Intro
If you’re a streamer or creator considering where to invest your time — Twitch vs YouTube Gaming — one of the biggest questions is earning potential. Both platforms allow you to make money from views, ads, subscriptions, donations (Twitch), and other revenue streams, but they pay very differently and reward different types of engagement.
This article breaks down:
- How Twitch monetization works
- How YouTube Gaming monetization works
- Average earnings per 1,000 views on each platform
- Subscription revenue differences
- Donations and tipping systems
- Sponsorship and external revenue impacts
- Which platform tends to pay more — and why
Overview: Twitch vs YouTube Gaming Monetization
| Feature | Twitch | YouTube Gaming |
| Ads | CPM based on impressions, varies by region | Ad rates vary by content type; often higher than Twitch |
| Subscriptions | Studio/Viewer subs (Twitch), Prime subs | Channel memberships |
| Donations/Tips | Bits & direct donations | Super Chats, Super Stickers, direct support |
| Sponsorships | Creator-driven | Creator-driven |
| On-Platform Monetization Ease | Community-heavy | Search + algorithm discovery advantages |
| Algorithm Discovery | Moderate | Strong (search + recommendations) |
How Twitch Pays
Twitch earnings come from:
- Subscriptions (Tier 1/2/3 + Prime)
- Bits & Cheers
- Donations (third-party)
- Ads (CPM-based)
- Sponsorships (off-platform)
Twitch does not pay per view; rather, earnings depend heavily on community engagement, subscriptions, and direct support.
How YouTube Gaming Pays
YouTube monetization includes:
- AdSense Ads (pre-roll, mid-roll, display)
- Channel Memberships
- Super Chats / Super Stickers
- YouTube Premium revenue share
- Affiliate / sponsorship integrations
YouTube ads are distributed via AdSense and pay per impression + click engagement, which changes how income accumulates.
Ad Revenue Comparison (Per 1,000 Views)
Twitch Ad Revenue
On Twitch, ad revenue is based on ad impressions, not total views.
- Typical effective RPM (Twitch): $0.50 – $4 per 1,000 views on average
- Higher in U.S./Western Europe, lower in other regions
- Ads typically comprise 5–15% of total Twitch income for most streamers
This means:** 1,000 views ≠ $1,000 or $100. It’s usually closer to** ➡️ $0.50 – $4 on ad revenue alone
YouTube Gaming Revenue (AdSense)
YouTube ads tend to pay more per video view because the system monetizes every monetized view and includes display/video ads.
Typical YouTube Gaming RPM:
- $2 – $6 per 1,000 views (gaming content)
- Higher (~$8 – $20+) in high-CPM niches (finance/tech)
This means:
- 1,000 YouTube views ≈ $2 – $6+ in ad revenue
- Monetization happens on every view, not just ad impressions
👉 YouTube generally pays higher ad revenue per 1,000 views than Twitch.
Subscription Revenue: Twitch vs YouTube
Twitch Subscriptions
- Streamers get recurring subs:
- Tier 1 (~$2.50)
- Tier 2 (~$5)
- Tier 3 (~$12.50)
- Twitch Prime subs count as Tier 1
- Subscription drives often come from live community engagement
Subscriptions tend to be one of the largest revenue streams on Twitch.
YouTube Channel Memberships
- Memberships vary by creator pricing
- Typical revenue (after YouTube’s share): ~$2 – $5+ per member/month
- Members often unlock perks (badges, emojis, custom perks)
YouTube memberships aren’t as central to income as Twitch subs for live streamers but are powerful for creators with strong archives and communities.
Donations & Direct Support
Twitch
- Bits: 1 Bit = $0.01
- Third-party donations via PayPal, Streamlabs, etc.
This direct support often outperforms ads on Twitch.
YouTube
- Super Chats / Super Stickers: Viewer tips during live
- Channel Gifts: Paid boosts during community events
Super Chat revenue often scales with viewer enthusiasm — sometimes exceeding ad income on big streams.
Earnings Per Viewer Hour
Looking at earnings per viewer hour provides clarity:
| Metric | Twitch | YouTube Gaming |
| Small channels | ~$0.01 – $0.05 | ~$0.02 – $0.10 |
| Mid-tier channels | ~$0.04 – $0.15 | ~$0.08 – $0.25 |
| Large channels | ~$0.10 – $0.30+ | ~$0.15 – $0.40+ |
These are rough estimates combining ads, subs/memberships, and direct support. YouTube generally sees higher earnings per viewer hour because:
- Every watchable view monetizes
- Search + recommendations extend watch time
- Lifetime video views contribute to long-term income
Discoverability and Long-Term Earnings
One of YouTube’s biggest advantages is discoverability:
- Videos can continue earning months or years after upload
- Search + suggested videos drive passive income
- Livestreams often become VODs with perpetual ad revenue
Twitch, by contrast, focuses on live moments — archive views don’t always monetize equally.
Sponsorships & External Revenue
Both platforms allow sponsorships, but the mechanics differ:
- Twitch: Focus on live integrations, shoutouts, brand overlays
- YouTube: Pre-roll sponsor reads, integrated product placement, evergreen brand deals
YouTube’s SEO and algorithmic reach often make sponsored content more valuable and longer-lasting.
Which Platform Pays More?
Advertising Alone
YouTube Gaming typically pays more per 1,000 views than Twitch ads.
Community Support
- Twitch often earns more from subscriptions and Bits
- YouTube earns more from Super Chats and memberships, but generally lower per-member value
Long-Term Income
YouTube winning here, thanks to:
- VOD residuals
- Search traffic
- Recommended watch time
Best for Engagement
- Twitch: Live community → strong recurring subs
- YouTube: Passive growth → monetization beyond live
Example Comparison
1,000 Views
- Twitch ads: ~$0.50 – $4
- YouTube ads: ~$2 – $6+
10,000 Views
- Twitch ads: ~$5 – $40
- YouTube ads: ~$20 – $60+
100,000 Views
- Twitch ads: ~$50 – $400
- YouTube ads: ~$200 – $600+
These figures don’t include subs, Bits, memberships, donations, or sponsorships, which can massively outpace ad earnings on both platforms.
Who Should Use Which Platform?
Twitch
Best for:
- Live-first creators
- Community-driven content
- Real-time engagement
- Strong subscription culture
YouTube
Best for:
- Creators who want long-term, passive income
- Those with evergreen content
- Channels that benefit from search + recommendations
Final Takeaway: Twitch vs YouTube Gaming Earnings
- YouTube typically pays more per view via ads
- Twitch pays better from community support like subs and Bits
- Long-term YouTube VOD income often outpaces Twitch’s live-only model
- Streamers with large, engaged audiences often succeed on both platforms
Each platform has strengths — and the most successful creators often cross-post and optimize for both live growth and ongoing revenue.
