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

If you're hunting for the best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for multiple lines, you're not alone. Thousands of families and group plans are making the move every month — and for good reason. Total by Verizon charges significantly more per line than competing prepaid carriers that run

By Prepaid Report Team
February 24, 2026
Data-Verified

AspectDetail
Our PickVisible
Best ForMulti-line families
Price$25/month per line
NetworkVerizon
Our Score10/11

If you're hunting for the best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for multiple lines, you're not alone. Thousands of families and group plans are making the move every month — and for good reason. Total by Verizon charges significantly more per line than competing prepaid carriers that run on the exact same Verizon network.

Bottom Line: Visible is our top pick for multi-line households switching from Total by Verizon. At $25/month per line (taxes included, no contracts), it runs on Verizon's network and costs less than most Total by Verizon plans. For budget-conscious families, Tello offers some of the lowest per-line pricing in the prepaid space at $8–$25/month.

Why People Are Leaving Total by Verizon

Total by Verizon (formerly Total Wireless) has gone through several rebrands and ownership changes in recent years, which has created confusion and frustration for long-time customers. While it technically runs on Verizon's network, the pricing structure doesn't reflect the savings you'd expect from a prepaid carrier.

Multi-line plans from Total by Verizon tend to carry hidden fees, and the per-line cost rarely drops as low as competing MVNOs. Customers frequently report that after taxes and fees, their bills end up much higher than advertised. That's a significant pain point when you're managing three, four, or five lines for a family.

The good news is that the MVNO market is more competitive than ever. You can get Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T network coverage through a third-party carrier — often at half the price — with better transparency and no long-term contracts.

What to Look for When Switching Multiple Lines

Switching one line is straightforward. Switching an entire family requires a bit more planning. Before you commit to a new carrier, there are several factors worth evaluating carefully.

Per-Line Pricing at Scale

The most important factor is how the per-line cost scales as you add more lines. Some carriers offer steep multi-line discounts, while others charge a flat rate per line. Both models have merit, but you need to do the math for your specific household size.

Network Coverage

Even if two carriers run on the same underlying network — say, Verizon — there can be differences in deprioritization policies and data speeds during congestion. Always check coverage in your most-frequented areas before porting multiple numbers.

Plan Flexibility

Not every line in your household needs the same plan. A data-heavy teenager has different needs than a grandparent who primarily makes calls. Look for carriers that allow mixed plan tiers across lines on the same account.

eSIM and Activation Options

eSIM support makes it much easier to switch multiple lines without waiting for physical SIMs to arrive in the mail. Most modern smartphones support eSIM, and the best MVNOs make activation simple through an app or website.

The Best Carriers to Switch to From Total by Verizon

Here's our breakdown of the top options for multi-line households, ranked by our independent 11-point scoring system.

Visible — Our Top Pick (10/11)

Visible earns our highest score of 10/11 and is our definitive recommendation for most households switching from Total by Verizon. It runs on Verizon's full network, which means you won't lose any coverage quality in the transition.

The pricing is where Visible truly shines for families. At $25/month per line (taxes and fees included), you're getting unlimited talk, text, and data on one of the country's strongest networks. There are no surprise charges at checkout — the price you see is the price you pay. For a four-line family, that's $100/month total, compared to significantly higher totals with most Total by Verizon configurations.

Visible also supports eSIM activation, making it easy to switch multiple phones quickly. The carrier has never had a reported data breach, which matters when you're putting multiple family members' personal information on a single account. If you're looking for a straightforward upgrade from Total by Verizon without any drop in network quality, Visible is the move.

Ready to switch? Use our prepaid plan comparison tool to see how Visible stacks up against other carriers for your specific needs.
View Visible Plans →

Tello — Best for Budget-Focused Families (9.5/11)

Tello scores 9.5/11 and is one of the best-kept secrets in the prepaid world for multi-line households. Running on T-Mobile's network, Tello offers customizable plans starting as low as $8/month per line, with unlimited options ranging up to $25/month.

What makes Tello exceptional for families is the build-your-own-plan model. Every line on your account can have a different data tier, so you're not paying for more than you need. A line that only uses 2GB of data per month doesn't have to be on the same unlimited plan as a power user. This granular control adds up to real savings over time.

Tello also includes unlimited hotspot on applicable plans — a feature that's either missing or capped on many competing carriers. No data breaches on record, honest pricing, and T-Mobile's nationwide network make Tello a compelling choice, especially for larger families who want to minimize monthly spend.

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

US Mobile also scores 9.5/11 and occupies a unique position in the market: it's one of the only MVNOs that gives you access to all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — depending on which SIM you choose.

For families where different members travel to different regions, US Mobile's flexibility is a genuine advantage. You can put family members in rural areas on Verizon, urban users on T-Mobile, and AT&T wherever coverage dictates. US Mobile's build-a-plan approach also means you're paying for exactly what each line needs.

Pricing is competitive and transparent, with no data breach history. US Mobile is particularly worth considering if your household is geographically spread out or if you're not sure which network performs best in your area. Check out our US Mobile vs. Visible comparison for a deeper look at how these two top scorers differ.

Twigby — A Solid Backup Option (7.6/11)

Twigby scores 7.6/11 and runs on Verizon's network, making it a natural transition point for Total by Verizon customers who want to stay on the same infrastructure. Pricing is reasonable, and the carrier has a reputation for solid customer service.

While Twigby doesn't score as high as Visible or Tello, it's a reliable choice for families who prioritize a smooth, low-friction switching experience. Plans are straightforward and the carrier is transparent about pricing.

Head-to-Head Comparison for Multi-Line Households

FeatureVisibleTelloUS MobileTotal by Verizon
Starting Price$25/mo$8/moVaries$25–$35/mo
Taxes IncludedYesNoNoNo
NetworkVerizonT-MobileAll 3Verizon
HotspotIncludedUnlimitedIncludedLimited
Our Score10/119.5/119.5/11N/A
Data BreachesNoneNoneNoneN/A
eSIM SupportYesYesYesLimited

Pros of Switching from Total by Verizon

  • Lower per-line costs at Visible, Tello, and US Mobile
  • More transparent pricing with taxes included (Visible)
  • Greater plan flexibility for mixed-use households
  • Better hotspot allowances across the board
  • No long-term contracts on all recommended carriers

Cons to Consider

  • Some carriers require individual SIM orders per line
  • T-Mobile-based carriers may have different rural coverage than Verizon
  • Multi-line accounts may need to be managed through separate logins on some MVNOs
  • Porting numbers takes 24–72 hours and requires your account PINs

How to Switch Multiple Lines Without Losing Service

The switching process is easier than most people expect, but there are a few steps you should follow to avoid any gaps in service.

Step 1: Gather Your Account Information

Before you cancel anything, log into your Total by Verizon account and note down the account number and PIN for each line you're porting. You'll need these to transfer your existing phone numbers to the new carrier.

Step 2: Check Phone Compatibility

Most phones purchased through Total by Verizon are carrier-locked for a period after purchase. Contact Total by Verizon to confirm your devices are unlocked before initiating a port. Locked phones won't work on a new carrier's SIM.

Step 3: Order SIMs or Activate eSIMs

With Visible, Tello, or US Mobile, you can order physical SIM cards online or activate eSIMs directly through the carrier's app. For a four-line family, eSIM activation is the fastest route — you can switch all lines in a single afternoon.

Step 4: Port Your Numbers

Initiate the number transfer from the new carrier's side — never cancel your Total by Verizon plan first. The port process typically takes a few hours to 24 hours. Your old plan stays active until the transfer completes automatically.

Step 5: Confirm and Cancel

Once all lines are confirmed active on the new carrier, your Total by Verizon service will typically terminate automatically. Double-check your billing cycle to avoid being charged for an extra month.

Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including security features (2FA, SIM PIN protection), data breach history, network quality, pricing transparency, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements. Visible's 10/11 score reflects its industry-leading combination of Verizon coverage, all-in pricing, and security track record.

How Much Can You Save by Switching?

Let's run the numbers for a four-line family. If you're currently paying around $120/month on Total by Verizon (a common figure after taxes and fees), here's what switching looks like:

Carrier4 Lines/MonthAnnual CostAnnual Savings vs. $120/mo
Visible$100$1,200$240
Tello (Unlimited)$100$1,200$240
Tello (Mixed Plans)$60–$80$720–$960$480–$720
US Mobile$80–$100$960–$1,200$240–$480
The savings on Tello's mixed-plan model are particularly striking for families where not everyone needs unlimited data. Over the course of a year, switching could put several hundred dollars back in your pocket — without losing a single bar of network coverage.

For more detail on how these carriers compare at a plan level, see our guide to the best prepaid family plans.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with Visible or any of our recommended carriers, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

  • 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 ready to find the best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for multiple lines, Visible is our clear top recommendation. You stay on Verizon's network, pay $25/month per line with taxes included, and deal with a carrier that has never had a data breach and scores 10/11 in our independent evaluation. The transition is straightforward, and the savings are immediate.

For households that want to minimize spending even further, Tello's flexible per-line pricing (starting at $8/month) on T-Mobile's network is exceptionally competitive. And if network coverage across different regions is your primary concern, US Mobile's access to all three major networks makes it the most versatile option available.

Whatever you choose, you're likely to spend less, get more transparency, and experience better customer service than what Total by Verizon currently offers. The MVNO market has never been more competitive — and that's great news for your wallet.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I keep my phone numbers when switching from Total by Verizon?

Yes, you can port your existing numbers to any new carrier. You'll need your Total by Verizon account number and PIN for each line. Initiate the transfer from the new carrier's side and never cancel your current service first — it will terminate automatically once the port completes.

Q: Is Visible really on Verizon's network?

Yes. Visible is owned by Verizon and operates exclusively on Verizon's nationwide network. Coverage is essentially identical to postpaid Verizon service, though like all MVNOs, Visible customers may be deprioritized behind postpaid users during network congestion.

Q: Can different lines on the same family plan have different plan sizes?

This depends on the carrier. Tello and US Mobile both allow fully customized plans per line. Visible uses a flat-rate model where all lines are on the same $25/month plan, which simplifies billing but removes individual customization.

Q: How long does it take to switch multiple lines?

The physical SIM cards typically arrive within 3–5 business days. With eSIM-compatible phones, you can activate instantly through the carrier's app. Number porting usually completes within a few hours but can take up to 24–72 hours in some cases.

Q: Is there a family plan discount at Visible or Tello?

Visible's pricing is already a flat $25/month per line regardless of how many lines you have — taxes and fees included. Tello doesn't advertise a formal family discount, but the per-line customization means you naturally pay less by right-sizing each line. Neither carrier requires a minimum number of lines to get their best pricing.


Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings and recommendations are based on independent research and are never influenced by affiliate relationships.

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