There are plenty of options for live-streamers these days to connect with their fans and monetize their love. Twitch is the industry leader when it comes to live streaming followed by YouTube, Rumble, and Kick. But, what if it’s Twitch vs Rumble vs Kick vs YouTube? Which platform pays more? Let’s find out here.
If you are a streamer or content creator, you can find the right platform where your audience is and where you can make the most out of your effort. It’s not really viable to focus on all the available platforms, so choosing the right one for yourself is a must. We’ll help you decide where should you start streaming.
Revenue System of Various Streaming Platforms
There are four prominent streaming platforms available for live streamers and content creators to engage with their audience in real-time: Twitch, YouTube, Rumble, and Kick. Each platform has a different revenue system for live streamers to earn with a varying range of monetization tools and options.
The former two are more suitable for established creators and provide access to a wider audience base while the latter two are curated for aspiring streamers who are trying to build their following. It may become a bit complicated to choose the right streaming platform for maximized profits and the best returns.
Twitch Payouts and Monetization Policy
Twitch is the top live-streaming platform which is perfect for all types of streamers. There are countless genres of streams available on Twitch, and everyone gets viewership. It has a clear monopoly on the industry. However, it’s often criticized due to having a 50-50 revenue split from all subscriptions a creator gets.
Recently, Twitch launched a ‘Partner Plus’ program that offers a 70-30 revenue split up to the first $100,000 brought in each year. However, only a few creators are eligible for this right now. In addition to its partner program, there are several other monetization options available on Twitch.
Twitch streamers can earn money through subscriptions, donations, ad revenue, and Bits (the virtual currency of Twitch). Still, the top creators haven’t been satisfied with the platform’s strict restrictions for advertising during broadcasts lately and leaving for Twitch alternatives that pay better.
YouTube Payouts and Monetization Policy
YouTube is another giant in the live-streaming industry with a slightly better monetization policy than Twitch. However, it’s a bit strict for new creators as you first need to become eligible to generate revenue from your videos and live streams. You must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to get accepted.
Once you are a part of the YouTube Partner program, Google (owner of YouTube) pays around 55% of the revenue generated on your channel. This means that you get $55 if an advertiser spends $100 on your content. This varies slightly based on your region and the type of your content.
It follows the same structure for the money you earn through Super Chats (fan donations) when you livestream. In the U.S., YouTube takes around a 40% to 55% cut from the amount you get as Super Chats. Along with this, YouTube takes a 30% cut from the revenue generated from channel memberships.
Rumble Payouts and Monetization Policy
Rumble is a dynamic streaming platform where the most controversial creators engage with their fans without the fear of getting banned. Sneako, LeafyIsHere, and Andrew Tate are just some examples of what to expect on the platform. They are also signing some big names like Kai Cenat, JiDion, IShowSpeed, and DJ Akademiks lately which have put them in place as a major Twitch competitor.
The key reason why so many creators and streamers are moving to Rumble is due to its revenue split. It offers content creators 60% of the ad revenue and 100% of subscription revenue. The platform doesn’t take anything when a fan subscribes to a creator. There is also a unique tipping system called ‘Rants’.
Rumble only takes a 20% cut from the Rants you earn from your fans. This is pretty low compared to the commissions other platforms are taking. This is why it’s a highly profitable platform for live streamers.
Kick Payouts and Monetization Policy
Kick was created after the famous live streamer “TrainwrecksTV” was sick of the unfair revenue split policies and preferential treatment of Twitch and YouTube. He also criticized Twitch’s decision to ban gambling on live broadcasts and came up with the idea of ‘Kick’.
Kick offers a 95-5 revenue split for any subscriptions a creator gets and doesn’t take any commission from the tips and donations that fans give. This means, if someone subscribes you for $5 on Kick, you get $4.75 and Kick keeps only $0.25, and if someone tips you $5, you can keep the whole amount.
TrainwrecksTV, real name Tyler Faraz Niknam, stated the reason for the creator-favored revenue split on Kick was to ensure small creators could earn “a steady income based on hours watched and total viewers you stream with.” The platform has recently started getting traction after roping in massive streamers.
The most popular Twitch streamer xQc joined Kick this past June and then joined Amouranth, the biggest female streamer on Twitch. Kick reportedly paid a whopping $100 million to xQc for a non-exclusive contract of 2 years and paid $30 million to Amouranth for a contract.
Twitch vs YouTube vs Rumble vs Kick: Which Streaming Platform Pays the Most?
From the above comparison, it’s evident that Kick pays creators the most followed by Rumble. However, the platforms are still not as big as Twitch. This makes it harder to find and gain an audience on these platforms. Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users while Rumble had 44 million and Kick had only 12 million.
When it comes to audience, YouTube is the biggest with more than 2 billion monthly active users. However, it has the most strict guidelines for creators and it takes a lot of time and effort to become a YouTube Partner. Once you are eligible, it could be the most rewarding platform for any creator.
The answer to which streaming platform pays the most among YouTube, Twitch, Rumble, and Kick will vary for every streamer. The platform where you put the most effort will reward you the most. Kick pays the biggest share of your revenue while Twitch has the biggest base of users to capture.
Here is a brief breakdown of the two platforms highlighting the key differences between them:
Which Streaming Platform is the Best For You?
Ideally, Twitch and YouTube are the two biggest platforms in terms of popularity but you’ll need a lot of effort if you are just starting into the world of live streaming. If it’s something you are doing on the side and have a regular source of income, then you can give time and make a following on either or both of them gradually.
However, if you are a full-time streamer with a considerable following, then you can start focusing more on Rumble and Kick to multiply your earnings. Both of them still have a long way to go before you can rely on them fully. Don’t quit Twitch and YouTube altogether when focusing on other platforms.
If you want to get famous and earn the most, you’ll have to make your name on each and every social media platform. Focusing on two or three platforms would be enough to let the rest of the internet know you. The trial-and-see method will be the best when choosing the right streaming platform for you.
Final Words
Live streamers have a lot of options these days but it’s essential to select the right ones. However, the procedure to pick them could be a lot complicated. You can never start with the best strategy when it comes to live streaming and as with the other aspects of life. You must begin and make refinements accordingly.
YouTube and Twitch are two life-changing platforms while Rumble and Kick will help you make a good living. If you are a live streamer, you must know where your fans are and what they want to see, and if they are loyal enough to install a new app when you jump ships. Knowing your audience will help you go far.
That’s all for this post. I hope you have got your answers. If you have any queries remaining, feel free to ask in the comments.
F.A.Q.
Q: How much does Twitch pay per 1,000 views?
A: Twitch pays around $3.50 for every 1,000 ad viewers on your streams. Some streamers get paid a bit less. It’s largely affected by the location of your audience and the type of ads placed on your content.
Q: How much does Twitch pay per sub?
A: If you’re a part of the Twitch Partner program, you can earn between $2 to $5 per subscriber as a Twitch streamer. You can also earn money from ad revenue generated through your streams, bits you earn, and donations and sponsorships.
Q: How much does YouTube pay for live streaming?
A: YouTube pays a fixed amount of money for every view which ranges from $3 to $5 per 1,000 views. It’s affected mainly by the location of your viewers.
Q: How much does Rumble pay per 1000 views?
A: Rumble pays between $3 to $20 per 1,000 views. The specific amount you earn for your videos and live streams varies depending on the type of account you choose and the licensing options you select for your content on the platform.
Q: Does Kick pay streamers at an hourly rate?
A: Kick has proposed paying all of its streamers hourly when they meet certain conditions. However, the proposal hasn’t been enacted yet. If it goes live, it’ll be the first service to do so. According to the proposal, it would pay streamers $16 per hour of streaming for meeting the four mentioned conditions.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.