Are you considering starting to stream but unsure whether to create a YouTube channel or host your live streams on Twitch? Don’t worry; you’re not alone in facing this dilemma, as both platforms offer distinct advantages and disadvantages for their users.
Today, we will attempt to answer the question of whether it is better to start live streaming on Twitch or YouTube.
Table of Contents
Type of Content
Before discussing the advantages and disadvantages of streaming on either Twitch or YouTube, we first need to examine which content creators utilize each platform. We will focus on gaming content, as most new streamers on these platforms select gaming as their niche.
Some individuals begin with gaming and later transition to more entertainment-focused video content. Pewdiepie, Jacksepticeye, and Markiplier are the most well-known examples of YouTube gaming celebrities who have made this switch from gaming to entertainment.
Of course, both platforms can be used to create content beyond gaming; however, high-quality gaming content is likely to yield the most profit, as it is easier to monetize than other types of content.
Twitch Gaming
It is evident that most gamers prefer streaming on Twitch, as this platform boasts approximately 8 million active streamers, the majority of whom focus on gaming.
Gamers prefer this platform due to the numerous benefits they receive once they start streaming.
First, gamers can join affiliate or partner programs with Twitch, allowing them to earn more money. We will discuss this in detail later.
Second, Twitch gamers can access free animated emotes, banners, and other visuals, along with additional perks.
Third, Twitch has strict guidelines regarding content, which some may view negatively. However, if you’re a teenager, you’ll be as protected as a polar bear from hate comments, as Twitch moderators work around the clock to prevent harmful behavior from both viewers and streamers.
YouTube Gaming
YouTube streamers, on the other hand, tend to focus more on vlogging and entertainment. However, many gamers also utilize the YouTube Partner Program because it offers higher earnings compared to Twitch.
Additionally, YouTube hosts approximately 40 million gaming channels, resulting in a significant amount of game streaming on the platform, in addition to creating YouTube videos.
One of the biggest advantages of streaming on YouTube Gaming is that you can upload pre-recorded videos in addition to live streaming, which is a significant difference compared to Twitch.
This allows you to cultivate an audience that views your YouTube videos, enabling you to stream weekly or at your convenience, so your followers can choose to watch your streams whenever they wish.
YouTube also has a partner program that provides affiliates the opportunity to earn revenue from ads shown during their videos and streams.
Now that we have a clearer understanding of both platforms, let’s examine how much a new content creator can earn while streaming on Twitch compared to YouTube.
Twitch vs YouTube – Which One Pays the Most
Whether you have a YouTube or Twitch channel, creating quality content almost every day while keeping your viewers engaged and eager to join your streams the next day can be challenging. Additionally, no one wants their efforts to go unrewarded, so it’s essential to discuss monetizing these platforms.
The Internet is filled with individuals claiming that making money from streaming videos is impossible. However, this is simply not true. There are several ways, even for smaller streamers, to generate a profit if they are willing to work hard and be patient enough to allow their channel to grow over time.
Let’s compare how you can earn money on Twitch versus YouTube and determine which platform offers the highest payouts.
Making Money on a Twitch Channel
Once you begin streaming on Twitch, the first thing you need to do is attract viewers. The best way to achieve this is by promoting your channel across various media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others.
You should also explore some popular games that are currently attracting viewers’ attention, so when they search for those games, your channel appears. Once you gain some consistent followers on Twitch, you can begin earning money.
Twitch Viewers and Subs
Twitch will compensate streamers $3 for every consistent viewer each month. This means that if you have 100 viewers who regularly watch most of your streams each month, you’ll earn $300 based solely on that.
Twitch pays you 50% of each user subscription. Therefore, if a viewer subscribes to your channel for $4.99 per month, you will receive half of that amount. Twitch provides its users with three subscription plans:
If your viewers are using Amazon Prime, they can subscribe to your channel through Prime Gaming, and you will still receive $2.50 each month from their subscription.
Twitch Affiliate and Partner Programs
To enroll in the Twitch affiliate program, you must meet a specific set of requirements:
Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be enrolled in the streaming platform’s affiliate program and receive benefits such as:
The Twitch Partner program includes all the benefits of the affiliate program, but it also allows you to earn more money while streaming.
Once you join the partner program, you receive 70% of subscription fees, earn a higher percentage of ad revenue, and enjoy special perks such as 60 days of VOD storage, free visuals, financial advising, and more.
Generally speaking, once you join the Twitch Partner program, you are likely earning more than enough to cover all of your expenses.
Twitch Donations
As mentioned earlier, direct donations to a streamer can be made by purchasing bits, a type of virtual currency created by Twitch that enables viewers to support the streamer while enjoying their streams.
100 bits are equivalent to $1, and you can only receive direct donations in the form of bits if you are enrolled in either the affiliate or partner program.
Alternatively, you can link your Twitch stream to your Stripe, PayPal, or another payment service, allowing viewers to donate through banners. Think of it as a paid message that they send you, rather than being overlooked in the often chaotic Twitch chat.
Making Money on a YouTube Channel
There is a reason many YouTube creators choose to stream on this platform, and many popular streamers even maintain two YouTube channels—one for regular content and another for streams.
YouTube appears to be much more flexible in terms of monetizing streams, while still emphasizing the number of subscribers and hours of watch time to calculate your monthly earnings.
Let’s explore whether there are any advantages to streaming on YouTube and what the platform provides for new streamers.
YouTube Views, Subscribers, and Watch Time
The most important factor for YouTube streamers is, of course, the number of views their streams and videos generate. One thousand views equate to $1; however, to begin earning money, you must be enrolled in the YouTube Partner Program.
Subscribers aren’t as crucial because YouTube doesn’t compensate you based on the number of subscribers you have; rather, subscribers simply ensure that those who are subscribed will view your content. However, YouTube’s algorithm does favor channels with more subscribers, so you should make an effort to promote your content as much as possible.
Watch time is influenced by two factors:
The more daily views you receive and the more monthly watch time you accumulate, the more money you can earn. However, no one can predict exactly how much money you’ll make, as this also depends on the level of engagement you have with your audience—comments, likes, and dislikes.
There isn’t a search function available to calculate your monthly profit on YouTube, so you’ll need to rely on experience to estimate how much you’ll earn each month.
YouTube Partner Program
To join the Partner Program, you must monetize your channel. Achieving monetization is relatively simple; you only need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time within the past year. Once you are monetized, you can begin earning money from YouTube ads.
YouTube Gaming Program
The most effective content for monetization is YouTube Gaming, which is part of the YouTube partner program, as this type of content is highly likely to attract millions of views. Most streamers begin on YouTube Gaming, ensuring their content is of high quality, and they typically start with video posting before pursuing their streaming careers, thereby building a unique audience along the way.
The YouTube Gaming Program provides its streamers with the ability to capture in-stream screenshots, utilize chat mods, and access a comprehensive list of tips for video monetization. As a streamer, your primary responsibility is to deliver quality content promptly and keep your audience satisfied.
YouTube Monetization on Live Streams
Once you join the Partner Program, companies collaborating with YouTube will utilize your screen time to display their ads, and you’ll earn a small percentage of the revenue from each ad. It is standard practice for a video to be at least 10 minutes long to qualify for monetization.
However, it is easier to achieve monetization by creating a live stream, as most streams last longer than an hour. This provides more opportunities for ads to be played during your stream, which in turn increases your ad revenue, in addition to the views you have accumulated.
The only concern you should have is maintaining clean content to avoid violating any monetization guidelines. Issues such as inappropriate video thumbnails, collaborations with other channels that are demonetized, and even unsuitable responses in the live chat can all lead to guideline breaches.
Why Not Stream on Both Platforms?
As you can see, both Twitch and YouTube live streams can generate a significant income, but it all depends on how you leverage their potential. Most Twitch streamers are typically satisfied with their earnings, and YouTube creators are unlikely to complain about their pay anytime soon. But what if you were to stream on both of these platforms?
Well, there are many creators who utilize both services for their streams, with some even opting to stream simultaneously. Many streamers earn significant income through the dual live stream method, as they not only expand their community by being on both Twitch and YouTube, but also see their channels grow more rapidly and attract more views.
But is it permissible to stream on both platforms? We will attempt to answer this question by examining what each platform states regarding this matter.
Twitch ToS on Cross-Platform Streaming
If you’re a Twitch affiliate or partner, you are not permitted to stream on another platform during or immediately after your Twitch stream. This means that you will only be able to monetize your content if you stream exclusively on Twitch, according to the Twitch Terms of Service.
As a result, streamers leaving Twitch is not unusual. Many users seek the freedom to profit from both Twitch and YouTube, as every user desires their content to reach a wider audience.
Considering Twitch’s past corporate decisions, it is unlikely that this rule will be revoked, as Twitch aims to keep its community loyal to the creators exclusively associated with the platform.
YouTube ToS Cross-Platform Streaming
YouTube is relatively more relaxed regarding streams on multiple streaming services and does not demonetize creators who engage in this practice, provided they adhere to all the guidelines outlined in the terms of service.
YouTube Gaming promoted simultaneous streaming on both YouTube and Facebook, which many creators seized as an opportunity to attract an audience on Facebook.
Since YouTube is primarily video-based rather than stream-based, you, as a streamer, will enjoy more advantages when game streaming through YouTube Gaming compared to Twitch, as you will still be able to create additional posts of new videos alongside your live streams.
Bottom Line: Twitch vs YouTube – Who Won?
It’s difficult to determine which of these streaming services is the best choice for a new streamer, as both Twitch and YouTube offer a lot. Additionally, with YouTube Gaming’s popularity, both platforms are likely to be more beneficial for gamers than for entertainers, especially for those just starting out as streamers.
However, we must emphasize that if you plan to focus solely on streaming gaming content, you should begin on Twitch to build your audience. Once you have established your brand and are satisfied with your progress, you can transition to becoming a video creator on YouTube and start producing content there.
If you’re considering starting your career by posting videos on YouTube, you can begin there and gradually transition into gaming. At that point, you can choose between Twitch or YouTube as your primary streaming service.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided insight into both of these platforms and how you can utilize them to launch your streaming career.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please share them in the comment section below.
Best of luck with your streams!
