How much data do you really need? Tips for finding your perfect data plan

How much data do you really need, based on numbers?

Figuring out how much data you need can help you avoid additional coverage charges and save you money in the long run. After all, no one wants to pay for data they're not using. According to the 2024 Ericsson mobile data report, the average North American currently uses around 22 GB per month, with that number projected to jump to 52 GB by 2030. And if you're an aspiring video content creator or just a streaming enthusiast, your data usage might be even higher (up to 100 GB per month).

Social media scrollers may also benefit from larger data packages because of data-hungry apps like TikTok. You may be wondering how much data TikTok uses to be considered a data hog. The answer to that question is a whopping 840 MB per hour (more or less)! That’s why, regardless of user type, it’s in your benefit to consider how our phone habits have shifted from making calls and sending texts to using data-intensive apps and streaming services when choosing a data plan.

Of course, you can always skip the mobile data plan and hop onto Wi-Fi whenever possible. It's a great way to keep your cellular data usage in check and lower your monthly bill. That is, as long as the Wi-Fi hotspot is secure and password protected (unlike most public Wi-Fi hotspots).

What uses data on your phone?

Your phone uses data in different ways. Some may only take a smidgen, while others can devour a significant amount of cellular internet if left unchecked. Here are some of the main data-hungry mobile activities:

Browsing the web

While browsing the web itself isn’t a huge data drain, streaming audio and video (especially, high quality videos, movies, or TV shows) and surfing social media through your mobile browser can be the biggest data hogs. If you’re using your mobile data only to access news outlets or other text-based web pages, you’ll be fine with a smaller data plan (such as 5 GB or 10 GB per month). However, if you’re an extensive web surfer who loves to wander into streaming websites or use the web to download files, you should consider investing in a plan that offers greater amounts of or unlimited data.

Using social media/messaging apps

Using messaging and social media apps, such as Facebook Messenger, Twitter, or WhatsApp, can drain your mobile data pretty fast. And it’s not because sending text messages consumes a lot of data (quite the contrary). However, messaging isn’t the only activity that consumes data on these apps. For example, some apps may use autoplay for videos or automatically load up your feed while you scroll. Combine that with frequent video and picture sharing, and you’ll quickly notice why these apps take up the majority of mobile data usage. Additionally, voice messages can also be a data glutton, especially if you prefer to record long messages. Finally, if you’ve auto-download enabled on your messaging app, that too can cause your data usage number to rise.

Streaming videos 

If Youtube isn’t among your top apps for mobile data usage, we can only guess that you’re either listening to music (or podcasts) on other platforms, or you’re using some sort of ad-free alternative. Jokes aside, video streaming is one of the biggest cellular data connoisseurs that exists. So if you’re a fan of watching tons of videos (especially in high quality), don’t be surprised at how much data Youtube uses. Video streaming is also the reason why video-based social media apps (such as the TikTok app) are among the biggest mobile data consumers.

Playing online games that require an internet connection

Online video gaming is the Kirby of mobile data usage. When playing online games, your phone must establish connection to a global server, load the chat (or voice chat) that allows you to communicate with other players, and provide access to online microtransactions (or in-game purchases). Combine these services alone, and you get a spike in cellular data usage that closely resembles the effects of Super Mario’s Mega Mushroom. 

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How to check your mobile data usage

Keeping track of your mobile data usage is crucial to avoiding coverage charges. To check your mobile data usage, you should navigate to your phone’s settings and look for the data roaming section (On an iPhone, it’s “Settings,” then “Cellular,” and for Android users — “Settings,”  “Connections,” and then “Data usage”). Some mobile OS (for example, Android) even allow users to set a specific time period for a granular view of their data usage statistics.

Carriers such as T-Mobile or Verizon also offer a simple code you can dial to get a text summary of your data usage. To do that, you can check your carrier’s website for the specific code. You may also contact your carrier to hear your data usage numbers directly from the provider. Finally, using the carrier's app to track your data usage in real time is also an option.

Typical data usage by activity

Data usage varies greatly depending on what you're doing on your phone. From browsing to watching videos, each activity has its own data-friendly footprint. Here are the most popular mobile browsing activities and the typical amount of data they use:

Web browsing and social media

Web browsing itself is a relatively mild data consumer, using about 1-3 MB per page (depending on whether the website has images). However, if you use your browser to scroll social media sites, this number can jump up to into the hundreds of MBs, since social media feeds usually have only one page that automatically fills up with new content as you scroll. For example, regardless of whether you use the web or the app, just browsing Facebook without video can use around 120 MB per hour. If you’re using TikTok, that number’s likely to be even higher, since the vast majority of the content is in video format.

Streaming music

Streaming music is considered to be a data-friendly pastime. If you stream your jams or other audio content at standard quality (on your preferred streaming app), you’re likely to use about 70 MB per hour. Spotify's regular quality settings use only about 45 MB per hour.

If you're a fan of higher quality audio, be prepared to use more data — the data usage here can rise up to three times, which may make music streaming a super enjoyable yet a more expensive pleasure.

Video streaming

Video streaming is the biggest data hog of them all. Standard-definition video can use up to about 1 GB per hour. And if you're wondering how much data Netflix uses, streaming Full HD (1080p) content from this platform can use around 3 GB per hour or more.

4K (2160p) streaming is the most gluttonous of them all — it can use over 40 GB in a single night. So if you're on a budget, consider sticking to standard-definition streaming to keep your data in check. And if you’re a fan of 4K streaming, well — we hope the experience’s worth every penny!

How to choose the perfect data plan

Selecting the right data plan involves estimating your monthly usage. For casual phone habits like social media and streaming, you'll want at least 10 GB of mobile data per month (considering you have Wi-Fi at home).

Then, come up with a budget that fits your browsing needs and pick a plan that is right for you. Depending on the carrier, data plans may come in prepaid, postpaid, and unlimited options. Prepaid plans allow you to pay for data upfront and enjoy flexibility without a long-term commitment. Unlimited plans eliminate worry about going over your limit and incurring extra charges, but many companies reduce the data speed to customers after they cross a certain data allowance.

You can also look into family plans that often offer shared unlimited data, which is a great way to save money and keep your monthly bill in check. Although don't forget to factor in mobile hotspot use and international roaming when choosing a plan. By considering these factors, you should be able to find a data plan that suits your lifestyle and budget.

Tips for reducing data usage

Reducing your data usage helps you avoid overage charges and stay within your monthly data limits. Here are a few tips to help you save some mobile data:

• Use Wi-Fi whenever possible. This is the best way to stream, download, and upload files without using your precious data allowance. However, avoid free public Wi-Fi spots (or use a VPN when connecting to them) because malicious actors may be lurking in these networks, waiting to intercept your online browsing session.

• Disable background app refresh for certain apps. You can do this in your phone’s settings (for iPhone: “Settings” > “General” > “Background app refresh” > toggle it off for all apps or scroll down to find specific apps. For Android: “Settings” > “Apps” > select an app > “Data usage” > toggle off “Background data”). This will stop apps from using background data, such as automatic update downloads or cloud syncing.

• Monitor your top data-hogging apps. Knowing which apps are using the most data helps you manage your usage and make adjustments accordingly. So keep an eye on them. You can either find mobile data usage statistics in your phone’s settings, or download one of the data usage monitoring apps.

• Download content before a trip instead of streaming. Downloading media (like movies and TV shows) instead of streaming is a great way to conserve mobile data. You can download content at home (using Wi-Fi) and enjoy it while travelling, without using a single megabyte. Using offline maps is also a fantastic way to reduce data usage while navigating – perfect for travelers!

Tips for monitoring and managing your data usage

Monitoring your data usage helps you avoid surprises on your phone’s monthly bill. To monitor your data usage, you can either use a built-in data tracker (available in your phone’s settings) or get yourself a data usage monitoring app (such as GlassWire). 

Using data saving mode is another great option if you’re looking to cut down on your mobile data usage. This feature reduces background data usage, saving some of those megabytes for later. To turn data saving mode on your Android you can go to “Settings” > “Network & internet” > “Data saver.” Or navigate to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular data options” > “Low data mode” if you’re an iPhone user.

Benefits of unlimited data plans

If you're a heavy data user, unlimited data plans are an investment that can save you money in the long run. Capped plans can be limiting, and it's easy to go over your monthly limit, especially when you’re not tracking your data usage. Meanwhile unlimited plans offer the freedom to stream and browse to your heart's content without worrying about extra charges.

Unlimited plans are also ideal for frequent travelers and remote workers. Since data roaming is expensive, getting yourself an unlimited data plan can save you money and solve the headache of looking for SIM cards or open Wi-Fi hotspots. Getting an eSIM may also be a great alternative for those who’re looking for unlimited mobile data.

Packing the right amount of data

Understanding your data usage is vital to choosing the right mobile plan and avoiding extra costs. From web browsing to streaming HD videos, each activity has its own data-friendly footprint. By monitoring your usage and following practical tips to reduce and manage your data, you can make the most of your monthly data allowance.

Whether you're a passive scroller or a spirited streaming enthusiast, there's a plan that's right for you. Consider your habits and their data usage (for example, how much data does Google Maps use?), explore plan options, and choose your mobile data plan to stay connected without overspending. For the best mobile data options while traveling, look no further than Saily — one of the fastest growing eSIM data providers worldwide.