Platform Directory2026 Edition13 Platforms

Complete List of Livestreaming Platforms 2026

Comprehensive directory of major livestreaming platforms worldwide. Compare features, monetization options, regional availability, and find the best platform for your content style and audience.

13+

Platforms Listed

Worldwide

Global Coverage

Gaming, Social, Entertainment

Platform Types

Multiple Revenue Streams

Monetization Options

What is Livestreaming?

Livestreaming is the real-time broadcasting of video content over the internet, allowing creators to interact with their audience instantly. Unlike traditional pre-recorded videos, livestreams happen in the moment, creating authentic connections between streamers and viewers through live chat, reactions, and real-time engagement.

The livestreaming industry has exploded in recent years, with platforms offering diverse opportunities for content creators across gaming, entertainment, education, and more. Each platform brings unique features, monetization models, and audience demographics, making it crucial to choose the right one for your content style and goals.

Looking for Netflix, Disney+ or Spotify instead? Those are on-demand streaming, a different business from the creator platforms below. What is streaming? Live, video and music streaming explained sorts out which of the three you actually want.

Platform Directory

Explore detailed information about each platform, including features, monetization, and best use cases.

GlobalMost Popular
Twitch
The world's leading live streaming platform for gaming and creative content. Owned by Amazon, Twitch offers the most mature streaming ecosystem with extensive features and strong community engagement.

Key Features

  • Chat interactions
  • Extensions
  • Raids
  • Clips
  • VOD

Monetization

  • Subscriptions (50/50 split)
  • Ads
  • Bits
  • Sponsorships

Popular For

GamingEsportsCreativeJust Chatting
GlobalBest Discovery
YouTube Live
Google's livestreaming platform integrated with the world's largest video platform. Excellent for content creators who want to combine live streams with VOD content and benefit from YouTube's unmatched discoverability.

Key Features

  • Stream DVR
  • Clips
  • Super Chat
  • Memberships
  • Premieres

Monetization

  • Ad revenue (55/45 split)
  • Super Chat
  • Channel memberships
  • Sponsorships

Popular For

GamingEducationMusicIRL
GlobalBest Revenue Split
Kick
Creator-friendly platform launched in 2022 with industry-leading 95/5 revenue split. Backed by Stake and co-founded by Trainwreckstv, Kick quickly gained traction by offering better monetization and fewer restrictions than competitors.

Key Features

  • Live chat
  • Clips
  • VOD
  • Raids
  • Custom emotes

Monetization

  • Subscriptions (95/5 split)
  • Tips
  • Sponsorships

Popular For

GamingCasinoJust ChattingIRL
Global
Rumble
Free speech-focused video and livestreaming platform that has gained popularity as an alternative to YouTube. Offers creators more freedom with content policies and competitive revenue sharing.

Key Features

  • Live chat
  • VOD hosting
  • Cloud infrastructure
  • Mobile apps

Monetization

  • Ad revenue (60/40 split)
  • Subscriptions
  • Tips

Popular For

NewsPoliticsCommentaryGaming
South KoreaKorea #1
CHZZK
Naver's livestreaming platform launched in 2024 as the successor to Naver TV. Designed specifically for the Korean market with deep integration into Naver's ecosystem and strong mobile-first approach.

Key Features

  • Korean chat system
  • Naver integration
  • Mobile-first
  • Clips
  • VOD

Monetization

  • Star balloons
  • Subscriptions
  • Sponsorships
  • Naver Pay integration

Popular For

GamingEsportsK-popVariety shows
South Korea
SOOP (AfreecaTV)
Korea's original livestreaming platform, formerly known as AfreecaTV. Rebranded to SOOP in 2023, it remains a major platform in Korea with unique monetization through Star Balloons and the BJ (Broadcasting Jockey) creator system.

Key Features

  • Star Balloon system
  • BJ tier system
  • VOD
  • Mobile streaming
  • Catch system

Monetization

  • Star Balloons
  • Subscriptions
  • Ads
  • Sponsorships

Popular For

GamingEsportsMukbangVariety
GlobalMobile First
TikTok Live
Livestreaming feature within TikTok's short-form video platform. Leverages TikTok's massive user base and algorithm to help streamers reach new audiences. Requires 1,000 followers to access live features.

Key Features

  • Live gifts
  • Q&A
  • Live events
  • Mobile-first
  • Algorithm boost

Monetization

  • Virtual gifts
  • TikTok Shop
  • Brand deals

Popular For

EntertainmentMusicLifestyleGaming
Global
Instagram Live
Meta's livestreaming feature integrated into Instagram. Perfect for creators who already have an Instagram following and want to engage with their community in real-time through mobile-first streaming.

Key Features

  • Stories integration
  • Live rooms
  • Badges
  • Q&A
  • Mobile-only

Monetization

  • Badges
  • Brand partnerships
  • Affiliate marketing

Popular For

LifestyleFashionFitnessEntertainment
Global
Telegram
Messaging app with livestreaming capabilities through voice and video chats in channels. Offers privacy-focused streaming with no algorithmic feed and direct community engagement.

Key Features

  • Voice chats
  • Video streaming
  • Recording
  • Screen sharing
  • No limits

Monetization

  • Direct payments
  • Channel subscriptions
  • Crypto tips

Popular For

CommunityEducationCryptoTech talks
GlobalLimited
Trovo
Gaming-focused livestreaming platform owned by Tencent. Note: As of February 1, 2026, Trovo discontinued all monetary programs in NA/EU/LATAM and restricted new user streaming access, focusing on existing creator support.

Status: Monetary programs ended for NA/EU/LATAM on February 1, 2026, and new streaming access is restricted. The site is still online, but it is no longer a place to build income.

Key Features

  • Elixir currency
  • Spells system
  • Squad streaming
  • Clips
  • VOD

Monetization

  • Subscriptions (standard revenue share)
  • Elixir tips
  • Note: Trovo 500 and monetary programs discontinued

Popular For

GamingEsportsMobile games
GlobalLimited
Steam.tv
Not a creator platform. Valve confirmed the 2018 steam.tv appearance was a test feed for a Dota 2 tournament broadcast, and it never became a Twitch competitor. If you want to broadcast from Steam, use Steam Broadcasting inside the Steam client — it shows your gameplay to friends and on your Steam profile, not to a discoverable audience.

Status: Frequently listed as a Twitch alternative — it is not one. There is no creator monetisation and no audience discovery.

Key Features

  • Steam client broadcasting
  • Friends-facing
  • Tournament pages

Monetization

  • None for creators

Popular For

Watching official tournament streams
Wound down globally (2022)Shut down
Nimo TV
Huya's mobile-gaming platform, once major in Southeast Asia and Latin America for PUBG Mobile and Free Fire content. Huya wound down Nimo TV's global operations in 2022 across 14 countries, including Brazil and Indonesia, after Tencent pulled funding from the international business.

Status: Global operations shut down in 2022. Do not plan a channel here — pick Kick, YouTube Live or TikTok Live for mobile-first content instead.

Key Features

  • Mobile gaming focus
  • Diamonds system
  • Esports integration

Monetization

  • Discontinued in the closed markets

Popular For

Historical interest
Asia, Middle East
Bigo Live
Social livestreaming platform popular in Asia and the Middle East. Focuses on casual entertainment, social interaction, and talent showcasing rather than gaming content.

Key Features

  • PK battles
  • Multi-guest
  • Virtual gifts
  • Live events
  • Family system

Monetization

  • Virtual gifts
  • Beans system
  • Agency partnerships

Popular For

EntertainmentMusicTalent showsSocial

How to Choose the Right Platform

Selecting the best livestreaming platform depends on several factors including your content type, target audience, monetization goals, and technical requirements. Consider these key aspects when making your decision:

Content Type
Gaming content thrives on Twitch and YouTube, while lifestyle and entertainment perform better on TikTok and Instagram. Educational content benefits from YouTube's discoverability.
Audience Location
Consider where your audience is located. CHZZK and SOOP dominate Korea, while Bigo Live and Nimo TV are popular in Asia and Latin America.
Monetization Priority
Kick offers the best revenue split at 95/5, while YouTube provides diverse income streams. TikTok and Instagram rely heavily on virtual gifts and brand deals.
Platform Features
Evaluate features like VOD hosting, clip creation, chat interaction, and mobile support. Choose platforms that align with your streaming style and technical capabilities.

Multistreaming Strategy

Many successful streamers broadcast to multiple platforms simultaneously using multistreaming tools. This strategy maximizes reach and diversifies income sources. However, be aware that some platforms like Twitch have exclusivity requirements for partners, and managing multiple chats can be challenging.

Learn more about broadcasting to multiple platforms with our comprehensive multistreaming guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many livestreaming platforms are there in 2026?

There are dozens, but only a handful are realistic places to build an audience. This directory covers the 13 that matter: Twitch, YouTube Live and Kick globally; TikTok Live and Instagram Live for mobile-first vertical content; CHZZK and SOOP in South Korea; Rumble, Telegram and Bigo Live for specific niches; plus Trovo, Steam.tv and Nimo TV, which are listed with their real status so you do not waste months on a dead end.

Which streaming platforms have shut down or stopped paying creators?

Nimo TV wound down its global operations in 2022 across 14 countries including Brazil and Indonesia. Trovo ended its monetary programs for North America, Europe and Latin America on February 1, 2026 and restricted new streaming access — the site is still up, but you cannot earn there. Steam.tv is widely listed as a Twitch alternative and never was one: Valve confirmed the 2018 sighting was a Dota 2 test broadcast, and there is no creator monetisation. Mixer (Microsoft) closed back in 2020.

Which platform pays streamers the most?

Kick has the highest headline subscription split at 95/5, versus Twitch at 50/50 for most creators and YouTube at 55/45 on ad revenue. Headline splits are not earnings, though — YouTube usually pays out more in absolute terms because its recommendation system reaches far more viewers. A 95% share of a tiny audience loses to 55% of a large one.

What is the best streaming platform for beginners?

YouTube Live if you want your streams to keep earning views as VOD and to be found through search and recommendations. Twitch if community and live culture matter more to you and you are ready to promote yourself, since its discovery for small channels is weak. Kick if monetisation matters early, as its requirements are the easiest to clear.

Can I stream to several platforms at once?

Yes, using a multistreaming service such as Restream or Aitum. The catch is contractual, not technical: Twitch's Partner agreement restricts simultaneous streaming to other large platforms, so check your own terms before enabling it. Splitting your chat across platforms also makes moderation and interaction harder.

Do I need followers before I can go live?

It depends on the platform. Twitch, YouTube, Kick and Rumble let you go live immediately. TikTok Live normally requires roughly 1,000 followers, and mobile-first platforms often gate features such as gifting behind follower or age thresholds. Monetisation always has separate, higher requirements than simply going live.

Explore More Streaming Guides

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