The Great Platform Debate of 2026
Every week, someone asks me: should I stream on Kick or Twitch? The answer isn't simple, and anyone who gives you a one-word response is selling something. Let me break down the real differences based on data, not hype.
Audience Size: Twitch Still Dominates
Twitch has approximately 140 million monthly active users. Kick has around 30 million. Raw numbers favor Twitch. But here's what those numbers hide: Kick's 30 million are distributed among far fewer streamers. Your share of the pie might actually be larger on Kick.
Discoverability: Kick Wins for Small Streamers
Twitch's browse page buries anyone under 50 viewers. Kick's algorithm is more aggressive about promoting new talent. For streamers starting from zero, накрутка kick combined with Kick's natural discoverability creates faster initial growth than any strategy on Twitch.
Monetization: It Depends
Kick offers 95% revenue share to partners. Twitch offers 50% for most streamers, 70% for top partners. For small-to-medium creators, Kick's terms are objectively better. For established streamers with Twitch primes burning a hole in viewers' pockets, Twitch still generates more absolute revenue.
The Cold Start Problem: Both Platforms Have It
Here's what nobody wants to admit: both platforms have discovery problems for new streamers. The difference is degree, not kind. Whether you choose Kick or Twitch, you'll need to solve the visibility problem.
Smart streamers on both platforms use visibility services during their growth phase. Platforms like streamhub.shop (https://streamhub.shop/) work equally well for Kick and Twitch, helping you build the initial audience that algorithms need to see before recommending you organically.
Content Moderation: Major Difference
Twitch has strict, sometimes unpredictable moderation. Kick is more permissive. Depending on your content style, this is either a major advantage or irrelevant. Know your content before choosing.
My Recommendation
For new streamers in 2026: start with Kick if you want faster initial growth and better revenue terms. Migrate to Twitch (or multistream) once you've built a community. For established Twitch streamers: don't switch, but consider multistreaming.
Regardless of platform, invest in visibility during your startup phase. The platform matters less than your strategy for escaping the zero-viewer trap.
The Bottom Line
There's no wrong choice between Kick and Twitch. There's only wrong expectations. Both require effort, strategy, and often—visibility investment—to succeed. Choose based on your content style, revenue needs, and where your target audience already exists.