Twitch is a live streaming video platform which was purchased by Amazon.com in 2014. The service was designed for avid video game fans and participants, including video game tours from users, e-sports broadcasts, and other gaming events. The website can be viewed live or through an on-demand setup for $10.99 per month. The site does not have any regular television programming, nor does it have movies on demand.

Top Ranked Companies

#1 Netflix

8.2 Overall Score

4.5

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(2,182)

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#2 Amazon Prime

8.1 Overall Score

4.5

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(1,155)

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#3 YouTube

8.0 Overall Score

4.6

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(1,081)

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The Good

Two subscription options
Stream through software
Quality options

Subscription Options

Twitch offers two different subscription options. The first is an ad-driven, but free, subscription. The premium package is called Turbo, which costs $10.99 per month but takes away ads.

Mobile Device Compatibility

Twitch is compatible with a number of mobile devices, allowing subscribers to stream without many issues. Also, Twitch has a mobile app for both iOS and Android.

Ability to Stream Through Software

Twitch allows its users to stream within software, such as EA's Origin, to get their video gaming experience out there. Also, if users have a modern Nvidia card, they can easily stream their in-game experience to Twitch via the card's ShadowPlay driver feature.

Reduced Buffering Complications

With Twitch, subscribers do not need to worry about the strength or speed of the Internet connection. If users do have problems with streaming, they can transition between the video settings (high, medium, low, and mobile) to get your video back up to a consistent stream. Twitch is definitely a unique streaming TV service, as it is for gaming, not a movie and TV episode viewing. The main benefit to Twitch's services is their unique platform and popularity among gamers. Twitch is quickly catching fire and is becoming a huge entertainment platform, creating an online gaming community. It is available to stream through mobile devices and Twitch's mobile app.

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The Bad

Support for Mac
Archiving streams

PC-Driven Gaming Platforms

Twitch is catered to function at its best on PC-based platforms. There isn't much support for those who use Mac products for gaming.

Archiving Your Past Twitch Streams

Users have to manually set up archiving in their settings in order to access past streams. After 60 days, your archived streams will be deleted if you haven't automatically set up the save feature. Although Twitch is unique and not a standard streaming TV service, they have a few drawbacks subscribers should be aware of before paying for the monthly subscription. Twitch functions best on PCs and doesn't have much support for Mac products. Also, users have to manually set up archiving in order to view past streaming.

View Top Rated Companies

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The Bottom Line

For gamers, there are many benefits to using Twitch in order to stream and share your gaming experience. Users can broadcast to other users from within their gaming experience via specialized hardware. However, the high hardware overhead made this platform somewhat expensive to get the most out of. Also note that if you are wanting a traditional streaming TV service, Twitch is for gaming, not TV and movie viewing. We recommend reviewing the top rated companies before making a final decision.

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User Reviews

Star Rating

4.2

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41 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

29%

3 grade

2 grade

1 grade

10%

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Hank Ricardo

Since I've been using Twitch for weeks now, I haven't come acrossany issues. Smooth 95% of the time. I like the dark mode. The app has a feature that allows you to watch many streams at once. Perfect for gamers. Love my Twitch

6 months ago

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Youngboy Hillsboro, OR

Twitch has proven to be an exceptional platform for content creators and viewers alike. Its user-friendly interface, seamless streaming capabilities, and robust community engagement features make it a standout choice in the realm of live streaming. The platform's commitment to innovation, evident through regular updates and enhancements, ensures a dynamic and enjoyable experience for users. With a diverse range of content and an ever-growing community, Twitch continues to be a powerhouse in the world of online entertainment, fostering creativity and connection among users worldwide. I personally recommend twitch to everyone per my own experience.✨ Twitch is the best among others

1 year ago

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Nyla C. Edison, NJ

Twitch offers a very open service to gaming streamers allowing them to borderline run their own little community and do the thing they love to do at the same time. This can be a mix of good and bad at times. Twitch is Live, this means what you're seeing is happening almost at the same time, and people are watching it with you at the same time, which may ring the security bell for many parents. Twitch also has the option to donate money to your favorite streamers which there's usually a minimum but no maximum; this could be a minor issue if your kid has their own debit/credit card or just so happens to know your credentials by heart. Twitch is for the most part, a teen to adult website.

3 years ago

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Majo Davis New York, NY

Twitch is a great app to stream your favorite games, content, music, and other modes of communication through a platform that is easy to use.Their user platform for streamers is helpful when you are just starting and you can mold your stream to make it as easy or as detailed as you'd like.

10 months ago

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Michael Lyman Salt Lake City, UT

Twitch is one of my favorite ways to watch gamers game. I found it a few years ago and was just absolutely pleased with how easy it was to use. Streaming on twitch.tv is easy to get going and have viewers quickly. The UI they have setup is easy to use and self explanatory, allowing you to jump in and watch your favorite game or streamer quickly.

7 years ago

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Playa Del Carmen Eats and Drinks Cancún, ROO

I'm not a gamer but I've found myself on Twitch watching others play. It's very entertaining and intriguing. I even found myself playing a few games myself and I'm a beginner.

1 year ago

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Luke Swierczynski Troy, MI

I get twich free with amazon prime, but it's a great added bonus! Great place to learn how to get better if you're into competitive games. No better way to get better yourself than watching footage of pros.

3 years ago Edited October 29, 2021

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Hannah Pleasant Grove, UT

Where else can you find a place where someone plays a video game I played when I was 12. It is a trip down memory lane. I loved Zoo Tycoon on the PC and it is crazy to find people playing that still on Twitch. That is really great.

7 years ago

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Trey Farner Norcross, GA

I really enjoy watching twitch gamers because it allows everyone in the gaming community to connect with the people they look up to. It also allows the view to watch the streamer mess up which can be eye opening to some people. It’s a really great idea and I enjoy the product very much. I’ve never had a problem with it.

4 years ago

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Erika American Fork, UT

My husband and boys are obsessed with watching Fortnite on TWITCH. Its been really fun for them to be able to watch other streamers. Once my boys get all their chores done they are allowed to sit down and watch it for a few minutes together and its alot of fun for them. The only thing I don't like is the language. Most times they have to watch with the volume down because its inappropriate for them. Would be nice if they had a rating system that the streamers had to stick to so more parents could know what streamers are ok for kids.

5 years ago

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Zayden Dumas

I love a app where i can watch my favorite steamers for free and i like how you can talk with the streamer

6 months ago

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Cade Boudreaux , FL

Twitch is a excellent platform for gamers. You can watch your favorite game being played by your favorite gamers all at high quality whether it be on your console or phone!

4 years ago

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Emerald Scott West Jordan, UT

Twitch is a great way to watch gamers livestream. The interactions with other people can be kind of annoying, but for the most part it is a great streaming service. It's a great way to support people.

7 years ago

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DeeDee G. Laplace, LA

Twitch is a great way to interact with your favorite independent creators and support them. Service works as intended. I always get notifications when my favorite streamers are streaming.

4 years ago

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JAKE American Fork, UT

I love watching Twitch. It is really fun to be able to find and watch lots of different types of streamers playing lots of different types of games. Its fun to be able to have it very accessible. Its also fun to watch Fortnites in game events through Twitch.

5 years ago

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Dee Farquharson Washington, DC

I have a lot of friends that use Twitch. I love to show support for their streaming but subscribing costs money. Thankfully, since Amazon has acquired it, you get one free sub per month, so i use it wisely. I'm not quite sure how the bits and things work either. When I've tried to stream on two different platforms, I've gotten errors message. so I've had to use YouTube or Mixer. The merchandise is cute, thugh .

6 years ago

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Sinister Babe Kyle, TX

I love twitch I’m new to gaming and for a noob it was super easy to get started streaming and making twitch content!

11 months ago

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Amanda George IL

Their system must not be equipped to deal with the amount of customers they have because everything I try to stream with them lags so badly. I will be cancelling my service and moving to someone else. When you call customer service to get help all they say is to restart it when that's not the problem.

1 year ago

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Jeremy Summa Inverness, FL

I use twitch to watch game play of new and old games. There are game hosts that do prize giveaways as well as educate you on new and upcoming games.

1 year ago

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Grant American Fork, UT

Twitch is one of my favorite apps on my phone. I love the layout of the app, it helps me find what I am looking for. It is in an amazing app that I know will improve.

6 years ago

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Francis Adesuyi

this site as been so toxic they will keep pulling money out of my bank account without my permission or knowledge, if i ever pay them remember to make sure I find a way to block any further payments.

8 months ago Edited March 29, 2024

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Leo

Great service always enjoying the content and streamers who provide hours of entertainment while working.

1 year ago

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Jon Rego Park, NY

Twitch basically has no customer service. Whenever there are issues with Twitch's Amazon integration, their customer support (which takes 1-2 weeks to respond) just blames Amazon and does absolutely nothing to fix the issue, even though they are the same company.

5 years ago

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Amy Lewis

I am trying to get this cancelled with no luck. My child does not remember his user ID, etc. he hasn't used it in several months. They suggested I file a police report because he used my credit card. I told him he could use it! I didn't know I had to subscribe FOREVER! There is no phone number. You can only correspond by email.

8 years ago

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Jasmine King New Orleans, LA

Twitch is very easy to stream on, and provides a very fun experience for both the streamers and watchers. My one issue is the banning system, which could use much work.

4 years ago

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Logan Hudson Norcross, GA

Twitch provides a platform for me to watch my favorite gamers whenever they are online. The quality is great, and it had provided great experiences.

4 years ago

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Asia Bui Gulfport, MS

I love watching all of my streamers on Twitch because it shows them on real time and we can interact with them as they are live streaming

4 years ago

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Miles Strother American Fork, UT

Twitch is the place to go for video game streaming, whether's it's to watch professional competitions or to learn from professional gamers.

5 years ago

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Misty Peoples Independence, MO

I love the streaming and it has something for everyone in my family and very affordable. Best streaming at best price

1 year ago Edited June 13, 2023

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Kenneth Okerlund

Watching videos is a pain on here, I get frustrated each time I use this service. I much prefer just going to YouTube to watch streamed games there or even watch previous games that have been played.

7 years ago

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Holly Brown Saint Amant, LA

A great service and friendly customer support, along with amazing streamers and ways to support them

4 years ago

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Amanda Montebello, CA

Twitch is great to stream gaming on but I feel as through my experience with it, I’m able to stream the same videos on Youtube as well.

4 years ago

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Mazi Marcel Womack Cedar City, UT

Twitch TV is the greatest streaming service out there. It's super simple to use and the quality is great.

5 years ago

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Tracy Womack Cedar City, UT

Twitch is so easy to use! They have great streaming services and it is so easy to navigate.

5 years ago

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Sage Robertson Cedar City, UT

I love streaming with Twitch! It is so easy to use and the picture quality is out of this world!

5 years ago

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Jeremy Mesa, AZ

Twitch is a must for gaming and always comes through for professional games which is perfect.

5 years ago

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Darius Williams Alexandria, VA

great streaming! watch my favorite gamers here without having to pay for a premium service

6 years ago

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Zaydn stott Alpine, UT

I use twitch for watching live streams and game addons and stuff like that and it just makes it easier to do that

6 years ago

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Josh F Chandler, AZ

My favorite app for streaming video games! Can easily follow my top streamers.

1 year ago

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Myles Cox Portland, OR

Extremely easy to use and infinitely entertaining. Guaranteed to have something for everyone.

5 years ago

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Liana Colorado Springs, CO

The best way to watch people playing video games live...since it is like the only viable option.

5 years ago