How much data does TikTok use?

Anula Wiwatowska - Offsite Editorial Lead

Last updated 09 September 2020

While saying the words ‘TikTok’ and ‘data’ in the same sentence might freak out Donald Trump, that’s not the angle we’re getting at. TikTok has a way of pulling you into a vortex of mindless watching until, oops - it’s been three hours and you can’t be sure if you’ve blinked.

These fun little trips to the void are a great escape from reality but you can’t escape the mobile data that it uses. If you’re wondering how much mobile data TikTok is setting you back, well then we’ve got the answers.

In this guide:

How much data does TikTok use?
How much data do Instagram Reels use?
How long will 1GB last?
Phone plans for TikTokers

How much data does TikTok use?

While most streaming apps have the option to toggle your playback quality as a data-saving measure, TikTok only has its default setting and standardised Data Saving mode.

During our tests TikTok used 70MB of data across five minutes, amounting to around 840MB in an hour under default settings. Using Data Saver this came to 30MB in five minutes or 360MB for an hour of viewing.

	5 minutes	1 hour
Default	70MB	840MB
Data Saving	30MB	360MB

Data Saving mode can more than halve your data usage simply by dropping video resolution and taking more time to load between clips. The mode does very little to impede the app experience so it’s a perfectly viable option to save your GB. Note that Data Saving mode is only operational when using mobile data, when you’re back on WiFi you’ll be TikToking at full capacity.

Trying to figure out how much data you need?

The amount of mobile data you need on your plan entirely depends on how you use your phone. Sure 100GB seems like a great option, but many will have trouble using 20GB of mobile data yet alone a centurion of GB.

For more help figuring out how much data you need check out these guides:

A guide to mobile data
How much data Netflix uses on mobile
How much data does Spotify use?

You can also scroll down or click here to see our plan recommendations for TikTok enthusiasts at the bottom of this page.

How much data do Instagram Reels use?

The Reels function on Instagram is eerily similar to TikTok, proving once again that anything you can do Facebook can steal. Despite having the same overall functionality, Instagram’s version used 25% more data in our tests than its TikTok counterpart.

Instagram Reels used 100MB in five minutes, or 1.2GB for an hour. In another ode to similarity, IG also has a Data Saving mode which won’t auto-load videos in your feed and reduces the video quality in reels. This mode used 20MB in five minutes or 240MB in an hour.

	5 minutes	1 hour
Default	100MB	1.2GB
Data Saving	20MB	240MB

Unlike the TikTok data-saving mode, Instagram’s version shows a noticeable deterioration in video quality. Each video starts off seemingly high-definition before quickly snapping back to what looks like standard definition or poorer. It’s a huge trade off but it lives up to its name, cutting data usage by 80% in our tests.

How long will 1GB last on TikTok vs Instagram Reels?

For data conscious consumers it’s important to know how far you can push your data allowance. On the whole TikTok uses less data for a better experience, but if you’re willing to exchange GB for quality than Instagram’s Data Saving mode is a practical option too.

Here is how long 1GB of data will last on both TikTok and Instagram Reels according to our tests.

	1GB of data lasts
TikTok (Default)	71 minutes
TikTok (Data Saving)	166 minutes
Reels (Default)	50 minutes
Reels (Data Saving)	250 minutes

Best plans for TikTok

If you spend a large chunk of your day on TikTok or Instagram, then you're going to need a mobile data plan that can keep up with you. All our plans below have unlimited talk and text, and we've split them up based on how much time you spend on the app per day. Of course, we're rounding up a bit to make sure you have enough data left over for everything else on your phone.

1 hour per day (30GB a month)

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#2	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#3	Pivotel	Pivotel 50GB Mobile Swift Plan 50GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50 Go to Site	$17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#5	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site

2 hours per day (50GB a month)

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 30 SIM Only 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50GB for $17– Includes $13 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $30. Offer ends 30.06.27 $17.00/mth Min. cost $17 Link not supplied	$17.00/mth Min. cost $17	Link not supplied
#2	Pivotel	Pivotel 50GB Mobile Swift Plan 50GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50 Go to Site	$17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50	Go to Site
#3	Swoop	Swoop 60GB SIM Only 5G 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027 $23.00/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23.00/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#5	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $34.00/mth Min. cost $34 Link not supplied	$34.00/mth Min. cost $34	Link not supplied

3 hours per day (80GB a month)

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 40 SIM Only 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $22– Includes $18 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $40. Offer ends 30.06.27 $22.00/mth Min. cost $22 Link not supplied	$22.00/mth Min. cost $22	Link not supplied
#2	Pivotel	Pivotel 80GB Mobile Swift Plan 80GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $22.50/mth Min. cost $22.50 Go to Site	$22.50/mth Min. cost $22.50	Go to Site
#3	Swoop	Swoop 120GB SIM Only 5G 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $30/mth for first 6 months then $40/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#4	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $34.00/mth Min. cost $34 Link not supplied	$34.00/mth Min. cost $34	Link not supplied
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel $35 Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $35.00/mth Min. cost $35 Go to Site	$35.00/mth Min. cost $35	Go to Site

4 hours per day (100GB a month)

Please get help.

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 40 SIM Only 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $22– Includes $18 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $40. Offer ends 30.06.27 $22.00/mth Min. cost $22 Link not supplied	$22.00/mth Min. cost $22	Link not supplied
#2	Swoop	Swoop 120GB SIM Only 5G 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $30/mth for first 6 months then $40/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#3	SpinTel	SpinTel $35 Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $35.00/mth Min. cost $35 Go to Site	$35.00/mth Min. cost $35	Go to Site
#4	Belong	Belong 40GB Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Link not supplied	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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