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

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If you're looking for the best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for a second phone, you've already done the hard part — recognizing that you can do better. Total by Verizon has quietly raised prices and trimmed perks, and with a second phone line, every dollar you overpay is doubled. The good news: the MVNO market is packed with options that offer the same (or better) network coverage for a fraction of the cost.

Why People Are Leaving Total by Verizon

Total by Verizon (formerly Total Wireless) has a decent enough reputation, but it's been losing ground to newer, more competitive MVNOs. The plans have gotten pricier without meaningful improvements in features, and customer service reviews have trended downward over the past couple of years. For a primary line, some users tolerate these trade-offs. For a second phone — whether it's for a kid, a travel device, a work phone, or a backup — the math gets harder to justify.

A second phone line has different requirements than your main line. You probably don't need unlimited everything. You might want flexibility to pause or cancel without penalties. And you almost certainly want to pay as little as possible without sacrificing reliability. That's exactly the sweet spot where MVNOs shine.

What to Look for in a Carrier for Your Second Phone

Before diving into specific recommendations, it helps to know what criteria matter most when choosing a carrier for a second phone line. The priorities are a little different than for a primary device.

Network Reliability

Your second phone still needs to work when you need it. For a travel phone or backup device, being on a weak network defeats the purpose. Stick to carriers that run on the Big Three — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — rather than regional or obscure networks.

Flexible Plans With Low Minimums

If you're adding a second line, you probably don't want to commit to $50/month on top of your primary line. Look for carriers that offer plans starting under $15/month, or that let you build a plan around your actual usage rather than padding it with features you don't need.

No Long-Term Contracts

One of the core benefits of prepaid is freedom. The best MVNOs let you switch, pause, or cancel month-to-month without penalties. This is especially important for a second phone that might only be heavily used seasonally or situationally.

Security and Privacy

This one gets overlooked but shouldn't. Some budget carriers have had data breaches that put customer information at risk. For a second phone tied to a real identity and payment method, you want a carrier with a clean security record.

Our Top Pick: Visible (10/11)

Visible is the standout recommendation for anyone switching from Total by Verizon who wants simplicity, value, and rock-solid Verizon network coverage. We scored Visible 10 out of 11 — the highest rating in our entire carrier database — and it earns that score on merit.

At just $25/month with all taxes and fees included, Visible offers unlimited data, talk, and text on Verizon's network. No surprise charges. No annual contracts. No games. That price includes mobile hotspot as well, though hotspot speeds are capped at 5 Mbps. For casual browsing, streaming, or GPS navigation on a second device, that's plenty.

What really sets Visible apart is what it doesn't do. It hasn't had any reported data breaches. It offers clear, straightforward plan terms. And because it's owned by Verizon, you're essentially getting Verizon-grade infrastructure at a fraction of the postpaid price.

The one thing to know: Visible is a single-line carrier. It doesn't offer traditional multi-line family plans. But for a second phone you're managing independently, that's not a limitation — it's fine. You simply activate a separate Visible account for the second device.

Runner-Up for Flexibility: Tello (9.5/11)

If $25/month feels like more than you need for a second phone, Tello is the carrier to look at. Tello runs on T-Mobile's network and lets you build a completely custom plan — starting as low as $8/month for very light users and going up to around $25/month for a full unlimited plan.

We scored Tello 9.5 out of 11, and the flexibility of its build-a-plan system is a big reason why. You pick your minutes, texts, and data independently. If your second phone is mostly used for calls and occasional Google Maps navigation, you're not forced to pay for unlimited data you'll never touch. Tello also includes unlimited hotspot on its unlimited plans — with no speed cap restrictions that some competitors impose.

Tello has no data breaches on record, which places it among the most trustworthy carriers from a privacy standpoint. Customer service is genuinely responsive, and month-to-month billing means zero risk if you decide to switch.

The main trade-off with Tello is that T-Mobile's network, while excellent in urban and suburban areas, can lag behind Verizon in truly rural regions. If your second phone travels into rural areas regularly, Visible's Verizon backbone has an edge.

Best for Power Users: US Mobile (9.5/11)

US Mobile ties Tello at 9.5 out of 11 in our rankings, and it earns its score through sheer versatility. US Mobile is the only carrier on this list that lets you choose which network to run on — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — at the time of signup. For a second phone, this is a genuinely useful feature, especially if you want to run the second line on a different network than your primary phone to maximize coverage between them.

Plans are highly customizable, similar to Tello, and pricing is competitive across all tiers. US Mobile also supports multi-line account management, which makes it easy to manage a family or household's second lines from a single dashboard. If you're a data-forward user who wants hotspot, international calling, or premium data priority, US Mobile has plans that cover all of it.

Like Visible and Tello, US Mobile has no history of data breaches — a clean record that carries real weight when you're trusting a carrier with your personal and payment information.

Quick Carrier Comparison

Feature	Visible	Tello	US Mobile
Our Score	10/11	9.5/11	9.5/11
Starting Price	$25/mo	$8/mo	~$10/mo
Network	Verizon	T-Mobile	Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T
Taxes Included	Yes	No	No
Hotspot	Included (5 Mbps)	Unlimited (on unlimited plans)	Included
Contracts	None	None	None
Data Breaches	None	None	None
Best For	Simplicity + value	Light to moderate users	Network flexibility

What About Metro by T-Mobile, Boost, or Cricket?

These are the big-name budget carriers you've probably seen advertised. They're legitimate options, but they score lower in our rankings for a reason.

Metro by T-Mobile scores 6.5/11 — it's fine, but the in-store sales experience can feel pushy, and plans have more restrictions than the MVNOs listed above. Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless both score 6/11. Boost runs on AT&T's network after its sale from T-Mobile, and Cricket is AT&T-owned. Both are competent carriers, but neither beats Visible, Tello, or US Mobile on value or transparency for a second phone use case.

For a comprehensive look at how carriers compare across security, value, and network quality, check out our full MVNO rankings and scoring breakdown.

How to Switch From Total by Verizon Smoothly

Switching carriers for a second phone is simpler than most people expect. Here's what to do:

First, make sure the second phone is unlocked. Total by Verizon phones are typically unlocked after 12 months of active service, but you can request an unlock earlier if needed. Second, decide whether you want to keep the existing phone number. If you do, request a number transfer (port out) from Total by Verizon — don't cancel the line first, or you lose the number. Third, sign up with your new carrier, provide the account number and PIN from Total by Verizon, and let the port complete. It usually takes a few hours.

If the second phone is a relatively new Android or iPhone, it likely supports eSIM, which means you can activate Visible or US Mobile without waiting for a physical SIM card in the mail.

For more detail on the porting process, see our guide on how to switch prepaid carriers without losing your number.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with Visible, Tello, or US Mobile, 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

The best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for a second phone is Visible — full stop for most people. It's $25/month all-in on Verizon's network, with no contracts, no surprise fees, and a spotless security record. It's the kind of plan that's easy to set up and easy to forget about in the best possible way.

If your second phone is a light-use device for a child or a backup line, Tello starting at $8/month is the most cost-efficient option in the market. And if you want maximum network flexibility or a more feature-rich plan, US Mobile gives you access to all three major networks in a single account.

Whatever you choose, you're almost certainly going to come out ahead compared to Total by Verizon — both in price and in features. Use our prepaid plan finder tool to match your specific usage to the right carrier and plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep my Total by Verizon number when switching?

Yes. You can port your existing Total by Verizon number to any new carrier. To do this, do not cancel your Total by Verizon account first — instead, initiate the transfer through your new carrier by providing your Total by Verizon account number and PIN. The port typically completes within a few hours.

Q: Is Visible good for a second phone on a budget?

Visible is an excellent second phone option. At $25/month with all taxes and fees included, it offers unlimited data, talk, and text on Verizon's network — often for less than many carriers charge for a basic plan before taxes. It scored 10/11 in our rankings, the highest of any carrier we've reviewed.

Q: Does Tello work well as a second phone line for light users?

Tello is arguably the best option for light-use second phone lines. Its build-a-plan system lets you pay only for what you actually use, with plans starting at $8/month. It runs on T-Mobile's network and has an excellent customer service reputation, making it a strong choice for a backup or low-activity device.

Q: Will my Total by Verizon phone work on Visible or Tello?

Most phones purchased through Total by Verizon are unlocked after 12 months and can be used on other carriers. Visible is Verizon-based, so any Verizon-compatible phone will work. Tello runs on T-Mobile. Always check the carrier's BYOD compatibility checker with your phone's IMEI number before switching.

Q: Is there a risk of losing data or contacts when switching carriers?

Switching carriers does not affect the data stored on your phone. Your contacts, apps, and files are stored on the device or synced to the cloud (Google or iCloud), not on the carrier's servers. The only things that transfer are your phone number (if you port it) and your active service. Your data is safe.

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