Mobile plan comparison
Lower your phone bill without losing coverage or surprises.
A lower advertised price can still cost more if it excludes taxes, fees, device payments, hotspot use, or the data your household needs. Start with the last two or three bills and compare the same number of lines over the same period.
1. Separate service from device costs
Write down plan charges, each line’s access fee, device financing, insurance, add-ons, taxes, and one-time charges. Find out whether a promotion depends on keeping a particular plan or device payment active.
2. Match the plan to actual use
- Check data used by each line, including hotspot and international use.
- Compare high-speed data limits, deprioritization rules, and hotspot allowances.
- Decide whether you need unlimited data or whether a smaller allowance fits your normal use.
- Ask whether the advertised price requires autopay, multiple lines, a new customer, or a specific payment method.
3. Verify coverage before moving
Check the new provider’s coverage at home, work, and frequent travel locations. A low-cost mobile brand may use another company’s network, but coverage, roaming, priority, and support terms can differ. Test a prepaid option if it can be tried without a costly device or long commitment.
4. Calculate switching costs
Before you port a number, check whether the phone is unlocked and compatible, whether any device balance or promotion payback applies, and whether you need a new SIM or activation. Keep the current line active until the new service is working and your number transfer is complete. FCC guidance explains that consumers generally can keep an existing number when switching providers in the same geographic area.
5. Compare the total, not the headline
For each option, calculate the cost over 12 months: service, device payments, taxes and fees, add-ons, activation, and any required payoff, minus only discounts you are eligible to receive. Treat a gift card or account credit as a conditional benefit until its terms and payout are verified.
Eligibility option: Some households may qualify for the federal Lifeline discount on phone or internet service. Check the official Lifeline eligibility guide; only one benefit is allowed per household.
Use the bill calculator to compare introductory pricing and one-time costs. It does not verify network coverage or offer eligibility.