How to Accept Donations on Twitch: Complete Guide (2025)
Learn how to accept donations on Twitch with CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and more. Step-by-step guide for setting up donation alerts on your stream.
Whether you're a brand-new streamer or a seasoned broadcaster, accepting donations on Twitch is one of the fastest ways to start earning money from your content. The best part? You do not need Twitch Affiliate or Partner status to receive donations through external payment platforms.
In 2025, viewers expect more than just PayPal. CashApp, Venmo, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee have all become popular ways for fans to support their favorite creators — especially on mobile. This guide covers every major method for accepting donations on Twitch, from the simplest setup to the most fully-featured solution.
We'll walk you through five different approaches, compare the pros and cons of each, and show you exactly how to maximize your donation revenue with on-stream alerts and smart payment options.
Donation Methods at a Glance
Here's a side-by-side comparison of every popular way to accept donations on Twitch:
| Method | Fees | Affiliate Required? | Alert Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CashApp | 0% | No | Via Stream Alert | US mobile viewers, zero-fee donations |
| Venmo | 0% | No | Via Stream Alert | US mobile viewers, social payments |
| PayPal | 2.9% + $0.30 | No | StreamLabs / StreamElements / Stream Alert | International viewers, widely trusted |
| Ko-fi | 0% platform fee* | No | Via Stream Alert / Webhooks | Recurring supporters, donation pages |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5% platform fee | No | Via Stream Alert / Webhooks | Simple tip pages, memberships |
| Twitch Bits | ~29% (viewer cost) | Yes | Built-in | In-chat cheering, Twitch-native |
| Twitch Subs | 50% split (Affiliate) | Yes | Built-in | Recurring monthly support |
*Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees, but PayPal/Stripe still charge their standard processing fees (2.9% + $0.30).
Pro Tip
You don't have to pick just one method. The most successful streamers offer multiple payment options so every viewer can donate using the app they already have on their phone.
Method 1: Stream Alert (Recommended)
Stream Alert is the only donation platform that supports CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee — all with automatic on-stream alerts. If you want one tool that covers every major payment method, this is it.
Why Stream Alert Is the Best Option
- All payment methods in one place — CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and BMAC
- Automatic alerts — donations appear on-stream within 5–10 seconds
- No Affiliate required — start accepting donations from day one
- Zero fees on CashApp & Venmo — viewers send money directly to you
- Works with StreamLabs & StreamElements — or use standalone
- Analytics dashboard — track donations, top supporters, and trends
Setup Steps:
- Create a free account at streamalert.gg/register
- Connect your Gmail account (used to detect CashApp/Venmo/PayPal emails)
- Connect StreamLabs or StreamElements for alert delivery
- Link your Ko-fi and/or Buy Me a Coffee accounts (optional)
- Add your CashApp tag, Venmo handle, and PayPal email in Payment Settings
- Customize your alert design, sounds, and duration
- Test with a small self-payment to confirm everything works
No credit card required
Pro Tip
Stream Alert monitors your Gmail for payment confirmation emails from CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal. Make sure email notifications are enabled in each payment app so alerts trigger automatically.
Method 2: StreamLabs (PayPal Only)
StreamLabs is one of the most popular alert platforms for Twitch streamers. It offers a built-in donation page that connects to your PayPal account. It's beginner-friendly, but limited to PayPal — no CashApp or Venmo support.
How to Set Up StreamLabs Donations
- Go to streamlabs.com and log in with your Twitch account
- Navigate to Donation Settings in the left sidebar
- Connect your PayPal account under "Payment Methods"
- Customize your donation page URL (e.g., streamlabs.com/yourname)
- Set minimum donation amount (recommended: $1.00)
- Customize alert appearance under Alert Box settings
- Copy your Alert Box URL and add it as a Browser Source in OBS
- Share your donation page link in your Twitch panels and chat commands
Pros:
- Free to use (basic tier)
- Easy setup for beginners
- Built-in alert customization
- Large theme library
Cons:
- PayPal only — no CashApp or Venmo
- 2.9% + $0.30 PayPal fees on every donation
- Higher CPU usage than alternatives
- Chargebacks possible through PayPal
Pro Tip
If you're already using StreamLabs for alerts, you can add Stream Alert on top of it to unlock CashApp and Venmo support. Stream Alert sends donations directly through your existing StreamLabs alert box.
Method 3: StreamElements (PayPal Only)
StreamElements is a 100% free, cloud-based platform that offers tipping pages, overlays, and a chatbot. Like StreamLabs, it only supports PayPal for its built-in tipping page — but it's lighter on system resources.
How to Set Up StreamElements Tipping
- Go to streamelements.com and sign in with your Twitch account
- Navigate to Tipping in the left menu
- Connect your PayPal account
- Customize your tipping page (colors, minimum amount, message options)
- Set up your overlay in My Overlays → Add Widget → Alert Box
- Copy the overlay URL and add it as a Browser Source in OBS
- Share your tipping page link in Twitch panels and chat
Pros:
- 100% free (no premium tier needed)
- Cloud-based — minimal CPU usage
- Advanced CSS/HTML customization
- Built-in chatbot and loyalty system
Cons:
- PayPal only — no CashApp or Venmo
- 2.9% + $0.30 PayPal fees
- Steeper learning curve than StreamLabs
- Chargebacks possible through PayPal
Method 4: Ko-fi Direct
Ko-fi is a popular "buy me a coffee" style platform that lets viewers send one-time tips or set up recurring monthly support. Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees on donations (though PayPal/Stripe still charge their standard rates).
How to Set Up Ko-fi Donations
- Create an account at ko-fi.com
- Connect your PayPal or Stripe account for payouts
- Customize your Ko-fi page (profile image, description, suggested amounts)
- Enable "Monthly Supporters" if you want recurring donations
- Share your Ko-fi link (e.g., ko-fi.com/yourname) in Twitch panels
- (Optional) Connect Ko-fi to Stream Alert for automatic on-stream alerts
Pros:
- 0% Ko-fi platform fees
- One-time and recurring donations
- Clean, professional donation page
- Shop and commission features
Cons:
- No built-in stream alerts (needs Stream Alert or webhooks)
- PayPal/Stripe fees still apply (2.9% + $0.30)
- Limited customization on free tier
- Viewers must leave Twitch to donate
Pro Tip
Ko-fi works great alongside CashApp and Venmo. Use Ko-fi for international viewers (who may not have CashApp/Venmo) and for recurring monthly supporters. Pair it with Stream Alert to get automatic on-stream alerts for Ko-fi donations.
Method 5: Buy Me a Coffee
Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) is another popular tipping platform, similar to Ko-fi. It charges a 5% platform fee but offers a polished donation page with membership tiers and extras.
How to Set Up Buy Me a Coffee
- Sign up at buymeacoffee.com
- Connect your bank account or PayPal for payouts
- Customize your page (profile, description, suggested tip amounts)
- Set up membership tiers if you want recurring support
- Enable "Extras" to sell digital products or perks (optional)
- Share your BMAC link (e.g., buymeacoffee.com/yourname) in Twitch panels
- (Optional) Connect to Stream Alert for automatic on-stream alerts
Pros:
- Professional, easy-to-use donation page
- Membership tiers for recurring support
- Extras feature for digital goods
- Instant payouts available
Cons:
- 5% platform fee on all donations
- No built-in stream alerts (needs Stream Alert or webhooks)
- Payment processor fees on top of platform fee
- Viewers must leave Twitch to donate
Setting Up Your Payment Accounts
Before you can accept donations, you'll need accounts on the payment platforms your viewers use most. Here's a quick setup guide for each:
CashApp
- Download the CashApp app on iOS or Android
- Sign up with your phone number or email
- Choose a unique $cashtag (e.g., $YourStreamName)
- Link your bank account or debit card for withdrawals
- Enable email notifications in CashApp Settings → Notifications
Fees: 0% for personal payments | Availability: US & UK
Venmo
- Download the Venmo app on iOS or Android
- Sign up with your phone number and email
- Choose your Venmo username
- Link your bank account for transfers
- Enable email notifications in Venmo Settings → Notifications
Fees: 0% for personal payments | Availability: US only
PayPal
- Go to paypal.com and create a personal account
- Verify your email address
- Link your bank account or debit card
- Create a PayPal.me link (paypal.me/YourName) for easy sharing
- Enable email notifications for received payments
Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Availability: 200+ countries
Pro Tip
Use the same email address for your CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal accounts as the Gmail you connect to Stream Alert. This ensures all payment notification emails arrive in one inbox for automatic detection.
Maximizing Your Twitch Donations
Setting up donation methods is just the first step. Here are proven strategies to increase how much your viewers donate:
1. Offer Multiple Payment Options
Not every viewer has the same payment app. By offering CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and BMAC, you remove friction and let viewers donate using whatever's already on their phone. Streamers who offer 3+ payment methods see 30–50% more donations on average.
2. Create Visible Twitch Panels
Add dedicated panels below your stream for each donation method. Include:
- Your CashApp $cashtag with a CashApp logo
- Your Venmo @username with a Venmo logo
- Your StreamLabs/StreamElements donation page link
- Your Ko-fi or BMAC page link
- A brief message like "Tips are never required but always appreciated!"
3. Set Up Chat Commands
Create chatbot commands so viewers can quickly find your donation links:
!donate— Links to all donation options!tip— Same as !donate (some viewers search for "tip")!cashapp— Your CashApp $cashtag!venmo— Your Venmo @username!paypal— Your PayPal.me or donation page link
4. Thank Every Donor on Stream
When a donation alert pops up on screen, always acknowledge it verbally:
- Say the donor's name out loud
- Read their message if they included one
- Express genuine gratitude — don't just say "thanks" and move on
- Make eye contact with the camera while thanking them
Viewers who feel recognized are significantly more likely to donate again and encourage others to do the same.
5. Use Tip Tiers and Incentives
Give viewers a reason to donate at higher amounts by offering tiered perks:
- $1+ — Your name on the alert + verbal shoutout
- $5+ — Song request or TTS (text-to-speech) message
- $10+ — Choose a game challenge or dare
- $25+ — VIP role in Discord + priority game queue
- $50+ — Custom emote created for them or featured on stream
Pro Tip
Display your tip tiers in a Twitch panel so viewers know exactly what they get at each level. Transparency drives higher average donation amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Twitch Affiliate to accept donations?
No. Twitch Affiliate is only required for Bits and Subscriptions. External donation methods like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee work for any Twitch streamer, regardless of Affiliate or Partner status. You can start accepting donations on your very first stream.
Which donation method has the lowest fees?
CashApp and Venmo both have 0% fees for personal payments. That means if a viewer sends you $10, you receive the full $10. Compare that to PayPal (2.9% + $0.30 = $9.41), Buy Me a Coffee (5% = $9.50), or Twitch Bits (viewer pays ~$14 for you to receive $10).
Can I get donation alerts for CashApp and Venmo on my stream?
Yes! Stream Alert automatically detects CashApp and Venmo donations by monitoring your Gmail for payment notifications. Alerts appear on-stream within 5–10 seconds through StreamLabs or StreamElements. StreamLabs and StreamElements alone do not support CashApp or Venmo natively.
Are Twitch donations taxable?
In the US, yes. Donations received through streaming are considered income and must be reported on your taxes. If you earn over $600/year from any single platform, you may receive a 1099 form. We recommend consulting a tax professional and keeping records of all donations received, regardless of method.
Can viewers charge back donations?
It depends on the method. PayPal donations can be charged back (disputed by the sender), which is a common issue for streamers. CashApp personal payments cannot be charged back — once sent, it's final. Venmo personal payments are also generally non-reversible. This is another reason many streamers prefer CashApp and Venmo over PayPal.
How do I protect my personal information when accepting donations?
Use a separate email for your streaming payment accounts. On PayPal, you can create a business account to hide your real name. CashApp and Venmo let you choose display names that don't reveal your legal name. Never share your bank details, SSN, or full legal name on stream. Use platforms like Ko-fi and BMAC as intermediaries so viewers never see your personal payment details.