How much can I save by switching phone carriers?

The average person on a Big 3 carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) pays $75-90/month. Budget carriers on the same networks cost $15-30/month. That's $540-900/year in savings per line, or $2,000-3,600/year for a family of four.

Will I lose my phone number when switching?

No. You port (transfer) your existing number to the new carrier. This is free and takes 1-4 hours. Your old carrier cancels automatically when the port completes. You keep the same number.

What's the catch with budget carriers?

Budget carriers (MVNOs) use the same towers as the Big 3 but with data deprioritization during congestion — meaning slower speeds in crowded areas. Most people never notice the difference. Other tradeoffs: no physical stores (online/chat support only) and sometimes limited international roaming.

How to Switch Phone Plans and Save $600+/Year

Updated February 2026 · The complete carrier comparison and switching guide

💸 Americans Overpay $600-$900/Year on Wireless

The average AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile postpaid customer pays $75-90/month per line. Budget carriers using the exact same cell towers cost $15-30/month. Same calls, same texts, same coverage map. The only difference: where you pay your bill and who you call for support.

The Three Networks (Everything Else Is Resold)

There are only three cell networks in the US. Every carrier — all 50+ of them — runs on one of these:

🔴 Verizon's network: Visible, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, Straight Talk (some)
🔵 AT&T's network: Cricket, AT&T Prepaid, Consumer Cellular, Straight Talk (some)
🩷 T-Mobile's network: Mint Mobile, Boost, Tello, Metro by T-Mobile, Google Fi, US Mobile (some)

Best Budget Carriers by Network (2026)

🔴 Best on Verizon's Network

Visible ($25/mo): Unlimited everything, includes hotspot. Best single-line value on Verizon
US Mobile ($10-25/mo): Customizable plans, premium option with priority data
Total Wireless ($25/mo): Available at Walmart, good multi-line deals

🔵 Best on AT&T's Network

Cricket ($30/mo): Physical stores, great multi-line pricing (4 lines = $100)
AT&T Prepaid ($25-50/mo): Higher network priority than Cricket, multi-month discounts
Consumer Cellular ($20-45/mo): AARP discount, excellent customer service for seniors

🩷 Best on T-Mobile's Network

Mint Mobile ($15/mo): Cheapest with annual prepay. Owned by T-Mobile now
Tello ($10-25/mo): Build-your-own plan, best customer service in the budget space
Google Fi ($20/mo): Multi-network (T-Mobile + US Cellular), great for international travel

How to Switch in 15 Minutes

Check your current carrier: Get your account number and transfer PIN (find in your carrier's app under Account Info)
Check phone compatibility: Most unlocked phones work on all three networks. Carrier-locked phones need to be unlocked first (request from your current carrier — free after payoff)
Pick your new carrier: Choose based on network coverage in your area and budget
Sign up online: Enter your account number and PIN during activation
Get your new SIM/eSIM: Most budget carriers support eSIM (instant activation) or mail a physical SIM
Port completes: 1-4 hours. Your old carrier auto-cancels. You keep your number.

The Device Installment Trap

The #1 reason people stay with expensive carriers: they're making monthly payments on a phone. If you have a device installment plan, the remaining balance becomes due when you leave. But here's the math most people miss:

Remaining phone balance: Let's say $400
Monthly savings from switching: $50/month
Break-even point: 8 months ($400 ÷ $50)
12-month savings after break-even: $200+ net savings
Verdict: Even paying off the phone early, you save money within a year

Family Plan Comparison (4 Lines)

🔴 Verizon postpaid: $180-280/mo → $2,160-3,360/yr
🔵 AT&T postpaid: $140-240/mo → $1,680-2,880/yr
✅ Cricket (4 lines): $100/mo → $1,200/yr
✅ Mint (4 lines annual): $60/mo → $720/yr
✅ Visible (4 lines): $100/mo → $1,200/yr

A family of four switching from Verizon postpaid to Mint saves $1,440-$2,640 per year. That's a family vacation every year, funded entirely by switching carriers.

🏆 The Single Biggest Money Move

Switching phone carriers is consistently rated as the highest ROI financial move in terms of time spent: 15 minutes of setup saves $600-$2,000+/year. No other financial optimization comes close in terms of savings-per-minute-of-effort.

🔍 How much are you really paying for wireless?

Upload your bank statement to JustCancel and we'll show you exactly what you're paying each carrier — including device insurance, line fees, and the other hidden charges buried in your phone bill. Takes 30 seconds.