How much is a sub on Twitch? A standard Tier 1 subscription costs $4.99, but the final price and value depend on the tier you choose and how Twitch subscriptions work behind the scenes.
Subscribing is one of the main ways viewers support streamers. It unlocks perks like emotes and badges, while helping creators earn a more stable income. At the same time, subscriptions can be confusing if you are new to Twitch.
In this guide, we break down Twitch sub prices, explain the different tiers, and show how much streamers actually make. Whether you are watching or streaming, you will know exactly what to expect.
What Is a Twitch Subscription?
A Twitch subscription is a paid way to support a streamer. It is not the same as following. Following is free and only notifies you when someone goes live.
Subscribing gives you extra perks. These usually include custom emotes and a subscriber badge next to your name. Some channels also offer special chat access or other small bonuses.
Subscriptions also help streamers earn steadier income. Views and ads can change often, but subscriptions are more predictable. This makes them important, especially for smaller channels.
For new creators, subscriptions usually come after the basics. Most streamers focus first on learning how to go live and building an audience. Monetization comes later.
Once you understand what a subscription does, the next question is simple. How much does it actually cost, and what are the differences between tiers?
Twitch Subscription Tiers Explained
Twitch offers three subscription tiers, each designed to support a streamer at a different level. As the tier increases, the price goes up and the perks become more noticeable.
Tier 1 costs $4.99 and is the option most viewers choose. It unlocks custom emotes and adds a subscriber badge next to your name. For many people, this tier feels like the easiest way to support a streamer.
Tier 2 costs $9.99 and usually includes extra emotes and a more visible badge. Viewers often choose this tier when they spend more time in a channel or want to show stronger support.
Tier 3 is the highest tier at $24.99. It comes with the most emotes and the most prominent badge. This tier is mostly used by long-time supporters or very dedicated fans.
Most Twitch subscriptions stay at Tier 1, and that is completely normal.
Still, not every subscription requires paying out of pocket, which is where Prime subscriptions come in.
What Is a Prime Sub and How Much Does It Cost?
After looking at paid subscription tiers, it helps to know that not every sub requires spending extra money. Twitch also offers Prime subscriptions, which work a little differently.
So what is a Prime sub?
A Prime sub comes with an active Amazon Prime membership. Instead of paying $4.99, Prime members can use one free Tier 1 subscription each month on any Twitch channel.
What do viewers and streamers get?
For viewers, the perks are the same as a regular Tier 1 sub. You still get emotes and a subscriber badge. For streamers, Prime subs count just like paid Tier 1 subscriptions and generate revenue in the same way.
The catch with Prime subs
Prime subscriptions do not renew automatically. Viewers have to manually use them every month. This is why Prime subs often drop if people forget to reapply them.
Prime subs make supporting streamers easier for viewers who already pay for Prime. At the same time, that manual renewal makes income less predictable for creators.
This uncertainty is why many streamers look closely at how much subscriptions actually pay once Twitch takes its cut.
How Much Do Streamers Make per Subscription?
Subscriptions may look simple, but the money behind them works a bit differently than many people expect.
Twitch shares subscription revenue with streamers. From a standard Tier 1 sub, most creators receive around half of the subscription price.
Several factors affect the final amount. Location, taxes, and partnership status all influence how much a streamer takes home, which is why earnings can vary from channel to channel.
Why one Twitch sub doesn’t equal real income
One subscription alone does not generate meaningful income. Streamers build subscription revenue through volume, not single supporters.
To grow steady sub income, creators need:
- A consistent viewer base
- Subscribers who renew month after month
- Streams that keep people coming back
Without that foundation, subscription earnings stay limited.
Why subscriptions don’t tell the full story
Subscriptions rarely act as the main income source on their own. Most streamers actively combine subs with ads, bits, and outside support.
To understand the bigger picture, it helps to look at how Twitch creators earn money across all revenue streams, not just subscriptions.
On Twitch, most of the money goes to a small number of big streamers. Smaller channels usually earn much less, even with subscriptions. That is why growth and visibility matter more than monetization tools on their own.
Because of this, subscriptions offer more than payouts. They build loyalty, strengthen community, and support long-term growth.
That shift from money to value leads straight into the next question. Is subscribing on Twitch actually worth it?
Is Subscribing on Twitch Worth It?
Whether a Twitch subscription feels worth it depends on what you expect from it. For some people, it’s about perks. For others, it’s about support.
From a viewer’s point of view
Subscribing lets viewers support a streamer they enjoy watching. It unlocks emotes, adds a badge, and often creates a stronger sense of belonging in the community.
Many viewers subscribe because they spend a lot of time on a channel. The subscription becomes a small way to give back while enjoying extra features along the way.
From a streamer’s point of view
For streamers, subscriptions offer more than income. They signal loyalty and help build a stable core audience. Even a small number of consistent subscribers can make a big difference over time.
That said, subscriptions rarely work on their own. Streamers still need visibility, regular viewers, and engagement to grow. Without those, subscriptions stay limited.
In the end, subscriptions work best when they support an active and growing channel. That is why many creators focus first on getting noticed, then on turning viewers into subscribers.
How Streamers Can Grow Subscribers and Visibility
Subscriptions work best when people can actually find your channel. Without visibility, even great content struggles to convert viewers into subscribers.
Most streamers face the same challenge at the start. Twitch does not automatically push new channels, so growth depends on consistency, discoverability, and first impressions.
What helps turn viewers into subscribers
Streamers who grow subscriptions usually focus on a few core things:
- Streaming on a clear and regular schedule
- Keeping chat active and welcoming
- Making the channel easy to recognize and remember
Small details matter here. Your channel name, layout, and overall branding shape how new viewers perceive you.
Even something as simple as choosing a clear and recognizable display name can make it easier for people to find you again.
Why visibility comes before monetization
Before viewers subscribe, they need a reason to stay. That reason often comes from momentum. When a channel shows activity, engagement, and steady growth, new viewers feel more confident supporting it.
This is where tools that support visibility can help. Services like Bulkoid focus on boosting exposure and engagement signals, which can help newer channels gain traction faster while they continue to grow organically.
Once visibility and engagement are in place, subscriptions feel less forced and more like a natural way for viewers to show support.
Final Thoughts
So, how much is a sub on Twitch? For most viewers, the starting point is $4.99, with higher tiers available for those who want to offer more support.
For streamers, subscriptions work best when they build on top of visibility and an active audience. Without steady viewers, even strong monetization features struggle to perform.
👉 Turning viewers into subscribers
Most channels grow subscriptions after they grow their reach. When more people discover your stream and spend time watching, subscribing feels like a natural next step.
Some creators choose to speed up that early phase by buying Twitch growth services, such as followers or views, to increase visibility and social proof while they continue creating content consistently.
When growth and engagement come first, subscriptions usually follow without forcing the process.
