What Is Kick Streaming? How Kick Works, Features & Monetization

Kick is a live-streaming platform built around creators, live communities, and direct audience interaction. Often compared with Twitch, Kick allows users to watch live broadcasts, subscribe to creators, send Gifts, participate in chats, and access archived streams.

The platform has attracted attention for its creator-focused approach, particularly its 95/5 subscription revenue split, which allows streamers to keep 95% of their subscription earnings after the applicable processing fee.

But what exactly is Kick, how does the platform work, and what makes it different from other streaming services?

This guide explains Kick’s history, ownership, content categories, streaming quality, monetization options, verification requirements, advertising, multi-streaming, and the steps involved in starting a live broadcast.

Kick Is a Creator-Focused Alternative to Traditional Live-Streaming Platforms

Kick works in much the same way as other major live-streaming services. Creators can broadcast live content while viewers watch streams, participate in chats, subscribe to channels, send Gifts, and access previously recorded broadcasts.

The platform supports everything from gaming and live music to IRL streams, reactions, politics, and Just Chatting.

Kick describes itself as a “creator-led” streaming platform, with creator monetization and audience interaction playing an important role in its overall approach.

Kick Stands Out With Its 95/5 Subscription Revenue Split

One of Kick’s most widely discussed differences from Twitch is its subscription revenue model.

Kick takes 5% of subscription revenue, leaving creators with 95%. The platform describes the 5% portion as a processing fee. Twitch’s standard channel subscription split is 50%, although eligible streamers in its Plus Program can receive 60% or 70%.

Kick has also developed a reputation for being more permissive in certain categories, particularly gambling. Together, its monetization structure and content policies have helped define its position in the live-streaming market.

Kick Supports Gaming, IRL, Music, Reactions and Other Live Content

Kick offers a wide selection of categories for both creators and viewers.

Some of the platform’s categories include:

• Just Chatting
• IRL
• Slots & Casino
• Live Music
• Politics
• Reactions
• Gaming
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Minecraft
• Rocket League

That range makes Kick more than a gaming platform. Creators can build communities around conversations, entertainment, music, lifestyle content, reactions, and other forms of live programming.

Kick Began in 2022 and Officially Launched in January 2023

Kick started in October 2022 and officially launched in January 2023.

The platform’s rapid development came around the same time Twitch introduced restrictions on unlicensed gambling content. Some observers have connected the timing of Kick’s arrival with those changes, although one of Kick’s founders said the company had “rushed to market.”

Kick Was Founded by Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven

Kick is owned by its co-founders Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, with Craven serving as CEO.

They launched the platform alongside Tyler “Trainwreck” Niknam, a high-stakes online gambler who previously built his audience on Twitch.

Tehrani and Craven are also associated with Stake, the crypto-gambling platform, through their wider business interests.

Kick and Stake Are Connected Through the Same Parent Company

Kick is frequently described as being connected to gambling because its founders also established Stake, a crypto-gambling website.

Kick and Stake are owned by the same parent company, Easygo, which explains why the two businesses are often discussed together.

Kick Supports 1080p Streaming at Up to 60fps

Kick supports high-definition live broadcasts with a maximum resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels.

The platform supports frame rates of up to 60fps, while its bitrate can reach 8,000 kbps. This gives creators the ability to deliver 1080p streams when their hardware and internet connection can support the required settings.

Kick Reported More Than 100 Million Users in 2026

Kick reported more than 100 million users in April 2026, with the figure verified by the company as recently as August 2026.

The available figure does not specify how many of those users are viewers and how many are creators.

WestCOL Leads Kick’s August 2026 Top-10 Most-Followed Creator List

As of August 2026, the 10 most-followed Kick streamers listed in the source were:

Rank	Creator
1	WestCOL
2	Adin Ross
3	Davoo Xeneize
4	LA COBRA
5	SXB
6	MrStiven Tc
7	Spreen
8	Drb7h
9	RRaenee
10	ElZeein

WestCOL had more than 4 million followers at the time of the August 2026 ranking.

Another major name associated with Kick is xQc, who joined the platform in 2023 under a two-year, non-exclusive contract reportedly worth around $100 million.

Kick has also signed partnerships with organizations including Formula 1, Everton Football Club, and the UFC.

Kick Has Paid More Than $90 Million to Streamers Since Launch

Kick says it has paid more than $90 million to streamers since the platform launched.

The platform’s 95/5 subscription split is one of its biggest selling points for creators. Streamers receive 95% of subscription earnings, making subscriptions an important part of Kick’s monetization model.

The Kick Partner Program Gives Eligible Creators More Ways to Earn

Creators can monetize their audiences through the Kick Partner Program, which provides access to features including paid subscriptions, paid streams, and multi-streaming.

According to the supplied source, creators need to meet these requirements:

• Have a verified Kick channel
• Follow Kick’s Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, DMCA Policy, and KCIP Terms and Conditions
• Complete the “About” section and relevant social media fields on their profile
• Have at least 250 followers
• Have 25 active subscriptions during the previous 30 days, excluding gifted subscriptions
• Maintain an average of 75 concurrent viewers during the previous 30 days
• Stream at least 30 hours during the previous 30 days
• Have 250 unique chatters during the previous 30 days
• Record three VODs during the previous 30 days

A Kick subscription costs $4.99 per month. With 1,000 paying subscribers, a streamer would receive almost $4,750 per month after the 5% processing fee, before other applicable factors.

Viewers can also purchase gifted subscriptions for other users.

The Partner Program can provide additional earnings based on stream viewership. Eligible creators can also multi-stream on other platforms while retaining 50% of Kick-generated revenue.

Kick Verification Requires Specific Viewer, Subscriber and Streaming Activity

Verification is an important step for creators working toward the Kick Partner Program.

The requirements listed in the source include:

• At least 10 active subscriptions during the previous 30 days
• An average of 50 viewers during the previous 30 days
• At least 15 hours of streaming during the previous 30 days
• 100 unique chatters during the previous 30 days

Gifted subscriptions do not count toward the active-subscription requirement.

Before verification, creators need to become a Kick Creator. Creator status unlocks subscriptions and requires at least five hours of streaming.

Verified Kick streamers can choose between weekly and monthly payouts.

Kick Has Banner and In-Stream Advertising

Kick does have advertising.

The platform has supported banner advertisements since 2023, while in-stream ads launched in August 2026.

Kick Is Rolling Out a Discovery Algorithm for Stream Recommendations

Kick has a discovery algorithm designed to help users find content.

In April 2026, co-founder Bijan Tehrani said the platform was actively rolling out its V1 algorithm, which at that point was available to approximately 10% of users.

The stated objective was to improve discovery and long-form engagement across the platform.

Kick Allows Creators to Multi-Stream With Other Platforms

Creators can stream on Kick and other platforms, including Twitch, at the same time.

Multi-streaming initially gave Kick an advantage because Twitch had tighter rules around simultaneous broadcasting. Twitch has since introduced its own multi-streaming capabilities and allows users to combine chats across multiple platforms.

Kick’s 2026 Guidelines Restrict Nudity, Violence and Other Content

Kick updated its Community Guidelines in 2026, introducing restrictions covering areas such as nudity, violence, hate speech, and other forms of content.

The rules apply to both human-created and AI-generated material.

Users can also block certain not-safe-for-work content categories through their Content Preferences settings.

Kick Is Available on the Web, Android and iPhone

Users can access Kick through Kick.com or download its mobile application for Android and Apple devices.

The mobile app allows viewers to watch live streams, join chats, subscribe to channels, send Gifts, and interact with creators.

Kick Is Available on Google Play

The Kick mobile app is available for Android devices through Google Play.

Kick Is Available on Apple’s App Store

Kick also offers an iOS application through Apple’s App Store.

Desktop Streaming on Kick Requires a Stream Key and Compatible Broadcasting Software

Creators can start streaming from a desktop by following these steps:

1. Visit Kick.com and log in. Create an account if you don’t already have one.
2. Open the Creator Dashboard. Click your profile picture, select Creator Dashboard, and choose Stream URL and Stream Key.
3. Reveal the stream details. Click View next to the stream URL and stream key. A one-time password will be sent to your email and must be confirmed within 10 minutes.
4. Open your streaming software. Enter the Kick stream URL and stream key.
5. Check your output settings. Make sure your streaming configuration matches your computer and connection.
6. Edit your stream information. Return to Kick, select Edit stream info, and add the title, category, language, and any applicable 18+ label.
7. Start the broadcast. Begin streaming through your chosen broadcasting software.

Mobile Creators Can Stream to Kick Through Streaming Apps or Kick’s Go Live App

Creators can also broadcast directly from a smartphone.

With a mobile streaming app such as Streamlabs:

1. Download the streaming app.
2. Give it access to your phone’s camera and microphone.
3. Open Account Settings.
4. Select Custom RTMP and choose Setup.
5. Add your stream name, Kick stream key, and required RTMP URL.
6. Edit the stream information through a browser.
7. Tap GO LIVE in the streaming app.

Kick also offers a dedicated Kick – Go Live mobile application.

To use it:

1. Download the Kick – Go Live app and sign in.
2. Allow camera and microphone permissions.
3. Enter your stream title, category, content labels, and quality.
4. Tap the green circle to start broadcasting.

The Go Live app is separate from Kick’s standard mobile viewing application.

Kick Allows Music When Creators Have the Necessary Licensing Rights

Music can be used on Kick, but creators need to pay attention to licensing.

The platform’s music rules are based on licensing, so creators should have the appropriate rights or permission to use a track in their broadcasts. Using copyrighted music without the required license can result in warnings, takedowns, or legal issues.

The supplied source recommends Epidemic Sound as one option for creators looking for licensed music.

Most Kick Users Are Between 18 and 34 Years Old

According to the supplied source, 81.7% of Kick users are aged between 18 and 34.

Kick Had More Than 100 Million Active Users by August 2026

As of August 2026, Kick had more than 100 million active users.

The source reports that approximately 39 million users joined in 2025, while another 27 million joined during the first half of 2026.

Kick Reported More Than 1.5 Billion Hours Watched in Q2 2026

Kick reported more than 1.5 billion hours watched during Q2 2026.

The platform’s earlier company records included 317 million hours of watch time in March 2025.

Kick Is a Legitimate Streaming Platform With Evolving Content Rules

Kick is a legal and legitimate streaming platform, although its moderation approach has historically been looser than Twitch’s.

The platform has hosted more adult-oriented content, including gambling streams. At the same time, Kick tightened its Community Guidelines in 2026, introducing additional restrictions covering areas such as nudity, violence, and hate speech.

Kick Gifts and KICKs Tokens Do Not Have Real-World Monetary Value

Kick Gifts and the platform’s in-app KICKs tokens do not have real-world monetary value.

According to Kick’s Usage Policy, the tokens do not represent stored cash value or a property interest and cannot be exchanged for money, goods, or services of value.

Users purchase KICKs and use them to obtain Kick Gifts, which can then be sent to streamers as a way to show support and appreciation.

Kick Combines Live Streaming, Creator Monetization and Community Interaction

Kick has developed into a major live-streaming platform with a strong focus on creators and direct audience engagement.

Its 95/5 subscription split, Partner Program, verification system, multi-streaming support, live chat, Gifts, and growing discovery features give creators several ways to build and monetize an audience.

For anyone considering Kick, understanding its streaming requirements, content policies, monetization rules, music licensing requirements, and audience structure is important before starting a channel.