Twitch and YouTube are two giants partaking in an online video heavyweight battle for live streaming supremacy. While Twitch had the lead for a while, YouTube is steadily becoming a valid alternative for streaming.
But the differences between the two platforms are that significant? More importantly, which one should you choose as a home for your live broadcasts?
The answer to these questions heavily depends on your career as a content creator. If you already have a following, Twitch is the better option. On the other hand, YouTube presents unique opportunities for smaller streamers looking to build their brand.
Here’s a comprehensive Twitch vs YouTube Streaming review that analyzes the most important aspects of both platforms in depth.
Differences Between Twitch vs YouTube Streaming — The Pros & Cons of Each Platform
Learn the crucial differences between Twitch and YouTube streaming to know which option is more suitable for you.
Growth Potential
Growing on Twitch as a new streamer is not easy. The platform promotes the most popular channels over those with less viewership, which is sometimes lethal for smaller streamers. Plus, the purple platform has experienced an exponential increase in streamers over the last few years.
Moreover, the browsing feature is another disadvantage. When you navigate through categories of Twitch live streaming, only the most popular streamers come on top. These personalities are already famous on the internet, prompting viewers to go to their channels.
With minimal exposure and fierce competition, new content creators have a rough time making better numbers.
On the other hand, YouTube offers the most growth potential for up-and-coming channels. The platform’s infamous algorithm could play in your favor and recommend your broadcast to a broader audience.
Additionally, the red platform’s Shorts allow content creators to put out fun and interesting bits to draw more eyes.
Additionally, YouTube gaming streamers are scarce. Some personalities like PewDiePie, MrBeast6000, MarkiplierGAME and Dr. DisRespect amass considerable numbers, but most are still growing.
And this window of opportunity allows new content creators to draw YouTube viewers looking for gaming live streams.
Passive Growth
If you want to grow an audience on Twitch, you must stream actively. This platform requires you to invest hours into broadcasting to increase your odds of reaching new viewers. Sometimes, losing your streaming consistency affects your relevancy.
One clear example is xQc. The Twitch giant is the most viewed streamer, but he broadcasts content incessantly.
However, when you broadcast on YouTube, you can grow a viewership actively and passively. The platform saves your VODs without an expiration date, allowing viewers to watch videos made by you even if they don’t know you.
Plus, the culture on YouTube is different than on Twitch.
On Twitch, viewers tend to watch live streams over VODs. When someone logs into YouTube, they’re more likely to watch pre recorded videos. Thus, you might gain viewers on YouTube with fewer broadcasting hours.
Collaborations & Events
Growing on Twitch is challenging, but a single shoutout from a popular streamer can turn your life around. This boost to your Twitch channel may come in various ways, such as hosting, raiding, or collaborating.
One of Twitch’s most popular events is Twitch Rivals, which brings many streamers together. These collaborations with the platform and other streamers can increase your views exponentially.
Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t have similar events. If you want to collaborate with other broadcasters, you must invest more effort and time.
But YouTube has been working to improve collaborations between streamers in recent years. In 2021, the platform implemented popular raids to increase streamers’ engagement.
Monetization
Both platforms offer Affiliate programs to monetize your stream. Alternatively, donations, merchandise sales, and third-party websites like Patreon are also compatible with both streaming websites. The real matter here is how much revenue each option keeps.
Twitch keeps 50% of subscription revenue, whereas YouTube pay becomes around 70%. The Twitch platform offers another partnership for Affiliates, called Twitch Partner.
This deal lowers the revenue percentage but is more challenging to achieve for new streamers. In this area, YouTube is faster for making money if you don’t have an audience built.
Chat & Viewer Interaction
Unlike YouTube, Twitch offers better interaction options for you to engage with the audience. For example, streamers can set up custom-designed emotes unique to the channel.
These are often accessible for subscribers only, encouraging viewers to support your work while gaining something fun.
Interaction in YouTube chats while streaming is more basic with standard emotes. The lack of this feature affects the uniqueness of YouTube live streaming chats, but it also reduces the chaos and promotes discussions.
Still, Twitch comes on top once again because of the many browser extensions that improve chat quality.
Streaming Mobile Games
If you mostly play on a mobile phone, the platform’s compatibility with this device is another factor to consider. Twitch allows you to stream on different devices, mobile phones included. With that said, you will have an easier time using third-party apps to broadcast your phone’s screen.
The YouTube interface is friendlier to mobile game streaming. This platform offers the popular YouTube mobile gaming app that guarantees smooth integration. As a result, streaming mobile gaming on YouTube is easier and more intuitive than on Twitch.
With other devices, both platforms are equally good.
Rewind
Twitch does not offer the option to rewind a live stream unless you watch the recorded version. The lack of this feature is a bummer, especially if the viewer arrives late or misses crucial moments.
On the other hand, the YouTube interface allows the audience to activate or deactivate the live feature of current broadcasts. As a result, your viewers can go back on the stream to watch highlighted moments.
Twitch vs YouTube Gaming — What Does the Future Hold?
Twitch may be the current streaming giant, but YouTube is slowly catching up. YouTube Gaming has consistently added features that increase its value for old and new streamers alike. So much, so that popular Twitch partners encourage newcomers to start on YouTube before moving to Twitch.
The idea that YouTube Gaming is not an optimal streaming platform is fading quickly. Over the years, different Twitch streamers have transitioned from the purple to the red platform. The reasons vary, but many claim Twitch does not know how to handle certain situations.
Truthfully, new streamers can expect better attention from YouTube. Twitch has many streamers, and keeping up with all of them while satisfying their demands is challenging. Since YouTube Gaming is still developing, the red platform is closer to its streamers.
Still, the biggest problem with Twitch is the scarce exposure for new streamers. The system promotes established channels heavily, leaving smaller content creators to thrive on their own. YouTube’s approach is broader and more diverse. Even if you don’t have a following, YouTube effectively recommends your channel to reach an audience browsing related keywords.
Currently, Twitch is a stable platform that offers many tools to become a successful streamer. However, the platform is more challenging in many areas.
And YouTube streaming is friendlier and is on the rise. So, if you want to start a career as a streamer, the future might be brighter on YouTube.
So, Which One Is Better for Streaming Between, Twitch vs. YouTube?
For smaller content creators, we could argue that YouTube is the better option. This platform is more likely to promote your broadcast and reach a bigger audience. Plus, you don’t have to grind streaming hours to get your content out there.
Due to YouTube’s nature, you have the chance to stream and upload recorded videos to diversify your channel. Other features like YouTube’s Shorts are also excellent tools for drawing more eyes using compact video clips.
Once you earn subscribers, the revenue percentage taken by YouTube is smaller than Twitch. Thus, you get to see the rewards for your hard work faster.
Still, Twitch is the ideal option if you already have a community and want to go full-time as a streamer. The purple platform offers many monetization methods to make it easier for your followers to support your work.
While Twitch takes a larger cut from your subscriptions, this revenue percentage is lower once you become a Twitch Partner.
But, if you wish to become a professional content creator, you must use both YouTube and Twitch.
Moreover, you should even consider building a presence on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and other socials. Different third-party apps like OBS allow you to stream on multiple platforms at once. This way, you will increase your chances of building a community.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you broadcast on Twitch and YouTube simultaneously?
Software like OBS allows you to stream on Twitch and YouTube simultaneously. However, the quality of your stream may be lower if you broadcast on multiple platforms at once.
Keep in mind that signing a deal with either platform could limit your options. Exclusivity clauses will not let you put on simultaneous broadcasts on more than one platform.
2. Is it easier to get viewers on Twitch or YouTube?
YouTube’s algorithm recommends your broadcast under the right keywords, improving your chances of getting more viewers. Twitch favors popular and established streamers over smaller content creators. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of the purple platform.
3. Do you earn more money on Twitch or YouTube?
YouTube pays more via advertisements, Super Chats, and Super Stickers if you’re a small streamer. If you want to make a living on Twitch playing games, you must become a Twitch Partner. Your earnings are higher under this partnership, but it takes considerable time and effort to get there.