Which Apps Use the Most Internet Bandwidth?

Bandwidth matters. That’s been clear ever since HD streaming and multiplayer gaming took the internet by storm.

Bandwidth isn’t just about data caps. Many of us no longer have data caps on our home internet plans, especially if we have fiber internet service.

But even without data caps, there are plenty of reasons why you need to know which apps are hogging all your bandwidth and potentially slowing down your Wi-Fi.

If you understand your data choices, you can better manage your home internet performance. You can even get more eco-friendly with your digital footprint.

Here’s an overview of the apps that gobble up the most bandwidth, and how to keep them in check.

Understanding Bandwidth and Data Usage

Bandwidth: The maximum rate of data transfer across a given connection. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits per second (Kbps, Mbps, Gbps) [1].

Data Usage: The actual amount of data transferred, usually measured in bytes (KB, MB, GB).

An app might use high bandwidth for short periods or lower bandwidth over longer periods. Both patterns could still use plenty of data.

Streaming takes high bandwidth

Streaming Services: Biggest Bandwidth Hogs

Video Streaming Apps

Video streaming services are the undisputed champions of high data consumption [2]. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Music apps also burn through data

Music Streaming Apps

Music streaming can use a lot of data, even though it’s not quite as data-heavy as video streaming [3].

Social Media: Subtle Data Drainers

Social media apps can be deceptive in their data usage because small amounts of data can add up fast. Here’s a breakdown of some specific usage numbers:

Gaming downloads can be massive

Online Gaming: More Than Just Playing

While the act of gaming often uses less data than you might expect, there are other factors to consider. Here are examples of the relatively small data demands of gameplay.

• Fortnite: 100-250 MB per hour of gameplay
• Call of Duty: Warzone: 80-300 MB per hour
• League of Legends: 45 MB per hour
• World of Warcraft: 40 MB per hour

However, game downloads and updates can be massive:

• Call of Duty: Warzone: 85-175 GB initial download
• Red Dead Redemption 2: 150 GB download
• Fortnite: 17-35 GB download, with frequent updates of 1-3 GB

Video Calling: A New Necessity

With the rise of remote work and virtual socializing, videoconferencing has become a significant bandwidth user [4].

Cloud Storage and Backup Apps: Background Bandwidth

These backup apps can save you if you have a hard drive crash [5]. But they can use significant bandwidth, especially during initial setup or after adding large files:

• Google Drive: Can use 50-200 MB per day for active users
• Dropbox: Initial upload can use several GB, then 1-50 MB per day for syncing
• iCloud: Usage varies widely, but can easily reach 1-5 GB per month for photo backup

Cloud backup can save your data

Messaging Apps: Not Just Text Anymore

Modern messaging apps include features that can increase data usage:

Web Browsers: Universal Portals

Web browsing can vary widely in data usage:

• Light browsing (text-based sites): 10-50 MB per hour
• Media-heavy browsing: 50-200 MB per hour

How to Monitor and Manage Your App Bandwidth Usage

For Windows 10/11 Users

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage
2. Click on “View usage per app"

For macOS Users

1. Open Activity Monitor
2. Click on the Network tab to see current network usage by app

For Android Users

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage
2. You’ll see a list of apps sorted by data usage
3. Tap on individual apps to see foreground and background data usage

For iOS Users

1. Go to Settings > Cellular
2. Scroll down to see data usage for each app
3. You can toggle cellular data access for individual apps

Advanced Tips to Reduce Bandwidth Usage

1. Use Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router to prioritize important traffic [6]
2. Implement a bandwidth monitor on your network to identify unexpected usage spikes
3. Use a VPN with built-in compression to reduce data usage (but be aware this may slow down your connection)
4. Consider using lite versions of apps where available (e.g., Facebook Lite, Twitter Lite)
5. Regularly clear app caches to prevent unnecessary data usage
6. Use ad-blockers to reduce bandwidth used by advertisements (but consider supporting your favorite sites in other ways)

5G wireless opens new potential

The Impact of 5G on App Bandwidth Usage

With the rollout of 5G networks, we’re seeing changes in how mobile apps use bandwidth. 5G fixed wireless is also improving home internet bandwidth in some rural areas that previously lacked high-speed internet.

Here are some heavy-data activities that will put more pressure on bandwidth, even on 5G networks:

• Higher quality streaming is becoming more common
• Increased use of cloud gaming services
• More data-intensive AR and VR applications

5G also brings more efficient data transmission, which can offset some of the increased usage.

The Environmental Impact of Bandwidth Usage

It’s worth noting that high bandwidth usage doesn’t just affect your data cap or internet speed – it also has environmental implications:

• Data centers consume significant energy to process and store data
• Increased data transmission leads to more infrastructure needs
• Higher bandwidth usage generally correlates with higher energy consumption

Considering this, managing your bandwidth usage can be seen as an eco-friendly action.

Looking to the Future: Emerging Bandwidth-Intensive Technologies

As we look ahead, several emerging technologies are poised to become major bandwidth consumers:

• Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) applications
• 8K video streaming
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• AI and machine learning applications

Staying informed about these trends can help you prepare for future bandwidth needs.

AI is a heavy data consumer

Keep an Eye on Your Bandwidth

Understanding which apps use the most bandwidth is crucial in our data-driven world. By implementing smart usage strategies, you can:

1. Optimize your internet experience
2. Avoid unexpected charges on limited data plans
3. Contribute to more efficient use of network resources
4. Potentially reduce your digital carbon footprint

Remember, the key is not necessarily to avoid using these apps altogether, but to use them mindfully.

Sources

[1] Wikipedia.org. “Data-Rate Units."

[2] PopSci.com. “How Much Data Does Streaming Live TV Use?"

[3] SoundCharts.com. “How Music Streaming Works."

[4] Forbes.com. “The Rise of Remote Working and You."

[5] FieldsDataRecovery.co.uk. “The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Hard Drive Crashes."

[6] LaptopMag.com. “How to Change Your Router’s QoS Settings."

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