Cleaning and validating phone number data is a critical step in ensuring the accuracy, security, and efficiency of customer communications. Whether you’re verifying new users, optimizing CRM data, or preventing fraud, using reliable APIs to clean phone number data can save time and improve data integrity. In this post, we’ll explore the top APIs for phone number cleaning, their key features, use cases, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Why Use an API for Phone Number Cleaning?
Before diving into specific tools, it’s important to understand what a phone number cleaning API does:
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Validation: Checks if the number is in a valid format (E.164, national, international).
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Carrier Lookup: Identifies the carrier and line type (mobile, landline, VoIP).
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Location Data: Provides geographic details like country, region, or city.
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Formatting: Standardizes numbers into a consistent format for storage and display.
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Line Activity: Some APIs can detect if the number is active and reachable.
These functionalities are essential for improving message deliverability, reducing fraud risk, and enhancing the user experience.
Top Phone Number Cleaning APIs
1. Twilio Lookup API
Twilio’s Lookup API allows you to validate special database and format phone numbers, detect the carrier, and determine the type of line (mobile, landline, VoIP).
Key Features:
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Format numbers to E.164 paid ads: accelerating your lead flow standard.
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Carrier and line type identification.
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Supports global phone number lookups.
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Integrates with Twilio’s messaging and voice APIs.
Best For: Businesses already whatsapp filter using Twilio’s communication platform or those needing deep carrier insights.
NumVerify is a simple RESTful API that offers phone number validation and carrier lookup across 232 countries.
Key Features:
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Real-time number validation.
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Location (country, region, city).
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Carrier and line type detection.
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Free tier available with limited requests.
Best For: Startups and small businesses looking for a cost-effective phone validation service.3. Google libphonenumber
Though not a commercial API, Google’s libphonenumber is an open-source library that supports phone number parsing, formatting, and validation.
Key Features:
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Extensive phone number parsing.
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Number formatting (E.164, national, international).
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Validation and country code extraction.
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Multi-language support.
Best For: Developers who prefer integrating a local, open-source library rather than using an external API.
4. Telesign Phone ID API
Telesign provides enterprise-grade phone intelligence solutions that include phone number cleansing and risk scoring.
Key Features:
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Real-time validation.
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Type and reachability checks.
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Fraud scoring and risk assessment.
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Global coverage with high reliability.
Best For: Enterprises with high security needs and those looking to prevent fraud.