Uploads & downloads: What’s the difference?

The key distinction between download and upload speeds lies in the direction the data moves and how quickly it gets there. However, what counts as a good speed for downloading versus uploading can vary significantly.

Imagine you’re trying to upload a video to Facebook, expecting your high-speed Internet to handle it smoothly. Instead, your connection slows to a crawl, and you’re stuck staring at the dreaded spinning wheel.

That’s the frustration of dealing with slow upload speeds.

Understanding download and upload speeds

Download speed measures how quickly data is transferred from the Internet to your device. This includes downloading images, videos, text, files, and audio. Common activities like streaming music on Spotify, watching videos on Netflix, or downloading large files rely on good download speeds to ensure a smooth experience.

Upload speed, on the other hand, is the rate at which data is sent from your device to the Internet. Although downloading is more frequent, certain tasks require uploading data. Sending emails, participating in online gaming tournaments, and making video calls on platforms like Zoom all depend on having fast upload speeds to send information effectively to another server.

What is a good download speed?

A good download speed is generally considered to be at least 25 Mbps. However, what counts as a good download speed can vary depending on how many devices are connected and what kind of online activities are happening in your home.

Since the pandemic, our Internet usage has increased with more people working, learning, and playing games online. Because of this, speeds over 100 Mbps are now often considered "fast" Internet.

A helpful guideline is to have about 25 Mbps of download speed for each person in your household. This ensures that one person can participate in a video call while another plays an online game without causing any interruptions.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what speeds you might need for different activities:

• Online gaming: At least 3 Mbps download speed and 0.5 to 1 Mbps upload speed for a smooth experience.
• Video conferencing (e.g., Zoom): A minimum of 1.5 Mbps is recommended, but having 10 to 20 Mbps will provide a better experience.
• Streaming services (e.g., Hulu, Netflix): At least 25 Mbps for standard streaming. If multiple people are streaming at once, 50 Mbps or more may be necessary.

What is a good Internet speed in Australia?

To determine what qualifies as a "good" Internet speed, it's important to understand both upload and download speeds.

A good Internet speed can vary depending on your needs, but there are some general benchmarks that can help you evaluate your connection. 

Factors affecting Internet speed

Achieving the fastest Internet speed can be challenging due to various influencing factors:

• Your chosen NBN or broadband plan
• Type of connection, such as fibre, cable, satellite, wireless, or DSL (digital subscriber line)
• Network traffic levels
• Distance from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Quality of your equipment
• Wi-Fi interference
• Presence of malware or viruses
• Power and performance of your device
• Number of devices connected to your network
• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• High traffic on certain websites may temporarily reduce your Internet speed

Examples of download vs upload speeds

Why Internet upload speeds are slower than download speeds

Internet service providers (ISPs) usually prioritise download speeds over upload speeds because most online activities, like streaming videos or browsing websites, need more downloading capacity. These tasks require large amounts of data to be downloaded from the Internet to your device, so ISPs focus on providing faster download speeds.

Even when you perform tasks that need uploading, such as video calls or sending files, these activities still involve some level of downloading, which means you generally need higher download speeds more often than high upload speeds.

However, if you use a fibre-optic Internet connection, the scenario is different. Fibre Internet typically offers symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload speeds are just as fast as your download speeds.

Activities that need fast download speeds

Many everyday online activities depend mainly on download speeds, including:

• Streaming movies or shows on platforms like Netflix
• Shopping on online retail websites
• Browsing through social media feeds
• Watching videos on YouTube
• Reading articles on websites
• Listening to music through streaming services
• Activities that need fast upload speeds

Some online activities do require faster upload speeds to function smoothly. If your upload speeds are too slow, these tasks may experience delays or buffering:

• Video calls or virtual meetings
• Online gaming, especially in live tournament-style games
• Sending emails with large attachments
• Backing up files to cloud storage
• Uploading videos to social media platforms
• Working on cloud-based documents, such as those in Google Sheets or Docs

Ensuring you have the right Internet plan for your needs can make a big difference in your online experience, whether you're streaming, gaming, or working from home.

What upload speed is needed for gaming?

For a smooth gaming experience, you'll want an upload speed of at least 10Mbps. While many online games only need about 1Mbps of upload speed, it’s important to account for other activities on your network. If someone in your household is streaming videos, uploading content, or if you're using services like Discord while gaming, you’ll need extra bandwidth.

To ensure you have enough speed for gaming and other online activities, we recommend aiming for a minimum of 10Mbps upload speed. This typically corresponds to an NBN 25 plan. 

What upload speed do I need for Zoom?

For the best Zoom experience, aim for at least 10Mbps upload speed. While Zoom needs around 3Mbps for high-quality group calls and 1.8Mbps for one-on-one calls, your connection will likely be used for other activities too. 

For smooth video conferencing, an NBN 25 plan with 10Mbps upload speed is recommended.

What upload speed do I need for working from home?

For working from home, a minimum of 10Mbps upload speed is generally sufficient if your tasks are mainly emails and spreadsheets. 

However, if you frequently send large files or participate in big online meetings, aim for 20Mbps. An NBN 50 or NBN 100 plan would be ideal in that case.

What upload speed do I need to live stream?

For live streaming, you’ll need at least 20Mbps, though up to 50Mbps is better for higher video quality. Most platforms suggest 2-15 Mbps for streaming up to 1080p, but 4K streaming may require double that. 

Since your connection will also be used for other activities, consider higher-speed NBN plans like NBN 100 (40Mbps), NBN 250 (25Mbps), or NBN 1000 (50Mbps) for the best experience.

Upload and download speeds across NBN tiers

Here’s a comparison of upload speeds relative to the download speeds advertised for different NBN plans:

Nowadays, many providers offer 20Mbps upload speeds with NBN 100 plans, a reduction from the original 40Mbps. 

As shown in the table, NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans have the best upload-to-download speed ratio, each at 40%. However, as you move beyond NBN 100, the percentage comparison tends to decrease.

Contact Compare Broadband

Dealing with slow speeds? Instead of fretting, contact the Aussie-based team at Compare Broadband on 1300 764 000. We’ll help you to get onto the right plan; one that doesn't slow you down.