What Problems Do People Have With Total By Verizon After Daily Use - Complete Guide
If you've been using Total by Verizon for a while, you may have noticed that day-to-day frustrations start to add up quickly. From inconsistent customer service to hidden limitations buried in the fine print, real users of Total by Verizon report a growing list of problems after extended daily use
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Our Pick | Visible |
| Best For | Verizon coverage, no hassle |
| Price | $25/month (taxes included) |
| Network | Verizon |
| Our Score | 10/11 |
If you've been using Total by Verizon for a while, you may have noticed that day-to-day frustrations start to add up quickly. From inconsistent customer service to hidden limitations buried in the fine print, real users of Total by Verizon report a growing list of problems after extended daily use — and they're worth knowing before you commit long-term.
Bottom Line: Total by Verizon has serious real-world drawbacks including deprioritized data, poor customer support, and a confusing plan structure. If you want Verizon's network without the headaches, Visible delivers the same coverage for $25/month with taxes included and earns a 10/11 score from us.
What Is Total by Verizon?
Total by Verizon (formerly Total Wireless) is a prepaid MVNO that runs on Verizon's network. It's sold at Walmart and online, targeting budget-conscious customers who want Verizon coverage without a postpaid contract. On paper, it sounds like a solid deal. In practice, long-term users consistently report a different story.
Understanding what problems people experience with Total by Verizon in daily use can save you money, frustration, and wasted time troubleshooting issues that never quite get resolved.
Common Problems People Have With Total by Verizon After Daily Use
Data Deprioritization and Slow Speeds
One of the most frequently reported complaints from Total by Verizon users is data slowdowns during peak hours. As an MVNO, Total by Verizon sits at the bottom of Verizon's network priority stack. Postpaid Verizon customers always get bandwidth first, which means you can be left throttled during congested periods — even if your plan technically offers "unlimited" data.
This problem is especially noticeable in dense urban areas, stadiums, airports, and during rush hour. Many users report that speeds drop from usable LTE to borderline unusable 2–3 Mbps during peak times. If you rely on your phone for work calls, video streaming, or navigation, that slowdown is more than an inconvenience — it's a real daily limitation.
Hotspot Limitations That Frustrate Heavy Users
Total by Verizon's hotspot offering has been a persistent pain point. Depending on the plan tier, hotspot data is either capped, throttled to very low speeds (often 600 Kbps on lower-tier plans), or restricted entirely. Users who upgrade expecting meaningful hotspot performance often feel misled.
For remote workers or anyone relying on a hotspot to power a laptop or tablet, 600 Kbps is effectively unusable for modern tasks. Competitors like Tello and Visible offer unlimited hotspot at full 4G/5G speeds for comparable or lower monthly prices.
Confusing Plan Structure and Hidden Fees
Users frequently cite confusion over Total by Verizon's plan lineup as a daily headache. The carrier offers multiple plan tiers with subtle but important differences in data caps, hotspot allowances, and international features. Reading through the plan details carefully often reveals that what looks like an "unlimited" plan has multiple layers of throttling.
Additionally, while Total by Verizon markets itself as an affordable option, some users find that taxes and fees push monthly bills higher than expected, especially on older plan structures. Competitors like Visible explicitly advertise a flat $25/month with all taxes and fees included — no surprises at checkout.
Customer Service That Leaves Users Stranded
Poor customer service is perhaps the most universally reported problem with Total by Verizon after daily use. Users describe long hold times, representatives who struggle to resolve technical issues, and a general sense that support is handled offshore with limited ability to escalate or solve complex account problems.
Activating a new SIM, porting a number, or troubleshooting a data issue that should take 10 minutes can stretch into multi-hour ordeals. Multiple Reddit threads and consumer review sites like Trustpilot show a consistent pattern of users feeling abandoned when something goes wrong.
SIM and Activation Issues
New and existing Total by Verizon users both report problems with SIM cards and account activation. Some users have experienced their service going dark after a plan renewal, requiring a SIM swap that forces them into another customer service call. Others report activation delays when switching devices or porting numbers.
eSIM support has also been inconsistent on Total by Verizon, which becomes a bigger issue as more flagship phones move toward eSIM-first or eSIM-only designs.
International Roaming Gaps
For users who travel internationally or have family abroad, Total by Verizon's international options are limited compared to what similar-priced carriers offer. International roaming plans exist but are often add-ons with confusing pricing, and coverage maps can be misleading when you're actually on the ground in another country.
How Total by Verizon Compares to Better-Rated Alternatives
If you're already frustrated by daily problems with Total by Verizon, it's worth seeing how it stacks up against MVNOs that consistently earn higher scores. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Total by Verizon | Visible | Tello | US Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Score | Not ranked | 10/11 | 9.5/11 | 9.5/11 |
| Price | From ~$25/mo + fees | $25/mo (taxes included) | $8–$25/mo | Custom |
| Network | Verizon | Verizon | T-Mobile | All 3 |
| Hotspot | Limited/throttled | Unlimited | Unlimited | Flexible |
| Customer Support | Poor (reported) | App-based, responsive | Highly rated | Highly rated |
| Data Breach History | None known | None | None | None |
| eSIM Support | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Why Visible Is the Better Verizon Option
Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including security features (2FA, SIM PIN protection), data breach history, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements.
Visible earns a 10/11 in our rankings for good reason. It's built on Verizon's full network — the same towers you'd access with Total by Verizon — but with a far more transparent pricing model and a better user experience overall.
At $25/month with taxes and fees included, Visible eliminates the billing surprise problem that frustrates Total by Verizon users. Hotspot is included and functional (not throttled to 600 Kbps). The app-based account management makes activating, switching devices, or managing your plan straightforward without calling a help line.
Visible also has no history of data breaches, which matters increasingly as carriers store more personal and payment information. For users who've had their trust worn down by Total by Verizon's support issues and billing inconsistencies, Visible offers a refreshing alternative on the exact same network.
You can compare Visible against other top-rated carriers to see exactly how it stacks up across all 11 of our scoring criteria.
Who Should Consider Tello or US Mobile Instead?
Not every Total by Verizon refugee will find Visible to be the perfect fit. If you're on a tight budget or need flexible plan customization, Tello (9.5/11) and US Mobile (9.5/11) are worth a close look.
Tello: Best for Low-Cost Flexibility
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network and offers plans starting as low as $8/month. It's an excellent pick if you use less data, want to pay less for voice/text-only plans, or don't need Verizon's specific coverage footprint. Tello includes unlimited hotspot even on low-tier plans, which directly addresses one of Total by Verizon's biggest daily frustrations.
Tello's customer service consistently earns praise — a stark contrast to the long-hold-time horror stories associated with Total by Verizon support. You can explore Tello's plan options and coverage details to see if it fits your usage pattern.
US Mobile: Best for Network Choice
US Mobile (9.5/11) is unique in that it lets you choose which of the three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — you want to run on. If you've been with Total by Verizon because Verizon has the best coverage in your area but you're unhappy with everything else, US Mobile lets you keep Verizon's towers while getting a dramatically better user experience.
US Mobile also allows you to build a custom plan around your actual data and talk needs, which can save money compared to paying for a tier you don't fully use.
Red Flags to Watch Before Switching to Any Carrier
Before you make the switch away from Total by Verizon, do your homework to avoid landing in a similar situation. Here are the key things to verify:
- Check actual network coverage in your area using the carrier's coverage map, not just the parent network's map
- Read the fine print on hotspot — look for throttle speeds, not just whether hotspot is "included"
- Understand deprioritization policies — all MVNOs are deprioritized to some degree, but some are worse than others
- Look up customer service reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot or Reddit
- Verify eSIM support if you have a newer phone model
- Confirm all-in pricing — ask whether advertised prices include taxes and fees
Best Phone to Pair With This Plan
If you're switching away from Total by Verizon and want a reliable unlocked phone that works with Visible or any other top-rated MVNO, 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
Total by Verizon — What Works
- Runs on Verizon's network (strong rural coverage)
- Available at Walmart for easy in-person setup
- No annual contract required
- Some international calling options
Total by Verizon — Daily Frustrations
- Data deprioritized behind postpaid Verizon users
- Hotspot throttled to 600 Kbps on many plans
- Customer service widely reported as difficult
- Confusing plan tiers with hidden limitations
- Inconsistent eSIM support
- Taxes/fees not always included in advertised price
The Bottom Line
The problems people experience with Total by Verizon after daily use aren't random or rare — they're structural. Deprioritized data, throttled hotspot, confusing pricing, and poor customer service are documented, repeatable complaints from thousands of real users. These aren't bugs; they reflect the trade-offs Total by Verizon makes to offer low headline prices.
If you want Verizon's network without those compromises, Visible is the clear upgrade. Same coverage, $25/month flat with taxes included, unlimited hotspot, and a 10/11 score from our team. If T-Mobile's network works in your area, Tello at 9.5/11 may cost you even less with fewer restrictions. And if you want maximum flexibility across all three networks, US Mobile at 9.5/11 gives you exactly that.
You don't have to accept daily frustrations from your phone carrier. Better options exist at the same price — or lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is my Total by Verizon data so slow even when I have bars?
Data deprioritization is the most likely cause. As an MVNO customer, you're served after Verizon's postpaid customers during congested periods. Even with full signal bars, your data may be throttled when network demand is high. Switching to Visible — also on Verizon's network but with clearer priority policies — is one way to address this while keeping the same coverage.
Q: Does Total by Verizon include hotspot?
Some Total by Verizon plans include mobile hotspot, but it is often throttled to speeds as low as 600 Kbps, which is too slow for most modern laptop or tablet use. Higher-tier plans may offer faster hotspot, but the limitations are frequently buried in the plan details. Visible and Tello both include unlimited hotspot without aggressive speed throttling.
Q: Is Total by Verizon the same as Verizon prepaid?
No. Total by Verizon is an MVNO — a separate company that leases access to Verizon's network. It is not affiliated with Verizon's own prepaid plans. This means Total by Verizon customers are deprioritized compared to both Verizon postpaid and Verizon prepaid customers.
Q: What is the best alternative to Total by Verizon on the Verizon network?
Visible is our top recommendation for users who want to stay on Verizon's network. It earns a 10/11 score in our rankings, costs $25/month with all taxes and fees included, and resolves most of the common complaints associated with Total by Verizon including hotspot throttling, billing transparency, and customer service.
Q: Can I keep my phone number if I switch away from Total by Verizon?
Yes. Number porting is a federally protected right. When you sign up with a new carrier like Visible, Tello, or US Mobile, you can request to port your existing Total by Verizon number during the activation process. Make sure not to cancel your Total by Verizon account before the port completes, or you risk losing your number.
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 not influenced by affiliate relationships.
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