Streaming Wars: Which Platform Uses the Most Data?

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Streaming Wars: Which Platform Uses the Most Data?

And how to keep your data usage under control

Streaming has transformed the way UK households watch TV and movies. Whether it’s Bridgerton on Netflix, The Boys on Prime Video, or the latest Star Wars series on Disney+, we’re all tuning in more than ever before.

But all that entertainment comes at a cost and eats up your data usage. Every hour of HD or 4K streaming adds up, and if you’re on a limited broadband plan or sharing Wi-Fi across a busy household, it's worth knowing which platforms use the most bandwidth.

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How Much Data Does Each Streaming Platform Use?

Platform	SD (Standard Definition)	HD (High Definition)	4K / Ultra HD
Netflix	~1GB/hour	~3GB/hour	~7GB/hour
Disney+	~0.7GB/hour	~2.5GB/hour	~7.7GB/hour
Amazon Prime Video	~0.8GB/hour	~2.8GB/hour	~6.8GB/hour
BBC iPlayer	~0.5GB/hour	~1.5GB/hour	N/A

That means the average family streaming just two hours of HD content per evening could easily consume 150–250GB per month. Add gaming, video calls, and smart home devices into the mix and your connection is working overtime.

How to Keep Your Data Under Control

Here are a few simple ways to manage your streaming usage without sacrificing quality:

Adjust your streaming quality: Most platforms allow you to switch between SD, HD, and 4K in the settings.

Download before you watch: Downloading on Wi-Fi helps avoid using data on other devices later.

Monitor device usage: Many modern routers show which devices are consuming the most bandwidth.

Go unlimited: If you’re regularly streaming in HD or 4K, unlimited data will save you headaches (and arguments).

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The Need for Speed

4K streaming requires at least 25Mbps per stream, meaning that if your family has multiple people watching at once, you’ll need a minimum of 100Mbps to keep everything running smoothly.

According to Ofcom, streaming now accounts for over 60% of total UK home broadband traffic making a fast, reliable internet connection essential for over half of the average homes in the UK. A hand holding a remote control in front of a television

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Streaming with VFast

At VFast, we’re proud to keep homes connected with ultrafast fibre broadband. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, working from home or doing all three, our lightning-fast speeds make buffering a thing of the past.

Check your postcode today to see what speeds are available in your area - https://www.vfast.co.uk/