Twigby vs. Total by Verizon: Which carrier is better?

Twigby and Total by Verizon are popular prepaid carriers on the Verizon network. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Twigby and Total by Verizon are both on the Verizon network.

Twigby and Total by Verizon are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Twigby and Total by Verizon are both MVNOs of Verizon. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

Plan Options

Total by Verizon and Twigby both offer limited and unlimited plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. Total by Verizon offers two of each. Both companies deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot. 

Twigby Plans

Twigby plans give you a discount for the first three months of service. 

Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

No Data Plan

This plan does not have data access. 

With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones. 

You do not have hotspot access on this plan either. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months. 

2GB Plan 

This plan gives you 2GB per month before slowing down. 

This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access with the 2GB included in the plan. This access stops at the 2GB cap.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months. 

5GB Plan 

This plan gives you 5GB per month if you use their service. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan also gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month. 

8GB Plan 

This plan gives you 8GB monthly. 

This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB. 

The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months. 

Unlimited Plan 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing speeds. 

This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months. 

Total by Verizon Plans

All Total plans offer hotspot access. 

Total by Verizon offers 4 plans: 2 unlimited and 2 limited. You get QCI tier 9 with their plans, which means your data is deprioritized. With deprioritization, your data will slow down in high traffic locations due to increased network activity. High traffic would be places like sports stadiums and busy stores. Their plans include a 5% Autopay discount. 

You can have up to 5 lines on one plan. If you purchase your phone from Total by Verizon, your device will be locked for 60 days after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

5GB

This plan slows to 2G after the cap.  

As the smallest Total by Verizon plan, this plan offers 5GB before slowing to 2G speeds. At 2G speeds, users can scroll social media and send texts or emails, but streaming shows or playing games without WiFi will be difficult. The plan also includes hotspot access 

The plan costs $30 per month at full price, and $28.50 with Autopay. At this full price, you get 5GB each month at $6 per GB. 

15GB

Speeds slow down after the cap. 

The 15GB plan, as its name says, includes 15GB of full speed data. After the cap, speeds slow down to 2G. You can also use the 15GB as hotspot data, but access ends after you reach your monthly data cap. 

The plan costs $40 per month, and $38 with the Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 15GB at $2.67 per GB. 

Unlimited

This plan offers additional hotspot data

The regular unlimited plan offers unlimited data with 30GB of full speed data. Again, data slows down to 2G speeds at the cap. This plan also comes with 10GB of mobile hotspot data, and access stops at that cap. 

The plan costs $50 per month, and $47.50 with Autopay. At full price, you get 40GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus 

This plan is not only their biggest plan, but the best plan Total by Verizon has to offer.

Unlimited Plus offers unlimited data, and data speeds are at full speed capacity until the 30GB cap. After the 30GB cap, speeds slow to 2G. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data each month, and access stops once after the cap.

The plan costs $60 per month, and $57 with the Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 50GB per month at $1.20 per GB. 

Features

Total by Verizon offers more features. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Twigby offers device financing. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Total by Verizon offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Twigby does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. Total by Verizon offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada on all plans, but offers data on their 15GB, Unlimited, and Unlimited Plus plans only if you purchase multiple lines. 

International Connection

Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data. Total by Verizon offers international talk and text on their unlimited plans. 

Video Streaming Quality

All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. Total by Verizon plans stream up to 4k Ultra High Definition resolution.  

Streaming Services

Total by Verizon offers a Disney+ Basic plan included for 6 months on their Unlimited plan, or for the duration you have the Unlimited Plus plan. Twigby does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Twigby and Total by Verizon do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Twigby only offers this feature with PayPal. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Twigby and Total by Verizon do not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Twigby and Total by Verizon do not offer this feature.  

Customer Service 

Twigby does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Total by Verizon offers several stores across the country.

Twigby is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at [email protected]. Total by Verizon offers stores across the country that you can visit, and you can find them with the store locator. Otherwise, you can contact their customer support over the phone at (800) 837-4966.

The Verdict

Total by Verizon offers better plans on big data allotments.  

With the included features and price per GB, Total by Verizon offers the best plans to choose from between their 15GB and unlimited plans. However, Twigby offers better rates on their 5GB plan. They also offer much smaller amounts of data. So if you don’t use much data at all, Twigby would be the better option.  

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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