Gaming has evolved beyond just playing, it’s now a way to connect, entertain, and even build a career around it.
Whether you want to stream for fun, grow an audience, or monetize your content, choosing the right game streaming platform is crucial.
But with so many options available, which platform is truly the best for PC streaming? What is the best platform to stream games on PC? And where should you stream in 2025?
Some offer better audience reach, while others focus on low latency, high quality, or monetization opportunities.
I’ve tested and analyzed the top 10 game streaming platforms to help you find the perfect fit based on performance, monetization, community, and ease of use.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, here’s a ranking of the top platforms based on different needs:
Quick Overview: Best Streaming Platforms Based on Needs
| Best For | Platform |
|---|---|
| Best Overall for Engagement & Monetization | Twitch |
| Best for Long-Term Growth & Discoverability | YouTube Gaming |
| Best for Revenue Split & Monetization | Kick |
| Best for Monetization & Revenue | Facebook Gaming |
| Best for Cloud Gaming | GeForce Now |
| Best for Console & PC Streaming | Xbox Game Pass |
| Best for Short-Form & Viral Growth | TikTok Live |
| Best for New Streamers & Low Competition | Trovo |
| Best for Mobile & Casual Streaming | Bigo Live |
| Best for Esports & Competitive Streaming | GosuGamers |
But the best choice depends on your goals, so let’s dive into detailed comparisons, rankings, and setup guides to help you decide.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Game Streaming Platform?
Before ranking the top platforms, it’s important to know what makes a game streaming service great. Here are the key factors I used to evaluate each platform:
Low Latency & High-Quality Streaming
- Does the platform support smooth, lag-free streaming?
- Resolution & FPS options: 1080p, 4K, 60FPS?
Device Compatibility
- Can you stream on PC, consoles, mobile, or cloud gaming devices?
- Does it support OBS, Streamlabs, and other streaming software?
Monetization & Revenue Potential
- Can you earn money from ads, subs, or donations?
- Revenue split—how much do you keep vs. how much does the platform take?
Ease of Use & Setup
- Is it beginner-friendly, or does it require advanced technical knowledge?
- Does it integrate well with other tools like Discord, overlays, and alerts?
Audience & Community Growth
- How large is the platform’s viewer base?
- Is it easier to get discovered as a new streamer?
With these factors in mind, let’s dive into the top 15 game streaming platforms ranked and compared.
Top 10 Platform to Stream Games on PC (Ranked & Compared)
1. Twitch (Best for Engagement & Monetization)
Twitch is the undisputed king of game streaming. With millions of daily viewers, it offers the biggest audience and strongest engagement for streamers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive audience = more viewers & followers | Extremely competitive (hard to stand out) |
| Multiple revenue streams (subs, bits, ads) | 50/50 revenue split (Twitch takes half of sub revenue) |
| Easy integration with OBS & Streamlabs | |
| Strong community support & chat interaction |
Best For: Serious streamers looking to grow a large, engaged audience and make money through subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
2. YouTube Gaming (Best for Long-Term Growth & Discoverability)
YouTube Gaming is an excellent choice for streamers looking for visibility beyond live streams. This is a good platform to stream games, since YouTube videos rank in Google search results, your content gets discovered even after your live stream ends.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long-term visibility (streams stay searchable on YouTube) | Harder to build real-time engagement (chat isn’t as interactive as Twitch) |
| Higher revenue potential (better ad rates than Twitch) | Stricter copyright policies (risk of demonetization) |
| SEO power (streams show up in Google search) |
Best For: Streamers who want long-term content discoverability and passive income from ad revenue.
3. Kick (Best for Monetization & Revenue Split – 95/5 Earnings)
Kick is a new streaming platform designed to compete with Twitch, offering a 95/5 revenue split where streamers keep most of their earnings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highest revenue split (95 percent to creators, 5 percent to Kick) | Smaller audience than Twitch and YouTube |
| Lower competition compared to Twitch | Some controversy due to connections with gambling platform Stake |
| More relaxed content rules |
Best For: Streamers who want to maximize their earnings with a better revenue split.
4. Facebook Gaming (Best for Social Media Audience & Mobile Streaming)
Facebook Gaming allows streamers to tap into Facebook’s existing social connections, making it easy to gain an audience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leverages Facebook’s social media algorithm for discoverability | Hard to grow outside of Facebook’s ecosystem |
| Monetization through Stars, in-stream ads, and fan subscriptions | Limited gaming community compared to Twitch and YouTube |
| Good for casual and mobile game streaming |
Best For: Casual streamers and those who already have a Facebook audience.
5. GeForce Now (Best for Cloud Gaming & Low-End PCs)
GeForce Now allows players to stream games from the cloud, meaning they do not need a high-end PC to stream which makes it a good platform to stream games .
Best For: Gamers who want to stream high-end games on low-end hardware.
6. Xbox Game Pass (Best for Console & PC Streaming)
Xbox Game Pass integrates cloud gaming, allowing users to stream high-quality games directly from Microsoft’s servers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to a huge game library | Limited to Xbox Game Pass titles |
| Works seamlessly with Xbox and Windows devices | No built-in monetization for streamers |
Best For: Xbox users who want to stream without a high-end PC.
7. TikTok Live (Best for Short-Form & Viral Growth)
TikTok Live is growing rapidly as a streaming platform, especially for short-form content and interactive engagement.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive organic reach (TikTok’s algorithm pushes live streams) | Requires 10,000 followers to access Live monetization |
| Strong viewer engagement with gifts and live Q&A | Not optimized for long-form gaming streams |
| Strong viewer engagement with gifts and live Q&A |
Best For: Gamers who want to grow quickly through viral clips and short-form content.
8. Trovo (Best for New Streamers & Low Competition)
Trovo is a Twitch alternative with less competition and is a good platform to stream games , making it easier for new streamers to gain visibility.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower competition | Small user base compared to Twitch and YouTube |
| Trovo 500 Partner Program (monetization) | |
| Mobile-friendly interface |
Best For: New streamers looking for an easier path to growth.
9. Bigo Live (Best for Mobile & Casual Streaming)
Bigo Live is a popular mobile-first streaming app, great for casual gaming and interactive streaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mobile-friendly platform | Not designed for PC-focused game streaming |
| Strong community interaction and monetization |
Best For: Mobile game streamers who want a casual audience.
10. GosuGamers (Best for Esports & Competitive Streaming)
GosuGamers is a niche platform focused on esports and competitive gaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dedicated to competitive gaming and tournaments | Not ideal for casual streamers |
| Great for professional esports streaming | Smaller audience than mainstream platforms |
Best For: Esports professionals and tournament streamers.
Best Streaming Platforms for PC Gamers
| Platform | Best For | Monetization | Audience Size | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | Engagement & Community | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| YouTube Gaming | Long-Term Growth & SEO | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kick | Revenue Split (95/5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Facebook Gaming | Social Media Audience | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GeForce Now | Cloud Gaming & Low-End PCs | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
So Where Should You Stream in 2025?
With new platforms emerging and established ones evolving, choosing good platform to stream games is more complicated than ever. Let’s look at three major factors when picking a platform:
Audience Growth Potential
- Twitch has the largest gaming audience, but high competition.
- YouTube Gaming offers better long-term discoverability.
- TikTok Live is ideal for short-form viral growth.
Monetization & Revenue Split
- Kick offers the best revenue split (95/5) for streamers.
- Facebook Gaming allows monetization through Stars & Ads.
- Twitch takes 50% of sub revenue, making it less profitable for new streamers.
Content & Platform Suitability
- Twitch & YouTube are best for long-form gaming streams.
- TikTok Live is perfect for high-energy, short-form gaming clips.
- GeForce Now & Xbox Game Pass cater to cloud gaming users.
If you want fast growth, choose TikTok Live. For long-term discoverability, use YouTube Gaming. For high earnings, go with Kick.
FAQs On Platform to Stream Games
What is the best streaming service for PC games?
GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming are the best streaming services for playing PC games without high-end hardware.
What is the best way to stream games from my PC?
Use OBS Studio or Streamlabs with a stable internet connection (upload speed of at least 6 Mbps) for smooth streaming.
Is Moonlight better than Steam Link?
Moonlight provides lower latency and better performance than Steam Link, but Steam Link is easier to set up.
Do you need a powerful PC to stream games?
No, but a good CPU (i7/Ryzen 7+), GPU (RTX 3060+), and 16GB RAM help ensure smooth performance.
Is GeForce Now worth it?
Yes, if you don’t have a gaming PC but want to play high-end games. However, it requires fast internet (50 Mbps+) for smooth performance.
What is better than GeForce Now?
Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna offer competitive alternatives with different game libraries and pricing models.
Which OS is best for game streaming?
Windows is the best OS for game streaming, as it supports OBS, Twitch, and most gaming hardware.
What PC does most streamers use?
Most streamers use a Windows-based PC with an Intel i7/Ryzen 7, RTX 3060+ GPU, and 32GB RAM for high-quality streaming.
How to play PC games on TV without lag?
Use a wired Ethernet connection and Moonlight, Steam Link, or Nvidia Shield for low-latency streaming.
Does more RAM improve streaming?
Yes, 16GB RAM is recommended, but 32GB is ideal for streaming while multitasking.
Is 32GB RAM good for gaming and streaming?
Yes, 32GB RAM is best for smooth gaming and high-quality streaming, especially for dual-PC setups.
Is OBS the best streaming software?
Yes, OBS Studio is the best free streaming software, while Streamlabs is better for built-in widgets and ease of use.
What do I need to start streaming PC games?
A PC, OBS software, webcam, microphone, and at least 6 Mbps upload speed are required for streaming.
Who pays streamers more, Twitch or YouTube?
YouTube pays more in ad revenue, while Twitch offers better live monetization through subs and bits.
Is it harder to grow on YouTube or Twitch?
Twitch is harder because discoverability is limited, while YouTube helps new streamers grow through search and recommendations.
Is it easier to make money streaming on Twitch or YouTube?
YouTube offers better long-term monetization, while Twitch allows faster earnings through live viewer support.
How hard is it to become a successful gaming streamer?
It’s very competitive. You need consistent content, strong branding, and platform strategy to grow.
Do most streamers make money?
No, only top streamers make a full-time income. Most earn less than $100 per month.
What age can you become a streamer?
Most platforms require a minimum age of 13, but monetization features usually require age 18+.
Is a streamer a job?
Yes, but only successful streamers earn a full-time living. Most treat it as a side hustle.
Conclusion: Which Game Streaming Platform is Best?
Best Overall: Twitch
Best for Growth: YouTube Gaming
Best for Money: Kick
Best for Viral Growth: TikTok Live
Choose the platform that fits your streaming goals and start building your audience today.
Also Read! How To Stream Game On PC
