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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(2,200)

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#2 YouTube

7.8 Overall Score

4.5

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(1,091)

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#3 Amazon Prime

7.7 Overall Score

4.6

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(1,166)

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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.

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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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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.

1 year ago

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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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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.

6 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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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.

6 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.

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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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.

5 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