What is Mbps & how is it different from MBps?

Matthew Harrington
Internet Provider Comparisons

Thought Mbps and MBps were the same thing?

You're not alone. In fact, some of the most googled questions by Americans on these acronyms are “is there a difference between Mbps and MBps”?  and “how many Mbps is a MB?”

We thought it'd be best if we cleared it up, so you’re in the know on the net.

Because when it comes to internet talk, HomeLinkd is fluent.

Understanding Mbps vs MBps

At first glance, these two terms look identical. But the small "b” and capital "B” makes all the difference.

What is Mbps?

Mbps stands for mega-bits-per-second and measures internet speed. You'll notice internet plans advertising Mbps speeds on their flyers or adverts —it's the crucial factor for internet quality.

What is MBps?

MBps, with a capital “B”, stands for megabytes-per-second. MBps is used to measure the rate at which a file is downloaded.

When a file is downloaded, it's physically stored in your computer. Think of how you could only take a “bite" into something "physical” —to help you remember.

Mbps = internet speed/ how quickly a page, game or video loads
MBps = the rate at which a PDF, JPEG or MPEG is downloaded

How does Mbps affect your internet and online activities?

Mbps is a key factor affecting your internet activity. The higher the Mbps of your internet plan, the faster a website or video will load.

For example, if your internet plan provides you with a speed of just 1 Mbps, a 20-minute YouTube video at 720p will load rather slowly. But if your internet is capable of speeds 100 Mbps or more,it'll play in real time with no lag or delay.

‍It's recommended that serious gamers or avid video streamers aim in the 100 -1000Mbps range for their internet speed.

And, if you’re wondering, “how many Mbps do I need?” —we’ve got a useful guide.

To find out the best internet speed for you based on your usage, read our article here:

Internet plans with Mbps

A lot of people ask, “what type of internet can I get with Mbps?”

The answer is —all broadband connection types.

Satellite, DSL, Cable, and Fiber all offer and advertise good Mbps speeds.

Out of the four, Fiber, Cable and DSL are the most popular and current.

That's because these offer the highest, most reliable Mbps.

Read more about these leading internet types here:

Compare internet plans and get a deal with Homelinkd

Internet speak can be complex. But with HomeLinkd as your guide, you'll get it in no time. We want you to make informed decisions and know what to look for, especially when it comes to internet speed.

Have a look at some of our best deals with great Mbps offerings here:

Written by:
Matthew Harrington

I’m Matthew, your go-to tech enthusiast who loves diving deep into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of all things technology. My day job? Breaking down complex systems so you don’t have to! When I’m not geeking out over the latest gadgets, you’ll find me exploring new coding languages or reading about future tech trends. I believe every technical problem has a solution, and I’m here to guide you through them, step by step.

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