Compare TikTok LIVE vs YouTube, Twitch and Kick

Explore in-depth comparisons of TikTok LIVE, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick. Analyze live streaming trends, and category performance to uncover which platform dominates the live streaming landscape.

How TikTok LIVE, Twitch, YouTube Live and Kick compare for creators

Where creators actually earn, and how big each live audience really is. The top three rows are measured, from the same October 2026 watch time as the charts below.

  • TikTok
    TikTok LIVE
    Viral discovery and interactivity
    Watch time share
    35.0% rank #2
    Average viewers
    5.2M
    Gaming share
    16% rank #4
    Creator keeps
    50%
    Best for
    IRL, fashion, trends

    Found through the For You Page · 1B+ monthly users, mostly under 30 · earns through 3D virtual gifts, LIVE battles and brand deals

    Why creators pick TikTok LIVE
  • Twitch
    Twitch
    Hardcore gaming and community loyalty
    Watch time share
    14.2% rank #3
    Average viewers
    2.1M
    Gaming share
    79% rank #1
    Creator keeps
    50-70%
    Best for
    Esports, MMOs

    Found through directory browsing · 18-34, predominantly male · earns through subscriptions, Bits and ads · ultra-low latency

    TikTok LIVE vs Twitch
  • YouTube
    YouTube Live
    Long-form reach, search and scale
    Watch time share
    43.9% rank #1
    Average viewers
    6.5M
    Gaming share
    16% rank #3
    Creator keeps
    70%
    Best for
    Sports, news, tutorials

    Found through search and the Shorts funnel · 2B+ logged-in users, all ages · earns through memberships, Super Chat, ads and shopping

    TikTok LIVE vs YouTube Live
  • Kick
    Kick
    Creator-first payouts, gaming roots
    Watch time share
    6.9% rank #4
    Average viewers
    1.0M
    Gaming share
    54% rank #2
    Creator keeps
    95% best
    Best for
    Gaming, IRL, commentary

    Found through directory and categories · 95% of subscription revenue stays with the streamer · earns through subscriptions, hourly deals and ads

    TikTok LIVE vs Kick

Top Categories on Platforms
by Total Watch Time in the previous month (October)

Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
TikTok
TikTok
Chats
2 045 372 164
Fashion
699 735 519
Outdoors
346 582 856
Talents
207 057 055
Roblox
109 376 020
Twitch
Twitch
Just Chatting
Just Chatting
204 299 232
League of Legends
League of Legends
106 778 900
Minecraft
77 174 046
Grand Theft Auto V
68 443 048
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike
59 531 794
YouTube
YouTube
News & Politics
News & Politics
931 389 314
Entertainment
Entertainment
796 387 934
Gaming
Gaming
604 895 993
Sports
Sports
521 807 836
Music
Music
438 089 670
Kick
Kick
Just Chatting
Just Chatting
180 236 337
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA)
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA)
116 398 688
IRL
IRL
108 051 901
Slots & Casino
Slots & Casino
45 887 565
Minecraft
45 008 617

IRL Popularity

by Total Watch Time in the previous month (October)
Track the rise of IRL (In Real Life) streaming across TikTok, Twitch, Kick and YouTube
Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
1000M
2000M
3000M
4000M

Gaming Popularity

by Total Watch Time in the previous month (October)
Monitor Gaming streaming trends across TikTok, Twitch, Kick, and YouTube
Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
375M
750M
1125M
1500M

Total Watch Time on TikTok and Other Platforms

previous month (October)
Audience Insights on TikTok and Competing Platforms
Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
50.0M100.0M150.0M200.0M1 Oct5 Oct9 Oct13 Oct17 Oct21 Oct25 Oct29 Oct
Unlock the full potential of TikTok LIVE with in-depth analytics tailored for brands, content creators, and businesses. Dive into real-time data on top-performing categories like Gaming, Chats, Fashion, Lifestyle, and Outdoor streams. Learn how to leverage TikTok Live for marketing success: discover strategies for launching online stores, promoting cosmetics, or boosting sales through live shopping.
Explore comparisons with other platforms to identify where your audience engages most and how TikTok LIVE outperforms competitors in driving brand visibility and sales. Whether you're a creator looking to grow or a brand aiming to dominate, our data-driven insights help you make informed decisions for TikTok campaigns.