUMBER:id:phone or STATUS_OK:code, always with HTTP 200, just like the original protocol.

Supported actions are getBalance, getNumber, getStatus, setStatus (1, 3, 6 and 8), getPrices, getNumbersStatus, getServicesList and getCountries. The order id returned by getNumber is the id on our platform. Country ids follow the SMS-Activate numbering (USA is 187); call getCountries for the current list, and getServicesList for service codes. Full details are on /api-docs.

| Item | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Base URL | Replace the old host with https://tempsmsverify.com/api/stubs/handler_api.php |
| api_key | Generate a key in your dashboard after your first top-up |
| service | Use standard codes such as wa or tg, or the service name (whatsapp); confirm with getServicesList |
| country | Omit it (or send 0) for the default, USA; other ids come from getCountries |
| Prices and balance | Returned in your account currency (USD) |
| Statuses | setStatus 1, 3, 6 and 8 work as in the original protocol |

## How does pricing compare without SMS-Activate?

There is nothing to compare price by price: SMS-Activate no longer sells numbers. What you can compare is the billing model. TempSMSVerify has no subscription, a $5 minimum top-up and a balance that never expires. Each number shows its price before purchase, the amount is frozen, and you are charged only when the code arrives.

If no SMS arrives within up to 20 minutes, the full amount is refunded automatically. You can also cancel after about 2 minutes to get it back immediately. If the app asks for a second code while the number is active, you can request another SMS at no extra cost. Current prices per app are on /pricing.

## When might another provider suit you better?

Fairness matters here. TempSMSVerify lists 140+ countries, with live stock per app; if you depend on one specific rare country, check its stock before migrating. HeroSMS is the service SMS-Activate itself pointed to. Payment is currently Card via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay); Crypto (USDC or SOL on Solana), so if you need card payments, check that first.

We also do not support every extension that SMS-Activate offered over the years, such as rentals. If your tool depends on actions beyond the core activation flow listed above, test it with a small balance before moving everything.

## What are the rules for using an SMS-Activate alternative?

The same rules any reputable provider should apply: verify accounts you own, follow each app's terms and do not use numbers for fraud, impersonation, spam or getting around bans. Our acceptable use policy at /acceptable-use spells this out, and accounts that break it are closed.

## FAQ

### Did SMS-Activate shut down?

Yes. The closure notice on sms-activate.org (checked October 23, 2026) says the service completely ceased operations on December 22, 2025. It adds that withdrawals were available until February 5, 2026, and that its technology was handed to the HeroSMS team. TempSMSVerify is an independent alternative with a compatible API.

### Can I still withdraw my SMS-Activate balance?

According to SMS-Activate's own notice, withdrawals were available only until February 5, 2026, and users were notified by email and in the bot. The notice says important questions could be emailed until April 30, 2026. TempSMSVerify has no access to SMS-Activate accounts or balances and cannot recover them.

### Is there a new SMS-Activate site?

No. SMS-Activate's closure notice says its name goes away with it and that any service calling itself SMS-Activate should be treated as a scam. Be careful with look-alike domains. TempSMSVerify uses its own name and simply supports the same handler_api protocol so your existing tools keep working.

### Does my SMS-Activate bot work with TempSMSVerify?

In most cases, yes, for the core flow. TempSMSVerify supports getBalance, getNumber, getStatus, setStatus, getPrices, getNumbersStatus, getServicesList and getCountries at /api/stubs/handler_api.php. Change the base URL and api_key, confirm service codes with getServicesList, and run one test activation before switching fully.

### How do I get a TempSMSVerify API key?

Create an account, make your first top-up of at least $5, then open the API section of your dashboard and generate a key. The key is shown only once. Each account has one active key, and generating a new one revokes the previous key immediately. Send it as api_key or in the X-Api-Key header.

### What happens to my money if no SMS arrives?

Nothing is spent. When you buy a number, TempSMSVerify freezes the price in your balance. You are charged only when the SMS arrives. If the number expires without a code, the full amount is refunded automatically, and you can also cancel after about 2 minutes with setStatus 8 to get it back right away.

### Which countries can I use instead of SMS-Activate?

TempSMSVerify lists 140+ countries, and the catalog shows live stock for every country and app before you buy. In the compatible API, omitting the country parameter uses the default, USA (id 187). Call getCountries to see the ids available on your account.

### Is HeroSMS the same as SMS-Activate?

SMS-Activate's closure notice says it handed its technology to the HeroSMS team and recommended trying that service. It does not say HeroSMS is SMS-Activate, and the notice states the SMS-Activate name itself is gone. TempSMSVerify is a separate, independent service that supports the same API protocol.

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TempSMSVerify · https://tempsmsverify.com