Mixer vs Twitch: Who is the King of Live Game Streaming
Updated: Goodbye to Mixer, Microsoft couldn’t cope with Twitch and decided to cut it short by announcing that broadcasting service to close July 22.
For many years, Twitch is the number one live game-streaming service. However, when the news of popular streamers Ninja and Shroud switching from Twitch to Mixer became headlines, many people start to ask themselves, “is Mixer better than Twitch now?”.
In this Mixer vs. Twitch article, we will compare these two big live-streaming in aspects of their use base, monetization and live-streaming experience.
Mixer vs Twitch: Pros and Cons
First of all, let’s get an overview of the pros and cons of Twitch and Mixer.
Pros | Cons | |
Twitch | 1. Larger audience pool and viewer potential 2. More partnerships with games 3. Better monetization options 4. Easy-to-navigate library of on-demand videos 5. Most known game streamers are here | 1. More competition for growth 2. More toxic community (trolls, spammers, etc.) 3. Once you become a Twitch Partner, you have to exclusively stream game-related content on Twitch. |
Mixer | 1. Easy to use for Windows and Xbox One users, no need for OBS or Xsplit 2. Split-screen streaming with up to 3 friends 3. Faster connection with viewers through FTL 4. High level of viewer interaction with MixPlay 5. Smaller userbase makes it easier to find an audience | 1. Smaller audience 2. No native PS4 support 3. No DVR |
Mixer vs. Twitch: Stats (User Base, Hours Watched and Average CCV)
According to this annual report by Streamlabs and Newzoo, Twitch users watched a total of 9.8 billion hours in 2019. However, tough Mixer more than doubled its number of hours watched when comparing 2019 to 2018 and reached 357 million hours, it is just 3.7% of Twitch’s total.
In Q1 of 2020, Twitch saw 17% growth in hours watched vs Q4 2019 and 20% growth in average concurrent viewers. Unfortunately, Mixer saw a decrease in both hours watched and concurrent viewers (-7% and -5%, respectively). Obviously, when people have to stay at home for the Covid-19 reason, most of the people still choose twitch.
In truth, Twitch is still the biggest live game streaming platform. For streamers, it has the biggest audience pool, and for audience, most of the biggest streaming celebrities and esports players you like are using it.
Mixer vs. Twitch: Live Streaming Experience
As for live streaming experience, Mixer may win the game with FTL, Mixplay, and Co-Stream.
With FTL (Fast than light), the Mixer audience gets to see what their favorite streamer is doing in near-real time: just a second of delay while Twitch will have a 10-20 second delay.
Then, Mixer has differentiated itself from Twitch by boasting a whole host of interactivity options. On Mixer, the streams are much more interactive than on Twitch. Twitch might have TwitchChat and donation messages, but Mixer allows you to offer special controls to your viewers, for instance, voting on significant story choices in games.
Additionally, Mixer also offers what is called co-streaming. Four steamers can seamlessly merge their streams, keeping them all in sync, and the combined group of viewers can interact. The streamers don’t have to be playing the same game, but they come across as a single viewing experience for the viewers. Twitch made their own version of co-streaming called Squad Streaming, launched in March 2019. Unlike Mixer’s co-streaming, one stream gets the honor of being in the “primary” spot, while the others line the bottoms of the screen.
Mixer vs. Twitch: Monetization
There are so many ways to make money from Twitch and Mixer. I think the core is not in what way you can make money through them, but in how many followers you have. More followers, more money. And for most streamers, it is easier to attract more followers on Twitch since more viewers are in this platform.
How to Make Money from Twitch
Twitch streamers can earn money through donations, advertisements, sponsorship, affiliate marketing and subscriptions.
- The most common revenue source from Twitch is through bit donations from your audience. “Bits” are Twitch’s virtual currency viewers can buy and redeem to use “Cheer” emotes in their favorite streamer’s chatroom.
- The #1 revenue source for Twitch streamers is their subscriber base. On Twitch, viewers can opt for one of three subscription levels — $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99. However, you have to be invited to Twitch’s Partner Program to be able to earn subscribers.
- Same for Twitch Partners, Twitch offers standard IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) pre-roll and display ads. They pay streamers using the CPM (Cost Per Impression) model—you get paid for every 1,000 views of your ads.
- Additionally, you can make money if you get sponsored by a company to promote them during your live streams, wear their merch, and use their products on camera.
- Finally, you can make money from affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing simply means promoting a product or service and giving your audience a coupon code. Any time someone purchases the product using your coupon code, you get a cut of the sale (or a flat fee). It’s like a sponsorship, but rather than being paid just to show the product, you have to actually get people to purchase one.
How to Make Money from Mixer
There are also 5 ways you can monetize your stream on Mixer.
- Ask for Donation. One of the most straightforward ways to earn money on Mixer is to ask your followers for donations on stream.
- Get Sponsorship Offers. It is the familiar concept of a company that gives you money to promote their product.
- Activate the Direct Purchase Program. If you are unable to get direct brand sponsorships, you can now earn money by promoting while you’re playing the game. This program lets viewers buy whatever you are streaming through a button at the top of the page.
- Become a Mixer Partner. Becoming a partner on the platform opens up the opportunity for you to earn through ad revenue. In other words, it works like the Twitch Partner Program that monetizes your content.
- Subscription. Mixer’s channel subscriptions run at $4.99. The split between Mixer and streamer varies per user.
Mixer vs. Twitch: Which is Better
We have to admit that Twitch is still the king at present. Due to its branding, user base and viewship, there’s no way to overstate how strongly Twitch has control over the live game streaming market. However, Mixer is growing. FTL, co-stream and Mixplay are all awesome features to help Mixer stand out.
It is impossible to say which streaming service is the better selection. Both platforms have positives and negatives. The best platform for you depends upon your overall streaming goals. If you cannot make progress on Twitch, then I encourage you: give Mixer a try!