Wherever you travel, your Social Media travels with you. Exploring new countries comes with endless rewards – from discovering breathtaking places and immersing yourself in a new culture, to making memories that will last a lifetime – and, naturally, making sure your followers know about it. 

But posting stories on Instagram or scrolling through TikTok can quickly drain your holiday data allowance and, as we’ve highlighted before (link to article), roaming costs can pile up fast, turning your much needed vacation into an unwelcome headache. 

So, how much data do your favorite Social Media and entertainment apps need and how can MobileSIM.com help you keep your data usage under control? Let’s find out!

How much data does TikTok use?

TikTok typically uses 4MB of data per 15-second video, which may not seem like much at first. However, taking into consideration that a user spends on average 95 minutes a day scrolling through their feed, you’re already looking at 1.5GB of data spent on just one app (or even more for higher definition videos). 

How much data does Instagram use?

Although Instagram started as an image sharing platform, it has quickly evolved to include a variety of visually-rich content, such as Stories and Reels. Much like TikTok, your data consumption on the app will mostly depend on how much time you spend using it. 

One hour of scrolling through Instagram uses up around 500MB of data, which can increase significantly if your feed is filled with videos and you have Autoplay active. Uploading content will also use up some data, but not nearly as much as watching multiple Reels in a row. For uploads, you’re looking at around 2-4MB per photo and 8MB per video.

How much data does Facebook use?

Although time spent on Facebook has significantly decreased over the last few years in favor of other apps, people still typically spend around 30 minutes a day browsing their newsfeed. This isn’t a significant issue, since regular browsing only uses up around 80MB of data per hour. 

However, as with TikTok and Instagram, video is data hungry and your data usage can quickly jump from 80MB to 2GB without you even noticing. This is especially true if you use features like Facebook Live, Facebook Stories, Video Calls through Messenger and have videos set to autoplay in your feed.

How much data does YouTube use?

We’ve talked about how video eats up your data quickly, so YouTube is bound to be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to consumption, especially since it’s a video-only platform. With YouTube Live, YouTube Shorts and long videos from creators you’re looking at endless ways to entertain yourself on the platform and consume data. 

1GB usually gives you around 3 hours of streaming at 360p, but at a higher resolution, that drops to about an hour. Additionally, if Autoplay is enabled, you’re using data without knowing even, while deciding what to watch.

How much data does Spotify use?

Spotify, while primarily used for audio streaming, also consumes data at varying rates depending on the quality of music you are listening to. If you’re a casual listener and don’t mind lower-quality audio, you can expect to use up around 40MB per hour. However, streaming high-quality music for several hours a day you can expect an increase up to about 150MB per hour. With the average user spending around 140 minutes per day on Spotify, it’s easy to see how the app can quickly use up your data.

Tips for using less data while traveling

By making a few simple adjustments to your phone habits, you can continue using your favorite apps even while abroad. 

  • Use offline features when available: Take advantage of offline options to save on data. For example, you can download your favorite songs on Spotify or videos on YouTube to enjoy later. Offline maps are also a great way to navigate new areas. 
  • Use the Lite version of your favorite apps: Many apps, such as Facebook and TikTok have Lite versions that allow you to use the apps normally while consuming less MB. 
  • Disable autoplay on all video platforms: Turning off autoplay on platforms like YouTube or Instagram can help you save a significant amount of data that would otherwise be used unnecessarily. 
  • Use Data Saver Mode or Low Data Mode: Both Android and iOS devices have settings that limit data usage by restricting app background activities, automatic downloads, updates and backups.  
  • Using Wi-Fi whenever possible: This one should be a no-brainer – if you want to preserve data while traveling, it’s best to use mobile data sparingly and take advantage of Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and other public places. 
  • Choose a prepaid travel eSIM: Avoid pesky roaming fees by switching off your main line and opting for a travel eSIM from MobileSIM.com! With coverage in over 190 countries and regions, we’re sure you can find a data plan to suit your (and your phone’s) needs. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges and, if you happen to need more data while abroad, you can easily top up your existing eSIM or purchase a new one with more GB. 

How much data do you actually need when traveling?

In short, it depends on your internet habits. Taking into account the points above, you can probably get a good idea about how much data you’ll need by simply noticing your daily habits. You can check your data usage on your device to get a better idea of your most used apps.

Generally, light users who only browse the web for a few minutes a day, use data sparingly, and rely on Wi-Fi when available can likely get by with a plan that has a lower data allowance, while saving money in the process. For example, our 1GB US Local Pack costs just $3.50 and is perfect for light browsing, lasting up to 7 days.

However, if you know you’ll spend several hours a day switching between data-heavy apps, it’s a good idea to play it safe and purchase a plan with a larger allowance. Depending on your destination, you can get up to 20GB for Local Packs, such as our eSIM for France, or even up to 100GB, if you opt for a Eurolink Regional Pack. 

Regardless of where you fall on the data usage spectrum, we recommend using an eSIM while traveling, as it helps avoid expensive roaming charges.

If MobileSIM.com suits your needs, follow our step-by-step guide on how to purchase and install your eSIM. You can explore available eSIM options on our website, Android App or iOS app. 

Clau from MobileSIM