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 September 2026 watch time as the charts below.

  • TikTok
    TikTok LIVE
    Viral discovery and interactivity
    Watch time share
    36.9% rank #2
    Average viewers
    5.0M
    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
    15.1% rank #3
    Average viewers
    2.0M
    Gaming share
    77% 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
    40.0% rank #1
    Average viewers
    5.4M
    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
    8.0% rank #4
    Average viewers
    1.1M
    Gaming share
    52% 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 (September)

Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
TikTok
TikTok
Chats
1 880 769 848
Fashion
640 578 798
Outdoors
319 465 815
Talents
182 815 663
Roblox
102 125 825
Twitch
Twitch
Just Chatting
Just Chatting
195 145 853
Grand Theft Auto V
76 757 769
League of Legends
League of Legends
60 905 981
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
53 428 393
Valorant
Valorant
48 135 443
YouTube
YouTube
Entertainment
Entertainment
721 964 546
News & Politics
News & Politics
716 131 694
Gaming
Gaming
496 936 143
Sports
Sports
452 281 091
Music
Music
399 022 952
Kick
Kick
Just Chatting
Just Chatting
160 900 829
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA)
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA)
126 241 974
IRL
IRL
94 665 867
Slots & Casino
Slots & Casino
93 268 787
Minecraft
26 139 243

IRL Popularity

by Total Watch Time in the previous month (September)
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 (September)
Monitor Gaming streaming trends across TikTok, Twitch, Kick, and YouTube
Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
300M
600M
900M
1200M

Total Watch Time on TikTok and Other Platforms

previous month (September)
Audience Insights on TikTok and Competing Platforms
Data source: TikTokStats.comTikTokStats.com
50.0M100.0M150.0M200.0M1 Sep5 Sep9 Sep13 Sep17 Sep21 Sep25 Sep29 Sep
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.