Watching streaming videos is one of the top ways we burn through monthly data allowances. Knowing exact usage helps you stay within limits—especially since many ISPs in the US and worldwide impose caps, with steep overage fees per GB.
This guide, based on official data and independent tests, breaks down consumption by platform so you can stream smarter and avoid bill surprises.
From our detailed testing, YouTube at 480p (standard definition) uses 562.5 MB per hour. At 60 fps, it rises to 1.86 GB/hour for 720p, 3.04 GB/hour for 1080p, and a hefty 15.98 GB/hour for 4K.
For tips to cut usage, see our in-depth YouTube data article: Read more in a previous article.
Netflix, with over 130 million subscribers, offers quality options suited to varied connections. Per official stats: 1 GB/hour for standard definition, 3 GB/hour for HD, and 7 GB/hour for UHD.
Accounts default to auto-quality, but save data via Account > My Profile > Playback Settings, then hit Save.
Launched as streaming in 2011, Amazon Prime Video rivals Netflix. Desktop options: "Good" (480p) at 800 MB/hour, "Better" (HD) at 2 GB/hour, "Best" (4K UHD) at 6 GB/hour.
Mobile app uses slightly less data. Note: One of many Amazon services—The Amazon Index: 21 Amazon Features and Services Explained. Read more.
Hulu delivers must-watch shows alongside rivals. Data usage: 680 MB/hour (SD), 1.3 GB/hour (720p HD), 2.7 GB/hour (1080p)—lowest among top trio.
$39.99/month live TV plan streams at 720p HD; avoid if data-capped on mobile. 16 TV shows you can't miss on Hulu right now. Read more.
Known for music, Spotify added video in select markets since 2016. No official figures, but videos (mostly HD) likely match peers: 1.5–3 GB/hour based on Netflix benchmarks.
For music streaming data, see our Spotify article: How much data does Spotify use? Read more.
No official guidelines, but third-party tests show 353 MB/hour (SD) and 2.75 GB/hour (HD).
Australia-only with movies and TV: 570 MB/hour (low SD), 1.13 GB/hour (medium SD), 2.89 GB/hour (HD), 7 GB/hour (4K).
Guidelines advise low/medium quality for data limits; usage aligns with peers.
Clear specs: 500 MB/hour (low), 1 GB/hour (medium), 2 GB/hour (high). Features native bandwidth caps since 2017.
Per Cord Cutters News: 1.66 GB/hour (high), 540 MB/hour (medium), 360 MB/hour (low).
Overages risk throttling or fees. Only PlayStation Vue offers built-in monitoring—others should follow. Track usage via tools like Windows 10's: How to monitor data usage in Windows 10 and avoid overages. Read more.
