How to save money on home phone bills

A simpler way to shrink your home phone bill

If your home phone bill quietly creeps up each year, you are not imagining it. Many UK households still pay for legacy line rental they barely use, or for bundles that no longer fit how they communicate. The good news is you can keep the features you rely on, often keep your landline number, and still pay far less, simply by switching how your home phone works.

A growing number of families are moving to broadband-based calling. Pairing competitively priced full fibre from an alternative network with a low-cost VoIP plan can bring a monthly total in the mid £30s. That sort of setup routinely undercuts traditional bundles that often sit between £80 and £120. For lighter phone users, dropping the landline entirely and relying on mobile plus free calling apps can remove £20 or more of monthly line rental straight away.

There is also a timing factor. The national shift to digital landlines completes by 2027, so migrating now can future-proof your setup and avoid rushed decisions later. We will walk through your options in plain English so you can see where the savings are, what to watch out for, and how to switch with confidence.

Small change, big result: adjust your phone setup today and you could save hundreds over the next year.

Who this helps

If you live in the UK and pay for a landline bundle you barely use, you are likely overpaying. This guide suits households that want to keep a familiar number, families looking for faster broadband, and anyone frustrated by mid-contract price rises. It is also helpful if you are planning ahead for the 2027 landline switch-off and want a calm, simple path that protects service and cuts costs.

What you can change to save

Traditional line rental alone typically sits around £20 per month, before you make a single call. If your household relies mostly on mobiles, that is money you may not need to spend. Many mobile plans already include generous minutes to UK landlines, and free apps like WhatsApp or Skype cover most day-to-day calling.

For those who still want a home handset and your existing number, a VoIP service is a strong middle ground. You plug a standard phone into an adapter or use a compatible router, and calls travel over your broadband. With altnet fibre often around £30 per month and VoIP plans around £4 per month, it is realistic to bring the combined bill to about £34. Against typical £80 to £120 bundles, that can free up £700 to £1,000 across a year while giving you faster internet and the comfort of a home phone.

If you are set on keeping a traditional landline, know the baseline: a landline-only plan from a major provider can be around £26.35 per month, with inclusive call windows and paid add-ons for unlimited calling. It is simple, but rarely the cheapest overall once you factor in broadband elsewhere.

How to cut the bill step by step

Start by reviewing your real usage. Pull a recent bill and check minutes to landlines and mobiles, anytime calls, and international habits. If you barely use the landline, consider cancelling line rental and relying on your mobile plan. If you want a home phone presence, compare VoIP providers that let you port your number and set up nuisance call blocking.

Next, price your broadband options. Alternative fibre networks often undercut the big brands while offering higher speeds. Add a VoIP plan on top and compare the combined total to your current bundle. If you see a clear monthly saving, schedule the number port and broadband install to overlap so there is no service gap.

Finally, plan for price rise clauses. Some providers now use fixed monthly increases rather than inflation-linked formulas. Scan your contract for any set pound amount increases and diarise them. If your provider announces a rise, you may have a short window to switch without penalty, particularly with some broadband and phone contracts.

Quick win: if your landline is mostly for incoming calls, a £4 VoIP line with number porting is often all you need.

Why this matters for your budget

Price changes are back on the agenda. For example, some major broadband brands are adding around £4 per month to plans in 2025, with further rises the following year. Others bake in an annual increase aligned to inflation plus a set percentage or use fixed pound amounts like £3.50 per month. On a £25 plan, a fixed rise can feel like a much bigger percentage hit than headline inflation suggests.

Knowing your exit rights helps. Certain providers allow penalty-free exits within a defined window after a rise notice. That creates a valuable opportunity to rebalance your setup, move to cheaper fibre, and add VoIP or go mobile-only without waiting for contract end. With the industry moving to digital voice by 2027, switching sooner means you can do it on your terms, not under time pressure.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pitfalls to avoid

Watch for mid-contract price terms. If your agreement includes a fixed monthly increase, build that into your comparison. A plan that looks cheap today can outgrow your budget in months. With VoIP, check the cost of number porting, any fair usage policies, and features like voicemail and caller display. For bundles, review off-peak rules, minute limits, and international rates so you do not trigger pricey out-of-plan charges.

If you rely on your home phone for medical or security devices, confirm compatibility before switching to digital voice. Keep a charged mobile available for power cuts, since VoIP needs electricity. Lastly, if installation fees apply, see whether bundling broadband and phone waives them. A one-off saving can tip the balance in favour of switching.

Other valid routes

1. Keep landline-only but add an unlimited calls add-on if you are a heavy caller.
2. Choose a SIM-only mobile with large landline minutes and drop line rental.
3. Take a short-term broadband deal, then add VoIP once your number is safely ported.
4. Use free calling apps for most chats and buy a small VoIP plan for occasional landline calls.
5. Bundle broadband and phone during promotions that waive installation fees.

Quick comparison of typical setups

FAQs

• Can I keep my landline number if I move to VoIP? Yes. In most cases you can port your existing number to a VoIP provider. Start the port request before cancelling your current service to avoid losing the number.

• Will VoIP work during a power cut? Standard VoIP requires power and an active broadband connection. Keep a charged mobile as a backup or ask your provider about battery backup options if available.

• Are mid-contract price rises still allowed? Inflation-linked rises have been restricted, but many providers now use fixed monthly increases. Check your terms and look for penalty-free exit windows after a rise notice.

• Is landline-only good value? Landline-only can be simple, but at around £26 a month it is rarely the cheapest once you add broadband. VoIP plus fibre or mobile-first setups often cost less overall.

• Do mobile plans include calls to landlines? Many UK mobile plans include generous minutes to UK landlines. Check your allowance and fair usage policy, especially for international or premium numbers.

How Switcha makes it easy

Switcha compares UK broadband, VoIP, mobile and bundle deals side by side so you can see the true monthly cost, any fixed price rises, and the features that matter. We highlight altnet fibre options that pair well with low-cost VoIP, show you which plans support number porting, and flag contract terms like exit windows and installation fee waivers. If keeping your home phone number matters, we plan the timing so your new line goes live before the old one closes. If you barely use a landline, we surface mobile-first options that eliminate line rental and nuisance calls. Our goal is simple: clear choices in plain English, and a switch that saves money without surprises.

Next step: run a quick Switcha check with your postcode to compare fibre plus VoIP against your current bundle in minutes.

Important information

This guide is general information, not personal advice. Prices and policies change, and eligibility varies by provider and location. Always confirm features, exit rights, and total costs before switching. If in doubt, speak to your provider or seek regulated advice for your circumstances.