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YouTube vs. Twitch: Which Platform Is Winning the Streaming War?
Streaming has exploded in the past decade, turning casual gamers and entertainers into full-time creators with loyal audiences. But if you’re thinking about diving into the streaming world, or if you’re already in it, you have probably asked the million-dollar question: YouTube or Twitch?
Both platforms have their strengths, weaknesses, and passionate defenders. But as the industry moves forward, so do the opportunities and challenges for creators. Let’s take a human-first look at growth trends, monetization strategies, and creator sentiment to see who is really winning the streaming war.
If you’re curious about a different angle, you can also check out the comparison between Kick and Twitch to learn more.
1. Growth: Who is Pulling Ahead?
At first glance, Twitch still dominates live streaming. According to Stream Hatchet, Twitch commanded 70% of total live streaming watch hours in 2023 (Source: Stream Hatchet, 2023), while YouTube trailed behind with 15% (Source: Stream Hatchet). Facebook Gaming filled in the gaps before shutting down.
But here is where things get interesting: YouTube’s live streaming sector is growing faster than Twitch’s, because of aggressive investments and exclusive streamer deals. The…
