Does a VPN Use More Data? Everything You Need to Know

July 2, 2025 By Janne Smith No Comments 4 minutes

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.

Do VPNs Work On Mobile Data?

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.

How Much Data Does a VPN Use in a Day?

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:

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.

How to Reduce VPN Data Usage

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:

1. Connect to a Low Data Consuming VPN Protocol

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.

2. Close Background Applications

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.

3. Disable Auto-Updates

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:

• iOS and Android: Go to Play Store/App Store > Settings > Toggle off “Auto-update apps.”
• Windows/macOS: Set updates to “WiFi only.”

4. Lower Streaming Quality

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.

5. Enable Smart Tunneling

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.

Does VPN Use More Battery?

VPNs often consume more battery, depending on various other factors, such as:

• VPN protocol
• Background services
• Activity
• Encryption strength

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:

• Using a battery-friendly protocol, such as WireGuard.
• Choosing FastestVPN’s Smart Connect for the nearest server connection.
• Using a lightweight VPN app
• Enabling Smart Tunneling

Final Note

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.