Trying to find the best prepaid phone plan without overpaying?
Total Wireless and Lyca Mobile both offer affordable no-contract plans, but they target very different types of users.
Total Wireless is all about unlimited data making it a great choice for families and heavy data users. Lyca Mobile, on the other hand, focuses on international calling, giving you free calls and texts to dozens of countries-perfect for you to stay connected with family and friends abroad.
So, do you go for Total Wireless's budget-friendly unlimited data, or is Lyca Mobile's international calling a better fit?
Total Wireless vs Lyca Mobile plans
Winner: Total Wireless
If you want an unlimited plan Total Wireless is a good option. Their unlimited plans start at just $40 per month.
Lyca Mobile focuses on international calling, so their plans include free calls to 85+ countries but tend to cost more for data-heavy users.
If you need unlimited data Total Wireless is the better choice. If international calling is your priority and you don't need a lot of data, Lyca Mobile may offer better perks.
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 |
Lyca Mobile plans
Lyca Mobile unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyca Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $20/mo |
Total Wireless vs Lyca Mobile coverage
Winner: Lyca Mobile
Total Wireless operates on Verizon's network, while Lyca Mobile runs on T-Mobile's network. Both offer nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage, but their strengths differ depending on location.
Total Wireless benefits from Verizon's strong rural coverage, making it a solid choice for travelers and those in remote areas. Lyca Mobile, using T-Mobile's network, provides better 5G availability, particularly in urban and suburban areas. T-Mobile consistently leads in 5G performance highlighted by this OpenSignal's 2025 analysis, while Verizon ranks highest for overall reliability according to RootMetrics' 2024 report.
Total Wireless coverage
Total Wireless is powered by Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Total Wireless coverage map
Lyca Mobile coverage
Lyca Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Data speeds: Which carrier delivers better performance?
Winner: Total Wireless
Total Wireless's top two unlimited plans include access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network for faster speeds, where it's available.
Lyca Mobile's unlimited plan includes 40GB of high-speed data, but it costs $49 per month-$9 more than Total Wireless's unlimited plan.
If you need an affordable unlimited plan, Total Wireless is better value for money.
Extra features: Which carrier gives you more?
Winner: Total Wireless
- Total Wireless offers unlimited data on Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network.
- Lyca Mobile includes free international calling to 85+ countries, a big plus for people with family or friends abroad.
- Both carriers allow mobile hotspot use.
- Total Wireless also offers calling to 85+ destinations and roaming in Canada & Mexico.
If you want the best price on unlimited data, Total Wireless is the better pick. If you frequently call internationally or don't need as much data, Lyca Mobile is worth considering despite the higher price.
Total Wireless vs Lyca Mobile plan features
| Carrier Features | Total Wireless | Lyca Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | Verizon | T-Mobile |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | CDMA | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | No |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Yes - Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | Mon-Sun 8am to 11.45pm | Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm / Sun 10am to 8pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | No | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | No | No |
| Multi-line Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-month Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| International Calls | Yes - As add-on | Yes - Unlimited in 70+ countries |
| International Roaming | No | Yes |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the best deal?
- Best for unlimited data → Total Wireless
- Best for international calling → Lyca Mobile
- Best for coverage → Total Wireless
- Best for data options → Lyca Mobile
If you want an affordable unlimited plan, Total Wireless is the winner. But if you're looking for more plan choice and international features, Lyca Mobile may be worth the extra cost.
See how Total Wireless compares.
Read our full Lyca Mobile review.
Why you can trust me
Choosing a phone plan shouldn't be a complicated decision. But that's exactly what big carriers want-confusing pricing keeps people overpaying.
At MoneySavingPro, we break down the fine print and expose the sneaky tactics used to inflate your bill.
I've personally tested Total Wireless, Lyca Mobile, Tello, and many other low-cost carriers to compare speeds, coverage, and pricing. If there's a way to get the same service for less, you'll hear about it here first.
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