Best Streaming Platform for Gaming
Stream with your friends or build a community.
Streaming is a great way to build a community, share your love of games, and make money — if that’s what you want.
There are dozens of streaming platforms out there but not all of them deserve your attention. In this guide, we’ll cover the best streaming platform for gaming for new and established streamers to help you choose the best platform for your goals.
Twitch is the leading streaming platform for gaming with over 7 million monthly streamers. The platform is for established streamers to reach a wide audience, but newer streamers can also use Twitch to reach new audiences and grow their channel.
Key features:
Chat integration: Twitch offers real-time chat integration, allowing viewers to interact with streamers and each other during live broadcasts. This feature fosters community engagement and makes streams more interactive.
Twitch extensions: These are interactive overlays that enhance the viewing experience by adding features like polls, leaderboards, and mini-games. Extensions can be customized for both desktop and mobile viewers.
Stories and featured clips: Twitch has introduced Stories similar to those on Instagram or Snapchat, allowing streamers to share short updates with their audience.
Discovery feed: A TikTok-style feed helps users discover new content through vertical clips like highlights and funny in-game moments.
Viewer engagement analytics: Streamers have access to detailed analytics about viewer interactions with features like Stories, helping them tailor content to their audience’s preferences.
Monetization options:
Subscriptions: Streamers can offer subscription tiers ($4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 per month) that provide benefits like custom emotes, badges, ad-free viewing, and subscriber-only streams.
Bits: Viewers can purchase Bits to cheer during streams. Each Bit is worth one cent to the streamer, and custom Cheermotes can enhance viewer engagement.
Ads: Twitch Partners can run ads during streams to generate revenue based on viewership numbers
Want to improve the audio experience of your audience?
Get a powerful condenser microphone for streaming from SteelSeries for a huge difference!
2. YouTube Gaming
Best for: Streamers looking to build a large audience base
YouTube Gaming is a great platform for streamers to build a large audience and connect with them through a variety of different content mediums. Streamers can post video-on-demand and live streams to interact with their audience through comments and the community tab. You can also grow your channel to reach new audiences by posting Shorts of some of your greatest in-game moments. YouTube has great monetization opportunities for streamers from ad revenue to subscription models.
Key features:
Video-on-demand (VOD): Long-form content like game walkthroughs, “Let’s Play” series, and game trailer reactions
Shorts: Post engaging highlights to attract and convert new viewers
Community tab: Once a channel reaches 500 subscribers, streamers can utilize this feature to post polls, images, and updates, keeping fans engaged between uploads.
Comment interaction: Streamers can respond to comments on their videos to build a stronger connection with their audience.
Monetization options:
Ad revenue: Requires 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers to join the YouTube Partner Program
Super Chats and stickers: Viewers can purchase highlighted messages during live streams
Channel memberships: Fans can support creators through monthly subscriptions
Affiliate marketing: Earn commissions by recommending products
Check out our tips to become a good streamer!
3. X (Twitter)
Best for: building a gaming community, wider reach (requires subscription)
Key features:
Location tagging: Streamers can add their location to live streams, increasing discoverability and engagement by attracting local audiences or those interested in specific areas.
Custom timestamps: Users can add timestamps to highlight specific moments in their streams, making it easier for viewers to navigate and revisit key parts of the broadcast
Mobile and desktop streaming: Users can stream directly from the X mobile app or use third-party software like Restream or OBS Studio for desktop streaming. This flexibility allows creators to choose the setup that best suits their needs.
Premium access requirement: As of recent updates, live streaming on X is a Premium-only feature, requiring users to subscribe to access full streaming capabilities
Integration with social: Live streams appear as tweets on timelines and profiles, making them easily accessible and shareable within the platform’s extensive social network.
Scheduling and promotion: Streamers can schedule live broadcasts in advance and promote them through tweets, enhancing visibility and ensuring that followers are aware of upcoming events
Third-Party integration: By using services like Restream, streamers can enhance their broadcasts with professional elements such as backgrounds, graphics, captions, and more. These integrations also allow for multistreaming across different platforms to maximize audience reach.
Media studio tools: This tool provides advanced streaming options such as RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) support for low latency streaming, crucial for delivering high-quality live content efficiently. These tools are available to verified users with a Premium subscription.
Monetization options:
Media studio producer: X offers monetization opportunities through its Media Studio, which includes features like ad revenue sharing and advanced analytics.
4. Kick
Best for: newer streamers looking to build their audience
Kick positions itself as a creator-first platform, offering more financial opportunities and creative freedom compared to established streaming services. The requirements for monetization are much lower, making it a great platform for streamers who are just starting out.
The community engagement and discovery features like the Kick list, help promote new streamers based on a voting system. This means viewers always get fresh content and streamers get exposure to new audiences.
Kick also has less regulations on content that can be shared on their platform, so you don’t need to worry too much about getting demonetized.
Key features:
More lenient content guidelines: Allows content that other platforms might restrict such as violent or NSFW content.
Multi-streaming capabilities: Creators can stream simultaneously on multiple platforms
The Kick List: A unique feature promoting streamer discovery based on community voting
High quality streaming: Low latency options with HD and 4K support
Monetization options:
Unprecedented earnings split: Creators receive up to 95% of their subscription earnings, compared to alternative platforms, which take a larger cut.
Creator incentive program: Offers potential hourly rates for consistent streaming.
5. TikTok Live
Best for: Casual streamers who want to share highlights
TikTok’s powerful algorithm promotes live streams on the For You Page, increasing the likelihood of reaching fellow gamers. This feature is powerful in gaining visibility and expanding a follower base quickly. Once you gain followers, you can engage with your audience through live chat, answering questions, and responding to comments. You can also participate in platform-wide challenges using specific hashtags to connect with a broader community of gamers.
Key features:
Multi-platform streaming: Streamers can use software like Streamlabs to broadcast simultaneously on TikTok and other platforms like Twitch, maximizing their reach across different audiences.
Stream key access: To stream gaming content from a PC, creators need a stream key, which can be obtained after reaching 1,000 followers. This key allows integration with broadcasting software like OBS or Streamlabs for enhanced streaming capabilities.
Gaming events: TikTok organizes events such as “TikTok Made Me Play It” and the “30DaysofGaming” initiative, encouraging participation from creators and brands while highlighting gaming content on the platform.
Esports highlights: The platform features esports content, showcasing exciting moments from competitive gaming events and tournaments
Monetization options:
Virtual gifts: Viewers can purchase and send virtual gifts during live streams, which streamers can convert into real currency. This system allows creators to earn directly from their audience’s support.
Wordsmith at SteelSeries. Enthusiastic about Dota 2 and fighting games. A cat dad.