Why Is My Total By Verizon So Slow Data Should I Switch - Complete Guide

View Visible Plans →

If you're experiencing frustratingly slow data speeds on Total by Verizon, you're not alone. This prepaid carrier has faced significant network performance issues that have left many customers questioning whether it's time to make a switch. The good news? There are excellent alternatives that offer better speeds, reliability, and value.

Understanding Total by Verizon's Speed Issues

Total by Verizon operates as a prepaid brand on Verizon's network, but with significant limitations that impact your data experience. The carrier implements aggressive network management practices that can severely throttle your speeds, especially during peak usage hours.

Unlike premium Verizon postpaid customers who get priority access to network resources, Total subscribers are placed at the bottom of the priority ladder. This means when cell towers get congested, your data speeds can drop to unusably slow levels while postpaid customers maintain full speed access.

The throttling isn't just during network congestion either. Many Total plans include hard data caps or speed restrictions after certain usage thresholds. Once you hit these limits, your speeds can drop to 2G-like performance that makes basic web browsing nearly impossible.

Customer complaints about Total's data speeds are widespread across review platforms and forums. Users report speeds dropping to less than 1 Mbps during peak hours, making streaming, video calls, and even basic app usage frustrating experiences.

Why Visible Is the Superior Verizon Alternative

If you want to stay on Verizon's network but need reliable speeds, Visible stands out as our top recommendation with a score of 10/11. Unlike Total, Visible offers truly unlimited data without the aggressive throttling that plagues other Verizon prepaid brands.

Visible operates on Verizon's premium network infrastructure with significantly better prioritization than Total. While you may experience some slowdowns during extreme network congestion, the difference in everyday performance is dramatic. Users consistently report speeds of 20-50+ Mbps in most areas, compared to the single-digit speeds common on Total.

The pricing structure is refreshingly simple at $25 per month with taxes included. There are no hidden fees, no annual contracts, and no surprise charges that can inflate your bill. This transparent pricing often makes Visible cheaper than Total's confusing plan tiers and add-on fees.

Visible also includes mobile hotspot functionality at no extra charge, something that costs extra on most Total plans. You can share your unlimited data with other devices without worrying about additional monthly fees or restrictive hotspot caps.

The carrier's customer service operates entirely through their app-based chat system, which many users find more efficient than traditional phone support. While some prefer speaking to representatives, Visible's digital-first approach typically resolves issues faster than the long hold times common with larger carriers.

T-Mobile Network Alternatives for Better Value

If Verizon's network coverage isn't critical for your usage patterns, switching to a T-Mobile-based carrier can offer superior value and performance. Tello earns our second-highest score at 9.5/11 and provides exceptional flexibility for users who want to optimize their monthly costs.

Tello's build-your-own plan approach lets you pay only for what you actually use. Plans start at just $8 per month for basic calling and texting, with data add-ons available in affordable increments. For unlimited data users, their top plan costs just $25 per month while including unlimited mobile hotspot usage.

The T-Mobile network that Tello uses often provides faster speeds than Verizon in urban and suburban areas. T-Mobile has invested heavily in mid-band 5G deployment, which delivers the ideal balance of coverage and speed for most users. In many markets, you'll see dramatically faster download speeds compared to what you experienced on Total.

Tello's customer service consistently receives high ratings from users, with responsive support available through multiple channels. The company has never experienced a major data breach, unlike some larger carriers that have compromised customer information multiple times.

US Mobile: The Multi-Network Flexibility Champion

US Mobile offers something unique in the prepaid space: access to all three major networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) with a single carrier. This flexibility, combined with competitive pricing, earns them a 9.5/11 score in our rankings.

The carrier's "Super LTE" plans run on Verizon's network with better prioritization than Total provides. Users report consistent speeds and reliable performance, making it an excellent middle-ground option if you want Verizon coverage without Visible's digital-only customer service approach.

US Mobile's "GSM LTE" plans operate on T-Mobile's network and often provide the fastest speeds of any MVNO option. The carrier maintains high-priority access that results in performance very close to direct T-Mobile service but at significantly lower monthly costs.

Their plan builder tool lets you customize exactly what you need, from talk and text minimums to unlimited data options. This flexibility makes US Mobile ideal for families with different usage patterns or individuals who want to fine-tune their monthly costs.

Network Coverage Considerations Before Switching

Before making the switch from Total, it's important to understand how network coverage might change with different carriers. While Visible uses the same Verizon towers as Total, the improved prioritization can actually result in better effective coverage in congested areas.

T-Mobile-based options like Tello work best in urban and suburban environments where the carrier has deployed extensive mid-band 5G infrastructure. Rural coverage can be more limited compared to Verizon, so check coverage maps carefully if you frequently travel to remote areas.

US Mobile's multi-network approach provides the most flexibility, letting you test different networks to find the best performance in your specific locations. You can even switch between networks without changing carriers if your coverage needs change over time.

Most carriers offer trial periods or money-back guarantees that let you test their service risk-free. Take advantage of these programs to verify coverage and speed performance in your most important locations before fully committing to a switch.

Cost Comparison: Real Monthly Savings

The financial benefits of switching from Total often extend beyond just the base monthly rate. Hidden fees, activation charges, and expensive add-ons can make Total's actual costs significantly higher than advertised rates.

Visible's $25 all-inclusive pricing eliminates the fee complexity that plagues many carriers. You'll never see activation fees, regulatory charges, or surprise taxes that can add $10+ to your monthly bill. This transparency makes budgeting easier and often results in lower total costs.

Tello's flexible pricing can provide dramatic savings for users who don't need unlimited everything. A plan with 2GB of data costs just $14 per month, while unlimited data is available for $25. Compare this to Total's limited plan options that often force you to pay for features you don't use.

Many switchers find they save $20-40 per month while getting better service quality. Over a year, this represents $240-480 in savings that can be applied to other priorities or a device upgrade fund.

How to Make the Switch Seamlessly

Switching carriers doesn't have to be complicated or result in service interruptions. Most modern carriers support number porting that transfers your existing phone number within hours, not days.

Start by ensuring your current phone is unlocked and compatible with your chosen new carrier. Most devices sold in recent years work across all major networks, but checking compatibility before ordering service prevents potential complications.

Purchase your new service and request number porting during activation. Keep your Total service active until the port completes to avoid any service gaps. Once your number transfers successfully, your old service will automatically cancel.

Consider timing your switch to coincide with your Total billing cycle to avoid paying for overlapping service. Most carriers prorate charges, but coordinating the timing can minimize any duplicate costs.

Best Phone to Pair With Your New Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with any of these 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

Total by Verizon's slow data speeds are a result of aggressive network deprioritization and throttling policies that make the service frustrating for most users. Switching to Visible gives you the same Verizon network coverage with significantly better performance at $25 per month. For maximum value and flexibility, consider Tello's T-Mobile-based plans starting at $8 per month, or US Mobile's multi-network approach. Any of these alternatives will provide faster, more reliable data service than what you're currently experiencing with Total.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.