Both offer the same basic functionality, but they have some key differences that may affect which you choose.
We’ve looked at some of the main features of both to help you decide.
Overall Findings
Focus on gaming, but other categories are available.
Lifewire
Only streaming content on your channel.
Make money through Bits, subscriptions, and more.
Free; some features require Affiliate or Partner status.
you might livestream (almost) anything you want.
Exists alongside produced content on your channel.
Make money from Super Chats, memberships, and ads.
Free to use; status affects monetization.
The platform you choose depends on what your goals are for streaming.
If you’re brand-new to creating online videos, they’re just about equal choices.
Both Twitch and YouTube provide opportunities for you to make money from your stream.
In most cases, these features involve sharing a cut with the platform provider.
Content Creation: YouTube Has More Variety
Streams.
If you aren’t just interested in streaming, YouTube might be a better pick.
On Twitch, your audience is based on how interested people are in your stream.
Platform is mostly gaming themed.
Ability to follow your favorite channels.
Need Partner or Affiliate status for some features.
Search results cover all kinds of content, live or otherwise.
Some features locked behind the Partner Program.
If you’re a viewer looking for something to watch, Twitch is slightly easier to use.
Visitors can browse by specific game titles and receive notifications when their favorite streamers go live.
On the streamer side, however, YouTube may have an edge.
If you aren’t streaming a game, it may be harder for viewers to find your channel.
For basic users, Twitch archives streams for seven days.
If you don’t download the video in that time, the site deletes it.
Other premium features on Twitch includecustom emotesfor chat, polls, and priority customer service.
Monetization: Twitch’s Donations Have a Slight Advantage
Bits, direct donations, subscriptions.
Twitch takes a cut on most income.
Monetization requires Affiliate or Partner status.
Ads, memberships, and Super Chats.
YouTube takes a cut from most income.
Monetization requires YouTube Partner status.
To reach Partner status, the requirements are even higher.
YouTube has a single, equally important tier: theYouTube Partner Program.
But where Twitch comes out a little ahead is its support of direct donations to streamers from viewers.
It also lets you include standalone, produced content to supplement the broadcasts on your channel.
Both have similar monetization systems, and neither of them make these available to new broadcasters.
But Twitch closes the gap considerably by allowing direct donations.
