How Fast Is 25 Mbps? [Detailed Analysis]
A quarter of the typical internet speed in the United States is 100 Mbps, so a speed of 25 Mbps is quite slow.
It’s a dead giveaway that a 25 Mbps connection is subpar. Still, it can be quick for single or shared use and capable of more than just browsing the web.
More than two or three players can play online games at the same time with an internet speed of 25 Mbps, which is the minimum required for online gaming.
Similarly, you need 5-7 Mbps to watch Netflix in 1080p, which means that no more than three or four people can stream at the same time. Furthermore, Netflix does not restrict you to just a single 4K stream.
Additionally, you can do things like check your email, and social media, and browse the web.
However, if you regularly make video calls or upload large files, or if more than two people will be using the connection at once, you may need to upgrade to 30 or 40 Mbps.
But is 25 Mbps of speed adequate? How many gadgets does it work with? Should I sign up for this plan in 2023? I put CenturyLink’s relevant plan to the test for 12 days to get a clearer picture of the answers to these questions.
How Quick Is Internet Connection Speed of 25 Mbps?
If you want an idea, it would take about 16–17 minutes to download a 3GB movie. Below is a table detailing how much bandwidth is needed for various uses of the internet. Test the limits of your 30 Mbps connection and report back.
| Online Activities | Minimum Required Upload Rate | Upload Rate Prerequisites | Does it work with 25 Mbps? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media (Facebook/Twitter /Instagram/Tiktok) |
500 – 2000 Kbps | 200 – 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Messaging & Email | 100 Kbps | 12.5 Kbps | Yes |
| Web Browsing | 100 – 1000 Kbps | 12.5 – 125 Kbps | Yes |
| Google Meet Voice Call |
100 Kbps | 12.5 Kbps | Yes |
| Google Meet Video Call |
2-3 Mbps | 250-300 Kbps | Yes |
| Skype HD Call | 1-3 Mbps | 125 – 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Skype Group HD Call | 4-5 Mbps | 500 – 600 Kbps | Yes |
| Zoom HD Call | 3.5-4 Mbps | 400 – 500 Kbps | Yes |
| Zoom Group HD Call | 4-5 Mbps | 500 – 600 Kbps | Yes |
| Watching YouTube Videos [480p] | 500 – 1000 Kbps | 200 Kbps | Yes |
| Watching YouTube Videos [1080p] | 2-3 Mbps | 250 – 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Netflix [720p] | 1.5-2 Mbps | 250 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Netflix [1080p] | 5-7 Mbps | 600-800 Kbps | Yes |
| Online Gaming | 3-4 Mbps | 300 – 400 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Audio Music | 400 Kbps | 50 Kbps | Yes |
Can You Play Games at 25 Mbps?
The quality of your gaming experience is reliant on your upload and download speeds. It’s been estimated that a 25 Mbps connection is more than adequate for playing even the most demanding games, which only require 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds on average.
The download time for low-end games like FreeFire, Among Us, etc., is typically only a minute or two.
Is League of Legends or other mid-tier games playable at 25 Mbps? A game of 10 GB in size will take you about an hour to download, which is sufficient for the 25 Mbps internet plan.
Unfortunately, high-end games like Hitman 2 weigh in at 149GB in size. It will take you nearly 14 hours to download the game in its entirety with a 25 Mbps connection.
While this plan may not be ideal for downloading large games, it’s sufficient for playing games like Counter-Strike, BattleField 2, etc. online.
I always tell people to get a cable modem and a good WiFi router that is optimized for gaming, and that does wonders for the quality of their experience.
Is a Streaming Speed of 25 Mbps Adequate?
The majority of internet users listen to or watch content online. YouTube videos can be easily streamed in 4K quality for one or two viewers.
However, 4K videos won’t play if more than two people are using the same internet connection.
The bandwidth required to stream 4K videos on Netflix or Prime Video is 25 Mbps. However, you will experience zero lag if you turn off all other devices on the plan. This plan easily supports the 5 Mbps required to stream standard HD video.
Apple Music and Spotify make listening to music online a breeze. With Spotify’s 0.6 Mbps per stream, up to 41 songs can be played simultaneously over the 25 Mbps connection.
Can I Consider Working from Home with 25 Mbps?
When you work remotely, you’ll likely be doing some things online. The most important feature is video conferencing, but you can also use it to listen to music online and connect to a few devices.
Video conferencing is one that requires both high upload and download speeds. When you think about how slow uploading is compared to downloading. With 25 Mbps, you can expect a maximum upload speed of 2.50 Mbps.
Both audio and video calls on Teams benefit greatly from this rate. Bandwidth on Teams ranges from 1-3 Mbps. WhatsApp calls are also simple to set up. WhatsApp video calls support up to 12 people on the same internet connection at once.
The maximum number of connected devices for a voice call is 100. Is it possible to make Microsoft Teams calls at 25 Mbps? It’s a yes and a no, really. Standard calls should go through without a hitch as long as you don’t stray from the norm.
However, delays and poor connection are possible even when using HD. It’s also possible that the call won’t go through at all.
How Long It Takes to Download Various Files at 25 Mbps
If you’re the only one using the internet connection, your day-to-day tasks should be fine with a download speed of 25 Mbps.
With this internet package, you can download massive applications or Games up to 150 GB in size. However, depending on their size, downloading large files could take some time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many devices can 25 Mbps support?
Two people can effectively share a 25 Mbps connection. But that depends once more on what you plan to do with all that quickness. This plan is perfect for a single user who wants to stream a single 4K video. I would recommend at least 50 Mbps of internet speed if your needs are particularly demanding.
What can you do with 25 Mbps internet?
Internet speeds of 25 Mbps are sufficient for streaming two 1080p videos or one 4K video, playing two online games concurrently, and making an almost 720p Zoom call.
25 Mbps vs 100 Mbps: What should I get?
Your usage will determine the best option. While 100 Mbps is considered fast for gaming, 25 Mbps is more appropriate for general work-from-home use and streaming. It’s important to think about how many people and how many devices will be connected to your network when choosing a plan.
Is 25 Mbps good for working from home?
The minimum requirements for working from home are 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. That’s why it’s acceptable to work from home with a 25 Mbps connection.
Is 25 Mbps fast enough for Xbox Live?
Yes, 25 Mbps is good for Xbox Live. Online gaming requires a minimum download speed of up to 3 Mbps. So, anything lower than 25 Mbps will result in a slower gaming experience.
Wrap Up
One or two people can get by just fine on a connection speed of 25 Mbps. However, it could be annoying if you regularly use services like Netflix streaming or Zoom meetings.
With 25 Mbps WiFi, you can quickly and easily access the internet, social media, instant messaging, and email.
Larger files will take longer to download with this method. To avoid frustrating delays when using the internet at home or in the workplace, you should upgrade to at least a 40 Mbps plan.
Further Read:
