COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - 7 months and counting

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a graphic designer. It has been a long 18 weeks. I saw that marketplace plans might cost less. Did anyone switch mid-year?

Check what the notice says about the election period and when coverage starts. Mine allowed a short window to choose.

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.