Twitch has revolutionized the gaming industry, allowing gamers to live-stream their gameplay, interact with fans, and even turn their passion into a full-time career. However, while some Twitch streamers earn six or seven figures annually, the reality is that most streamers make little to no money.

If you’re considering Twitch as a side hustle or full-time income source, this guide will walk you through:

• What Twitch is and how it works
• How to start streaming on Twitch
• How Twitch streamers make money
• How many followers or viewers you need to start earning
• How much the average Twitch streamer actually makes
• Examples of high-earning Twitch streamers

Let’s break down the true potential of making money on Twitch in 2025 and whether it’s a viable side hustle or career choice.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a live-streaming platform that primarily focuses on gaming, but it has expanded to include categories like Just Chatting, Music, IRL (In Real Life) Streams, and Creative Content. It was launched in 2011 and later acquired by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million.

Twitch allows content creators (known as streamers) to broadcast their gameplay or other activities in real time while interacting with viewers through a built-in chat feature. Viewers can follow, subscribe, and donate to their favorite streamers, helping them generate income.

As of 2025, Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users, with millions of people tuning in daily to watch their favorite streamers play popular games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and League of Legends.

How to Start Streaming on Twitch

If you’re new to Twitch and want to become a streamer, follow these steps to get started.

1. Create a Twitch Account

Visit Twitch.tv and sign up for an account. Choose a unique username that reflects your brand or personality.

2. Get the Right Streaming Equipment

To provide high-quality content, you’ll need the following:

• A PC or gaming console (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch)
• A webcam (optional but recommended for engagement)
• A high-quality microphone for clear audio
• A second monitor (optional, but useful for managing chat and alerts)
• Streaming software like OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or Twitch Studio

3. Choose Your Niche and Games

Decide what type of content you want to create. Will you focus on competitive gaming, casual play, educational gaming, or reaction content? Popular games bring in more viewers, but niche games help you stand out.

4. Set Up Your Twitch Channel

Customize your Twitch profile with a bio, banner, and social media links. Set up alerts for new followers, subscribers, and donations. Enable Twitch chat moderation to filter out spam and negativity.

5. Start Streaming Consistently

The key to success on Twitch is consistency. Stick to a regular streaming schedule (e.g., 3-5 times per week). Engage with viewers by responding to chat messages and asking questions.

6. Promote Your Streams on Social Media

Use X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share clips and announce streams. Join gaming communities and Discord servers to connect with potential viewers.

For some tips on sharing posts on social media, read this article here.

How Can You Make Money on Twitch?

Twitch streamers make money through multiple revenue streams. Here’s a breakdown of how Twitch monetization works.

1. Subscriptions (Twitch Subs)

Viewers can subscribe to a Twitch channel for $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 per month. Twitch takes 50% of the revenue, and streamers get the other half.

For example, if you have 1,000 paying subscribers at $4.99 each, you’d earn around $2,500 per month.

2. Donations (Bits & Direct Tips)

Bits are Twitch’s virtual currency that viewers buy and donate. Each Bit is worth $0.01. Direct donations allow viewers to send money via PayPal, CashApp, or third-party tipping services, allowing streamers to keep 100% of the donation.

3. Ad Revenue (Twitch Ads)

Twitch streamers earn money from ads, but ad revenue is relatively low. You’ll earn about $3 to $5 per 1,000 ad views.

4. Sponsorships & Brand Deals

Companies pay streamers to promote products or games. Big-name streamers can earn thousands per sponsorship deal.

5. Selling Merchandise

Many Twitch streamers sell T-shirts, hoodies, gaming gear, and custom accessories.

6. YouTube Monetization

Uploading Twitch highlights to YouTube can increase income through YouTube ads.

How Many Followers or Viewers Do You Need to Start Making Money?

To start earning money on Twitch, you need to become an Affiliate or Partner.

Twitch Affiliate Requirements

• 50 followers
• 500 total minutes streamed in the last 30 days
• 7 unique broadcast days in the last 30 days
• An average of 3 concurrent viewers

Twitch Partner Requirements

• 25 hours streamed in the last 30 days
• 12 different stream days
• An average of 75 concurrent viewers

Partners get better monetization options, higher ad revenue, and exclusive sponsorship opportunities.

How Much Do Twitch Streamers Actually Make?

Earnings vary greatly depending on viewership and revenue streams.

1. Small Streamers (Affiliate Level) – 3 to 100 Viewers

• Monthly Earnings: $50 – $500
• Reality: Many streamers make little to no money.

2. Mid-Tier Streamers – 100 to 1,000 Viewers

• Monthly Earnings: $1,000 – $10,000
• Reality: Some can go full-time, but YouTube and sponsorships help.

3. High-Tier Streamers – 1,000+ Viewers

• Monthly Earnings: $10,000 – $200,000+
• Reality: Only the top 1% of Twitch streamers reach this level.

Examples of High-Earning Twitch Streamers

1. Ninja (Tyler Blevins)

• Twitch Followers: 19M+
• Net Worth: $40M+
• Earnings: Sponsorships, Twitch, YouTube, and brand deals.

2. Kai Cenat

• Twitch Followers: 16.2M
• Estimated Monthly Earnings: $100K+

3. xQc (Félix Lengyel)

• Twitch Followers: 11.8M
• Twitch Earnings (Leaked): $8M over two years

Final Thoughts – Is Twitch a Good Way to Make Money?

Twitch has huge earning potential, but most streamers don’t make much. At least 50 followers and 3 viewers are needed to start earning money. A full-time income usually requires 500+ consistent viewers. The average Twitch streamer earns under $1,000 per month. Top streamers diversify their income through YouTube, sponsorships, and merchandise.

If you’re serious about turning Twitch into a profitable side hustle or career, focus on creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent.