Total Wireless Review: Cheap Cell Phone Plans on Verizon’s Network

Formerly Total by Verizon, Total Wireless is a low-cost cell phone service that may be able to cut your current bill in half!

Total Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that relies on Verizon’s towers to provide customers with the same great coverage at a fraction of the price.

Is Total Wireless worth trying out? We checked out the fine print and compared it to other affordable MVNOs to bring you this comprehensive customer review.

This article was updated in July 2024 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

Total Wireless Review: Verizon’s Network at Half the Price 

In September 2022, Total Wireless rebranded to become Total by Verizon. Then in July 2024, the company rebranded back to Total Wireless. Along with the most recent rebrand, plan perks and pricing have changed. While existing customers were able to keep their original plans, new customers will choose from one of Total Wireless’ new plans.

The prepaid Verizon MVNO provides access to the major carrier’s LTE and 5G networks including 5G Ultra Wideband coverage. Additionally, it’s one of the only prepaid carriers to include a streaming perk with select plans: Disney+.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the new plans available from Total Wireless, what perks and features you can expect with each plan and help you decide whether or not you should make the switch.

Table of Contents: 

• Plans and Pricing
• Activation Process
• Phone Selection 
• Call and Text Performance
• Data Speeds  
• Customer Service 
• Pros and Cons

Plans and Pricing 

Total Wireless offers three different cell phone plans that offer unlimited talk, text and high-speed data. The plans include a range of mobile hotspot allotments and international perks. 

One thing that sets Total Wireless apart from its competitors is a five-year price guarantee on all plans. New customers can get any plan with Total Wireless and the base plan price (including taxes and fees) is guaranteed for five years.

In addition to these monthly plans, Total Wireless offers two optional service add-ons: a global calling card for $10 and a 5GB data add-on for $10.

Before Total Wireless’ rebranding, Total by Verizon offered a 5GB data plan for $30. Unfortunately, that plan has been discontinued. Unlimited plans begin at $40 for one line or $25 for four lines.

While Total Wireless doesn’t offer the cheapest unlimited plans overall for one line (Visible and Boost Mobile offer unlimited data for $25/month for one line and Mint Mobile offers unlimited data with 40GB of high-speed for $30), getting four lines of unlimited data for $100/month is always a good deal.  Plus, the price is guaranteed for five years for new customers.

All of Total Wireless’ plans include unlimited talk, text and data.

Total Wireless’ 30-Day Service Plans

Plan	Base 5G Unlimited	Total 5G Unlimited	Total 5G+ Unlimited
Price for One Line	$40	$55 ($50 with autopay)	$65 ($60 with autopay)
Data	Unlimited (slows with network congestion)	Unlimited	Unlimited
Download Speeds	5G: 34-149 Mbps 4G LTE: 9-69 Mbps	5G Ultra Wideband: 215-702 Mbps 5G: 34-149 Mbps 4G LTE: 9-69 Mbps	5G Ultra Wideband: 215-702 Mbps 5G: 34-149 Mbps 4G LTE: 9-69 Mbps
Hotspot	5GB	15GB	Unlimited
Multiline Discount	2 Lines: $40/line 3 Lines: $33.33/line 4 Lines: $25/line 5 Lines: $23/line	2 Lines: $42.50/line 3 Lines: $36.67/line 4 Lines: $27.50/line 5 Lines: $25/line	2 Lines: $47.50/line 3 Lines: $40/line 4 Lines: $30/line 5 Lines: $27/line
International	Calling to 85+ destinations, texting to 200+ destinations, and roaming in Canada & Mexico	Calling to 85+ destinations, texting to 200+ destinations, and roaming in Canada & Mexico Plus roaming in 15+ countries	Calling to 85+ destinations, texting to 200+ destinations, and roaming in Canada & Mexico Plus roaming in 15+ countries, and $10 long distance credit to 120+ destinations
Disney+ (No Ads)	Not included	Included for six months	Included

You can learn more about Total Wireless’ plans, service add-ons and multi-line options on Total Wireless’ website.

Activation Process 

Setting up your service with Total Wireless should be quick and easy to do. You can buy a SIM kit for $1 and a phone plan (starting at $40 for one line) online at Total Wireless’ website as well as at popular electronics stores including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Best Buy.

Once you receive your SIM card, you should be able to insert it into a compatible device, get a new phone number and activate service in about 10 minutes.

You’ll also have the option to port your existing phone number to Total Wireless. If you do want to keep your same number, be sure to check out our full guide on how to avoid common mistakes when porting your number.

Phone Selection 

If you want to bring your phone to Total Wireless, it must be CDMA compatible, not GSM. It also needs to be unlocked. You can visit Total Wireless’ website to check your phone’s compatibility.

Total Wireless also sells phones. I checked the company’s website and found a good selection of iPhone and Android devices. I also saw several phones under $100 and even under $30.

Along with Total Wireless’ recent rebrand, the company has started offering free phones to new customers on the Total 5G Unlimited or 5G+ Unlimited plan.

To get this deal, you’ll have to verify your identity online through a third-party company (Veriff) on Total Wireless’ website. You’ll also have to activate your new device by transferring your current phone number to Total Wireless. 

When I checked out the current selection of free 5G phones in July 2024, here’s what I found: 

• Samsung Galaxy A03s (full price: $79.99)
• Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (full price: $79.99)
• Moto g 5G 2024 (full price: $79.99)
• Moto g power 5G 2024 (full price: $149.99)
• Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (full price: $149.99)
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G (full price: $279.99)

Visit Total Wireless’ website for the full selection of available devices and the latest phone deals.

Call and Text Performance 

Total Wireless offers access to Verizon’s towers, which means you can expect decent coverage in most areas. 

To see if you’ll have service with Total Wireless, check out the service provider’s coverage map online. Once you visit the website, you can enter your ZIP code to see if you’ll be covered. 

In addition to having service for calling and texting, you’ll also see what type of data service you’ll have access to in your area with Total Wireless including 5G Nationwide, 5G Ultra Wideband and/or 4G LTE. 

Data Speeds 

One of your biggest concerns with Total Wireless (or any MVNO) may be that your data speeds will be slower due to deprioritization. 

It is true that the major service providers tend to prioritize their direct customers over their MVNOs. However, you likely won’t have any issues with data speeds as long as you have decent coverage from Verizon in your area. 

Total Wireless provides access to the same high-speed towers that Verizon utilizes themselves. Customers have access to the same 4G/LTE network, 5G Nationwide network and 5G Ultra Wideband network where available. 

Here are the typical download speeds you can expect with each type of network connection:

• 5G Ultra Wideband: 215-702 Mbps
• 5G: 34-149 Mbps
• 4G/LTE: 9-69 Mbps

None of Total Wireless’ plans have a high-speed data cap. You’ll have access to truly unlimited high-speed data with any Total Wireless plan. The Base 5G Unlimited plan doesn’t provide access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, and you may notice reduced speeds during times of network congestion. Otherwise, speeds should only slow if you’re in an area with poor coverage.

In addition to checking the Total Wireless coverage map before you make the switch, check Verizon’s coverage map. Since Total Wireless runs on the same towers, this is a good way to get a complete picture of your local coverage. 

Customer Service 

Total Wireless offers two different methods to contact a customer service representative: online chat and a call center. 

You can visit Total Wireless’ website and click “Chat Now” to open an online chat. This feature is available from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. (EST) seven days a week. 

Additionally, you can call Total Wireless at 1-866-663-3633 to speak with a customer service representative. According to the website, centers operate from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. (EST) seven days a week.

If you need help with simple requests such as checking your balance and getting refills, you can text 611611 from your Total Wireless phone number. This self-service tool is available 24/7. 

You can learn more about the 611611 text feature on Total Wireless’ website.

Pros and Cons

If you’re someone like me who doesn’t want to pay the high prices that the major wireless providers charge, Total Wireless is one money-saving option to consider. Compared to Verizon Wireless’ postpaid plans, Total Wireless offers cheaper monthly prices for access to the same network.

Plans range from $40 to $60 for one line with truly unlimited data. Plus, you can get four lines for $100 with the basic unlimited plan. Additionally, new customers are guaranteed their plan price for five years.

Who should switch to Total Wireless? If you’re a Verizon customer who likes the network and wants to keep your phone, this may be a cheaper option for both single-line and family plans.

Total Wireless: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Access to Verizon’s dependable nationwide network	Customer service may not be the best, but this is a common issue among cell service providers
Good phone selection, plus free phone offers for new customers on eligible plans & Upgrade Bonuses after six months	The cheapest available phone plan is $40; there are no cheaper options for people who use less data
Get four unlimited lines for $100/month	Other prepaid phone plans offer better single-line deals
New customers are guaranteed their plan price for five years

Of course, Total Wireless isn’t the only Verizon alternative! We have a list of the best cell phone plans and deals from low-cost cell phone providers that run on all the big networks — Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. If you’re looking exclusively for a Verizon-based phone plan, check out our list of the best Verizon MVNOs.

Share your Total Wireless review in the Clark.com Community and check out even more phone plan options in Team Clark’s cell phone guide!