Intro
If you’re deciding where to focus your streaming efforts — Twitch or Facebook Gaming — a key question is: which platform pays more? The short answer is that Twitch tends to be more profitable overall for most streamers due to stronger monetization systems, community support tools, and global reach. But Facebook Gaming has its own strengths, and profitability can vary depending on your audience, content style, and strategy.
This article explains:
- How Twitch and Facebook Gaming monetization compare
- Ad revenue structures
- Subscriptions and direct support
- Donations, Stars, and bonuses
- Sponsorship and brand deal potential
- Which platform works best for different streamers
How Monetization Works on Each Platform
| Feature | Twitch | Facebook Gaming |
| Ads | Yes (CPM-based) | Yes (CPM-based) |
| Subscriptions | Yes (Twitch subs + Prime) | Yes (Facebook Subscriptions) |
| Donations | Bits / Third-party | Facebook Stars & direct tips |
| Sponsorships | Creator-driven | Creator-driven |
| Algorithm & Discovery | Moderate | Strong discovery features |
| Passive / Evergreen Monetization | Limited | Facebook Reels + video monetization |
Ad Revenue: Twitch vs Facebook Gaming
Twitch Ad Revenue
- Based on ad impressions (CPM)
- Average streamer effective RPM: ~$0.50 – $4 per 1,000 views (varies by region)
- Ads are typically not the main income source; they function as supplemental revenue
Facebook Gaming Ads
- Also CPM-based, but:
- Facebook often integrates ads differently (mid-stream, break ads, in-feed ads)
- CPMs are typically lower than Twitch for gaming content
- Exact public CPM averages are hard to verify — but creator reports consistently show lower per-view ad earnings compared with Twitch
Bottom line: For ad revenue alone, Twitch generally pays more per viewer than Facebook Gaming — especially with high-value (North American / European) audiences.
Subscriptions & Direct Support
Twitch Subscriptions
Twitch offers:
- Tier 1 / Tier 2 / Tier 3 subs
- Prime Gaming subs
- Revenue splits that can improve for Partners
Subscription earnings on Twitch are often the backbone of income for full-time creators.
Facebook Gaming Subscriptions
Facebook also offers:
- Monthly channel subscriptions
- Often a 50/50 revenue share
However, Facebook Subscription pricing is often:
- Less familiar to audiences
- Less integral to the culture than on Twitch
Many creators find Facebook subs less consistent or lucrative compared with Twitch due to audience behavior differences.
Tips, Donations & Micro-Payments
Twitch
- Bits (Twitch’s built-in virtual cheer currency)
- 1 Bit = $0.01 to the streamer
- Third-party donations
- Often higher than Bits
- Integrates via PayPal, Streamlabs, etc.
Bits and donations on Twitch are generally more common and more frequent than on Facebook Gaming.
Facebook Gaming
- Stars
- Similar to Bits; viewers buy Stars and send them to creators
- Streamers earn a share
- Direct tipping
- Available but less normalized than on Twitch
Viewer cultures differ — Twitch audiences are historically more “tip-ready.”
Sponsorships & Brand Deals
Across both platforms, sponsorship income is creator-driven (not platform-guaranteed).
But Twitch has advantages:
- Larger creator ecosystem (more data for brands)
- More established sponsorship marketplaces
- Higher visibility for gaming brands
Facebook Gaming has brand potential too — especially in emerging markets — but Twitch typically wins for established sponsorships.
Audience, Discovery & Long-Term Monetization
Twitch
- Strong live engagement
- Loyal communities
- Limited discoverability for past streams
Facebook Gaming
- Better discovery algorithms
- Facebook News Feed & Reels can expose content to new viewers
- Evergreen value from clips and highlights
This means Facebook can grow audience reach faster, but not necessarily dollar value per viewer higher.
Which Platform Pays More — Real Creators’ Insights
Across creator reports and earnings surveys, general patterns emerge:
Twitch typically earns more for:
- Small to mid-sized streamers ($1,000 – $10,000+ per month)
- Community-driven revenue (subs, Bits, donations)
- High-CPM regional audiences (US/EU)
Facebook Gaming may earn more for:
- Creators with strong viral, cross-platform audiences
- Channels tapping into Facebook’s discovery and in-feed monetization
- Casual streamers with mixed content
But even then, Twitch often edges ahead in net income, especially once a streamer has an established community.
Example Comparison (Hypothetical)
1,000 Standard Views
- Twitch ads: $0.50 – $4
- Facebook Gaming ads: $0.20 – $2
100 Subscribers
- Twitch: ~$250 – $600+ (varies by region & tier)
- Facebook Gaming: ~$150 – $400+ (fewer Prime subs, different culture)
Donations/Bits vs Stars
- Twitch typically out-earns due to more frequent tipping behavior
Net result (monthly revenue):
- Twitch: $500 – $5,000+ (typical range for growing streamers)
- Facebook Gaming: $200 – $3,500+ (varies heavily)
This is indicative — some creators earn more on Facebook, but most report higher and more consistent income on Twitch.
When Facebook Gaming Can Be More Profitable
Facebook Gaming shines when:
- Audience is already native to Facebook
- Content goes viral in the News Feed
- Creators tap into Reels & short-form monetization
- You combine streaming with non-gaming topics
In other words: Facebook excels when algorithmic reach matters more than sub culture.
Multi-Platform Monetization: The Best Strategy
Many top creators do both:
- Twitch for community, subs, and live support
- Facebook Gaming for discovery and extra revenue
- Clips on YouTube + Reels
- Sponsorships across all
Multi-platform audiences amplify earnings overall.
Final Takeaway: Twitch vs Facebook Gaming Profitability
Twitch is generally more profitable for most streamers, especially those focused on:
- Dedicated community monetization
- Subscriptions and direct support
- High-CPM ad audiences
Facebook Gaming can still be profitable, particularly for creators who:
- Leverage Facebook’s discovery reach
- Integrate short-form content
- Monetize outside of live ads
But if you had to choose one platform for sustainable revenue from live streaming, Twitch usually comes out ahead due to stronger direct monetization tools and broader brand recognition.
