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Cell Phone Plan Calculator

Phone plans are one of the easiest bills to lower. Compare what you pay per line with typical prepaid, budget and major-carrier plans.

Most families pay for cell service they could get for far less on the same networks. Enter your bill below to see what you pay per line, the kind of plan that fits how you use your phones, and a realistic yearly savings estimate.

Number of lines
Typical data use per line

Best fit for you

Budget prepaid (MVNO)

Add your total monthly bill to compare your cost per line.

Before you switch

    The three kinds of plans

    Your fit

    Budget prepaid / MVNO

    ~$15-$30/line

    Smaller brands that rent space on the big networks (for example, the cable-company mobile brands and online-only prepaid brands). Same coverage, lower price, data may slow when busy.

    Your fit

    Carrier prepaid

    ~$25-$45/line

    The big carriers’ own prepaid brands. More unlimited and hotspot options, store support, no contract. Multi-line and autopay discounts lower the price.

    Your fit

    Postpaid unlimited

    ~$35-$65/line (4+ lines)

    Monthly-bill plans with priority data, big hotspot allowances, travel perks and device deals. Cost per line rises fast with fewer lines.

    Typical ranges are approximate national figures for 2025-2026 with autopay; your area and provider will differ. Prepaid prices usually include taxes, postpaid often adds 10-20% in taxes and fees. Savings are estimates, not guarantees.

    How this works

    We take your total bill, subtract any device installments, and divide by your number of lines to get what you pay for service alone. Then we match your data use, hotspot, international and priority needs to the cheapest kind of plan that fits, and compare your cost per line with that plan type’s typical price range. The savings figure runs from the top of that range (conservative) to the middle (typical). It doesn’t include any phone balance you’d owe if you leave early, so check that first.

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    Questions people ask

    Is coverage worse on a cheaper prepaid plan?

    Usually not. MVNOs and carrier prepaid brands run on the same towers as the big carriers. The main difference is priority: when a tower is crowded, their data can slow down first.

    Can I keep my phone number if I switch?

    Yes. In the US you can port your number to a new provider. Don’t cancel your old plan first; the new provider moves the number and the old account closes once the port finishes.

    Should I ask my current carrier for a better deal first?

    It’s worth a 10-minute call. Ask about newer plans, loyalty offers and removing extras like device insurance you don’t use. Our script builder gives you the words to use.

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    Send us your phone, internet and other bills and we’ll point out where you’re overpaying, free.

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    Before you switch carriers

    Check whether you still owe money on a phone. If you are paying off a device through your carrier, the remaining balance may come due when you leave, and some promotional credits stop. Your account page shows the payoff amount.

    Prepaid and budget brands often run on the same networks as the big carriers, so coverage is usually similar where you live. They may give big-carrier customers priority when a tower is busy, which most people rarely notice. Our cell phone guides walk through the switch.

    Frequently asked questions

    Will I keep my phone number if I switch?

    Yes. You can move your number to a new carrier. You will need your account number and a transfer PIN from your current carrier, and you should not cancel the old service until the move is done.

    Is coverage worse on prepaid or budget plans?

    Usually not where it counts. Many budget brands use the same towers as the major carriers. Check the coverage map for the network the plan uses at your home and work addresses.

    What happens to my phone payment plan if I leave?

    Any remaining device balance usually becomes due, and bill credits tied to staying may end. Check your payoff amount first so the switch still saves you money.

    Rather have someone look at it with you? Tell us what you pay and we will follow up with ways to lower it, from do-it-yourself steps to vetted partner offers. Free, with no obligation.

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