Is KICK the best streaming platform?

The streaming landscape has evolved rapidly over the past few years, and the arrival of KICK has sparked one of the most talked-about rivalries in online entertainment. But is KICK really the best platform for streamers today? To find out, we’re putting it head-to-head with Twitch and YouTube — the two biggest names in the business.

We’ll cover everything from monetisation options, earning potential, and Affiliate/Partner requirements, to the pros and cons of each platform. Whether you’re a new streamer or thinking of switching platforms, this guide will help you decide where to go live.

Here's how they compare

Monetisation

🟢 KICK

95/5 subscriber revenue split (yes, creators keep 95%!)
KCIP: KICK blows it out of the water by paying streamers an hourly rate

Donations & tips via integrated systems and 3rd party support
Ad revenue (still in development, but growing)
No mandatory ad schedules
Only need to stream for 5 hours to unlock subs

🟣 Twitch

50/50 sub split (sometimes 70/30 for Partners)
Bits, cheers, donations
Ad incentives programme (ads tied to hours streamed)
Affiliate status required to monetise

🔴 YouTube

70/30 split on memberships
Super Chats, Super Stickers, Thanks
AdSense revenue
Shorts monetisation (via Partner Programme)

💬 Verdict: KICK wins in raw percentages, but YouTube has more diverse income streams. Twitch sits in the middle but with less favourable splits.

Affiliate and Partner criteria

✅ KICK

- Creator (was Affiliate):
  - Stream for 5 hours
- Verfied:
  - 10 Subscribers
  - 50 avg viewers
  - 15 hours streamed
  - 100 unique chatters
- Partner
  - 25 subscribers
  - 75 avg viewers
  - 30 hours streamed
  - 250 unique chatters
  - 250 followers

🟣 Twitch

- Affiliate:
  - 50 followers
  - 500 minutes streamed in 30 days
  - 3 average viewers
  - 7 unique streaming days
- Partner:
  - 75 average viewers
  - 12 unique streams
  - Consistency & content review

🔴 YouTube

- Monetisation/Partner:
  - 1,000 subscribers
  - 4,000 public watch hours OR 10 million Shorts views
  - Adherence to community guidelines

💬 Verdict: KICK has the lowest barrier to entry, while Twitch and YouTube demand consistency and numbers. For new streamers, KICK provides the easiest way in.

Discoverability

KICK: Still a smaller audience, and no algorithmic discovery. Success is often community-driven.
Twitch: Saturated. Discovery is tough unless you’re lucky or promoted.
YouTube: Powerful algorithm and SEO tools. Old streams and VODs continue gaining views passively.

💡 Tip: YouTube is the best for discoverability, especially if you’re using Shorts, VODs, and livestreams strategically.

Content Rules & Moderation

KICK: Known for being creator-friendly and more lenient, but this comes with a reputation risk. Policies are looser, which appeals to some and repels others.
Twitch: Very strict. DMCA takedowns, suspension risks, and community guidelines enforcement are rigorous.
YouTube: Balanced but very automated. Copyright claims can be brutal, but you’re usually safe if you play by the rules.

📌 Note: KICK’s “freedom” can be a double-edged sword — fewer rules, but less brand safety.

Platform Stability & Support

KICK: Funded by Stake.com — strong financial backing but still early-stage. Tools and features are improving but far from complete.
Twitch: Owned by Amazon. Feature-rich, long-established, but some say support is slow or unresponsive.
YouTube: Backed by Google. Ultra-stable, great creator support once monetised.

🧱 Verdict: Twitch and YouTube offer proven reliability. KICK is catching up, but may feel “beta” in certain areas.

Community Culture

KICK: Feels like a wild west — fun, chaotic, tight-knit communities. Growing fast.
Twitch: Long-established fanbases and communities. Lots of niche and mainstream categories.
YouTube: Viewers treat streams more like videos. Engagement is lower unless built over time.

🌐 Verdict: Twitch wins in live engagement. KICK is rising fast, but YouTube has the deepest passive content pool.

Summary: Which Platform is Best for Streaming?

Monetisation Split:

🏅 KICK

Passive Income:

🏅 YouTube

Discoverability:

🏅 YouTube

Live Viewer Community:

🏅 Twitch / KICK

Ease of Entry:

🏅 KICK

Stability & Tools:

🏅 YouTube / Twitch

🏆 Overall Winner: Depends on Your Goals

🎥 New Streamer? Start on KICK for low barrier and high sub revenue.
📈 Looking for growth and passive income? Go with YouTube.
🕹️ Want live stream culture and fan interaction? Either KICK or Twitch.

No one platform is “best” for everyone. Your choice depends on what matters most: money, reach, stability, or community. However, Youtube is probably the least known for it’s Live streaming and Twitch’s over-saturation and less appealing income split, compared to KICK’s freshness and extremely generous income split as well as their amazing KCIP program, could mean that KICK is the best platform to stream on right now.

Final Thoughts

The streaming world is more competitive (and exciting) than ever. With KICK, Twitch, and YouTube each carving out their niche, creators now have more freedom to build their brand where it suits them best.

Whether you’re grinding for Partner or just streaming for fun, focus on quality, consistency, and engagement — that’s what truly pays off, no matter where you stream.