YOUR APPS, EXPLAINED
Small habits. Very different data needs.
WhatsApp: messages, photos and calls
Text messages use very little data. Photos, voice notes, Status videos and automatic downloads from busy groups can add up much faster. Enter voice calls and video calls separately in the calculator. For longer calls, try WhatsApp’s lower-data calling setting or switch off the camera when you do not need it.
YouTube, TikTok and Reels
A lower video quality can make a big difference to how long your bundle lasts. YouTube can also change quality automatically, so check the quality setting when you watch on mobile data. Short videos add up too: autoplay can turn a quick visit into half an hour of watching. If you spend that time on Reels or Shorts, count it under short video rather than entering it again under social feeds.
Netflix on your phone or computer
Check the data setting on the device you watch on. The Netflix choices in this calculator cover watching through a web browser; the phone app has its own mobile data controls. If you can, download shows on Wi-Fi before watching away from home.
Music and podcasts
Audio-only listening usually needs less data than video. Higher sound quality uses more, and video podcasts or lossless music need a bigger allowance than the audio estimates here. Download favourite playlists and episodes on Wi-Fi if you expect to listen to them again.
Gaming, updates and backups
A game download or a large update can use far more data than playing online. Add those download sizes separately in the calculator. Streamed games also need more than the ordinary gameplay estimates shown here. If you connect a laptop to your phone’s hotspot, remember to include its browsing, updates and backups.
DATA FOR YOUR WORKING DAY
Data for work, online learning and teams.
Start with what you need to get done: join a live class, watch a recorded lesson, read documents or upload an assessment. Enter recorded lessons under video, live sessions under calls or meetings, and file sizes under extra downloads. Include any work you do through a phone hotspot too.
For video meetings, your camera, picture quality and the number of people on screen all affect usage. The Zoom figures give you a starting estimate. If you use Teams, Google Meet or another service, check your phone or computer’s data history after a normal meeting to get a better idea of your needs.
How much data should you give each employee or learner?
Choose For a team, enter one person’s usual daily activities, then add your team size and the number of work or study days. People with different jobs may need different amounts: a field agent using maps and messages is likely to need a different plan from someone attending video meetings all day.
If each person needs 4GB for the month, adding 20% extra gives you 4.8GB per person. That is 240GB across 50 people. Choose a suitable bundle for each person’s network; the combined total is there to help you plan the whole team’s needs.
Try your first allocation with a small group, check how much they use, then adjust the next one. Our guides explain buying data for learners and sending data bundles in bulk. If you want to connect purchases to your own software, see the SIMcloud Data API.
MAKE YOUR BUNDLE GO FURTHER
Why is your data finishing so fast?
It may be more than the app you have open. Automatic backups, app updates, autoplay and devices using your hotspot can all use data in the background. Some apps also choose clearer video when your connection is fast.
- Check which apps use the most. Look at your phone’s mobile data settings and compare the dates with your current bundle.
- Choose a video quality that suits your screen. Try a lower setting when watching on your phone, and compare it in the calculator.
- Save big downloads for Wi-Fi. Review the settings for updates, photo backups and offline downloads.
- Check your hotspot. A connected laptop may be updating software or syncing files without you noticing.
- Review a normal week. Check what you actually used before choosing your next bundle. Try your apps’ data-saving options and see what difference they make.
CHOOSE YOUR NEXT BUNDLE
Choose data you can use when you need it.
Before buying, check the network, bundle size and expiry date. Look at when and where you can use the data too. A night-only allowance will not cover a daytime class, and an app-specific bundle may not cover calls, external links or other apps.
Once you have an estimate, browse SIMcloud’s current data bundles and prices. Sizes and prices vary by network, so choose an available bundle that covers your needs for the right period.
Buying for a team? You can choose different bundles for different networks. Follow the bulk data ordering guide, or see how SIMcloud bulk data works.
MB, GB and Mbps: what is the difference?
MB and GB tell you how much data you have. Here, 1GB means 1,000MB. Mbps tells you how fast a connection can transfer data. A faster connection does not make the same file bigger, but apps may use it to show clearer video or finish more downloads.
UNDERSTAND YOUR ESTIMATE
How we work out your data needs.
We add up the activities and time you enter, allow for the part you use on Wi-Fi, then include any extra downloads. You can add a little extra if you want more room for busy days. For a team, we also show the total across everyone you need to cover.
When you check a bundle, we estimate how long it could last based on your daily use. The activity cards show how many hours you could get if you spent the whole bundle on just one activity. Remember to check the bundle’s expiry date as well.
The figures are estimates to help you choose a bundle. Actual use varies with your device, settings and what you watch, download or send. Netflix figures use its published limits for browser playback; music estimates cover audio only; meeting estimates use Zoom’s connection guidance. The other activities use rough estimates. Checking your own data history will give you a closer guide to your routine.
Helpful links
- Netflix: change your data usage settings
- Spotify: choose your sound quality
- Zoom: connection recommendations for meetings
- YouTube: change your video quality
- WhatsApp: video calling help
Last updated 19 October 2026.
Need a hand choosing data? Speak to our team.
A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you buy.
Does Wi-Fi use my mobile bundle?
When your phone uses Wi-Fi, that activity normally does not use its mobile bundle. Check whether your phone can switch to mobile data when Wi-Fi is weak. Devices connected to your phone’s mobile hotspot do use your mobile data.
Can I use this for Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Telkom?
Yes. Use the calculator to estimate how much data you need, then choose a current bundle for your network. Check its expiry date and any restrictions before buying.
Will lowering video quality make my data last longer?
It can help, especially if you watch a lot of video. Try a lower quality in the calculator to compare the estimates, then choose the setting that works for you in the app.
Why does my phone show a different amount?
Your phone records what you actually used; this calculator estimates it from the activities you enter. Check the dates, Wi-Fi use and background downloads when comparing them. Your network’s balance service will show how much is left in your bundle.
Can I buy the exact amount shown?
Available bundle sizes vary by network. Use your result as a guide, then check current prices and choose a bundle with enough usable data and the right expiry date. We can also help you choose data for a team.
Do I need an account to use the calculator?
No. You can use the calculator and read the guide for free. Create an account when you are ready to buy, or speak to our team if you need help.