Bits vs Donations On Twitch: What Streamers Prefer In 2024?

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Streaming on Twitch can be an enjoyable and lucrative way to share your passion for gaming with the world. However, as a streamer on Twitch, which is more beneficial for you: earning bits or receiving donations from subscribers? 

There is no straightforward answer when choosing between Twitch bits and donations for streamers. 

Some Twitch streamers may prefer to receive bits because they can be quickly earned by subscribers who watch the stream for a specific duration or purchase them from the Twitch store. 

Other Twitch streamers may prefer direct donations, as these can be viewed as more personal and reflective of the viewer’s commitment to the Twitch streamer. 

Viewers can make real money donations to support their streamers. In contrast, bit donations represent a form of virtual currency that can be used to purchase exclusive emotes, subscriber badges, and other offers on the Twitch platform.

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast the two methods of earning money on the Twitch platform for beginner streamers and assist you in deciding which one is best suited for you.

bits vs donations
Bits vs Donations: Which will bring you more money?

Bits On Twitch vs. Direct Donations Guide

In the past, streamers on Twitch often gave Twitch bits to their viewers as a way to show appreciation. Twitch bits can be purchased with real money and used to support a streamer on Twitch. 

So, how do you use and purchase bits?

bits twitch price value
Bits On Twitch vs. Direct Donations

How to Purchase and Use Bits by Cheering

If you’re a Twitch streamer, you understand that bits are an essential aspect of your channel. They enable your fans to support you by purchasing bits to cheer you on. 

As a viewer, you understand that bits are an excellent way to express your support through cheering. 

In this guide, we will demonstrate how to buy and donate Twitch bits, as well as how to use them to show your support or enhance the community’s interaction. Purchasing bits is simple!

The first step is to create a Twitch account if you do not already have one. You can accomplish this by visiting Twitch.tv and clicking on the “Sign Up” button. After you have created an account, you will need to link it to your Amazon account. This can be done by clicking on the “Link Accounts” button on the Twitch home page.

The next step is to purchase bits. Visit the bit store on Twitch. 

You can also click the Bits icon located in the Send Message box.

Select the number of bits you wish to purchase. Click “add to cart.” Enter your payment information. Click “submit.” You should now have your bits! Be sure to use them to support your favorite streamers.

bits twitch cost to usd
Bits vs donations on Twitch

Fans can buy Bits in packs of 100, 500, 1,000, or 5,000. Once purchased, Bits can be used to Cheer for a streamer. Cheering with Bits rewards the streamer with a special badge and an animated emote specific to that Cheer in the chat during the stream. 

To personalize your Cheer, use the bit icon available in the chat. You can select a Cheermote and add an additional message if you wish.

The viewer cheers are the best way to engage with the community!

No More Bits?

Recently, Twitch announced that they will be phasing out bits in favor of Twitch donations

This change will undoubtedly lead to some confusion, so let’s examine what it means for both Twitch partners and supporters. The transition to Twitch donations for many streamers requires them to establish a donation panel and set donation goals.

While this can be somewhat cumbersome, receiving donations directly from viewers is worthwhile. 

Additionally, streamers will now be able to see how much each viewer has donated, which can help them track their support base from Twitch subscriptions. For viewers, the transition from Twitch bits to Twitch donations means they will need to create a Twitch account to donate. 

Let’s examine the pros and cons of bits on Twitch for the majority of streamers, along with donations.

Twitch Bits are a form of digital currency that viewers can use to show appreciation for a streamer’s content. Viewers buy bits from Twitch and then use them to tip the streamer. The streamer can subsequently exchange the bits for real-world currency.

Many streamers believe that Twitch bits are a more effective way to express appreciation, as they are directly linked to the streamer’s revenue. This allows the streamer to clearly see the level of appreciation they receive from their viewers. 

On the other hand, donations are not directly linked to the streamer’s revenue. This means that the streamer may not fully understand the level of appreciation they receive from their viewers on their Twitch channel. 

This may cause the streamer to feel undervalued, which could diminish their motivation to create content and maintain their status as a Twitch partner.

The benefits of Twitch bits include their stability as a form of currency, ease of use, and relatively low cost. Donating bits is also an excellent way to encourage creators and support your favorite streamer.

Twitch donations allow fans watching streams to express their appreciation for a streamer’s content. Viewers can contribute any amount of money they wish to the Twitch affiliate.

Donations on Twitch are frequently provided in return for rewards from the streamer, such as exclusive content or early access to new games.

The benefits of Twitch donations include directly supporting streamers by clicking the donation link, allowing you to contribute funds immediately to the streamer. Additionally, Twitch donations can be used to obtain rewards, access exclusive benefits, and pay for premium content. 

Donations are generally provided as a one-time gift, whereas Twitch bits are typically purchased in bit packages, resulting in streamers receiving less money from bits compared to donations. 

In summary, the streamer will receive actual money for their streaming services via PayPal donations. 

Additionally, Twitch Bits are often regarded as less valuable than money because they cannot be used to buy items from the Steam marketplace or other online stores, for example. 

However, PayPal imposes a fee on each payment, which may make donating directly more expensive than purchasing Twitch bits.

Additionally, donations can be refunded through PayPal if the supporter regrets their initial purchase, which can lead to frustration for the Twitch affiliate

Ultimately, it is up to each supporter to decide whether they would like to donate money or bits to their favorite streamers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Bits Over Donations?

Bits are becoming more popular over donations because they allow more features than just sending money directly, like donations. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIt’s worth noting that bits are a form of a donation worth one-hundredth of a dollar. So, a supporter could donate $10 to a broadcaster on Twitch, or they could donate 1,000 bits. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe broadcaster then has the option to turn these bits into real money. This system has become very popular among broadcasters and subscribers alike. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOne of the reasons for this is that it allows for a more personal connection between the broadcaster and the supporter. u003cbru003eNamely, the broadcaster can thank the supporter for their donation. The supporter can see that their money goes directly to the person they are supporting, and they tend to continue their interaction. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThis system also allows for smaller donations to be made. This is important, as it means that people with less money can still donate. So, it’s simply a better deal for supporters.

How Much Is 1000 Bits On Twitch?

One thousand bits is worth $10 on Twitch! This is a great way to get some extra cash while you’re streaming. Just make sure you hit your milestones so you can get the most out of your bits! u003cbru003eu003cbru003e Also, this is the best way to reward your subscribers for their loyalty!

Do Streamers Get 100% Of Bits?

Streamers do get 100% of bits on Twitch. This is excellent news for those looking to make a little extra money through their streaming. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eBy giving your viewers the option to use bits, you’re able to offer them a way to show their encouragement that doesn’t involve donating money. In addition, bits allow viewers to interact with your stream in a fun and unique way by using the cheering option in the chat.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eWhile the amount a streamer gets per bit varies based on several factors, including the game being streamed, the quality of the stream, and the popularity of the channel, it’s estimated that streamers make around $0.007 per bit. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThat’s not a lot of money, but it can add up when you have a large audience.

Final Word

It’s well known that streaming on Twitch and accumulating numerous subscriptions can be a lucrative career for many Twitch streamers

We hope that our bits vs donations guide has helped you understand the benefits and drawbacks of bit donations and donations on Twitch, as well as which option is best for you. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of using the cheer option to grow your channel and support creators. 

Please let us know which type of support you prefer for your streams: bits or donations?

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author on the blog

Stefan Mitrovic

Stefan is a long-time content creator and one of the Stream Mentor's co-founders. He's a tech geek and a Dota 2 player (not even a good one) who wanted to help others become professional streamers and earn from the comfort of their home.