In a rising distant work setting, Zoom conferences have turn out to be not solely the norm however a necessity for day by day conferences and socialization.
Sadly, video chatting is usually an information leech — Zoom included. If in case you have an infinite web plan, this received’t be a lot of an issue, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to pay attention to how a lot information Zoom is utilizing every time you hop on a name. If in case you have a month-to-month information cap, that is necessary to keep away from information overage charges.
Beneath, we’ll break down Zoom’s information necessities relying on video decision, the kind of name and further options.
Zoom information utilization
Video chatting is an information drainer, so realizing how a lot information your Zoom calls use can forestall you from exceeding your information cap or incurring information overage charges. Zoom’s information utilization is determined by a couple of components, like video decision, whether or not it’s a one-on-one name or a bunch name, a name with a video recording and different options used within the app.
Relying on the kind of name and its video high quality, Zoom requires wherever from 500 MB to over 2 GB of knowledge per hour. This can be a fairly big selection, so we’ll break it down under.
One-on-one Zoom calls
One-on-one Zoom calls require much less information than group calls as a result of fewer individuals are on the decision who want video and audio streams downloaded, leading to much less information utilization. We’ve outlined the approximate information utilization for 3 totally different video qualities: commonplace definition (SD), excessive definition (HD) and full excessive definition (FHD).
Group Zoom calls
Group Zoom calls use essentially the most information. For extra individuals in your Zoom name, extra information is required to obtain audio and video streams for every particular person. Beneath are the approximate information necessities for SD, HD and FHD calls.
Further information utilization to think about
Apart from the variety of individuals in your name, there are different components that would take up extra information in your Zoom assembly:
- Sharing your display – 22 to 68 MB per hour
- Audio – 3 MB per hour
The best way to cut back information utilization on Zoom
Whereas these information quantities could seem daunting, particularly in case you are a frequent Zoomer, there are some straightforward methods you’ll be able to cut back Zoom’s information utilization throughout your calls.
Swap off “Allow HD” in your Zoom settings
Navigate to your Zoom settings by clicking the little gear icon within the top-right nook of the display. Choose the “Video” tab on the left aspect and uncheck the HD choice whether it is chosen.
Decrease your video decision
Just like switching off the HD video setting, decreasing the video decision in your Zoom settings will save information throughout your calls. First, go to Zoom’s settings and ensure “Allow HD” isn’t chosen, as talked about above. You’ll be able to then go into Zoom’s superior video settings and deselect extra video decision boosters.
Flip off your video throughout calls
Switching off your video fully and solely utilizing audio throughout a Zoom name can reduce the quantity of knowledge getting used. Click on the “Video” icon within the bottom-left nook of your Zoom assembly display. Your video is off if a purple line is slashed by way of the icon. This could additionally assist enhance your web connection.
Name into your Zoom assembly by cellphone
Zoom means that you can name into a gathering utilizing your cellphone, which doesn’t require any information. Begin or be a part of your assembly and change to cellphone audio. Then, click on the “Name Me” tab, choose the nation code on your cellphone quantity and click on “Name.” In case you select this methodology, it operates like a cellphone name, so that you received’t have the ability to use Zoom’s options other than audio.
Greatest web plans for Zoom
The perfect web plans for Zoom rely in your wants. In case you are a frequent Zoom person with a number of conferences per day, an web plan with limitless information is in your greatest curiosity.
Not an on a regular basis and even weekly Zoomer? In case you are educated about your web use, you can get away with an web plan with an information cap. When constantly utilizing the identical quantity of knowledge every month, you’ll be able to work round an information cap and keep away from overage charges.
Greatest web suppliers with limitless information
The suppliers under every provide limitless information with their web plans. AT&T, Google Fiber, Frontier and Verizon Fios are all fiber suppliers with the quickest and most dependable web connections. Some honorable mentions not included within the desk are Xfinity and Cox. Every provides a 1.2 TB/mo. information cap. Whereas not limitless, this can be a ton of knowledge and can be troublesome to exceed in a single month.
*Pricing per thirty days plus taxes. Further charges and phrases could apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All costs topic to vary at any time. Might or is probably not out there based mostly on service handle. Up to date as of 05/29/26.
**Restricted time provide; topic to vary; new residential clients solely (no Spectrum companies inside previous 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Service activation payment required; taxes additional in choose states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Provide based mostly on eligibility necessities. Commonplace charges apply after promo interval. Further cost for set up. Speeds based mostly on wired connection. Precise speeds (together with wi-fi) range and should not assured. Companies topic to all relevant service phrases and circumstances, topic to vary. Not out there in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Constitution Communications, all rights reserved. Web Efficiency: Spectrum Web® is powered by fiber and related to the premises by coaxial strains.
**Restricted time provide; topic to vary; new residential clients solely (no Spectrum companies inside previous 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Service activation payment required; taxes additional in choose states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Commonplace charges apply after promo interval. Further cost for set up. Speeds based mostly on wired connection. Precise speeds (together with wi-fi) range and should not assured. Succesful modem required for all Gig speeds. For an inventory of succesful modems, go to Spectrum.web/modem. Companies topic to all relevant service phrases and circumstances, topic to vary. Not out there in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Constitution Communications, all rights reserved. Web Efficiency: Spectrum Web® is powered by fiber and related to the premises by coaxial strains.
Zoom information FAQs
How a lot cellular information does Zoom use?
Zoom makes use of the identical quantity of knowledge over each cellular information plans and an web plan. However be cautious of this since cellular plans have a tendency to offer much less information than broadband web plans. Even with an infinite mobile plan, exceeding a specific amount of knowledge leads to a lot slower speeds.
You may also name into Zoom over the cellphone, which doesn’t require information, however you received’t have the ability to use most of Zoom’s options, together with video.
Does Zoom work with out Wi-Fi?
You should utilize Zoom with out Wi-Fi through the use of your cellular system’s mobile information, connecting your laptop to your router with an Ethernet cable or calling into your Zoom assembly over the cellphone.
Written by
Camryn Smith
Author II
As one in every of Allconnect’s writers, Camryn Smith helps shoppers navigate complicated residence web servic… View profile
Edited by
Anine Sus
Editor I
Anine Sus is an editor and writer with Allconnect. With eight years of expertise enhancing and wri… View profile
