Most people pay far more for phone service than they need to. The big three carriers run premium-priced plans, but smaller carriers (MVNOs) run on those exact same networks — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — for a fraction of the price. This tool shows you the gap: enter what you pay now, and see what you'd save by switching to the same coverage for less.
How the calculator works
Enter your current monthly bill, pick your number of lines and how much data you need, and the tool instantly shows the cheaper plans that match — ranked by price — plus your estimated monthly and yearly savings. Every plan it recommends runs on one of the big three networks, so you're not trading away coverage to save money; you're paying less for the same towers.
The savings are real because the networks are identical. Visible and Total Wireless use Verizon's network; Mint and Metro use T-Mobile's; Red Pocket uses AT&T's. You get the same coverage with the main trade-off being deprioritization during congestion — which most people never notice.
What is the average cell phone plan cost?
Big-carrier single-line unlimited plans commonly run $65–$95/month, and family plans often land between $120 and $200/month once you add lines, taxes, and fees. By comparison, the value carriers on this page deliver unlimited service on the same networks starting around $25–$35/month per line.
That gap is why phone service is one of the easiest recurring bills to cut. Switching a single line from an $80 postpaid plan to a $25 plan on the same network saves roughly $660 a year — with no change to your phone or your coverage. For a family of four, annual savings can climb past $900.
After the calculator: how to actually switch
- Pick a plan that covers your data needs on a network that's strong in your area.
- Check your phone is compatible — most modern unlocked phones work.
- Bring your number — don't cancel your old service first; the new carrier ports it over.
- Test it with a free trial if one's available, then port for good.
Cheapest MVNOs on all three networks, compared on price, priority data, and support.
Cheapest phone plans →
Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.
Frequently asked questions
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