In recent years, live streaming video games has exploded in popularity, with platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming attaining millions of viewers. For many gamers, live streaming has even become a full-time career. However, not all streaming platforms pay their creators equally. Depending on the platform, streamers can earn vastly different amounts from subscriptions, tips, sponsorships, and ads. In this article, we’ll compare the monetization and payout structures of the major game streaming platforms to determine which one is the most lucrative for streamers.
Twitch
Twitch is by far the largest platform focused exclusively on video game live streaming. As of 2022, Twitch boasted over 31 million daily active users and over 8 million unique active streamers per month.
One of the main ways Twitch streamers can earn money is through Subscriptions. Viewers can subscribe to a channel for $4.99, $9.99 or $24.99 per month. The streamer then receives a cut of the subscription fee, starting at 50% for smaller streamers and increasing to 70% for big partners. Given Twitch’s huge viewer base, popular personalities can easily rack up thousands of paid subscribers.
Another income stream is through Twitch Bits. These are virtual goods that viewers can purchase to “cheer” for streamers. Bits cost $0.01 each, and streamers get 1 cent per Bit used in their channel. Though the per-Bit amount is small, popular streamers can earn thousands of dollars per month from accumulated Bits cheering.
Streamers also earn a share of ad revenue from running ads on their streams. The exact ad revenue share depends on the streamer’s contract and viewership, but big partners can make substantial earnings from Twitch ads given the platform’s high traffic numbers.
Finally, Twitch allows viewers to tip streamers directly using PayPal and other payment methods. Tips often represent a significant income boost on top of subscriptions and Bits. Top personalities can easily generate over $10,000 per month from fan tips.
Overall, Twitch provides a range of monetization methods, allowing skilled personalities to transform live streaming into a full-time job. It’s not uncommon for popular Twitch streamers to make six figures per year between various subscription tiers, Bits, ads, and tips.
YouTube Gaming
While Twitch focuses solely on game streaming, YouTube Gaming is Google’s video game live streaming branch on its massive YouTube platform. While YouTube Gaming has fewer daily active users than Twitch overall, YouTube remains the king of video in terms of total monthly visits.
YouTube Gaming follows a similar monetization model to regular YouTube. Streamers earn a slice of revenue from advertisements displayed on their live streams and VODs (videos on demand). Generally, YouTubers get 55% of total ad revenue, though this can be higher for big partners. With over 2 billion monthly logged-in users on YouTube as a whole, ads represent a lucrative income source for popular gaming personalities.
Channel memberships are another income stream, functioning similarly to Twitch subscriptions. Fans pay a monthly fee of $4.99, $9.99 or $24.99 to get special perks like custom emojis and badges in live chat. YouTube takes 30% of membership revenue and streamers get the remaining 70%.
YouTube also offers Super Chat and Super Stickers to allow fans to tip streamers and have their messages highlighted during live streams. YouTube takes 30% of Super Chat/Sticker revenue. Between channel memberships and Super Chats, YouTube provides multiple ways for gaming creators to monetize their biggest followers.
One major advantage YouTube Gaming provides over Twitch is access to the YouTube Partner Program. Once gaming creators hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year, they can apply to the program which unlocks additional monetization features like channel memberships. Given YouTube’s two billion logged-in users, it can be easier for smaller streamers to reach these milestones compared to Twitch.
In summary, while YouTube Gaming has a smaller dedicated user base for game streaming, YouTube’s massive overall platform allows gaming personalities to tap into multiple money-making options. Top YouTube gaming streamers routinely make six to seven figures annually.
Facebook Gaming
With over 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the world’s biggest social media platform. And Facebook has been expanding into game streaming over the past few years through its Facebook Gaming vertical.
One major way Facebook Gaming streamers can make money is through a monetization program called Facebook Stars. Viewers can purchase virtual Stars and use them during live streams to support creators. 100 Stars are worth $1 and streamers earn $0.01 for each Star used to “tip” them. Facebook does not take any cut, allowing creators to keep the full value.
Streamers who achieve certain milestones can also activate subscriptions within Facebook Gaming. Fans pay either $4.99, $9.99 or $24.99 per month for subscription perks like loyalty badges and exclusive content. Initial subscription revenue splits start at 50% in favor of the streamer and increase to 70% once they reach 10,000 followers. Given Facebook’s huge user base, this can become a notable income source.
In terms of ads, streamers can monetize videos on demand similar to regular Facebook videos. However, Facebook has not yet integrated advertising into live streams. This is a drawback compared to Twitch and YouTube which do allow live stream ads. However, Facebook said it does plan to roll out live streaming ads in the future.
Overall, while still newer than other platforms, Facebook Gaming provides opportunities for streamers to activate subscriber income and Star tipping. And Facebook’s massive global user base gives it plenty of room to continue expanding its game streaming platform.
Mixer
Mixer, owned by Microsoft, is a smaller competitor in the game streaming space compared to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. It offers some unique monetization options but has struggled to achieve the massive scale of other platforms.
Mixer’s Sparks feature functions similarly to Twitch Bits and Facebook Stars, allowing fans to tip streamers by purchasing virtual goods. Sparks cost $0.004 each and streamers earn $0.002 on the dollar. Mixer takes the other $0.002 as a platform fee.
Channel subscriptions are also available, with subscribers paying $5.99, $9.99 or $24.99 per month for perks like custom chat emotes and badges. As on other platforms, streamers get a cut of each subscription. Mixer pays out initial subscription fees on a minimum 30/70 revenue split in favor of the streamer. This split can increase up to 50/50 after hitting certain sub milestones.
Mixer stands out with its Partner program by offering guaranteed base pay rates to qualifying streamers. The fixed monthly rates range from $100 to $3000+ per month, providing a nice baseline income for popular Mixer personalities. However, the guaranteed minimums come with streaming hour requirements, similar to a regular job.
While these offerings provide some intriguing benefits, Mixer has faced challenges gaining traction in the crowded game streaming space. Microsoft made big investments trying to poach top talent from Twitch and YouTube. However, Mixer failed to reach critical mass and Microsoft ultimately announced it would be shutting the platform down in July 2020.
Nimo TV
Nimo TV is an international streaming platform focused heavily on the mobile gaming market. It originated in China but has expanded to other regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
The platform offers monetization comparable to competitors like Twitch. This includes subscription tiers priced at around $3, $6, and $10 per month with streamers receiving at least half the fees. There is also a virtual gifting system where viewers purchase diamonds to send streamers. Each diamond is worth around 10 cents and creators keep 60% of diamond revenue after app store fees.
Nimo TV provides additional monetization through an affiliate and ecommerce system. Streamers can promote in-app merchandise and receive a commission on sales driven. There are also opportunities to earn rewards by promoting Nimo TV content and services.
However, the platform faces adoption challenges outside of its home Asia-Pacific market. And Nimo TV’s overall monthly active user base pales in comparison to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and others. While the monetization model offers similarities to bigger players, Nimo TV has not yet achieved the scale required for most streamers to make it a primary income platform.
DLive
DLive is a smaller streaming platform that emerged in 2018 based on blockchain and P2P (peer-to-peer) technology. The service saw initial growth by catering to cryptocurrency streamers and influencers.
The platform has an internal virtual currency called Lemon. Fans use Lemons to tip streamers and also as voting power for certain platform initiatives. One unique aspect is that users earn small amounts of Lemon currency simply for being active on the site, which they can tip to creators. Streamers earn real world value from Lemon tips exchanged into cryptocurrency or fiat currency.
DLive allows users to create paid content channels which fans can access on a monthly subscription basis, similar to Twitch subs or YouTube channel memberships. Subscription prices are set by the streamer with no fixed tiers. DLive takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue, with the remaining 90% going to the content creator.
Despite its intriguing technology platform, DLive has faced challenges scaling up its active user base. The service has pivoted from its initial crypto focus but still lacks the mainstream visibility of other major game streaming platforms. This makes it difficult currently for most streamers to rely on DLive as their primary source of streaming income.
Trovo
Trovo is a live streaming platform launched in 2020 that has focused its efforts primarily on the gaming and esports verticals. The service shares similarities with established players like Twitch when it comes to creator monetization options.
Viewers can support streamers through virtual item gifting. Trovo sells an in-app currency called Trovo Stars which users can gift to streamers to show support and unlock special perks. The conversion rate is 100 Stars to $1, so gifting 500 Stars would be worth $5. Streamers earn $0.01 per Star gifted to them after fees.
The site also includes a subscription program with monthly pricing tiers of $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99. Trovo takes an initial cut of 30% on subscriptions, with the remaining 70% going to content creators. This split shifts in the streamer’s favor as they grow their follower base.
One advantage for streamers is that Trovo sets relatively low barriers to joining its partner program compared to competitors. Creators only need 50 followers to apply, lowering the hurdle for unlocking key monetization features like paid subscriptions. However, the overall user base on Trovo remains much smaller than established platforms.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Key Monetization Options | Revenue Split | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | Subscriptions, Bits, Tips, Ads | 50-70% to streamer | Largest platform exclusively for gaming at over 8M streamers |
| YouTube Gaming | Channel Memberships, Super Chat, Ads | 55-70% to streamer | Access to overall YouTube ecosystem with 2B logged-in users monthly |
| Facebook Gaming | Stars, Subscriptions | 50-70% to streamer | Over 2.9B total monthly Facebook users is a huge potential audience |
| Mixer | Sparks, Subscriptions, Partner Program | 30/70 split for subscriptions | Difficulty gaining market share led Microsoft to shut the platform down |
| Nimo TV | Subscriptions, Virtual Gifting | At least 50% to streamer | Strong focus on mobile gaming, especially in Asia-Pacific markets |
| DLive | Lemon Tips, Paid Subscriptions | 90% to streamer after fees | Smaller user base despite tech innovations like blockchain payments |
| Trovo | Virtual Gifting, Subscriptions | 70% to streamer | Focused on gaming & esports but much smaller than Twitch or YouTube Gaming |
Factors Influencing Platform Payouts
When comparing the revenue potential of different game streaming platforms, there are a few key factors at play:
Total User Base
The most important factor is the total size of the platform’s active user and viewer community. A larger potential audience means more potential paying subscribers, tippers, and ad revenue. Twitch and YouTube excel in this regard with 31+ million and 2+ billion monthly active users respectively.
Revenue Splits
The share of each purchase that the platform keeps vs. the streamer’s cut impacts actual earnings. Twitch and Facebook Gaming start with 50/50 revenue shares but increase to 70% or more for big partners. YouTube and others start streamers at 55-70% already before accounting tiers.
Monetization Options
More monetization tools like multiple subscription tiers, virtual currencies, tipping, and ads provide diverse revenue streams. Twitch leads here with subs, Bits, tips, and ads all generating income. Mixer’s Sparks and partner contracts also provide unique options.
Partnership Requirements
Easier access to higher partnership tiers and monetization features benefits smaller up-and-coming streamers. Trovo for example requires just 50 followers to apply for partnerships. On Twitch, it takes much more growth to unlock better revenue splits.
Gaming Focus
While big platforms like YouTube have massive reach, a niche gaming focus like Twitch can better serve streamers wanting to reach the most gaming-dedicated fans who spend money supporting creators. But competitors are catching up in cultivating gaming-first audiences.
The Verdict: Twitch Remains Most Lucrative Overall
Considering all of the above factors – audience reach, revenue splits, monetization tools, lower partnership barriers, and gaming focus – Twitch stands out as the most lucrative and full-featured option for most game streamers looking to turn broadcasting into a job.
Twitch has the largest active user base exclusively interested in gaming content. And once you have an audience on Twitch, the platform offers numerous ways to generate revenue through subs, Bits, ads, and tips. While the initial revenue split on subs favors Twitch, top personalities can negotiate up to 70% or higher plus ink lucrative exclusive streaming contracts.
YouTube Gaming comes second given YouTube’s unrivaled global user base. Big gaming personalities on YouTube can still generate 7 figures annually. However, Twitch remains more dedicated exclusively to gaming compared to YouTube’s broader content pool.
Facebook Gaming is catching up as the social media giant invests more in live streaming. But for now, it still trails Twitch and YouTube in gaming viewership and lacks some monetization features like live ad integration. However, Facebook’s sheer user foundation provides huge potential if it can convert more of those billions of users into engaged gaming stream watchers.
Smaller competitors also bring intriguing innovations to the table but lack the audience numbers at this point for most single streamers to gain big incomes. However, they provide options for gaming personalities to experiment across multiple platforms and access unique features like blockchain payments or mobile gaming streams.
In summary, while rivals are growing, Twitch remains the leading platform for earning potential thanks to its huge gaming community, multiple revenue streams, and partnerships with top gaming personalities. The numbers show Twitch streamers collectively generate over $200 million per year from viewer subscriptions alone. Factor in Bits, tips, sponsorships, and other income and it’s clear why for now Twitch remains the most lucrative home for game streamers wanting to turn broadcasting into a full-time career.