cheap data

- $40/month
- 5GB of data
Our picks for the best Total Wireless (formerly Total by Verizon) plans include the $40/month Total 5G Base Unlimited plan, the $50/month Total 5G Unlimited plan, and the $60 Total 5G+ Unlimited plan.
Total Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that offers discounted plans on the Verizon network. Its prepaid single-line plans can be more expensive than similar plans from other MVNOs, but its family plans can offer much more value.
Keep reading to find the right Total Wireless plan for you.
Best Total Wireless plans
| Plan | Best for | Data | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Base 5G Unlimited | Budget | Unlimited | Go to plan |
| Total 5G Unlimited | Value | Unlimited high-speed | Go to plan |
| Total 5G+ Unlimited | Perks | Unlimited high-speed (up to 5G UWB) |
Go to plan |
Best Total Wireless Plans
Total Wireless offers several plans, from multiple unlimited options. Here are our picks for the best Total Wireless plans.
Total 5G+ Unlimited | $60/month—Best Total Wireless unlimited plan
Total Wireless offers a few unlimited plans clocking in at $40/month, $50/month, and $60/month, respectively. So if you're wondering "how much is a Total Wireless unlimited plan," the answer is either $40, $50, or $60 since you've got choices. All packages sport unlimited talk, text, and data.You'll also enjoy a Disney+ subscription with each tier. Because of its unlimited mobile hotspot allowance, 5G ultra-wideband (UWB), and Disney+ subscription, we recommend the $60/month Total 5G+ Unlimited wireless option over the $50 or $40 variants. By comparison, the $50/month unlimited data plan features only 15GB of hotspot data, a six-month Disney+ subscription, and slower nationwide 5G instead of UWB. The extra $10/month more than pays for itself with perks and fast data speeds.
At $60/month with perks, it's cheaper than unlimited plans from the major carriers, though there are a good handful of MVNO unlimited plans that are more affordable. Even though most people don't need unlimited data, many still take comfort in knowing they have access to high-speed data without worrying about going over any limits. This is our pick for the best unlimited Total Wireless plan.
- Pros: Unlimited mobile hotspot, Disney+ subscription, 5G UWB data speeds
- Cons: Expensive for an MVNO unlimited plan, hotspot limited to 5Mbps speeds
$50 plan | $50/month—Best value plan
The Total 5G Base Unlimited $50 plan hits the sweet spot for most people. Its 15GB of high-speed mobile is more than enough for an average user to occasionally connect other devices. So, unless your phone is your primary way to stay connected and you like to watch a lot of streaming videos or play a ton of games, 15GB should suffice. The $50 plan matches many plans from other MVNOs. For the price, we'd like unlimited data—something carriers like Visible and Mint get you for the same cost. Nevertheless, Total Wireless' $50 plan provides plenty of data without breaking the bank.
- Pros: 15GB hotspot
- Cons: Pricier than other MVNO plans
$40 plan | $40/month—Best cheap Total Wireless plan
This plan is the cheapest Total Wireless plan, meaning you may get unlimited data, but you might also experience slower speeds at busy times. However, for the price, you can get unlimited data from carriers like Visible and Mint. And many MVNOs, including Tello and Twigby, offer the same or more data for cheaper. The number one reason people switch to an MVNO is to save money. If you want to save the most, this is the cheapest Total Wireless plan on the market.
- Pros: Um... it's kind of cheap?
- Cons: There are cheaper plans out there
If the best Total Wireless plan seems like the right fit for you, be sure to check out our guide on switching to Total Wireless.
Best Total Wireless
Family Plans
For single-line plans, Total Wireless sits, at best, right in the middle of the MVNO pack. However, Total Wireless really starts to shine when it comes to family plans, and thankfully, there are multi-line discounts for each of its tiers. Here's how Total Wireless family plans break down.
| Number of Lines | $40 plan monthly cost | $50 plan monthly cost | $60 plan monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $40 | $50 | $60 |
| 2 | $37.50 | $42.50 | $47.50 |
| 3 | $36.67 | $40 | $43.33 |
| 4 | $36.25 | $37.50 | $41.25 |
| 5 | $36 | $37 | $40 |
As you can see, Total Wireless plans offer greater savings the more lines you add. The biggest savings come from a five-line $60/month unlimited plan. However, there's no one-size-fits-all solution for family plans since factors such as the number of family members (or friends!) signing up together and monthly data usage dictates what's best. As such, the top Total Wireless family plan depends on your specific needs.
Switching to an MVNO is one of the best ways to save on your phone bill. Learn about making the switch in our guide to signing up with an MVNO.
Methodology: How we picked the best Total Wireless plans
To choose the best Total Wireless cell phone plans, we compared each one side-by-side and to similar plans from other MVNOs. We factored in price, high-speed data limits, hotspot data allotments, and extra perks to rate the plans. We analyzed Total Wireless' single-line plan pricing as well as its family plan discounts. We update our rankings according to market changes and changes Total Wireless makes to its offerings.
About Total Wireless
Total Wireless is an MVNO that sells phone service on the Verizon network. Thus, if you're curious what towers Total Wireless uses, it's Big Red's cellular infrastructure, meaning you get outstanding 4G LTE coverage with fast 5G where available. Along with other MVNOs like Straight Talk and SIMPLE Mobile, Total Wireless is a subsidiary of Tracfone Wireless Inc., which is itself a subsidiary of Verizon Wireless—yes, the major carrier's tentacles do run deep. Total Wireless is a prepaid carrier, which means Total Wireless customers do not have to submit to a credit check to join.
The Total Wireless network
Total Wireless piggybacks off of the Verizon network, providing customers with service on the nation's leading 4G LTE network. You can expect strong coverage in metropolitan areas and above-average coverage in rural areas. Customers will also have access to Verizon 5G, which has decent coverage in urban areas but still has room to grow in the rural parts of the country.
Total Wireless vs. other MVNOs
For the most part, Total Wireless' plans are slightly more expensive than similar plans you'll find from competitors like Mint Mobile, Tello, and Twigby. However, Total Wireless does have some of the best family (or multi-line) plans available. If you are looking for phone service for all of the members of your household, Total Wireless could be the carrier for you.
Total Wireless vs. Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is one of Total's biggest competitors, and an apt carrier to compare it with. Simply put, Total Wireless has a big edge over Boost with respect to 4G LTE coverage. For coverage, Total Wireless has the clear advantage of being on Verizon's industry-leading 4G LTE network and blazing-fast 5G where available, whereas Boost runs on the slightly inferior—albeit entirely solid—AT&T network.
Comparing similar plans, Boost does have a slight advantage with its pricing, undercutting Total Wireless on low-data plans. However, for any plan 15GB or higher, pricing between the two carriers is nearly identical. Likewise, its family plans are a bit cheaper, but not far off from Total Wireless'.
Best Total Wireless phone plans: FAQs
Is Total Wireless just as good as Verizon?
No. While you will get the same coverage on Total Wireless as you would with Verizon, service will not be exactly the same. The major carrier tends to prioritize its direct customers over those signed on via MVNOs. That means, when the network is bogged down, you are likely to see your speeds reduced before Verizon customers do.
What network does Total Wireless use?
Total Wireless uses the Verizon Wireless network to provide phone service to its customers.
Does Total Wireless have unlimited data?
Total Wireless has unlimited data plans for $40/month, $50/month, and $60/month respectively.
Does Total Wireless have 5G?
Yes, Total Wireless plans give you access to the Verizon 5G nationwide network with 5G ultra-wideband available on its top-shelf $60/month unlimited data package. While Verizon has the smallest 5G network of the three major carriers, it still has good coverage in most metropolitan areas.
Does Total Wireless have a truly unlimited plan?
Yes, Total Wireless has truly unlimited plans starting at $50/month. You'll only experience data deprioritization on Total's base unlimited plan for $40/month.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
