If you want cheap cell phone service on Verizon’s top-rated wireless network, Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless are two money-saving alternatives.
I spent more than a decade on a Verizon family plan until I started testing out low-cost cell phone plans, including Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless, which both run on Verizon’s network.
That means you can get the same great LTE coverage that Verizon offers at a fraction of the price.
Xfinity Mobile vs. Total Wireless review: Everything you need to know
Should you switch to Xfinity Mobile or Total Wireless? Based on my personal experience with both providers, I’ve compared the key features to lay out the pros and cons of these affordable options.
Read on for my comparison to help you decide whether Xfinity Mobile or Total Wireless may be right for you…
Table of contents:
- Plans and pricing
- Availability
- Call, text and data performance
- Bring your own phone
- Phones for sale
- Mobile hotspot
- Wi-Fi calling
- Deals and discounts
Plans and pricing
Winner: Xfinity Mobile
Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile offers an unlimited data plan option for $45/month, but Total Wireless technically doesn’t. Total’s 25GB plan is the closest thing to it at $50 per month.
Total Wireless’ plans start at $25 a month for 1GB of high-speed data, plus unlimited talk and text. The cheapest option with Xfinity Mobile is $15 a month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of 5G and LTE data.
Availability
Winner: Total Wireless
Total Wireless is available nationwide. You can pick up a SIM card kit and service plan in the prepaid section at retailers across the country like Best Buy, CVS and Walmart or online at TotalWireless.com.
Unfortunately, Xfinity Mobile isn’t available to everyone. You must be an Xfinity internet customer to sign up for the mobile deal. You should only consider it if you’re happy with your Comcast service.
Call, text and data performance
Winner: Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless
Since Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless use Verizon’s towers, you can expect the same great coverage that you get with Verizon. I haven’t experienced dropped calls, missed texts or slow data with either provider.
According to the Speedtest by Ookla app, I routinely had downloads speeds of 25 Mbps or higher, which is fast enough for all of my online activities.
The last time I tested Xfinity Mobile, the download speed was a blazing fast 70 Mbps! That was before Xfinity Mobile added 5G coverage (where available) in May 2020.
Bring your own phone
Winner: Total Wireless
If you currently have service with Verizon, you’ll likely be able to bring your unlocked CDMA device to Total Wireless whether it’s an iPhone or Android. Xfinity Mobile only lets you bring a compatible iPhone and select Androids.
Check phone compatibility for Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless.
Phones for sale
Winner: Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless
Want to buy a phone instead? Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless will sell you a new one! They both offer devices like the Apple iPhone XR and Samsung Galaxy Note9, but Total Wireless has a better selection of budget smartphones under $100.
You can either pay in full or select a device payment plan, but only Xfinity Mobile offers 0% APR for 24 months.
Mobile hotspot
Winner: Xfinity Mobile
If mobile hotspot is important to you, Total Wireless now supports the feature on select plans. This lets customers use mobile data to create an internet connection to get online with a laptop or tablet.
Xfinity Mobile also supports tethering, but speeds may be limited for its Unlimited plan users.
I temporarily switched from the By the Gig plan to Unlimited just to try out this feature. I turned on the mobile hotspot and was able to watch YouTube videos on my computer with no buffering — that was a surprise.
Xfinity Mobile’s FAQ page says mobile hotspot speeds won’t exceed 600 Kbps for Unlimited plan customers, but there are no limits for By the Gig users.
“If you have the Unlimited data option, speeds on any connected device will not exceed 600 Kbps. At that speed, you’ll be able to perform common tasks such as email, instant messaging, and basic web browsing. However, you’ll likely experience buffering when streaming audio and/or video on your connected devices. If you prefer 4G LTE for your hotspot-powered devices, go for By the Gig — personal hotspot speeds are not limited with this data option.”
Wi-Fi calling
Winner: Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless
Wi-Fi calling comes in handy when you have a Wi-Fi connection but the cellular signal is weak. Xfinity Mobile says the feature is offered on nearly all devices, while Total Wireless says it’s available on capable devices.
After more than a year with Xfinity Mobile, support for Wi-Fi calling was added to my Samsung Galaxy S8 in November 2018.
Deals and discounts
Winner: Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless
Before you sign up with Xfinity Mobile or Total Wireless, check their websites for deals. I got $200 off my phone when I switched to Xfinity Mobile and that promotion tends to come and go a few times per year.
Total Wireless offers more frequent phone deals and offers for additional data at no extra charge.
Final thought
Xfinity Mobile and Total Wireless are two great cell phone providers for people who are trying to save money, but you have to consider your needs to determine which is best for you. I hope this review has helped you sort out the pros and cons.
- Want unlimited data? Xfinity Mobile is your best choice.
- Don’t have Comcast? Total Wireless is the way to go.
- Want to keep your Android? See if it works with Total Wireless.
If you’re a light data user like me, I think Xfinity Mobile is a fantastic deal and slightly beats out Total Wireless. You can read my full Xfinity Mobile customer review and learn how I paid just $180 for 12 months of cell phone service on Verizon’s #1 network.
