Best Carrier To Switch To From Total By Verizon For Hotspot - Complete Guide

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If you're on Total by Verizon and fed up with throttled or limited hotspot data, you're not alone — and switching to the best carrier for hotspot is one of the smartest moves you can make in 2025. Total by Verizon's hotspot offering is functional but restrictive, and several prepaid competitors now offer significantly better hotspot value for the same money or less.

Why People Leave Total by Verizon for Hotspot

Total by Verizon (formerly Total Wireless) runs on Verizon's network, which is genuinely excellent coverage-wise. The problem isn't the network — it's the plan structure. Hotspot data on most Total by Verizon plans is either capped, heavily throttled, or non-existent on lower-tier plans. For anyone using their phone as a mobile hotspot to work remotely, game, stream, or connect a laptop, those limitations become a daily frustration.

When you compare Total by Verizon's hotspot restrictions side-by-side with what carriers like Visible or Tello offer at similar price points, the gap is striking. Total's plans typically give you 15GB of hotspot data before throttling to unusable speeds, while top-ranked MVNOs are now offering far more generous terms.

What "Hotspot" Actually Means on Prepaid Plans

Before we dive into carrier comparisons, it helps to understand how prepaid hotspot works. Mobile hotspot lets you share your phone's cellular data connection with other devices — laptops, tablets, smart TVs, etc. On most prepaid plans, hotspot data comes from the same pool as your regular data, but it's often throttled to slower speeds (typically 5 Mbps or lower) even on unlimited plans.

"Unlimited hotspot" usually means unlimited data volume at a specified speed cap. That's still far more useful than a hard 15GB limit, especially if you're a remote worker or frequent traveler.

Our Top Pick: Visible (10/11) — Best Carrier to Switch To from Total by Verizon for Hotspot

Visible earns a 10/11 in our rankings and is the clearest upgrade path for Total by Verizon customers. It runs on Verizon's exact same network — meaning your coverage won't change one bit — but the plan terms are dramatically better for hotspot users.

At $25/month with taxes included, Visible's base plan gives you unlimited data and unlimited hotspot. Hotspot speeds are managed (typically around 5 Mbps), but that's more than enough for streaming HD video, video conferencing, and general web browsing on a connected laptop. There are no annual contracts, no activation fees if you port your number online, and no hidden charges.

Visible's Plan Options for Hotspot Users

Visible offers two plans: the standard Visible plan at $25/month and Visible+ at $45/month. The standard plan is the sweet spot for most hotspot users — unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps is genuinely workable for everyday tasks. Visible+ bumps your hotspot speeds significantly higher and adds international roaming, making it worth considering if you need faster tethering for data-intensive tasks like large file uploads or cloud backups.

Critically, Visible has had no reported data breaches, which matters when you're handing over payment information and personal data to a carrier. Security-conscious switchers can feel confident here.

Runner-Up: Tello (9.5/11) — Best Budget Hotspot Option

If you want even more control over your plan — or if T-Mobile's network covers your area better than Verizon — Tello is an outstanding alternative with a score of 9.5/11. Tello runs on T-Mobile's network and is one of the few prepaid carriers that offers truly unlimited hotspot with no stated speed cap on hotspot data.

Tello's unlimited plan starts at $25/month, matching Visible's price, but Tello also offers more flexible build-your-own-plan options starting as low as $8/month. If you don't need a massive data bucket and just want solid hotspot for occasional use, you can build a 5GB or 10GB plan that includes hotspot data at a fraction of what Total by Verizon charges for comparable allowances.

Why Tello Stands Out for Hotspot

What makes Tello particularly compelling for hotspot users is the transparency. The unlimited plan explicitly includes unlimited mobile hotspot, and Tello's customer service reputation is one of the best in the prepaid space. Like Visible, Tello has had no data breaches — a clean security record that's increasingly rare in this industry.

Tello is also ideal for users who travel between rural and urban areas since T-Mobile's network has dramatically expanded coverage in recent years. If you've been on Verizon purely for coverage reasons, it's worth running a T-Mobile coverage check for your specific area before dismissing Tello.

US Mobile (9.5/11) — Best for Network Flexibility

US Mobile earns a tied 9.5/11 and deserves mention for anyone who isn't sure which network works best in their area. US Mobile lets you choose between all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — which is a genuinely unique advantage in the prepaid space.

For hotspot users, US Mobile's Unlimited Starter and higher-tier plans include mobile hotspot data, and the network flexibility means you can switch underlying networks if one isn't performing well in your area. Plans start around $25/month. US Mobile also offers multi-line discounts and eSIM support, making it a great fit for households or small businesses switching multiple lines from Total by Verizon.

You can explore your options with our prepaid plan comparison tool to see which network and price point fits your hotspot needs best.

Carrier Comparison: Total by Verizon vs. Top Hotspot MVNOs

Feature	Total by Verizon	Visible	Tello	US Mobile
Price	~$35–50/mo	$25/mo	$25/mo	$25+/mo
Network	Verizon	Verizon	T-Mobile	Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T
Hotspot Data	15GB then throttled	Unlimited (5 Mbps)	Unlimited	Varies by plan
Taxes Included	No	Yes	No	No
Our Score	N/A	10/11	9.5/11	9.5/11
Data Breaches	Unknown	None	None	None

The table makes it clear: Visible delivers significantly more hotspot value than Total by Verizon at a lower price, on the same Verizon network. The taxes-included pricing is a nice bonus — what you see is what you pay.

What to Consider Before Switching

Switching carriers is easier than ever, but there are a few things worth confirming before you port your number away from Total by Verizon.

Check Your Phone's Compatibility

Most modern unlocked phones and even carrier-locked Verizon phones are compatible with Visible, since it runs on the same Verizon network. Tello requires a T-Mobile-compatible device. Both carriers offer free BYOD (bring your own device) compatibility checks on their websites. If you're unsure, our guide on choosing the right prepaid carrier for your phone covers compatibility in depth.

Confirm Coverage in Your Area

Visible uses Verizon's full 4G LTE and 5G network, so if you have good Verizon coverage now on Total, you'll have the same experience with Visible. For Tello on T-Mobile, check T-Mobile's coverage map for your home address and the areas you frequent most. T-Mobile's 5G coverage has expanded substantially, particularly in suburban and rural regions.

Understand Hotspot Speed Expectations

For most hotspot tasks — working from home, video calls, streaming — 5 Mbps is workable. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for HD streaming; Zoom recommends 1.5–3 Mbps for HD calls. However, if you're uploading large files, gaming online, or using hotspot as a home internet replacement, upgrading to Visible+ (with higher hotspot speeds) or choosing a carrier with faster throttle thresholds may be worth it.

Other Carriers Worth Knowing About

While Visible and Tello are our top picks, a few other carriers are worth a mention for specific use cases.

Twigby scores 7.6/11 and runs on Verizon's network. It's a solid choice for lighter users who want Verizon coverage with flexible plan options, though hotspot terms are more limited than Visible. Metro by T-Mobile (6.5/11) includes hotspot on its higher-tier plans but costs more and doesn't offer the same value-per-dollar as Tello. Cricket Wireless (6/11) and Boost Mobile (6/11) both run on AT&T and have mediocre hotspot allowances relative to price.

For a deeper look at how all these carriers compare, see our complete MVNO rankings and reviews.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you're switching carriers and your current phone is aging or locked to Total by Verizon, it's a great time to grab a fully unlocked device. We recommend the Google Pixel 9a — our top budget phone pick for 2025:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

The Bottom Line

If you're on Total by Verizon and want better hotspot performance, Visible is the best carrier to switch to. You stay on Verizon's network (same coverage, same towers), pay just $25/month with taxes included, and get unlimited hotspot — all from a carrier with a clean security record and a 10/11 score in our rankings. There's genuinely no reason to pay more for less hotspot data on Total.

If T-Mobile works well in your area and you want the most flexible pricing in the prepaid market, Tello at 9.5/11 is an equally strong option. Its unlimited hotspot policy, transparent pricing, and excellent customer reputation make it a worthy competitor. Use our plan finder tool to compare both side by side for your specific needs.

Either way, switching is straightforward — you can port your number, keep your phone, and be up and running in under 15 minutes with an eSIM activation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Visible really have unlimited hotspot?

Yes. Visible's base plan at $25/month includes unlimited mobile hotspot data. There is no hard data cap that cuts off your hotspot. Speeds are managed at around 5 Mbps, but there's no point where your hotspot stops working entirely. Visible+ unlocks higher hotspot speeds for $45/month.

Q: Will my Total by Verizon phone work with Visible?

In most cases, yes. Visible runs on Verizon's network, so phones that work on Total by Verizon (which is also on Verizon) are generally compatible. You should run Visible's BYOD compatibility check on their website to confirm your specific model before switching.

Q: How much hotspot data does Total by Verizon give you?

Total by Verizon's higher-tier unlimited plans typically include 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, after which hotspot speeds are throttled to 600 Kbps — barely usable for most tasks. This is a significant limitation compared to Visible's unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps.

Q: Is Tello or Visible better for hotspot?

Both are excellent, but they serve slightly different needs. Visible is better if you rely on Verizon's coverage or want the simplest possible plan at $25/month. Tello is better if you want build-your-own flexibility, a potentially lower price point, or if T-Mobile provides superior coverage in your area. Both score 9.5/11 or higher and have no data breach history.

Q: Can I use my prepaid hotspot as a home internet replacement?

It's possible but comes with limitations. At 5 Mbps (Visible base plan), you can stream and browse but may struggle with multiple simultaneous users or large downloads. Visible+ or Tello's unlimited plan offer better speeds for heavier use. For a true home internet replacement, a dedicated home internet plan is generally more reliable.

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