How Much Can You Really Earn from a Twitch Sub? Find Out Here!

Twitch Subscriptions are a key revenue source for streamers, though their actual earnings can vary due to various factors. These include revenue splits, subscription tiers, localized pricing, and Prime subscriptions, which all influence the payout a streamer receives.

We’ll explore how much streamers earn per subscription, explain Twitch’s revenue-sharing policies, and identify the factors that impact earnings. Understanding these elements will help clarify the real value of a Twitch Sub.

Twitch Subscription Tiers and Standard Revenue Split

Twitch subscriptions are divided into three tiers:

Revenue Split Details

• Standard Split: Twitch takes 50% of subscription revenue, and streamers keep the other 50%.
• Variations: Larger streamers or Twitch Partners can negotiate better splits, such as 70/30 revenue sharing.

Note: Earnings are pre-tax and don’t include processing fees. Streamers are responsible for paying taxes on their income.

Prime Gaming Subscriptions

Viewers with Amazon Prime can subscribe to one Twitch channel per month for free. While these “Prime subs” offer value to streamers, they earn less than paid subscriptions.

• Payout: Prime sub payouts are based on a fixed regional rate, not the standard 50% split.
• Impact: In regions with lower localized pricing, Prime subs contribute even less to a streamer’s earnings compared to regular subscriptions.

For streamers with many Prime subscribers, this can significantly reduce their total subscription income.

Localized Pricing and Its Impact on Earnings

Twitch introduced localized pricing to make subscriptions more affordable for viewers around the world. While this has increased global subscriber numbers, it impacts streamers’ earnings:

• Streamers receive their percentage (50% or 70%) based on local subscription prices, not a fixed dollar amount.
• For example: In a region where Tier 1 subs cost $1.99, the streamer earns around $1.00.

Why It Matters

Streamers targeting audiences in regions with lower subscription costs will need significantly more subscribers to match earnings from higher-priced regions like the US.

The Partner Plus Program: A Better Revenue Split

To reward consistent creators, Twitch introduced the Partner Plus Program, offering a more favorable 70/30 revenue split.

How to Qualify

• Maintain 350 recurring paid subscriptions for three consecutive months.
• Prime subs and gift subscriptions do not count toward the 350-subscriber requirement.

Earnings with the Partner Plus Program

With the 70/30 split:

• Tier 1 Sub ($4.99): Streamer earns ~$3.50.
• Tier 2 Sub ($9.99): Streamer earns ~$7.00.
• Tier 3 Sub ($24.99): Streamer earns ~$17.50.

The recent elimination of the $100,000 cap means there’s no upper limit to how much streamers can earn at the 70/30 rate. This change is a significant boost for mid-to-large creators.

Factors Influencing Streamer Earnings

While the standard splits and Partner Plus rates are clear, several factors can affect how much a Twitch sub is worth:

• Prime Subs: Lower payouts compared to regular subscriptions.
• Localized Pricing: Earnings vary depending on the subscriber’s region.
• Taxes and Fees: All amounts discussed are pre-tax, and streamers must account for their own tax responsibilities.
• Gifted Subs: Revenue from gifted subscriptions contributes to earnings but may not count toward Partner Plus qualification.

Final Thoughts

A Twitch Sub typically earns around $2.50 for Tier 1 subscriptions with the standard 50/50 revenue split. However, the actual payout can fluctuate due to factors such as Prime subscriptions, localized pricing, and Twitch’s Partner Plus Program.

Streamers can increase their earnings by qualifying for the Partner Plus Program, which offers a 70/30 split. Additionally, they should aim to diversify their income by encouraging both regular and Prime subs, and consider how localized pricing impacts their global audience. Focusing on these elements can help streamers create a more sustainable income stream.