Looking for input on new phone.

Any thoughts on whether people favour or avoid particular carriers (or devices they carry) based on a history of how much junkware they bloat in?

I mean, if a friend tells me "don't buy device X on carrier Z because they cripple it with crapware" then I'll probably look elsewhere ... the devices themselves seem basically interchangeable and disposable these days, packed full of tech I never really use.

I really think about switching from Verizon. Its just not a big enough deal for me to put up with the hassle of porting my my number to another carrier. Verizon seems to be more locked down with more crap ware than other carriers.