Tello vs Total Wireless
By Rob Webber • Founder & Editor
Head-to-head comparison of plans, features, and pricing
Tello
T-Mobile network
$8/mo
7 plans available
Total Wireless
Verizon network
$40/mo
3 plans available
Feature Comparison
Feature Tello Total Wireless
Networks T-Mobile Verizon
Data Speed 5G & 4G LTE 5G & 4G LTE
3G Network GSM CDMA
Mobile Hotspot ✅ ✅
5G ✅ ✅
VoLTE ✅ ✅
WiFi Calling ✅ ✅
Visual Voicemail ✅ ✅
Bring Your Phone ✅ ✅
Keep Your Number ✅ ✅
Contract Prepaid No Contract
Credit Check ❌ ❌
Taxes Included ❌ ❌
Multi-line Discounts ✅ ✅
Multi-month Discounts ❌ ❌
Money Back Guarantee ❌ ❌
Customer Service Mon-Sun 8am-11:45pm ET Mon-Sun 8am-11:45pm ET
International Calls Yes - 60+ countries Yes - As add-on
International Roaming Yes - As add-on ❌
Plans Side by Side
Tello Plans
Unlimited Talk & Text
Talk & Text · 5G
$8
1GB
1GB · 5G
$9
2GB
2GB · 5G
$10
5GB
5GB · 5G
$14
10GB
10GB · 5G
$19
15GB
15GB · 5G
$24
Unlimited
Unlimited · 5G
$25
Total Wireless Plans
Unlimited Base
Unlimited · 5G
$40
Unlimited
Unlimited · 5G
$50
Unlimited+
Unlimited · 5G
$60
Our Verdict
Tello is better for budget-conscious users who want plans starting at $8/mo on the T-Mobile network. Total Wireless is better if you want plans on the Verizon network starting at $40/mo. Both carriers offer the same tower coverage as Big Wireless at a fraction of the price.
Who Should Choose Tello
- ✓ You want the T-Mobile network
- ✓ Plans starting at $8/mo
- ✓ 7 plan options to choose from
Who Should Choose Total Wireless
- ✓ You want the Verizon network
- ✓ Plans starting at $40/mo
- ✓ 3 plan options to choose from
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tello or Total Wireless cheaper?
Tello is cheaper, with plans starting at $8/mo. Total Wireless starts at $40/mo.
Which network does Tello use?
Tello uses the T-Mobile network. You get the same coverage as T-Mobile customers at a lower price.
Which network does Total Wireless use?
Total Wireless uses the Verizon network. You get the same coverage as Verizon customers at a lower price.
Can I keep my phone number if I switch to Tello or Total Wireless?
Yes. Both carriers support number porting. You can transfer your existing phone number in about 10-30 minutes during the sign-up process.
Do Tello and Total Wireless offer 5G?
Most modern plans from both Tello and Total Wireless include 5G access at no extra cost where the network supports it.