Do you have enough mobile data? Or do you have too much?

Anula Wiwatowska - Offsite Editorial Lead

Last updated 28 February 2022

When you’re picking a mobile plan you’re really looking at how much data you get each month. Apart from that one key factor, mobile SIM plans are pretty standard these days. You’ll get unlimited national talk, and text, and access to your provider’s 4G network.

Sure there are other tidbits here and there, some plans give you 5G access, others might come with international calls or roaming, some providers still hand out cheap movie tickets, but for the most part it all comes down to data. So how are you supposed to know how much mobile data is enough?

Of course the answer is different for everyone. No two people use their phones the exact same way. To help you figure out if your plan (of the plan you’re looking at) has enough mobile data for your needs, we’ve taken a look at some common data allowances. Below we break down just how much those allowances are worth in terms of time spent doing different online activities.

2GB of mobile data
5GB of mobile data
10GB of mobile data
15GB of mobile data
20GB of mobile data
30GB of mobile data
50GB of mobile data
100GB of mobile data

What can you do with 2GB of mobile data?

2GB of mobile data isn't a whole lot, especially when it needs to get you through the whole month. Here is what you 2GB of data will buy you across a range of popular internet activities.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
2 hours	2.5 hours	2.5 hours	46 hours	33 hours

While browsing the internet for 33 hours might seem like a lot, when you space that out over a month you get a little more than one hour per day. And that doesn't even take into account any other apps that you might use. Small data allowances such as this aren't for most people, but they can be a budget option for kids, or for people who spend the vast majority of their time connected to WiFi.

#1	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $28 Prepaid 8GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 15GB Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#6	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

What can you do with 5GB of mobile data?

Not many people will be able to get by with just 5GB of data across the month, but it is a cost efficient SIM plan option. As a guide, here is what 5GB of data will yield across a range of popular internet activities.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
5 hours	7 hours	5.5 hours	115 hours	83 hours

Across a typical month of 30 days, 5GB of data would let you listen to around 3.8 hours of music or podcasts on Spotify. While that is an ample amount of tune time, the same 5GB only equates to about 2 minutes of YouTube per day. Depending on how you use your phone, you might be able to make 5GB last and save some cash on your phone bill while you're at it.

#1	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $28 Prepaid 8GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 15GB Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#6	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

What can you do with 10GB of mobile data?

Plans with 10GB of data tend to be affordable options, and for people who spend quite a bit of time on WiFi can be a great budget option. Below is what 10GB of data will yield across a range of popular internet activities.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
10 hours	14 hours	11.5 hours	231 hours	166 hours

If you tend to only jump on 4G when you leave the house, and even then you don't do anything too data-intensive than 10GB of data might be enough. You could stream music for a whole 7.6 hour work day, every day of the month and just be bordering on your data allowance. You could also spend about half an hour scrolling through Instagram if that is your preferred poison.

#1	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 15GB Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#5	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

What can you do with 15GB of mobile data?

Although every user is different, 15GB of data is likely to be enough for a good chunk of people, especially if you still work from home. This is how many hours you can widdle away on each of these internet activities with 15GB in the bank.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
15 hours	21 hours	17 hours	347 hours	250 hours

15 hours of Netflix in a month might be rookie numbers if you're deep in a binge, but to consume on a mobile device away from WiFi, it's decent. This data allowance would let you spend half an hour per day watching Netflix, or YouTube, or scroll through the web for over eight hours per day.

#1	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 15GB Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#4	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile Prepaid $25 for 28 Days 22GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

What can you do with 20GB of mobile data?

By the time you get to 20GB per month, a lot of people will be in the clear - some might even be bordering on excess data. Here is what 20GB of data will buy you across a range of popular internet activities.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
20 hours	27.5 hours	23 hours	463 hours	333 hours

At this point you could browse the internet aimlessly for a whopping 11 hours per day with a 20GB plan. Lets say you're an Instagram and Spotify addict - if you split the two right down the middle you could spend half an hour on IG, and eight hours listening to music every day.

#1	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#2	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile Prepaid $25 for 28 Days 22GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
#6	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site

What can you do with 30GB of mobile data?

Extrapolated data from the ACCC indicates that the average Australian uses 30GB of mobile data per month. If you're part of that club, here is what 30GB of data gets across some popular online activities.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
30 hours	41.5 hours	34.5 hours	694 hours	500 hours

30GB will get you a whole hour of Netflix per day, or over 23 hours of Spotify each day. You could pretty much have your headphones in constantly. Chances are that 30GB will give you more than enough data to get through the month, and an extra buffer just in case you get stuck in a YouTube hole.

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#2	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#4	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $30 Recharge 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	More	More 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27 $33.00/mth Min. cost $33 Link not supplied	$33.00/mth Min. cost $33	Link not supplied
#6	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site

What can you do with 50GB of mobile data?

50GB of data will be enough data for you to browse the web 24/7 for the entire month, and you'll still have data left over at the end. Take a look at how much time you can spend on these popular apps below.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
50 hours	69 hours	57.5 hours	1,157 hours	833 hours

Even though we are always connected to the internet, we're not actively browsing at all hours of the day and night... Well maybe sometimes we are. With 50GB you can have your Spotify, and hotspot your friend's Spotify on repeat for almost the entire month. We are definitley getting to the realm of excessive data usage, but also if you want to spend over two hours per day on Instagram, who are we to tell you no?

#1	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 30 SIM Only 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50GB for $17– Includes $13 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $30. Offer ends 30.06.27 $17.00/mth Min. cost $17 Link not supplied	$17.00/mth Min. cost $17	Link not supplied
#3	Pivotel	Pivotel 50GB Mobile Swift Plan 50GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50 Go to Site	$17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#5	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $36.00/mth Min. cost $18 Go to Site	$36.00/mth Min. cost $18	Go to Site

What can you do with 100GB of mobile data?

100GB of data is a lot of data. Some people use this as their home broadband limit. Generally speaking, if you've got a plan in excess of 100GB of data then you're highlighting the excess part. Here is what you can do with 100GB of data.

Netflix	Instagram	YouTube	Spotify	Web browsing
100 hours	139 hours	115 hours	2,314 hours	1,666 hours

With 100GB you can spend almost four hours per day on YouTube, or support two more people in streaming music 24/7. If you're on a 100GB plan then you'll never need to worry about data, but you also might be using too much. We're big advocates for not paying for data that you don't use. If you don't spend four and a half hours on Instagram every day then you might consider scrolling back up and looking at some plans with less data that will save you some money.

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 40 SIM Only 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $22– Includes $18 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $40. Offer ends 30.06.27 $22.00/mth Min. cost $22 Link not supplied	$22.00/mth Min. cost $22	Link not supplied
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel $35 Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $35.00/mth Min. cost $35 Go to Site	$35.00/mth Min. cost $35	Go to Site
#3	Lyca Mobile	Lyca Mobile Unlimited Plan SM 100GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 40GB bonus data on activation and first 2 renewals. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply. $35.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Belong	Belong 40GB Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Link not supplied	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#6	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile $45 Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $45.00/mth Min. cost $45 Link not supplied	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Link not supplied

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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