6 Best Twitch alternatives for all your streaming needs in 2024
Launched in 2011 and purchased by Amazon in 2014, Twitch has since grown tremendously and is a much-loved streaming software. In the year 2020 itself, the platform recorded over 18 billion hours watched. The platform has continued to enhance features and gain users. However, for various reasons, it might not be the ultimate streaming platform for you and you could be looking for Twitch alternatives.
Twitch is mainly used and crafted for streaming games, but there are some users who may use it for streaming other content, too. As such, the features may not be optimal for your streaming and viewing purposes. Also, to get access to all of the features that the platform offers, you’d have to pick a subscription plan.
The platform has strict guidelines which are not really liked by users, too. These guidelines often seem to come down too hard on some streamers and viewers and leave them unhappy. Besides this, as a streamer, you’d also be competing with thousands of other streamers probably streaming the same game. As such, building a loyal fanbase can be utterly challenging. This can be dealt with a lot of dedication, but there are some games where you just can’t defeat the top streamer’s monopoly.
There is also the concern that the number of streamers and viewers lead to downtime due to overload. This is frustrating, especially during a live stream. Twitch chats also tend to get toxic at times, and if not moderated well, can be very abusive to some users. This makes the overall user experience very unpleasant for all. Add to this the 50% commission charged on support revenue, you might want to stray away from the platform entirely.
Regardless of your reason for wanting to choose another platform instead of Twitch, this blog is just right for you. In the below sections, we’ve given a detailed overview of the best Twitch alternatives out there. Find all the information you need to know about these apps and pick the one most suitable for your content.
- Best Twitch alternatives for streaming games
- Best Twitch alternatives for all purpose streaming
- Other alternatives
Best Twitch alternatives for streaming games
YouTube Gaming
YouTube Gaming proves to be one of the best Twitch alternatives. Using it, you can earn revenue, similar to Twitch. YouTube also allows Super Chat donations while live streaming, where viewers of your channel can reward you. Appreciation stickers and Google ads also act as a source of revenue.
You can interact with the viewers using the chat window function while live streaming. This is only if you wish, as you can also keep comments off. Moreover, in case your viewers missed the live stream, they can always watch it back as you can upload it directly to your channel.
The Gaming section of YouTube was initially launched as a separate app, but now is a segment on YouTube, so you don’t have to worry about downloading an extra app. Using YouTube gaming, you can check for content from your region as well as all over the world. The content is segregated into promo channels, top live games, recommended content, etc.
Streaming on YouTube Gaming is also extremely simple. There are numerous options in a separate section which let you control everything about your live stream, from webcam settings to stream time. This takes away the need for external integration, unless you want really advanced options. The platform is also compatible with most of the streaming software used with Twitch.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming is Facebook’s entry into the game streaming marketplace and offers some pretty great features. It has grown quite fast since its inception in 2018. As of May 2021, Facebook Gaming had 38m peak online viewers.
The platform has an invite feature through which you can ask your Facebook friends to like your channel, giving it initial traction. All the people who like your channel are automatically informed whenever you start a live stream. This way, you do not have to worry about notifications or wait for viewers to join the stream.
Facebook Gaming is integrated with your Facebook account and using it is quite easy. It has a clean, simple, user interface which you can navigate with no hassle. All you have to do is have admin access to some streaming pages (or create your own) and start streaming. Using the platform, you can even keep a track of various analytics related to your streaming page.
Considering monetary aspects, Facebook Gaming charges a commission of 30% from your support revenue. Given that this is much less compared to Twitch, it is a worthy Twitch alternative. Facebook Gaming has also recently incorporated Mixer, another streaming platform, and is expected to grow further.
Steam
Agreed, Steam is best known as a platform to buy games from. However, the platform also has the ‘Steam Remote Play’ functionality through which you can stream games to viewers. However, it’s more useful for just chilling out with friends and streaming content to them, than monetizing your channel to earn revenue.
You can use Steam to play with friends or simply show off your gameplay. There are options to either allow others to join directly if they know the link or have them ask for access. Being a service meant for leisure, your friends can even share the mouse and keyboard. All control options are easy to access.
Best Twitch Alternatives for all-purpose streaming
DLive
DLive, acquired by BitTorrent in 2019, is great for streaming games as well as other content. The platform has a large number of users who stream content other than games, making it more worthy of the general category streaming.
The company uses Blockchain tech to enhance streaming quality. One reason why a number of users prefer streaming on DLive is because of the comparative freedom of speech on the platform. The content/ chat monitoring isn’t as strict on DLive as compared to YouTube or Facebook, making it easier to say anything you wish.
As a streamer, you are also allowed to keep most of the commission revenue from streams, approximately 75% of it. Things are also easy to set up and get going. You can stream either from the web or a smartphone and viewers are also enabled to choose from a wide range of topics. Streamers can also receive direct donations using a BitTorrent token or Tron address.
Vaughn Live (iNSTAGIB TV)
Vaughn Live is a streaming platform that made iNSTAGIB TV in 2011, dedicated to streaming games. However, the platform was neglected by creators and shut down in March 2021. The makers have now decided to fully focus on Vaughn Live as a streaming platform and earlier content on iNSTAGIB is now redirected.
Vaughn Live is accessible on web and mobile devices. It’s one of the oldest platforms out there and is used for streaming all kinds of content. Using the platform is extremely easy and all you have to do is log in and press the ‘Go Live Now’ button. You do not need an external streaming platform to stream content either.
The platform has 2 VIP packages for viewers which give ad-free content, priority viewing among other features. These cost $9.95 USD and $14.95 USD and offer a number of extra options. The Live Chat feature makes it easy for streamers and viewers to interact.
Picarto
Picarto is a streaming platform that isn’t very well known for gaming-related content. It’s quite famous for art streams, though and hosts a variety of different artists. Users upload or live stream video graphics that could be discovered by game creators, and perhaps this is the closest aspect to gaming on Picarto.
On this creative live streaming service, you can find a huge number of art styles and see popular artists live streaming content. So if as a viewer, you’re looking for a place to learn and enhance your skills, or simply want to get fascinated, Picarto is a great alternative to Twitch for you. Some of the top categories on the platform, such as Anime, Gaming, Cartoon, among others are a treat to the eyes.
As a streamer, you should know that people can subscribe to you for a small sum, as little as $5/mo and 50% of this would go to you, the content creator. A premium subscription gives you 75% of this sum with the rest going to the platform. Streaming is quite easy and you can also pair it up with Streamlabs OBS.
Other famous alternatives to Twitch which are no longer available
This blog is incomplete without mentioning a couple much loved streaming platforms which are unfortunately no longer available.
- Smashcast - Created from the merger of Azubu and Hitbox, Smashbox was a live streaming platform popular for gaming. It shut down in November 2020.
- Periscope - Quite a famous live streaming platform, Periscope was used for all types of content streaming. The platform shut operations at the end of March, 2021.