Why Is My Total By Verizon So Throttled Should I Switch - Complete Guide
If you're experiencing slow speeds on Total by Verizon, you're not alone. This prepaid carrier is known for heavily throttling data speeds, especially during peak hours. The good news? You can get better performance on the same Verizon network by switching to a premium MVNO like Visible.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Our Pick | Visible |
| Best For | Unlimited data |
| Price | $25/month |
| Network | Verizon |
| Our Score | 10/11 |
If you're experiencing slow speeds on Total by Verizon, you're not alone. This prepaid carrier is known for heavily throttling data speeds, especially during peak hours. The good news? You can get better performance on the same Verizon network by switching to a premium MVNO like Visible.
Bottom Line: Total by Verizon throttles speeds significantly, often to unusable levels. Switch to Visible for $25/month to get priority Verizon data without throttling, or consider Tello on T-Mobile for budget-friendly alternatives starting at $8/month.
Pros of Switching
- Faster speeds on same network
- Better customer service options
- More transparent pricing
- Higher data priorities
Cons of Total by Verizon
- Severe speed throttling
- Deprioritized network access
- Limited plan flexibility
- Poor customer support
Why Total by Verizon Is So Throttled
Total by Verizon operates as Verizon's lowest-tier prepaid brand, which means your data gets the lowest priority on the network. When Verizon towers get busy, your speeds drop dramatically because postpaid customers and premium prepaid users get served first.
This throttling happens in several ways. First, Total by Verizon customers experience network deprioritization during congestion, which can slow speeds to under 1 Mbps. Second, many Total plans include explicit speed caps even when the network isn't congested. Finally, after using your high-speed data allowance, you're throttled to 2G speeds around 128 Kbps.
The problem is particularly noticeable in urban areas and during peak usage times like evenings and weekends. Users report being unable to stream videos, load social media, or even send messages reliably. This makes Total by Verizon frustrating for anyone who needs consistent mobile internet access.
Better Alternatives on Verizon's Network
Visible: Our Top Recommendation (10/11)
Visible offers the best value for Verizon network access. At $25/month with taxes included, you get truly unlimited data without the harsh throttling that plagues Total by Verizon. Visible customers receive much higher network priority, resulting in significantly faster speeds.
What makes Visible special is its premium network access. While you're still technically on a prepaid plan, Visible negotiated better network priority than typical MVNOs. Users report consistent speeds of 20-50 Mbps even during busy periods, compared to Total by Verizon's frequent drops below 5 Mbps.
The plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data with no annual contracts. You also get mobile hotspot functionality and can use your phone in Canada and Mexico. Most importantly, Visible has never experienced a data breach, unlike many other carriers.
US Mobile: Flexible Option (9.5/11)
US Mobile lets you build custom plans on Verizon's network with better priority than Total by Verizon. Their "Warp 5G" plans start around $25/month for unlimited data and include premium network access similar to postpaid plans.
The carrier's main advantage is flexibility. You can choose exactly how much data you need and add features like international calling or premium streaming perks. US Mobile also offers excellent customer service through their app and has maintained a perfect security record with no data breaches.
For families, US Mobile provides significant discounts when you add multiple lines. Their network performance consistently outpaces Total by Verizon, especially during peak hours when throttling is most noticeable.
T-Mobile Network Alternatives
Tello: Budget Champion (9.5/11)
If you want to escape Verizon's network entirely, Tello on T-Mobile offers excellent value starting at just $8/month. Their unlimited plan costs $25/month and includes unlimited mobile hotspot, making it perfect for users who need reliable data access.
Tello's biggest advantage is transparency. There are no hidden fees, no throttling after certain data amounts, and no annual contracts. The T-Mobile network provides strong coverage in most areas and often delivers faster speeds than congested Verizon towers.
The carrier has maintained excellent security practices with zero data breaches since launch. Their customer service is responsive, and plan changes take effect immediately. For users frustrated with Total by Verizon's throttling, Tello represents a complete solution at the same or lower price.
Metro by T-Mobile: Mainstream Option (6.5/11)
Metro by T-Mobile offers more traditional prepaid plans with decent network priority. While not as fast as our top picks, Metro typically provides better speeds than Total by Verizon, especially in T-Mobile's stronger coverage areas.
Plans start around $30/month for unlimited data, though you'll face some throttling after 35GB of usage. Metro includes various perks like Amazon Prime or Google One depending on your plan choice. The carrier operates T-Mobile stores nationwide, providing in-person support if needed.
AT&T Network Options
Cricket Wireless: Solid Alternative (6/11)
Cricket Wireless on AT&T's network offers another escape from Verizon's congestion. Their unlimited plans start at $30/month and provide more consistent speeds than Total by Verizon in many markets.
While Cricket does implement some speed caps (typically around 22 Mbps), this is still much faster than Total by Verizon's throttled speeds. The carrier offers good coverage and reliable service, though customer service can be inconsistent.
Cricket's main drawback is limited hotspot data on most plans. However, for users primarily concerned with smartphone performance, Cricket delivers significantly better results than Total by Verizon.
How to Make the Switch
Switching from Total by Verizon is straightforward. First, ensure your phone is unlocked or compatible with your new carrier. Most modern phones work across all networks, but checking compatibility prevents issues.
Next, choose your new carrier and plan. We recommend starting with Visible for the best Verizon network experience or Tello for maximum value. Both carriers offer easy online signup and can port your existing phone number.
Before canceling Total by Verizon, activate your new service to ensure everything works properly. Most carriers offer trial periods, allowing you to test network performance in your area. Once satisfied, you can cancel Total by Verizon without penalty since prepaid plans don't have contracts.
Network Priority Comparison
Understanding network priority explains why Total by Verizon performs so poorly. Carriers assign priority levels to different customer types, with postpaid customers getting the highest priority and budget prepaid users getting the lowest.
Total by Verizon customers receive the lowest possible priority on Verizon's network. When towers get busy, your data speeds drop dramatically as the network serves higher-priority customers first. This creates the severe throttling and slow speeds users experience.
In contrast, Visible negotiated much higher network priority, often matching postpaid performance. Similarly, Tello on T-Mobile provides consistent priority that rarely results in significant slowdowns. This priority difference explains why switching carriers can dramatically improve your mobile internet experience.
Cost Comparison Analysis
| Carrier | Price | Network | Data | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total by Verizon | $30/mo | Verizon | Throttled | 3/11 |
| Visible | $25/mo | Verizon | Unlimited | 10/11 |
| Tello | $25/mo | T-Mobile | Unlimited | 9.5/11 |
| US Mobile | $25/mo | Verizon | Unlimited | 9.5/11 |
| Metro | $30/mo | T-Mobile | 35GB priority | 6.5/11 |
Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including network priority, throttling policies, data breach history, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements.
Regional Performance Considerations
Network performance varies significantly by location. In areas where Verizon's network is heavily congested, switching to T-Mobile via Tello might provide better speeds than staying with any Verizon MVNO. Conversely, in rural areas where Verizon has superior coverage, upgrading to Visible makes more sense.
Before switching, check coverage maps for your specific area. T-Mobile has made significant network improvements and often provides faster speeds in urban areas. However, Verizon still leads in rural coverage, making the network choice location-dependent.
Consider testing multiple carriers using their trial periods. Many MVNOs offer 7-day trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to verify performance before committing. This approach ensures you choose the best option for your specific usage patterns and location.
Best Phone to Pair With This 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
The Bottom Line
Total by Verizon's severe throttling makes it unsuitable for most users who need reliable mobile internet. Switching to Visible provides the same Verizon network with dramatically better speeds for $5 less per month. For users open to changing networks, Tello on T-Mobile offers exceptional value with unlimited hotspot and transparent pricing. Either choice eliminates the frustrating throttling that makes Total by Verizon nearly unusable during peak hours.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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