Tired of confusing bills and sneaky fees every month? If you're ready to cut your phone bill without cutting corners, Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon both offer prepaid savings.
Boost Mobile keeps it straightforward with budget-friendly options ideal for various needs. In contrast, Total by Verizon stands out with customizable plans that cater to specific data requirements.
So, which one truly offers the better value for your money?
Boost Mobile vs Total Wireless plans
Winner: Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile keeps things simple and budget-friendly, offering straightforward prepaid plans with no contracts and no fine print surprises. You get a fixed amount of data for a fixed price, and you can switch plans whenever you want.
Total by Verizon offers a mix of single-line and family plans, including options with Disney+ included, but you'll pay a premium for the extras-and you're still stuck with Verizon's higher prices.
Takeaway: If you want simple, affordable prepaid service, Boost Mobile gives you better value for less money. Total by Verizon's extras are only worth it if you really need them-otherwise, you're just overpaying for branding.
Boost Mobile plans
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Mobile unlimited data plan | AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
| Boost Mobile unlimited data plan | AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $50/mo |
| Boost Mobile unlimited data plan | AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $60/mo |
Total Wireless plans
Total Wireless unlimited data plan
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Wireless unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $20/mo |
| Total Wireless unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $30/mo |
| Total Wireless unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $50/mo |
Boost Mobile vs Total Wireless coverage
Winner: Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile runs on T-Mobile's network, while Total by Verizon runs on Verizon's network. Both offer strong coverage, but T-Mobile leads in 5G availability, according to OpenSignal's 2025 mobile network experience report.
Meanwhile, RootMetrics' 2024 report gives Verizon a slight edge in rural reliability.
Takeaway: Both carriers offer reliable coverage, but Boost Mobile's T-Mobile network gives you faster 5G in more places, and at a lower price
Boost Mobile coverage
Boost Mobile is powered by AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Boost Mobile coverage map
Total Wireless coverage
Total Wireless is powered by Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Total Wireless coverage map
Data speeds: Faster network for less money?
Winner: Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile customers get full-speed access to T-Mobile's 5G and 4G LTE networks, which are consistently among the fastest in the country, according to the Speedtest Global Index 2025.
Total by Verizon offers strong speeds on Verizon's network, but you'll pay a lot more to get it, and the cheapest plans come with data caps.
Takeaway: If you want fast, reliable data without overpaying, Boost Mobile is the smarter choice.
Features and extras: What do you actually need?
Winner: Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile focuses on keeping your bill low and giving you just what you need-including free hotspot use on all plans.
Total by Verizon tries to sweeten the deal with Disney+ on higher-priced plans, but you're paying extra for that perk-and you might already have it from another subscription.
Takeaway: If you want low-cost essentials, Boost Mobile wins. If you want to bundle your phone plan with streaming, Total by Verizon might appeal-but you'll pay a premium for the convenience.
Boost Mobile vs Total Wireless plan features
| Carrier Features | Boost Mobile | Total Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | AT&T & T-Mobile | Verizon |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | CDMA |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Yes - Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | Mon-Fri 4am to 8pm / Sat-Sun 4am to 7pm | Mon-Sun 8am to 11.45pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | No | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | No | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | Yes | No |
| Multi-line Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-month Discounts | No | Yes |
| International Calls | No | Yes - As add-on |
| International Roaming | No | No |
Final verdict: Which carrier offers better value?
- Best for saving money → Boost Mobile
- Best for flexibility → Boost Mobile
- Best for rural coverage → Total by Verizon
- Best for streaming perks → Total by Verizon
Bottom line: If you want simple prepaid savings, Boost Mobile is the better deal. If you need Verizon's rural coverage or love the idea of bundling Disney+ with your plan, Total by Verizon could be worth a look. But it'll cost you more every month.
Check out our Boost Mobile review to find out more.
See our Total by Verizon review to discover more.
Boost Mobile vs Total Wireless FAQs
Boost Mobile includes taxes and fees upfront, while Total by Verizon adds them on top.
Boost Mobile is powered by AT&T & T-Mobile and Total Wireless runs on Verizon.
Most newer handsets are compatible if they're unlocked, but if you're not sure you can check phone compatibility with our IMEI checker.
Total by Verizon offers family discounts, while Boost Mobile focuses on low-cost individual plans.
Why you can trust me
I've spent more than 15 years helping people slash their phone bills by exposing the hidden fees and overpriced plans that big carriers don't want you to notice.
At MoneySavingPro, I test the carriers I recommend, including Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon, to see which ones actually deliver real value-not marketing hype.
Whether you need the absolute cheapest plan or the best network for your area, my job is to help you save money without sacrificing service.
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