Here I add 2 other providers I come across:
http://www.textplus.com/ (nicer website)
https://vir2sim.com/ (average site)
Any feedback is appreciated.
OFF:
Seriously; website niceness is an issue - for me. In the age where all new (social media app/startup) sites just look gorgeous, responsive, etc., quite a few of the online telephony websites just look so bad, they seem like they are from 15 years ago.
I wonder if it is really so bad to be in the online telephony business/be a telephony startup? I guess, maybe, as prices race to the bottom in this field.
Think K7.net, which is a 'classic' site, but hey, it does what it does; it works. Any newer alternative for that? That is, simple voicemail. There was (WAS) also jConnect offering a free voicemail number; ugly site, and no more.
I mean, there is Google Voice (after so many years, still in the USA only); any worthwhile competitors?
To add a new dimension to the online SMS question, and why I simple do not want to carry verification SIM or SIMs. I kind of agree with Apple on this: SIM cards just getting old (think of the iPad Air 2). It wold be satisfying to be able to find a 100% online solution, which
just works. OK: Google Voice, but still.