How Much Data Do You Actually Need? A Guide for Every Type of User
October 9, 2025
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Ever stared at your phone bill and thought: Wait… what even is a gigabyte? We get it. Data plans can feel like they’re written in code—and most of us are either overpaying for data we don’t use or blowing past our limits and getting slapped with fees.
The good news? You don’t have to be a data scientist to figure it out. We’ve built a quick guide that matches different types of phone users to the right amount of data—and even included some real plan picks to get you started.
The Streamer
Netflix, YouTube, TikTok binges—this is your world. HD video eats about 1–3GB per hour. Music streaming is lighter at ~150MB per hour, but let’s be real, you’re watching videos more than listening.
Recommended amount: At least 20GB/month. Unlimited makes sense if you’re streaming daily.
Plan picks:
Unlimited data for $25/month.
Unlimited data (40GB high-speed) for $30/month.
The Scroller
Your thumb never rests—Instagram Reels, TikToks, Snapchat stories, you name it. Social media looks innocent, but video-heavy apps can chew through data fast. TikTok alone can use 800MB per hour.
Recommended amount: 15–20GB/month minimum. If you’re glued to the feed daily, think unlimited.
Plan picks:
Unlimited data for $25/month.
Unlimited for $55/month (multi-line discounts available).
The Emailer & Texter
Your phone is for the basics: emails, group chats, news, and the occasional meme download. This lifestyle is light on data, but not nothing.
Recommended amount: 3–5GB/month is usually plenty.
Plan picks:
5GB for $10/month.
5GB for $15/month.
The Gamer
You’re all about mobile games. The good news? Most games only use 40–300MB per hour. The bad news? Game updates and downloads can be massive (sometimes gigabytes).
Recommended amount: Around 10–15GB/month to cover gameplay plus those sneaky updates.
Plan picks:
15GB for $20/month.
Unlimited data for $30/month.
The Work-From-Phone
You take Zoom calls on the go, send big files, and maybe even hotspot your laptop. A single hour of video conferencing can eat 1GB or more.
Recommended amount: 20GB+ or unlimited—especially if you use your phone as a hotspot.
Plan picks:
Unlimited with hotspot for $25/month.
Truly unlimited with priority data and hotspot options for $44/month.
The Traveler
You live on maps, translation apps, and messaging while abroad. Maps only use around 5MB per hour of driving, but roaming and international use can get tricky. The key here isn’t just data—it’s coverage and international perks.
Recommended amount: 10–20GB/month domestically, but look for a plan that shines internationally.
Plan picks:
Unlimited domestic + premium international benefits (roaming, texting, and data in 194 countries) for $90/month.
Unlimited data with excellent global coverage and international texting/calling built in for $65/month.
Note: If you mostly travel within the U.S., you can probably stick with one of the above categories (like Work-From-Phoner or Streamer) and just make sure your carrier has great nationwide coverage. Check out Goji’s coverage map to view carrier coverage across the US.
How to Figure Out Your Data Needs
Here’s how to take the guesswork out of it:
Step 1: Check your current usage.
- On iPhone (iOS): Go to Settings, tap Cellular, scroll to the Cellular Data section, and look under “Current Period” to see your usage
- Pro tip: This doesn’t reset with your billing cycle. You can reset it manually each month by scrolling down and tapping Reset Statistics.
- Pro tip: This doesn’t reset with your billing cycle. You can reset it manually each month by scrolling down and tapping Reset Statistics.
- On Android: Go to Settings, tap Network & Internet or Connections, and tap Mobile Network or Data Usage. View your monthly usage (and even see which apps use the most data)
- You can also set usage warnings or custom cycles to line up with your billing date.
Step 2: Compare your number.
Match your monthly average to the types above—are you closer to an Emailer or a Streamer?
Step 3: Add a buffer.
Leave yourself room for app updates, road trips, or that weekend binge session.
When Unlimited Actually Makes Sense
Unlimited isn’t for everyone, but it is a lifesaver in the right situations:
- Heavy daily users – If you stream, scroll, or game every single day, you’ll hit data caps quickly.
- Hotspot users – Using your phone as Wi-Fi for your laptop or tablet eats data like crazy? Unlimited is the only stress-free option.
- Families or multi-line accounts – Sharing a pool of data? Unlimited prevents “Who used it all this month?” fights.
- Frequent travelers – If you’re on the road or hopping countries often, unlimited + international perks are worth it.
⚠️ But beware the fine print: Unlimited doesn’t always mean truly unlimited. Most carriers slow your speeds after a certain threshold (called deprioritization). So if you’re a heavy user, look at which carriers give you the most high-speed data before slowing things down.
The Goji Shortcut
Here’s the real hack: you don’t have to crunch these numbers yourself. With Goji, you can:
- Compare plans side by side
- Find carriers with the best coverage in your area
- Filter by the data amount you actually need
So whether you’re a streamer, scroller, or just a casual emailer, Goji matches you with the plan that fits your life. Download the app today and start saving in minutes.
FAQs
Q: How much is 1GB, really?
A: About an hour of video streaming, or 300–500 photos sent through messaging apps.
Q: Can I survive on 1GB/month?
A: Only if you’re strictly texting and emailing with Wi-Fi most of the time. Otherwise, it’ll disappear fast.
Q: Is Wi-Fi my secret weapon?
A: Totally. Using Wi-Fi whenever possible means you can save money by picking a smaller plan.
Q: Should I get unlimited just to be safe?
A: Not always. Unlimited is great for heavy users, but light-to-moderate users can save a ton with a capped plan that matches their habits.
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