If you've incorporated a company through Stripe Atlas, congratulations. You now have a Delaware C-Corp or LLC, an EIN, a bank account, and the legal framework to operate in the United States.
But there's one thing Stripe Atlas doesn't give you: a US phone number.
Why You Need a US Phone Number
A US phone number isn't just nice to have. It's practically required for running a US-based business from abroad.
A US Contact On File
Many US-facing services expect you to have a US phone number on file for your business. Having one listed adds legitimacy and avoids friction in onboarding forms that reject non-US numbers.
IRS and Tax Compliance
The IRS may need to reach you by phone. Your registered agent handles mail, but some government agencies still prefer calling. Having a reachable US number on file prevents complications.
Service Registrations
Payment processors, cloud infrastructure providers, and dozens of other B2B services require a US phone number during signup or verification. Some explicitly reject non-US numbers.
Professional Credibility
Vendors, partners, and customers may look up your business. Having a working US phone number listed adds legitimacy.
Your Options
| Service | Monthly Cost | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business VoIP services | $15+ | Full business phone | Active callers |
| Free US-only calling apps | Free | Basic calling | US residents only |
| Budget consumer VoIP | ~$3 | Incoming calls | Budget option (limited SMS) |
| IncNumber | $7 | SMS forwarding + greeting | Number parking |
Business VoIP services ($15+/month)
Full-featured business phone systems are solid products. But at $15+/month, they're designed for people who actively make and receive calls. If you just need a number to exist, you're overpaying by 3x.
Free US-only calling apps
A few well-known services offer free US numbers, but they require a US-based account and an existing US phone number to set up in the first place. If you're outside the US, these aren't an option.
Budget consumer VoIP (~$3/month)
Some consumer VoIP services offer US numbers cheaply, but SMS support is unreliable. Many short codes and verification services don't deliver to these numbers.
IncNumber ($7/month)
Built specifically for this use case. You get a real US phone number that forwards all SMS to your email and plays a custom greeting for calls. No app needed, no calls to answer. Just a number that works when you need it.
Your Stripe Atlas company needs a US number
Real US phone number for $7/month. SMS forwarded to email, no app needed, cancel anytime. Built for founders who need a number on file, not a phone system.
Get your US number — $7/mo→The Bottom Line
If you're running a Stripe Atlas company from outside the US, you need a US phone number. The question is how much you want to pay for a number you rarely use.
For most Atlas founders, IncNumber at $7/month is a cost-effective solution. You get a real US local number, SMS forwarding to your email, a professional greeting for callers, and nothing you don't need.