Do you work from home? How many people do you live with? Are you a serious gamer, or just someone who spends more time on social media? To figure out how many Mbps or Gbps you need for your home internet, you’ll need to consider how many devices you’ll need to power, and for what purpose.
Once you know the basics of what you need, you’ll be ready to find the best internet speed for your home.
Which is Faster, Mbps or Gbps?
Mbps Meaning
Mbps stands for “megabits per second.” It measures internet bandwidth, which is the download speed of an internet connection.
If you have a 200 Mbps internet package, the maximum speed that you can download files and data from the internet is 200 megabits per second. If you have a 500 Mbps internet package, you’ll be able to download files and data at a faster rate.
Download speed doesn’t only refer to files that you transfer onto your device—it also refers to the time it takes to load a website, or the results of a Google search. The more megabits downloaded per second, the faster your internet speed.
Gbps Meaning
Gbps stands for “gigabits per second,” which equates to one billion bytes of data per second. Gbps is also a measure of internet bandwidth, so the same logic applies to this measurement. The more gigabits downloaded per second, the faster your internet connection.
Is Gbps faster than Mbps?
1 Gbps is equal to 1,000 Mbps. So, yes, Gbps is faster.
Let’s think of this in terms of internet packages. If you have a Kinetic by Windstream 200 Mbps internet package, that means your internet is capable of 200 Mbps upload and download speeds. Considering that the average cable internet speed is 10 Mbps, that is very fast and capable internet.
However, if you live in a larger household where members download and stream on multiple devices, you will probably need more than 200 Mbps. Kinetic by Windstream also offers a 1 Gbps (or 1 GIG) internet plan, which is equal to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds—that’s five times faster! With more devices using your internet, this package is ideal for hyper-fast and reliable internet.
Do I Need Gbps or Mbps Internet?
Kinetic by Windstream offers fiber-backed internet packages ranging in speed from 50 Mbps to up to multiple GIG speeds, so you have plenty of options when considering what would work best for your household. If you live alone and want to stream in HD, 200 Mbps is a great option for you. If you have a larger household with multiple devices, 1 GIG internet may be the best option to power your home.
| Speed in Mbps |
Speed in Gbps |
Best for |
| 200 Mbps | 0.2 Gbps | Competitive gaming in HD |
| 400 Mbps | 0.4 Gbps | Streaming in HD on multiple devices |
| 500 Mbps | 0.5 Gbps | Streaming in HD on multiple devices for a home with 1-2 users |
| 1,000 Mbps | 1 Gbps | Streaming, working, and gaming in homes with multiple users |
Mbps vs. Gbps for Stream/Work/Game?
Here are a few examples of approximately how much internet speed it takes to power different online activities:
- A Zoom meeting = 3 Mbps
- Streaming Netflix in HD = 5 Mbps
- Gaming in HD = 6 Mbps
These might make it seem like you don’t need more than the smallest internet package, but consider how many devices you own, and how many are active in your household (your phone, laptop, television, etc.). If you want to minimize lag, you’ll need at least 50 Mbps for basic internet use. Most people, however, need more than that to power them through their daily online activities without buffering.
Do I Need Gbps or Mbps Internet from Windstream?
Now that you know the difference between Mbps and Gbps, you’re ready to figure out the perfect internet speed for your home. Whether you’re playing Elden Ring until 4 in the morning or forgetting to mute yourself for the fifth time in your Zoom meeting, Kinetic by Windstream has the right package to fit your internet need. Check internet availability in your area today!