What Twitch subscriptions are and how they work

A Twitch subscription is a monthly payment you make directly to a streamer you watch. When you subscribe, you pay Twitch a set amount each month, and Twitch sends most of that money to the streamer. The subscription renews automatically every 30 days unless you cancel it.

Subscriptions are different from following a channel for free. Following costs nothing and just adds a streamer to your list. Subscribing costs money but gives you perks like custom emotes, ad-free viewing on that channel, and a badge next to your username in chat showing you support that streamer.

Twitch offers three subscription tiers, each at a different price point. The streamer decides which tiers to offer on their channel, and they set some of the perks themselves — though Twitch provides the basic framework for each tier.

Key Takeaways

  • Twitch subscriptions cost $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 per month depending on the tier you choose, and they renew automatically each month.
  • The streamer receives roughly 50 percent of your subscription fee; the exact split depends on their contract with Twitch.
  • Subscribing gives you perks like ad-free viewing, custom emotes, and a subscriber badge, but these vary by channel and tier.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
  • Prime Gaming members get one free Tier 1 subscription per month through their Amazon Prime membership.

The three subscription tiers and their costs

Twitch subscriptions come in three tiers. Tier 1 costs $4.99 per month. Tier 2 costs $9.99 per month. Tier 3 costs $24.99 per month. These prices are set by Twitch and do not change between channels.

Higher tiers typically come with more perks. A Tier 1 subscriber might get a basic emote and ad-free viewing. A Tier 2 subscriber might get more emotes and a higher-visibility badge. A Tier 3 subscriber might get even more emotes, a custom badge, and other channel-specific rewards the streamer chooses to offer.

Not every streamer offers all three tiers. Some offer only Tier 1 and Tier 2, or only Tier 1. You can only subscribe at the tiers that streamer has enabled on their channel. If you want to support a streamer who only offers Tier 1, that is your only subscription option — though you can also send them a one-time donation called a "bit" if you want to give more.

How much money the streamer actually receives

When you pay $4.99 for a Tier 1 subscription, the streamer does not receive the full $4.99. Twitch takes a cut. The exact split varies based on the streamer's contract with Twitch, but the standard arrangement is roughly 50-50: you pay $4.99, and the streamer receives around $2.50, with Twitch keeping the rest.

Streamers with larger audiences or longer histories with Twitch may have negotiated better rates — sometimes 60-40 or even 70-30 in their favor. Newer or smaller streamers get the standard 50-50 split. There is no way to know a specific streamer's split unless they tell you.

The money goes to the streamer's Twitch account, and they can cash it out to a connected bank account or keep it in their Twitch wallet to spend on Twitch purchases. Streamers receive a statement showing subscription revenue, and they are responsible for reporting it as income for taxes.

What perks come with each subscription

Every subscription tier includes ad-free viewing on that channel. When you are subscribed, you will not see ads before streams or during streams on that particular channel — though ads may still play on other channels you watch.

Every subscription also gives you a subscriber badge next to your name in chat. The badge looks different for each tier and often shows how many months you have been subscribed. This badge is visible to everyone in chat and signals that you support the streamer financially.

Beyond those two universal perks, each streamer customizes what they offer. Most streamers provide custom emotes — small images you can use in chat that only subscribers can access. Tier 2 and Tier 3 subscribers usually get more emotes than Tier 1. Some streamers offer channel points multipliers, exclusive Discord roles, or shoutouts during streams. Check the subscription page on a streamer's channel to see exactly what each tier includes before you subscribe.

How to subscribe and manage your subscription

To subscribe, go to the streamer's channel and look for the "Subscribe" button. On desktop, it is usually near the top right of the channel page. On mobile, it is typically in a menu. Click the button, choose your tier, and select your payment method.

Twitch accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. If you have a Twitch Gift Card, you can use the balance from that card to pay for a subscription. If you are a Prime Gaming member (through Amazon Prime), you will see an option to use your free Tier 1 subscription instead of paying.

Your subscription renews automatically every 30 days on the same date you subscribed. To cancel, go to your account settings, find "Subscriptions" or "Purchases," locate the subscription you want to cancel, and click "Cancel Subscription." Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — if you cancel on the 15th of the month and your renewal date is the 20th, you stay subscribed until the 20th, then it stops.

Prime Gaming subscriptions and gift subscriptions

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you also have Prime Gaming included at no extra cost. Prime Gaming gives you one free Tier 1 subscription to any channel every month. You can use it on the same channel every month, or switch to a different channel each month — it is your choice.

To claim your Prime Gaming subscription, go to a streamer's channel, click Subscribe, and look for the Prime Gaming option. It will show as free. Click it, and your subscription is active. When your monthly Prime Gaming subscription renews, you can use it on the same channel or pick a different one.

Separate from Prime Gaming, any streamer can gift subscriptions to viewers. A gift subscription works the same way as a regular subscription — the recipient gets all the same perks and the subscription renews automatically. However, gift subscriptions sometimes come with a shorter duration. A streamer might gift a 1-month subscription, a 3-month subscription, or a 6-month subscription. After the gift period ends, the subscription does not renew unless the recipient pays for it themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same subscription on multiple channels?

No. Each subscription is tied to one channel only. If you want to subscribe to multiple streamers, you need a separate subscription for each one. You can manage all your subscriptions from your account settings and cancel any of them individually.

What happens if I subscribe but then cancel before the next billing date?

You keep your subscription benefits until your current billing period ends. If you subscribed on the 10th and your renewal date is the 10th of next month, canceling on the 15th means you stay subscribed with all perks until the 10th of next month. After that date, your subscription ends and you lose access to subscriber-only perks.

Do I have to subscribe to watch a stream?

No. Watching streams is free. Subscription is optional and only gives you extra perks like ad-free viewing and custom emotes. You can watch any public stream without subscribing.

Can I get a refund if I accidentally subscribed?

Twitch generally does not refund subscriptions, but you can contact Twitch Support if you believe the charge was made in error or if you subscribed by accident. They may be able to help depending on the circumstances. The fastest way is to cancel the subscription when ready so it does not renew.

What is the difference between subscribing and following?

Following is free and just adds a channel to your list so you see notifications when that streamer goes live. Subscribing costs money and gives you perks like ad-free viewing and custom emotes. You can follow without subscribing, and you can subscribe without following.