Most users need anywhere from 2GB to 10GB of mobile data. The average Canadian mobile customer uses less than 6GB of data each month, but your individual needs will vary depending on your most frequented apps and activities. 

People who infrequently use their cell phones on the go can get by with 2–3GB for email or occasional social media posts. Power users who are always connected and sending messages or watching videos will want to consider plans with 10GB of data or more. Unlimited usage plans are also a great option, so you don’t have to worry about any overage fees. 

We’ll walk through how to calculate the appropriate mobile data allowance below, so you’ll know whether to switch plans.

How much data do I need?

---

Whenever you open an app that uses the internet, refresh your browser, or send an email, your phone uses data. How much data each action uses depends on several factors, including what the app is or how big the files you’re sending are. 

Additionally, using your phone as a hotspot for other devices will result in the activity of all connected devices contributing to your data usage. 

The table below shows how much data some common activities use per hour, but these are estimates only. Keep an eye on the risk column as this identifies how quickly the data usage can snowball into a problem.

If you're looking for a plan that offers a reliable plan with a reasonable monthly payment, we recommend Public Mobile's $39 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 10GB plan, which offers a solid chunk of 4G data on the nationwide Telus network.

If you're on the hunt for something bigger, we'd suggest Telus' Essential 50 5G Plan, which provides 50GB of 5G data, along with unlimited talk and text.

Want to do some more browsing? We get it. We like bargain hunting, too. You can start by checking out some of the most popular cell phone plans in Canada below.

What doesn't use data?

In some cases, texting and calling may not use cellular data. You’ll need service on your carrier’s network for these activities, but they won’t use any of your data allotment. Many games or apps also ditch the internet connection requirement, but you’ll need to confirm this on an app-to-app basis.

How much data do popular apps use?

Your phone will track the data used by each app, and reviewing your usage history will do wonders for identifying your data needs. If you take your video calls over Zoom, listen to your music over Spotify or YouTube, or navigate your way through town using Google Maps, our guides can help you gauge how much data those apps use. You’ll also want to watch out for video streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV. These apps use a lot of data at higher video quality settings, making unlimited data plans much more attractive.

How much data does my family plan need?

---

Canada’s national carriers—Telus, Bell, and Rogers—allow their customers to purchase multiple phone lines that share one large pool of mobile data. How much your family needs will depend on each person’s usage habits. A general rule of thumb is choosing a plan with 5–10GB of data available for each person. This data pool provides a good amount of breathing room if someone needs to use more than their usual allotment in any given month. It may also help you avoid paying for more data than you need.

We're always tracking the best family phone plans in Canada, keeping an eye on plans that offer high data and high value. We especially like Bell's Unlimited Share Family Plan, which offers 480GB of data shareable across four lines.

To get a more accurate measurement of how much data your family plan needs, add up the average data use over the last couple of months for each person who will share the data pool. Then, round up to the nearest available amount to choose a plan.

Mobile data vs. Wi-Fi

---

Mobile data connects your phone to the internet to use apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Pokémon Go when you’re away from Wi-Fi. Many Canadian mobile plans include an allotment of mobile internet. The speed, reliability, and availability of your connection will depend on your location and your carrier. 

A Wi-Fi network is a wireless internet connection created by broadcasting a signal from a modem provided by an internet service provider. Many households connect their wireless devices, including their smartphones, laptops, online gaming consoles, and other smart devices, to a Wi-Fi internet connection. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network will help you conserve mobile data when using your phone.

Is it better to use Wi-Fi or mobile data?

In general, it’s better to use your Wi-Fi network over mobile data, particularly if it’s your home internet connection. Many Canadians have a home broadband plan that offers unlimited usage at full speeds, while even unlimited mobile data plans significantly slow down once you reach the full-speed data cap. 

However, if you’re out in public, the decision between mobile data and Wi-Fi becomes a bit trickier. Public Wi-Fi networks, like the ones at your local Starbucks, department store, or airport, aren’t always secure. If you must use a public connection, we recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) to add a layer of security and protect your personal information.

Is unlimited data really unlimited?

---

Unlimited data plans are great for peace of mind as you never have to worry about overage fees, but they're not as "unlimited" as the title suggests: once you reach the data limit on your plan, speeds will throttle to slower rates. You'll still be able to use your phone, but your experience will be much slower. Thankfully, many unlimited plans include 10GB or more.

We're always tracking the best unlimited data plans in Canada. We especially like Telus' Unlimited 75 5G+, which offers 75GB of full-speed 5G data for a reasonable monthly price.

Want to see some more options? You can also check out some of the most popular unlimited data plans in Canada below.

Data-only plans

---

Some of the fastest carriers offer cheap, data-only plans, including SaskTel's Data 5 package.

These plans are often only available as secondary lines on an account, but they are great for tablets, smartwatches, or other devices that can hold a SIM card and don’t require a lot of data.