Mixer or Twitch, which should you stream from
Mixer is the newest member of the streaming platforms, starting in 2016. This has caused Mixer to have fewer overall viewers, but also fewer streamers. With less competition and faster communication speeds, Mixer is easier for newer streamers to build a strong base community. The downside to a newer platform is the designers haven’t had as much time to smooth out their UI. Mixer can be more difficult to navigate.
Pros
- Faster connection with viewers through FTL
- Build stronger core audience for new streamers
- More effective support and moderation
- Offers Xbox integration for console streaming
Cons
- Robust monetization system requires partner status
- Newer platform offers smaller audiences overall
- Harder to stream from PS4 for console streaming
Twitch remains the most popular streaming platform, more viewers, but also more streamers. It’s challenging to get started on Twitch, but overall the platform offers better monetization no matter your level. The analytical system behind Twitch makes it easier to track and grow your stream. Not all of Twitch’s longer history is good; there have been regular issues with taking disciplinary decisions for breaking terms of service.
Pros
- Larger audience pool and viewer potential
- Better monetization options overall
- Easier navigation for on-demand video library
- More potential partnerships with games
- Older platform offers powerful analytics
Cons
- Difficult to get noticed with due to streamer saturation
- It has a questionable history with disciplinary actions and terms of service rules
- Larger viewer communities draw in trolls
Mixer is much smaller than Twitch at the moment, but it is growing and hitting some pretty impressive numbers, especially for a streaming platform that is only four years old.
Mixer vs. Twitch Stats
| — | Mixer | Twitch |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent Viewers Q4 2019 | 37.5K | 1.06M |
| Total Streamers Q4 2019 | 69K | 2.2M |
| Unique Active Channels Q4 2019 | 3,620,814 | 3,742,125 |
| Average Viewer Count Per Channel | 3.1 | 28 |
| Price of Channel Subscription | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Subscription Gifting | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription Program to the Platform | Mixer Pro | Twitch Prime |
Data Source: NewZoo
Streamers flocked to Mixer in 2019, significantly growing the streamer base. Unfortunately, the viewer growth has not increased quite as rapidly. This puts the viewers per channel at the lowest among the streaming platforms. As we know, this isn’t how streaming works, the larger streams on Mixer are hosting between 20 and 200 viewers, and well beyond that for the biggest of the big names. This doesn’t leave as much for everybody else right now, but the viewership is growing, if a little slower than hoped.
But if you can carve out a corner, Mixer can be an excellent place to start streaming. FTL technology lets Mixer streamers interact with their viewers in nearly real-time. This makes stream games like Words with Chat and Skribbl much more enjoyable. You can really interact and get to know a smaller community as it grows along with the platform.
Twitch has a longer history; not all of it is pristine. With this longer history comes a larger community. While many streamers have been moving to Mixer, viewers seem to have stuck to Twitch. It is still a battle to get those eyes on your channel. Two million other streamers are vying for that attention.
It’s hard work to get viewers on Twitch, but once you do, the platform has a much better monetization system. You can start making a little money before you even make partner. And once you do obtain partner, there are even more ways to earn in the stream.
Neither Mixer nor Twitch will be a quick way to make money. It takes a lot of time to build up a community no matter where you stream. Both Mixer and Twitch have their benefits and downsides, to streaming. Watch other streamers and see how each platform feels as a viewer. If you enjoy the feel of communities on the platform, you’ll probably enjoy streaming there.
Extra points
Mixer Pro
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Twitch Prime
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