Guide 2026
Guides for streamers in the US
Just getting started, or leaving SE.Pay or the Streamlabs tip page behind? These guides walk through, topic by topic, how to get tips on stream, set up alerts in OBS, pick a platform and understand the fees in dollars. Every guide is written for the US, with the payment methods US viewers reach for: credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, plus Amazon Pay where Stripe has activated it.
Getting started
- Donation platform for streamersA donation platform for US content creators: a free tip page for Twitch, YouTube, Kick and TikTok, OBS alerts, Apple Pay and payouts in dollars.
- Make money streamingEvery way to make money streaming in the US: subs, Bits, ads, sponsors and direct tips, plus what Twitch, YouTube and TikTok keep from each dollar.
- Make money on TwitchSubs pay about 50%, Bits about 71% and direct tips arrive from your first stream. How Twitch streamers in the US actually make money, in dollars.
- Make money on TikTokTikTok LIVE gifts, Creator Rewards and direct tips explained for US creators: the follower thresholds, what TikTok keeps and what reaches you.
- Make money on YouTubeAds, Super Chat, memberships and direct tips: the YouTube Partner Program thresholds and what US creators keep from every dollar fans send.
- Start streamingA beginner's guide to streaming on Twitch, YouTube, Kick or TikTok: gear, free OBS setup, your first scene and when to add tips and alerts.
Comparisons and switching
- TipeeeStream alternativeLeaving TipeeeStream from the US? Compare fees and alerts, import your tip history and take tips in dollars with DonoLink for a flat 3.5% fee.
- Streamlabs donations alternativeSwap the Streamlabs tip page for DonoLink and keep Streamlabs Desktop or OBS. Compare withdrawal, FX and chargeback fees with a flat 3.5% per tip.
- Ko-fi alternative for streamersComparing Ko-fi and DonoLink for live streams in the US? See fees, on-screen alerts and dollar payouts, then pick the tip page that suits you.
- StreamElements alternativeLegacy SE.Pay closes on December 31, 2026. Switch your StreamElements tips to DonoLink, import your tip history and keep your overlays running.
- Donation platforms comparedStreamlabs, StreamElements, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, PayPal and DonoLink compared for US streamers: fees in dollars, payouts and alerts.
- Import your donation historyChanging tip platforms? Import your history from StreamElements, Streamlabs, Ko-fi or a CSV file, keep your top tippers and start fresh in dollars.
By streaming platform
- Receive donations on TwitchTake Twitch donations in dollars on your own Stripe account: a tip panel, a !tip command and OBS alerts. A $10 tip leaves $9.06 vs about $7.10 in Bits.
- Donations during YouTube live streamsA $10 Super Chat leaves you $7 at most. A tip link in your description leaves $9.06, works below 500 subscribers and plays alerts in OBS.
- Donations during TikTok LIVETikTok LIVE gifts leave creators about half of what viewers spend. A $10 tip on your own page leaves $9.06. Compare both and add tips to your LIVE.
- Receive donations on KickSet up donations on Kick: add a tip link to your channel, show tips and Kick subs in OBS and get paid in dollars on your own Stripe account.
- Donation link in your bioPut a tip page in your link in bio: fans tip from their phone with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card, no account needed, and you get paid in dollars.
- Instagram Live donationsGet tips on Instagram Live without a tappable link: your bio link, a story sticker and a QR code on screen. Fans tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Facebook Live donationsTake tips during Facebook Live in the US: a tip link in your description and a pinned comment, OBS alerts and payouts in dollars on Stripe.
- PS5 and Xbox stream donationsSet up donations on PS5 and Xbox streams: a tip link for viewers plus alerts through Lightstream or a capture card and OBS. Free, 3.5% per tip.
- Multistream donationsGoing live on several platforms at once? One tip link, one alert in OBS and one goal bar for every audience, with all payouts in dollars.
For every kind of creator
- Donations for VTubersTake tips as a VTuber under your stage name: transparent alerts above your model, text-to-speech with a filter, and payouts in dollars.
- Creator support pageA free online tip jar for YouTubers, podcasters and artists in the US. Fans tip with Apple Pay or card, no account, and you're paid in dollars.
- Donations for live musiciansLive musicians in the US: take tips with subtle alerts that never interrupt a song, a goal bar for your next album and fair song requests.
Alerts, overlays and tools
- OBS donation alertsAdd Twitch donation alerts to OBS in one click: sound, GIFs, text-to-speech and a goal bar for every tip, next to your follow, sub and Bits alerts.
- Free streamer toolsFree Twitch and OBS tools in one dashboard: tip page, alerts, goal bar, chat overlay, leaderboard and a Stream Deck plugin. No monthly plan.
- Text-to-speech donationsSet up Twitch donation TTS: tip messages read aloud in your alert, a minimum amount in dollars, a word filter and spam protection built in.
- Donation goal overlayAdd a Twitch donation goal overlay to OBS: set a target in dollars and watch the bar move live with every tip. Free, no subscription needed.
- Top donors leaderboardShow your top donors on stream: a leaderboard overlay for OBS and your tip page, by day, week, month or all time. Turn it off whenever you like.
- Media and song requestsRun media share and song requests on Twitch: viewers suggest YouTube videos, you approve, skip or remove them, and the player sits in OBS.
- Chat overlay for OBSAdd your Twitch chat to OBS in minutes: badges, username colors, custom fonts and fading messages on a transparent background. Free to use.
- Follow, sub and raid alertsTwitch follow, sub, raid and Bits alerts plus Kick follows and subs in one queue with your tips. Default alerts work right away, free.
- Donation message moderationStop rude donation messages before they hit your screen or TTS: a profanity filter, a custom word list, link hiding and a minimum in dollars.
- Donation QR codeMake a QR code tip jar: viewers scan it from the screen or a poster and tip with Apple Pay or card. Custom colors, PNG download and OBS widget.
- Stream Deck plugin for donationsControl donation alerts from an Elgato Stream Deck: skip, replay, pause, test and show your total in dollars. Free plugin, secure API key.
- Discord donation notificationsSend a Discord message for every tip: amount in dollars, name and message, posted by a webhook in the channel you choose. No bot to install.
- Customize your donation pageCustomize your tip page with a photo, banner, color, bio, suggested amounts in dollars, a minimum tip and links to your socials. Free to use.
Payments, fees and taxes
- Receive donations without PayPalTake Twitch donations without PayPal: card, Apple Pay and Google Pay on a tip page with OBS alerts. PayPal support is coming soon.
- Donation fees explainedOn a $10 card tip Stripe takes $0.59, DonoLink $0.35 and you keep $9.06. How stream donation fees compare with PayPal, Super Chat and Bits.
- Card donationsLet US viewers tip by credit or debit card without PayPal or an account. Stripe processes the card at 2.9% + 30¢ and pays you out in dollars.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay donationsLet viewers tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay in one tap on their phone, no card number to type. Shown automatically, no setup needed.
- Refunds and disputesHow disputes and chargebacks work when a viewer contests a tip: what Stripe does, how a refund differs from a dispute and how to cut the risk.
- Stream donations and taxesTwitch donations and tips are income in the US. How the IRS sees them, when Stripe sends a Form 1099-K and what records to keep. Not tax advice.
Tutorials
- How to set up donations on Twitch: donate button and alertsHow to set up donations on Twitch in five steps: a donation page, a donate button panel, a !donate chat command, OBS alerts and a goal, plus Affiliate rules.
- How much do Twitch streamers make per sub and per Bit?By default a streamer gets 50% of a sub’s net revenue, or 60% or 70% in the Plus Program. A $5.99 US sub pays under $3, and each Bit pays 1 US cent.
- How to donate on Kick: subs, KICKs or a donation linkHow to donate on Kick on desktop or mobile: subs, gifted subs, KICKs or a donation link, how much the streamer receives and what to check before you pay.
- How to donate on YouTube Live: Super Chat vs a donation linkHow to donate on YouTube Live on desktop or mobile: Super Chat, Super Stickers, memberships or the creator’s link, what the creator keeps and safety tips.
- How to receive donations on Instagram: bio link, Stories and LiveHow to receive donations on Instagram: a link in your bio, the link sticker in Stories, badges on Live, gifts and subscriptions, and what each route costs.
- Create a donation link for your streamBuild a recognisable donation page, share your local link and check the payment journey from a viewer’s perspective.
- Set up donation alerts in OBSAdd alerts as a browser source and check the picture, sound and queue before going live.
- A donation checklist before your livestreamCheck your account, public page and alerts in a consistent order so that an important step does not get missed.
- How to donate on Twitch: Bits, subs or a donation linkDonate to a Twitch streamer on desktop or mobile: the difference between Bits, subscriptions and a donation link, payment steps and useful checks.