How To Make Money on Twitch: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

Twitch makes it possible to turn streaming from home into a successful business. Viewers tune in to watch their favorite creators play video games or explore other forms of entertainment, from soothing sensory experiences like ASMR to casual “just chatting” streams.

As a creator, the more viewers you attract, the more money you can earn. Some streamers make thousands of dollars each month from monetizing their Twitch channels.

In this article, discover ways streamers make money on Twitch and how you can too.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a livestreaming platform where content creators play video games, stream esports competitions, share music, and broadcast other content live, often while interacting directly with their audience. Video gaming is the platform’s most popular category, with more than 3,000 games streamed simultaneously at any given time.

Twitch helps viewers discover live channels and categories they might enjoy. Users can scroll through their home feed, explore the Twitch directory, or search for specific types of streams. They can also support their favorite creators by subscribing for a small monthly fee.

Many Twitch streams exist primarily for viewers to chat with one another, and users can browse chat rooms based on their interests. While there are countless ways to use Twitch, identifying a popular niche for your channel is key to earning a steady income.

What is the Twitch Affiliate Program?

The Twitch Affiliate Program is one of two official ways Twitch helps creators monetize their channels and turn their hobby into a profitable side hustle. Twitch automatically invites accounts to become affiliates once they meet certain eligibility criteria.

You are prompted to join the Twitch Affiliate Program if you meet the following four requirements:

• Reach 50 followers
• Stream for eight hours
• Stream on seven different days
• Reach an average of three viewers

Ways to make money as a Twitch affiliate

Once your channel becomes eligible for affiliate status, Twitch will notify you in your user dashboard, allowing you to activate affiliate features and start earning extra money.

Being a Twitch Affiliate unlocks three ways to monetize your channel:

Twitch subscriptions

Once you’re accepted into the Twitch Affiliate Program, you can offer your own subscription tiers directly within Twitch. The Subscribe button will appear in the bottom-right corner of your stream, allowing followers to click and learn about subscription perks.

Here’s how top streamer Ninja sets up his subscriptions: 

Subscriber perks include custom emotes for use in chat, badges that appear next to subscribers’ names, ad-free viewing, and access to subscriber-only streams.

Twitch also allows you to set up three subscription tiers, priced $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 per month.

Twitch Bits

Another benefit of being a Twitch Affiliate is the ability to earn money through Twitch Bits, a virtual currency viewers can buy and send as “cheers” during livestreams.

Streamers typically earn 1¢ per Bit received. They can set a minimum number of Bits a follower must send when cheering.

Twitch streamers can also create custom Cheermotes—unique emotes specific to their channel—that viewers can use when cheering. The more Bits they spend, the more exciting the Cheermote.

Stream chats feature the top Cheerers each week. For example, this streamer received 41,700 Bits, roughly equivalent to $417, just from their top 10 cheerers:

What is the Twitch Partner Program?

The Twitch Partner Program is a more exclusive program for Twitch creators with established audiences. It’s considered the next level up from the Affiliate Program, and creators must apply to join.

Eligibility guidelines aren’t as clear-cut for this program, but generally you’ll need to have an established and engaged audience, stream regularly, and serve as a role model in your community. 

In the Path to Partner achievement dashboard, you also need to complete these milestones:

• Stream for 25 hours
• Stream on 12 different days
• Reach an average of 75 viewers (concurrent views, excluding views from suggested, raids, and embeds)

Ways to make money as a Twitch partner

Twitch partners can make money in the same ways as affiliates, including subscriptions and Bits. However, partners gain access to an additional monetization method once they hit a certain level: ad revenue. 

Running ads

After becoming a Twitch Partner, you can run ads during your streams and earn a share of the revenue. This strategy is most effective if your viewership is high, as ad revenue depends on impressions.

Twitch offers a few different ad formats that partners can use:

• Pre-roll ads, which play before a stream starts
• Mid-roll ads, which streamers schedule during breaks
• Display/banner ads, which appear on screen while content is streaming 

In 2023, Twitch introduced its Ads Incentive Program (AIP), offering streamers a more predictable income: Creators are guaranteed a fixed payout for running a set number of ad minutes per hour. 

Typically, the revenue is split 55% to the creator and 45% to Twitch, but the actual payout varies based on the streamer’s location, CPM (cost per 1,000 views), viewer count, and ad settings.

One Twitch streamer said they receive $3.50 for every 1,000 ad viewers—meaning if your stream has fewer than 1,000 viewers, you’re making pennies per ad.

However, if your streams attract thousands of viewers, running a quick ad or two every 30 minutes to an hour can be a great way to bring in additional revenue.

9 best ways to make money on Twitch (beyond official programs)

1. Accept donations
2. Include affiliate links in your profile
3. Set up a Patreon
4. Seek brand sponsorships and partnerships
5. Sell merchandise
6. Create a YouTube channel
7. Offer coaching
8. Create exclusive content or communities
9. Run contests or giveaways

Outside of Twitch’s official programs, you can explore several additional Twitch income streams. If you’re new to streaming on Twitch, keep in mind it often takes time to pick up viewers.

To kickstart your channel, stream consistently and choose popular games or content that viewers are actively seeking out. 

Here are a few creative ways to start making money with Twitch.

1. Accept donations

As a beginner, you won’t be able to set up subscription tiers immediately, but you can still receive donations from viewers. Add a Donate button through a third-party company such as PayPal, or create a tip page using a service like Streamlabs. This lets you earn extra money through tips and donations.

For example, streamer MuTeX includes several profile panels linking to his social media, subscription options, and a Donate button for followers who want to support his channel:

2. Include affiliate links in your profile

Affiliate marketing is an easy way to make money on Twitch. Simply add links to your favorite products in your Twitch profile, so anyone can browse and buy items that interest them. Alixxa uses affiliate links on her profile to earn a percentage of any purchase her followers make:

You can also share affiliate links directly in your chat when you mention products during your Twitch streams, making it easy for viewers to make a purchase immediately.

To start using affiliate links in your profile or chat, first sign up and get approved for the affiliate programs of your favorite companies. Or, you can join platform-specific affiliate programs like Amazon Associates. With Amazon Associates, you can recommend Amazon products and share affiliate links to them. When a viewer clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

3. Set up a Patreon

Since new Twitch streamers can’t immediately create subscription tiers on Twitch itself, Patreon is a useful alternative for monetizing your audience right away.

Patreon is a monetization platform that allows content creators to offer subscription tiers at a range of price points, including associated perks. Streamers can set their subscription tiers and the benefits of each. For example, you might offer a personalized shout-out to subscribers at a certain tier.

4. Seek brand sponsorships and partnerships

Brand sponsorships and partnerships can be a powerful monetization strategy for larger Twitch channels. While some brands benefit greatly from partnering with micro-influencers (content creators with between 10,000 and 100,000 followers), most seek out streamers with audiences large enough to make the partnership worthwhile.

Brand sponsorships and partnerships can take various forms. For example, a streamer might promote a brand by mentioning their product or service during a stream, sharing with viewers something they genuinely like and use.

As a streamer, you must disclose to viewers that you’re paid to promote that product or service. 

According to Twitch’s Terms of Service, you must also clarify that Twitch is not behind the promotion. Use a disclaimer like, “This is a promotion by [Your Name]. Twitch does not sponsor or endorse this promotion and is not responsible for it.” 

Another way to partner with brands is to have them sponsor an entire stream. Streamers using this sponsored content strategy often display the name of their sponsors within their stream title, ensuring viewers see the brand even if they don’t catch the specific moment a product or service is mentioned during the stream.

5. Sell merchandise

Selling your own merchandise can be a profitable way to generate revenue. Items like t-shirts, blankets, hoodies, pens, and hats featuring your logo or custom designs can appeal to your audience.

Setting up an online shop using an ecommerce platform like Shopify helps you sell merch, generate revenue, and strengthen your brand identity.

6. Create a YouTube channel

Consider creating a YouTube channel to allow your audience to consume and share your content beyond Twitch. Once established, you can monetize your YouTube channel, opening up a new avenue for income.

7. Offer coaching

You can leverage your audience by offering services to up-and-coming Twitch streamers. For instance, providing coaching services can be an effective way to share your expertise in building an audience.

Other services you might offer include:

• Profile customization
• Graphic design for panels and banners
• Merch design and store setup
• Building a strong brand identity as a streamer

Anything you’ve developed through growing your Twitch channel can become a valuable service for new streamers.

8. Create exclusive content or communities 

Offering exclusive content can be a great way to build a strong, supportive Twitch community while also increasing your income. You can provide behind-the-scenes videos, private streams, special Discord channels, or early access to VODs (videos on demand). These perks can serve as a meaningful thank you to subscribers or patrons who go the extra mile to support your channel.

Some streamers manage exclusive content through platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi, while others keep it all within Twitch, using features like Subscriber Streams or Sub-only chats. Viewers appreciate being part of a special “club,” especially when membership comes with perks and extra facetime with their favorite creators.

9. Run contests or giveaways 

Contests and giveaways are a great way to boost engagement, and yes, they can help increase your Twitch earnings, too. 

When done right, a giveaway attracts new viewers, encourages more people to follow or subscribe, and rewards your existing community. For example, you could run a subscriber-only giveaway, or offer extra entries to viewers who donate Bits or share your stream.

Just be sure your giveaways comply with Twitch’s community guidelines and local laws. Remember, giveaways don’t need expensive prizes. Digital goodies like game codes, emotes, or a personalized shout-out during your stream can be just as exciting.

How much money can you make on Twitch?

Once you start bringing in revenue, Twitch typically pays out every 15 days, via direct deposit or PayPal, provided your account balance is at least $50. If you prefer a wire transfer, you’ll need to have earned at least $100 before receiving a payout.

The amount you can make on Twitch depends largely on your average viewer counts and how frequently you stream. Most Twitch streamers don’t earn much initially (just take a look at this Reddit thread), but there is potential to generate significant passive income as your audience grows. 

A larger audience is typically the key to increasing earnings, but other factors, such as higher-tier subscribers and regular donors, can significantly impact your income.

To provide an estimate of what Twitch streamers earn at different audience sizes, Streamer Facts compiled this analysis:

Average viewers	Estimated monthly income
5–10 viewers	$50–$200
20 viewers	$200–$400
50 viewers	$500–$750
100 viewers	$1,000–$1,500
1,000 viewers	$5,000
5,000 viewers	$13,000
10,000 viewers	$30,000

Getting just five to 10 average viewers per stream can take time, so keep in mind that Twitch isn’t the quickest path to earning money. However, if your goal is to earn monthly income as a professional gamer, getting started on Twitch is an essential first step.

How to build an audience on Twitch

To build an audience on Twitch, take these important steps:

1. Find your niche
2. Engage with viewers
3. Build your network
4. Hone your personal brand and online presence
5. Collaborate with other streamers
6. Promote your streams on other platforms

There are several effective steps you can take to build your Twitch audience. They include:

1. Find your niche

Finding your niche helps to build an audience interested in your specific content. If your channel lacks focus—streaming a Fortnite game one day and sharing live music the next—you’ll find it harder to attract dedicated viewers. 

Instead, choose one primary focus area. For example, dedicating your channel to Minecraft streams helps you attract like-minded gamers who share your interests.

2. Engage your viewers

Popular streamers aren’t just playing games or chatting, they’ve mastered the art of becoming must-watch creators. Best practices for keeping your audience engaged include:

• Watching other streamers to learn new strategies
• Developing your gaming skills
• Talking to viewers during streams
• Regularly interacting with viewers in chat
• Hosting special events for channel subscribers
• Streaming consistently on a regularly schedule

These efforts help build an engaged audience that keeps coming back for more.

3. Build your network

Networking is essential to growing your presence as a Twitch streamer. Watching and interacting with other streamers helps you connect with content creators and build a community. Friendships with other streamers can lead to collaborative streams (more on this later).

Actively participating in chat during other streams also promotes your name and channel, encouraging viewers to click your profile and follow you.

4. Hone your personal brand and online presence 

Twitch isn’t just about gameplay or on-screen talent—it’s also about you. 

Your personal brand is what makes people stick around. It’s your vibe, values, inside jokes, style of streaming, and how you show up across the internet. 

Think of it as the overall experience people have when they land on your channel or come across your socials. Are you chaotic and high-energy? Calm and cozy? Super informative? Lean into whatever feels most you, and let that guide how you talk, design your stream, and interact with your audience.

Consistency across platforms helps too. Use the same username, color scheme, and tone of voice on Twitch, X, TikTok, Discord, Facebook, or wherever you’re active. And don't be afraid to share a bit of your personal story outside your stream. People love supporting creators they feel a real connection with.

5. Collaborate with other streamers

Collaborating with other creators is one of the best ways to grow your audience and make content that’s even more fun to watch. 

Consider co-streaming a game, doing a Q&A together, or hopping into each other’s chats to show support so you can reach new viewers who might not have discovered you otherwise. 

The key is to find streamers whose content and vibe complement yours. You don’t have to have the same audience size or even stream the exact same games. What matters is the chemistry and the shared energy. 

Start by building genuine relationships: chat in their streams, follow them on social, and engage with their content without expecting anything in return. 

6. Promote your streams on other platforms

Twitch can’t be the only place you promote your streams. Consider creating a website (or at least a merch site or a blog), as well as accounts on YouTube, X, Instagram, and other social media sites.

How easy is it to make money on Twitch? 

Twitch definitely can be a place to make money, but like most things worth doing, it takes time, consistency, and a lot of patience. With so many monetization options available, it seems like money should start rolling in the moment you hit Go Live. But the truth is, steady income on Twitch usually comes after you’ve spent months (or even years) showing up, building a loyal audience, and learning what makes your community tick.

If you’re just getting started, it’s helpful to treat monetization as a bonus rather than the main goal. Focus first on making great content, connecting with viewers, and finding your unique voice. Over time, those small wins, like one new follower here or a few regulars showing up each week, start to add up. And that’s where the magic (and the money) happens: not from viral moments, but from steady growth and genuine engagement.

So no, making money on Twitch isn’t easy, but it is possible. And if you stick with it, keep learning, and stay true to your style, you might just turn your stream into something that pays the bills and brings you joy.