WHAT IS KICK? FEATURES, REVENUE MODEL & WHY STREAMERS ARE SWITCHING
The Rise of a New Streaming Giant
If you've been paying attention to the streaming world lately, you've probably heard the name Kick more than a few times. Launched in 2022 and backed by Stake.com co-founders Eddie Craven and Bijan Tehrani, Kick has quickly become the most talked-about alternative to Twitch — and for good reason.
But what exactly is Kick, and why are so many creators making the switch? Let's break down everything you need to know about this rapidly growing platform.
What Makes Kick Different?
At its core, Kick is a live streaming platform similar to Twitch — but with a fundamentally different philosophy. While Twitch has become increasingly corporate and restrictive, Kick positions itself as a creator-first platform with more lenient content policies and, most importantly, a revolutionary revenue split.
The platform offers the familiar streaming experience: live broadcasts, chat interaction, subscriptions, and donations. However, the similarities end when you look under the hood.
The 95/5 Revenue Split That Changed Everything
Here's where Kick truly disrupts the industry. While Twitch offers partners a 50/50 split (with top creators sometimes negotiating up to 70/30), Kick offers all creators a 95/5 split. That means for every $5 subscription, you keep $4.75 instead of $2.50.
"The revenue split alone made my decision easy. I'm finally being paid what my content is worth."
— Mid-tier Kick Partner
For streamers earning $10,000/month in subscriptions on Twitch, that same audience on Kick would generate $19,000. The math speaks for itself.
Key Features of Kick
- 95/5 Revenue Split — Industry-leading creator compensation.
- Relaxed Content Guidelines — More freedom for mature content and gambling streams.
- No Exclusivity Requirements — Stream on multiple platforms simultaneously.
- Built-in Clips & VODs — Automatic archiving of your streams.
- Growing Creator Fund — Additional incentives for active streamers.
- Modern Infrastructure — Low-latency streaming with global CDN support.
- Kick Chat Bot Integration — Native and third-party Kick chat bot support for moderation and engagement.
Who Should Consider Kick?
Kick isn't for everyone — yet. The platform's audience is still smaller than Twitch's, which means discoverability can be challenging for brand-new streamers. However, Kick is ideal for:
- Established streamers looking to maximize revenue.
- Creators who feel restricted by Twitch's content policies.
- Gambling and slots streamers (Kick's primary niche).
- Anyone wanting to diversify their streaming presence.
The Discoverability Challenge
The biggest hurdle for new Kick streamers is getting discovered. With a smaller user base than Twitch, organic growth can be slow. This is why many creators invest in visibility tools early on — some choose to buy Kick viewers to establish initial momentum, while others focus heavily on cross-platform promotion.
Tools like Kick view bots, follower services, and chat engagement tools have become popular among streamers looking to jumpstart their presence on the platform. The key is combining these tools with genuine content quality to retain the organic viewers they attract.
The Platform's Rapid Growth
Since launching, Kick has signed major names including xQc, Amouranth, Trainwreckstv, and Adin Ross — each bringing millions of viewers to the platform. This influx of talent has accelerated Kick's growth exponentially, with monthly active users increasing by over 400% in the past year alone.
The platform is also investing heavily in esports partnerships, exclusive content deals, and improved streaming tools. Kick isn't just competing — it's positioning itself as the future of live streaming.
Getting Started on Kick
Ready to give Kick a try? The signup process is straightforward:
- Visit kick.com and create an account.
- Complete identity verification to unlock streaming capabilities.
- Set up your channel with branding, panels, and stream key.
- Configure OBS or your preferred streaming software.
- Go live and start building your community!
Whether you're a seasoned streamer or just starting out, Kick represents a genuine shift in how platforms value creators. The streaming wars are just beginning, and Kick is making sure creators win.