How to Show Buy Me a Coffee Donations on TikTok Live (2026)
The complete guide to displaying Buy Me a Coffee donation alerts on TikTok Live using OBS, TikTok Live Studio, and Stream Alert. Keep 95% of every donation instead of losing 50–70% to TikTok Gifts.
To show Buy Me a Coffee donations on TikTok Live, you need to stream through OBS or TikTok Live Studio and add Stream Alert (connected to BMAC via webhook) as a browser source. When a viewer supports you on Buy Me a Coffee, the webhook fires instantly, Stream Alert forwards the donation data to your overlay, and a custom alert — complete with the supporter's name, amount, and message — appears on your TikTok Live stream within seconds.
The biggest reason to use Buy Me a Coffee instead of relying solely on TikTok Gifts is money. BMAC charges a flat 5% platform fee, meaning you keep 95 cents of every dollar. TikTok's gift-to-diamond-to-cash pipeline, on the other hand, takes 50–70% of what your viewers spend. For a creator earning $500 a month in viewer support, the difference between BMAC and TikTok Gifts can be $200–$300 in lost revenue.
This guide walks through every step: connecting BMAC to Stream Alert, setting up OBS for TikTok, comparing revenue between platforms, handling mobile-only streaming, and promoting your Buy Me a Coffee page to your TikTok audience.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
- Revenue: TikTok takes 50–70% of Gifts vs Buy Me a Coffee's 5% fee — you keep dramatically more
- Requirements: OBS or TikTok Live Studio for desktop streaming with browser source overlays
- Alert flow: Viewer donates on BMAC → webhook fires to Stream Alert → alert appears on TikTok Live
- Memberships: BMAC memberships create recurring revenue that TikTok Gifts cannot match
- International support: BMAC accepts cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from viewers worldwide
- Mobile workaround: Use Linktree in your TikTok bio to link your BMAC page and thank supporters verbally
Why Buy Me a Coffee Instead of TikTok Gifts?
TikTok's native monetization works like this: viewers buy Coins with real money, send Gifts during your live stream, and those Gifts convert to Diamonds, which you then cash out. At every step, TikTok takes a cut. By the time the money reaches your bank account, you've lost between 50% and 70% of the original amount.
Buy Me a Coffee flips that equation. Viewers visit your BMAC page, choose an amount (or pick a "coffee" tier you've set up), and pay directly with their credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. BMAC takes a flat 5% fee, and the rest goes to you. There are no Coins, no Diamonds, no multi-step conversion — just a straightforward donation.
Key Advantages of BMAC for TikTok Creators
- 95% payout — only a 5% platform fee versus TikTok's 50–70% cut
- Memberships — set up monthly tiers ($3, $5, $10) for predictable recurring income
- Extras — sell digital products (emote packs, shoutouts, tutorials) alongside donations
- International payments — accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from viewers in any country
- Supporter messages — donors can attach notes that appear in your stream alert
- No follower threshold for donations — unlike TikTok Gifts which require 1,000+ followers plus age and region restrictions
The Hidden Cost of TikTok Gifts
When a viewer spends $10 on TikTok Coins, TikTok takes its first cut. The Coins convert to Gifts, the Gifts convert to Diamonds, and Diamonds convert to cash at roughly $0.05 per Diamond. After all the conversions, you typically receive $3–$5 from that original $10. With BMAC, you'd receive $9.50.
Revenue Comparison: BMAC vs TikTok Gifts vs Other Methods
Here's a side-by-side look at what you actually keep from each monetization method when a viewer decides to send you $10:
| Method | Platform Fee | You Keep (per $10) | Memberships | Alert Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok Gifts | 50–70% | $3–$5 | No | Built-in effects only |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5% | $9.50 | Yes | Via Stream Alert + OBS |
| Ko-fi | 0% (free tier) | $10.00 | Yes | Via Stream Alert + OBS |
| CashApp | 0% | $10.00 | No | Via Stream Alert + OBS |
| PayPal | 2.9% + $0.30 | ~$9.41 | No | Via StreamLabs or Stream Alert |
Monthly Revenue Example
If your TikTok Live audience sends you $500/month through Gifts, you take home roughly $150–$250. Redirect that same $500 through Buy Me a Coffee and you keep $475. That's an extra $225–$325 every month — enough to cover equipment upgrades, better internet, or simply pay your bills.
Step-by-Step: BMAC Donation Alerts on TikTok Live
Follow these steps to connect Buy Me a Coffee to your TikTok Live stream. Total setup time: about 10 minutes.
Step 1: Create Your Buy Me a Coffee Page
If you don't already have an account, sign up at buymeacoffee.com.
- Choose a username that matches your TikTok handle (e.g., buymeacoffee.com/yourtiktok)
- Upload your profile photo and write a short bio
- Set your "coffee" price tiers (e.g., $3, $5, $10)
- Connect your payout method (Stripe or PayPal)
Time: 3 minutes
Step 2: Create a Stream Alert Account
- Go to streamalert.gg/sign-up
- Enter your name, email, and password
- Start your free 30-day trial (no credit card required)
Time: 1 minute
Step 3: Connect Buy Me a Coffee to Stream Alert
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, navigate to Apps
- Find Buy Me a Coffee and click Connect
- Copy the unique Webhook URL that Stream Alert generates for you
Time: 30 seconds
Step 4: Configure the BMAC Webhook
- Open Buy Me a Coffee Studio → Webhooks
- Paste your Stream Alert webhook URL into the endpoint field
- Select Support Created (or Donation Created) as the trigger event
- Click Save
Why Webhooks?
Webhooks deliver data in real time — the moment a donation is made, BMAC notifies Stream Alert directly. Unlike email-based solutions that can lag 30–60 seconds, webhook alerts fire within 2–5 seconds.
Time: 1 minute
Step 5: Set Up OBS or TikTok Live Studio
To display alerts on TikTok Live, you need desktop streaming software with browser source support. You have two options:
Option A: TikTok Live Studio (Easiest)
- Download TikTok Live Studio from tiktok.com/live/studio
- Log in with your TikTok account
- Add a Browser Source — paste your Stream Alert overlay URL
- Set the width to 800 and height to 600
- Click Go Live — no stream key needed
Option B: OBS with RTMP Key
- On desktop TikTok, click Go Live → select Stream Software → copy the Server URL and Stream Key
- In OBS, go to Settings → Stream → select Custom → paste the Server URL and Stream Key
- Add a Browser Source in your scene → paste your Stream Alert overlay URL → set to 800×600
- Click Start Streaming in OBS
Time: 3–5 minutes
Step 6: Test Your Setup
- In BMAC's webhook settings, click Send Test Webhook
- Check your Stream Alert Live Alerts page — a test donation should appear
- Verify the alert shows up in your OBS or TikTok Live Studio preview
- Confirm the supporter's name, amount, and message all display correctly
Time: 1 minute
You're All Set!
Every Buy Me a Coffee donation will now trigger a real-time alert on your TikTok Live stream. The supporter's name, coffee amount, and personal message will all be displayed — giving your viewers instant recognition and encouraging more donations.
Mobile TikTok Live & Buy Me a Coffee
The majority of TikTok creators stream from their phones. If that's you, there's an important limitation: TikTok's mobile app does not support browser sources, so you cannot display visual donation alert overlays directly on a mobile-only stream.
Visual Alerts Require Desktop Streaming
To show animated on-screen Buy Me a Coffee alerts, you must stream through OBS or TikTok Live Studio on a computer. Mobile-only streams can still accept BMAC donations — you just won't see visual overlays on screen.
Mobile Workarounds That Work
Even without visual overlays, mobile TikTok creators can still leverage Buy Me a Coffee effectively:
- Linktree in your bio
TikTok only allows one link in your bio. Use Linktree, Beacons, or a similar link-in-bio tool and add your Buy Me a Coffee page as the top link. Direct viewers to "check the link in my bio" during your stream.
- Pin a comment with your BMAC link
When you go live, post a comment like "Support the stream: buymeacoffee.com/yourname" and pin it so every viewer — even those who join late — sees it.
- Monitor donations on a second device
Open your Stream Alert dashboard on a tablet, laptop, or split-screen on your phone. When a BMAC donation comes in, you'll see it instantly and can thank the supporter on camera.
- Verbal shoutouts are powerful on TikTok
TikTok's audience thrives on personal interaction. Saying "Thank you Sarah for the $5 coffee!" out loud is just as effective as a visual alert — sometimes even more so, because it feels personal.
Upgrade Path
Start mobile with verbal shoutouts. Once your TikTok Live audience grows and BMAC donations increase, invest in a desktop setup with TikTok Live Studio for full visual alerts with animations and sounds. The transition is seamless — your BMAC webhook and Stream Alert account carry right over.
Promoting Your Buy Me a Coffee Page on TikTok
Having the technical setup is only half the battle. You need to make sure your TikTok audience actually knows about your BMAC page and feels motivated to support you. Here are proven strategies:
Optimize Your Bio Link
Your TikTok bio is prime real estate. If BMAC is your primary donation method, make it the first link in your Linktree. Include a short call-to-action in your bio text like "Support me → link below" so viewers know the link exists before they even scroll down.
Set Up BMAC Memberships
Memberships convert one-time supporters into recurring monthly donors. Create 2–3 tiers ($3, $5, $10) with perks like exclusive Discord access, early content, or monthly game sessions. Mention memberships during your TikTok Live — "If you enjoy these streams, $3/month on Buy Me a Coffee keeps them going."
Create TikTok Videos About Your BMAC
Post a short TikTok video explaining how viewers can support you on Buy Me a Coffee. Show the process of donating, explain what the money goes toward (better equipment, more streams, etc.), and pin the video to your profile. Transparency builds trust and increases donations.
Run Donation Goals During Lives
Set interactive goals like "$50 in coffees tonight = 2-hour extended stream" or "Next coffee supporter picks the next game." Goals give viewers a reason to donate now rather than later. If you're on desktop, display the goal progress using your Stream Alert overlay.
Thank Every Supporter Publicly
When a BMAC donation triggers an alert (or you see it on your dashboard), stop what you're doing and give a genuine, enthusiastic thank-you. Read their message out loud. On TikTok Live, this kind of personal acknowledgment often triggers a chain reaction — other viewers donate to get the same recognition.
Use BMAC Extras for Digital Products
BMAC's Extras feature lets you sell digital products alongside donations. Offer custom emote packs, wallpapers, personalized shoutout videos, or behind-the-scenes content. Each Extras purchase can also trigger a stream alert through Stream Alert's webhook integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Buy Me a Coffee and TikTok Gifts at the same time?
Absolutely. Keep TikTok Gifts enabled for casual viewers who prefer tapping a button, while promoting your BMAC page for supporters who want more of their money to reach you directly. Running both maximizes your total revenue — Gifts for convenience, BMAC for value. TikTok does not prohibit linking to external donation platforms.
Do BMAC membership payments trigger stream alerts?
Yes. When a viewer signs up for a Buy Me a Coffee membership or their monthly payment renews, the webhook fires to Stream Alert and an alert appears on your TikTok Live stream. This is a great way to acknowledge recurring supporters in real time and encourage others to subscribe.
Do I need 1,000 followers to accept BMAC donations on TikTok?
You need 1,000 followers to go live on TikTok — that's a TikTok requirement. But Buy Me a Coffee itself has no follower threshold. Once you can start a TikTok Live stream, you can immediately accept BMAC donations. You don't need to meet the separate (and higher) requirements for TikTok's Gift feature.
How fast do BMAC donation alerts appear on my TikTok Live?
Buy Me a Coffee webhooks fire within seconds of the donation being processed. Stream Alert receives the webhook and triggers your OBS browser source overlay almost instantly. From the moment a viewer clicks "Support" on your BMAC page to the alert appearing on your TikTok Live stream, you're typically looking at 2–5 seconds.
Can international viewers donate through Buy Me a Coffee?
Yes. Buy Me a Coffee accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from supporters worldwide. This is a major advantage over TikTok Gifts, which have regional restrictions in some countries. If you have a global TikTok audience, BMAC ensures every viewer has a way to support you regardless of their location.
Start Showing BMAC Alerts on TikTok Live Today
Stop losing 50–70% of your viewer support to TikTok's gift system. Connect Buy Me a Coffee to Stream Alert, keep 95% of every donation, and give your TikTok Live audience professional, real-time alerts that encourage more support.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. No coding required. Works with OBS and TikTok Live Studio.
No credit card required • Works with TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, Kick & more