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From downloading pictures to streaming online shows, it all consumes data. Anything you use that keeps you online will consume data. Similar is the case with VPNs. But does vpn use more data than other software?
VPNs do loads in the background. Think of it as complex as finding the cable port in a 90s computer. However, that’s only behind the scenes; you only see a simple, user-friendly and intuitive app. Given all the heavy lifting they do for us, it’s natural to wonder about their data consumption. Here’s all about VPNs and their data consumption.
Note: VPNs do consume cellular data, like any other software that helps tether an internet connection. However, premium VPNs, such as FastestVPN, offer efficient protocols, like WireGuard, and other low data-consuming features.
Like WiFi, VPNs work the same on mobile data. Connect to any VPN server and browse the web with a new virtual IP. You can leverage premium data encryption, concealed browsing activities, online anonymity, and more. However, if WiFi is an option, it’s best to always choose that over data. VPNs eat up your mobile data more than WiFi. As a result, expect hiked mobile bills.
VPNs consume data based on your internet activity. Since VPNs encrypt your data, they add a small overhead to the data consumption, i.e., 5-15% more data. Here’s a brief description of how much data VPNs use in an hour based on activities:
Daily Activities | Hourly Data Use | Daily Data Use |
Emails | 70 MB | 1 GB |
Downloads | 40/50 GB | Depends on the file size |
SD Streaming | 1 GB | 7 GB |
HD Streaming | 3 GB | 23 GB |
Gaming | 150 MB | 500 MB – 1 GB |
4K Video Streaming | 8 GB | 60 GB |
Video Calls | 500 MB | 3 GB |
Browsing | 100 MB | 400 MB |
Social Media | 200 MB | 1-2 GB |
None of these are accurate data usage metrics. Instead, these provide a rough estimate of how much data each online activity will consume when connected to the VPN.
VPNs do take up a chunk of your mobile data, which is why we recommend WiFi, unless cellular data is the last resort. If that’s the case, here are ways to reduce VPN data usage:
A low data-consuming VPN protocol helps reduce your phone’s mobile data usage. It minimizes the data overhead during encryption and connection handling. For example, VPN protocols, like WireGuard, often adds 8-10% data overhead. Whereas older protocols, like OpenVPN, might add almost 20% overhead. Moreover, if your VPN offers a data saver mode, enable that.
It’s best to close the background apps to limit data consumption. Go to Phone Settings > Data Usage. This will restrict apps from running in the background and eat a large chunk of your mobile data.
Automatic updates can be great, but not when they consume a large portion of your data without you knowing. It’s best to disable them to reduce VPN data usage. Here’s how to do so on smartphones and Desktop:
Streaming consumes loads of data, and a higher streaming quality will chug in mobile data before you know it. It’s best to lower the streaming quality when connected to a VPN and mobile data at the same time.
Enable Split/Smart tunneling to use the VPN for specific apps. For example, connecting to FastestVPN lets you enable smart tunneling to reroute the traffic of selected apps through the tunnel.
VPNs often consume more battery, depending on various other factors, such as:
Modern encryption protocols are efficient, but they use more battery. They require more CPU usage and consume additional power. Moreover, a constant VPN server connection keeps the network radio active longer than usual. Moreover, connecting to a faraway server increases latency. This forces your devices to work harder to maintain the connection.
However, you can avoid the battery draining by:
VPNs don’t use too much data, however, add 5–15% more due to encryption overhead. This is due to the encryption protocols working in the background.
VPNs don’t directly increase your internet bill. However, it uses more data due to its encryption protocols. This might affect users with data-capped plans, but you can lower data consumption by choosing an efficient protocol, such as WireGuard. Moreover, following steps mentioned above can significantly reduce your mobile data consumption.
There isn’t a standard answer to how much data a VPN uses per hour. Data consumption depends on your internet activities. For example, 4K video streaming might consume 8 GB per hour.
Yes, VPNs use more data on iPhone due to the encryption overhead and the extra steps for routing the data through a VPN server. Furthermore, some activities, such as streaming high-definition content.
VPNs work on mobile data, but it might be other factors restricting VPN working on mobile data. This can be due to:
VPNs do use more data due to encryption protocols and server connections in the background. And the VPNs aren’t to be blamed for being heavy software. Instead, anything you do online consumes data; so does a VPN. However, you can limit VPN’s data usage by closing background apps, streaming in lower quality, and enabling Smart Tunneling.
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