Straight Talk vs Total Wireless is a comparison between two brands with the same owner. Both sites say the brand is a trademark of “Verizon Value, Inc, a Verizon company”. They differ in how they price, not in whose network they use.
Side by side
| Straight Talk | Total Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Verizon | Verizon |
| Network | Verizon for new customers | Verizon |
| Cheapest plan | $25 a month, unlimited, bring your own phone only | $40 the first month, then $35 with Auto Pay |
| Mid plan | $45 a month, Silver Unlimited | $55, then $50 with Auto Pay, Total MAX 5G |
| Top plan | $65 a month, Platinum Unlimited | $65, then $60 with Auto Pay, Total ALL ACCESS |
| Taxes and fees | Extra | Included |
| Auto Pay discount | For the first three months only | $5 from the second month, one per account |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Figures are from each brand’s plans page, read on October 8, 2026.
Price, with tax in mind
Straight Talk’s prices look lower, and at the bottom they are. Its $25 StraightSAVINGS! plan is unlimited, for customers who bring their own phone.
Above that, compare carefully. Total Wireless says, “All taxes and fees are included with your plan prices.” Straight Talk adds them. So Total’s $35 STARTER, all in, sits against Straight Talk’s $45 Silver Unlimited before tax.
Straight Talk gets cheaper if you pay ahead. Silver Unlimited is $360 for a year, which works out to $30 a month.
What the plans include
Total STARTER has unlimited 5G data and 10 GB of hotspot. Silver Unlimited also has 10 GB of hotspot.
At the top, both Platinum Unlimited and Total ALL ACCESS have unlimited hotspot. Total adds 1 TB of cloud storage and Disney+. Platinum adds roaming in Canada and Mexico.
Total Wireless also lists a “5-year price guarantee” among the things every plan includes.
One caution on Straight Talk
Not every Straight Talk line is on Verizon’s network. Its small print says “Some premium plan features only available to customers on the Verizon network.” If you already have Straight Talk on an old SIM, check which network you are on before comparing.
Which one
Choose Straight Talk if you are bringing your own phone and want the $25 plan, or if you will pay for a year at once.
Choose Total Wireless if you want the price on the page to be the price you pay, tax included, month to month.
Full details: Straight Talk and Total Wireless.