Netflix uses about 0.3 GB per hour at low quality, up to 3 GB per hour in HD and up to 7 GB per hour in 4K Ultra HD, according to Netflix itself. Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video use similar amounts: roughly 0.4 to 0.7 GB per hour at low quality, 1.4 to 3 GB in HD and around 7 GB in 4K. On a phone with the default mobile setting, Netflix plays about 4 hours of video per GB. For Belgian travellers this makes a real difference: one film streamed in HD can use a big part of the data you have abroad, while the same film downloaded on hotel WiFi uses no mobile data at all. This guide compares the four services, shows how much data a trip really needs and explains how to stream on holiday without roaming surprises.
How much data do Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video use per hour?
Service | Low quality or data saver | HD | 4K Ultra HD |
|---|---|---|---|
Netflix | 0.3 GB | up to 3 GB | up to 7 GB |
Disney+ | about 0.6 GB | about 2 GB | about 7.7 GB |
HBO Max | about 0.7 GB | 2 to 3 GB | about 7 GB |
Prime Video | about 0.4 GB | about 1.4 GB | about 6.8 GB |
Netflix publishes these figures in its Help Center. For Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video, the numbers are typical values measured per quality level, so your own use can be slightly higher or lower depending on your device, your connection and what you watch. You can find more detail per service in our guides on how much data Netflix uses and how much data Disney+ uses.
4K is only available on a TV or a large screen with a subscription that includes it. On a gsm screen, the difference between standard quality and HD is small, which is why the mobile apps stream at lower quality by default.
What does that mean for one film or one episode?
A 2 hour film uses about 0.6 GB at low quality, up to 6 GB in HD and up to 14 GB in 4K.
A 45 minute episode uses about 0.2 GB on the default Netflix mobile setting and up to 2.3 GB in HD.
1 GB of data gives you about 6 hours of Netflix with Save Data turned on, about 4 hours on the Automatic setting and about 20 minutes in HD.
How much data do you need to stream on holiday?
Your streaming habit | Data for one week |
|---|---|
One episode per evening, data saver on | about 1 GB |
One episode per evening in HD | up to 16 GB |
Two films on the plane or train, streamed in HD | up to 12 GB |
Two films downloaded on WiFi before you leave | 0 GB of mobile data |
Video is by far the biggest data user on your phone. Messages, maps and social media together usually stay below what a single HD film needs. You can compare this with how much data YouTube uses.
Download before you go: the easiest way to save data
Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video all let you download films and series to watch offline in their mobile apps. Tap the download icon next to a title while you are on WiFi, and you can watch it later on the plane, on the train or at the beach without using any mobile data.
A few things to know before you download:
Not every title can be downloaded, because this depends on the rights of each film or series.
Downloads expire after some time, and you need to stay signed in to your account to watch them.
There are limits per device. On Netflix, plans without ads allow up to 100 active downloads per device, while plans with ads allow 15 downloads per device per month.
Choose the download quality in the app settings. Standard quality saves storage space on your gsm and downloads faster on a slow hotel connection.
Turn on "download over WiFi only" so a download never starts on your mobile data by mistake.
Streaming abroad with a Belgian subscription
Inside the EU, your paid Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max or Prime Video subscription travels with you. Under the EU portability rules, you can watch the same catalogue as at home when you are temporarily in another EU country. Outside the EU, you usually see the catalogue of the country you are in, but titles you have already downloaded still play.
The data is a different story. In the EU, roam like at home lets you use your Belgian plan at no extra charge until 2032, but operators can apply a fair use limit. If your plan includes a lot of data or unlimited data, the amount you can use abroad is often lower than at home. In countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Turkey or Morocco, roaming can be expensive, and a single evening of streaming in HD can lead to a surprise on your bill.
To keep streaming under control while you travel:
Set your apps to data saver for mobile data.
Turn off autoplay for previews and next episodes.
Download on WiFi before you leave home or the hotel.
Check your data use in the settings of your phone.
Check your fair use limit with your operator before a long trip.
Stream abroad with Firsty
Watching a series on holiday should not come with a calculation. With a travel eSIM from Firsty, your phone connects to local mobile networks wherever you land, there is no SIM card to swap and your own number stays the same. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs one, not as charity, but as how the business works. Things are moving, so keep an eye on what Firsty is building and discover more at Firsty.app.
FAQ
How much data does Netflix use per hour?
Netflix uses up to 0.3 GB per hour at low quality, up to 0.7 GB at medium quality, up to 3 GB in HD and up to 7 GB in 4K Ultra HD, according to the Netflix Help Center. On a phone, the Automatic mobile setting uses about 1 GB per 4 hours and Save Data about 1 GB per 6 hours.
How long can I watch with 1 GB of data?
With 1 GB you can watch about 6 hours of Netflix with Save Data on, about 4 hours on the Automatic mobile setting, and about 20 minutes in HD. Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video give you roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours per GB at low quality.
How many GB is a 2 hour film?
A 2 hour film uses about 0.6 GB at low quality, 1.4 GB at medium quality, up to 6 GB in HD and up to 14 GB in 4K on Netflix. A film you download on WiFi before you leave uses no mobile data when you watch it.
How much data does Disney+ use?
Disney+ uses about 0.6 GB per hour with data saving turned on, about 2 GB per hour in HD and up to about 7.7 GB per hour in 4K. You can lower this in the app settings under cellular or mobile data usage.
How much data does HBO Max use?
HBO Max uses about 0.7 GB per hour at standard quality, 2 to 3 GB per hour in HD and about 7 GB per hour in 4K. By default the app picks the quality automatically based on your connection, and you can limit streaming to WiFi only in the settings.
How much data does Prime Video use?
Prime Video uses about 0.4 GB per hour at Good quality, about 1.4 GB per hour at Better quality and up to about 6.8 GB per hour at Best quality. You can choose the streaming and download quality in the app settings.
Can you watch Netflix on a plane?
Yes. Download films or series in the Netflix app while you are on WiFi, and you can watch them on the plane without an internet connection. Some airlines also offer onboard WiFi, but it is often too slow or too expensive for streaming.
How do I download films from Netflix?
Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, go to a film or episode and tap the download icon. Your downloads appear in the Downloads section of the app. Not every title can be downloaded, and downloads expire after some time.
How long do Netflix downloads last?
Netflix downloads expire after a period that depends on the title. You need to stay signed in to your account, and the app shows the remaining time in the Downloads section. Plans without ads allow up to 100 active downloads per device, while plans with ads allow 15 downloads per device per month.
Can I watch Netflix abroad with my Belgian subscription?
Yes. Inside the EU, the EU portability rules let you watch the same catalogue as in Belgium when you travel temporarily. Outside the EU, you usually see the local catalogue of the country you are in, while downloaded titles keep working.
Does streaming in the EU cost extra on a Belgian plan?
No. Under the roam like at home rules, extended until 2032, you can use the data of your Belgian plan in other EU countries at no extra charge. Operators can apply a fair use limit, so check how much data you can use abroad before you stream a lot.
What internet speed do I need for Netflix?
Netflix recommends at least 3 Mbps for HD, 5 Mbps for Full HD and 15 Mbps for 4K Ultra HD. A connection of 100 Mbps is more than enough for Netflix, even with several screens streaming at the same time.
