I always used to run out of data at the most inopportune moments, like trying to get directions in a new city or send an important message whilst travelling. It’s stressful. But what’s worse is paying for unlimited data and barely using half of it. I felt like I was throwing money straight out the window each month.
Over the years, as a travel blogger constantly hopping between countries and juggling multiple SIM cards, I’ve learnt just how tricky it can be to figure out the right amount of mobile data. Between sightseeing, video-calling friends, uploading content, and relying on apps to navigate, it’s easy to either overpay or completely run out.
That’s why I wanted to put together this guide. I’ll break down what really eats your mobile data, how to roughly figure out what you need, and provide some practical examples with 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB plans. So you can spend any leftover money on more fun adventures!
Whilst you are here! Looking for reliable and affordable data? Then check out Saily’s eSIM offering, with flexible data options in over 200 destinations worldwide. Browse their eSIMs here 
What do we actually use mobile data for?
Mobile data powers almost everything we do on our phones when we’re not connected to Wi-Fi. Some tasks barely use anything, while others can burn through your allowance surprisingly fast. Understanding the basics helps you get a clearer picture of what your monthly allowance actually needs to cover.
Common things we use mobile data for:
- browsing websites
- checking and posting on social media
- streaming music or podcasts
- streaming videos
- using navigation apps
- sending messages and photos
- downloading apps and updates
What uses the most data on your phone?
Not all mobile activities are equal in terms of data usage. Some things barely make a dent, while others can chew through gigabytes before you realise what’s happened. Based on averages pulled from major network providers and recent usage studies, here’s a quick look at what really moves the needle.
| Activity | Average data usage per hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social media | 120–150 MB | Depends heavily on auto-play videos and images; heavier for TikTok/Instagram Reels. |
| Streaming movies (Full HD) | 1.5–2.5 GB | HD streaming varies by service and compression; 60 FPS video is on the higher end. |
| Streaming music | 50–100 MB | Standard quality music; higher quality (HiFi/FLAC) can be much higher. |
| Standard navigation (Google Maps, Waze) | 5–20 MB | Depends on map caching, offline vs online navigation. |
| Web browsing | 40–60 MB | Simple browsing vs media-heavy sites; images/videos increase usage. |
| Messaging / Email | 5–10 MB | Text messages are tiny; media attachments increase usage significantly. |
| HD video calls | 500 MB–1 GB | Depends on app (Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime) and resolution; 1 GB is high-quality HD. |
| Downloading / updating apps | Highly variable, average ~300 MB | Downloading/updating apps |
In general, social media with auto-play content, HD video streaming, and video calls sit at the top of the data-hungry list. Activities like basic browsing, messaging, and navigation typically use far less, although they can spike when images, videos, or large map downloads are involved. App downloads and updates are unpredictable but often land in the few-hundred-megabyte range.
One thing many people overlook is the impact of ads and auto-playing videos inside apps. These can quietly rack up far more data than you’d expect. Saily’s built-in ad blocker can help with this (find out more about Saily in my review), cutting mobile data consumption by up to 28% and keeping your allowance lasting longer.
How to work out how much data you need
The easiest way to understand how much data you actually need is to look at your own habits. Most phones already track this for you, so you don’t need anything fancy to get a clear picture.
Start by checking your current mobile data usage. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Service (called Cellular on US devices) and scroll down to see how much data you’ve used this billing period. On Android, head to Settings > Connections > Data usage.
It’s also useful to look at a few months of historical usage if your phone or carrier app shows it. This gives you a more realistic average, especially if certain months were heavier because of travel, commuting, or extra streaming.
You can then map your hourly usage against the average costs in the table above to estimate how much data you typically burn through.
If you want a quick estimate without doing the math yourself, you can plug your habits into Saily’s data usage calculator. It gives you a personalised monthly estimate based on how much time you spend streaming, browsing, navigating, or scrolling.
Data use cases
5GB
A 5GB plan is usually enough for light, everyday phone use. Especially if you’re connected to Wi-Fi at home or work. With 5GB, you can comfortably browse the web, check emails, use WhatsApp, and dip into social media here and there. You’ll need to be mindful with streaming, though. A couple of hours of HD video can wipe out most of your allowance, so this plan works best for people who only stream occasionally or prefer downloading content in advance.
Perfect for: light users, people who mostly use Wi-Fi but with occasional browsing and messaging on the go.
10GB
A 10GB plan suits the average user who does a bit of everything. You can scroll social media daily, use navigation apps, listen to music on the go, and occasionally stream video without worrying too much. You still can’t binge full-HD TV shows every night, but you’ve got far more breathing room than with 5GB.
Perfect for: general everyday use with messenger apps and social media, and moderate streaming.
20GB
At 20GB, you have enough space for frequent streaming, heavier social media use, and regular video calls. You can watch several hours of HD video a week, upload photos and videos freely, and use data-intensive apps without constantly checking your usage. It’s not unlimited, but for many people it feels close.
Perfect for: heavy social media users, frequent streamers, and remote workers who may need to hotspot at times.
For anyone who wants flexibility with their mobile data plans, Saily offers a wide range of data packages (via an eSIM), from smaller plans like 5GB to larger 20GB options, across over 200 destinations worldwide. The best part is that you can top up easily through their app whenever you need more data, so you only pay for what you actually use.
How to save data
A few simple tweaks can make a big difference to your monthly data usage. First, think about the quality of the content you stream. HD and 4K videos use far more data than standard definition, so adjusting your streaming settings can significantly stretch your allowance.
Another easy win is using an ad blocker. Saily’s eSIM app has one built in, which has been shown to save just over 28% of data. It’s a small change that can make a noticeable difference while improving your overall internet experience.
Other tips to save data include using Wi-Fi whenever you can, disabling background app refresh or automatic updates, and downloading playlists, podcasts, or videos before you leave home. Finally, keep an eye on your top data-hogging apps—sometimes a single app can be responsible for a surprisingly large chunk of your usage.
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