游戏(Game)流媒体已成为主流，但业内两大巨头YouTube和Twitch的(Twitch)竞争对手并不多。Twitch在构建时完全考虑了流媒体，而YouTube拥有数百万业余视频的丰富历史，流媒体成为该平台日益关注的焦点。
YouTube和Twitch是流式传输的绝佳选择，无论是流式传输您自己的内容还是查看其他人的内容。但是有很多差异需要考虑。如果您想知道在Twitch 与 YouTube(Twitch vs YouTube)之间的战斗中哪个最好，本指南应该可以帮助您做出决定。
用户界面和流质量(User Interface and Stream Quality)
Twitch 和YouTube在构建时考虑到了易用性，其用户界面可以让游戏玩家在其台式电脑、移动设备和游戏机等大屏幕界面上快速使用和理解。
在Twitch上，界面易于导航，推荐位于首页的前端和中心。如果您订阅了任何Twitch频道，则可以通过右侧的图标快速访问它们。当您观看流媒体时，您会在视频底部看到基本控件，右侧有一个可折叠的聊天。
对于流媒体，Twitch的界面也没有太大的不同。您需要的大部分设置都可以通过Creator Dashboard（可从Twitch菜单访问）获得，您可以在其中开始流式传输、设置质量设置、投放广告、检查审核、链接您的Twitch 流式传输软件(Twitch streaming software)等。
遗憾的是，YouTube 的一些最知名的功能（例如倒带直播视频）不适用于直播Twitch流观众。YouTube 确实允许在直播中使用此功能，因此如果您的网络连接不佳，或者只是需要暂停片刻，您可以暂停或倒回直播以赶上进度。
然而，YouTube 在这方面的最大优势是熟悉度。YouTube 的界面比 Twitch 的界面更易于使用，频道订阅、趋势流和视频可在左侧访问。在主界面中，您可以查看推荐视频、搜索新视频、流或频道等。
与Twitch(Twitch)相比，YouTube 还具有另一个优势：流质量。Twitch流的上限为 60fps（每秒帧数）的 1080p 高清流，而 YouTube 流媒体可以以 60fps 流式传输高达 4K (2160p)，领先于Twitch，尽管您可能需要选择一个好的比特率(choose a good bitrate)来最大化这一点。
观众发现和查看数据(Audience Discovery and Viewing Figures)
在某种程度上，YouTube和Twitch就像苹果和橙子——它们都是水果，但最终的口味却截然不同。Twitch和Youtube很相似，很大程度上是因为这两个平台上的观众形成方式。
在Twitch上，观众会根据他们正在播放的游戏找到新的主播。如果您是玩《盗贼之(Thieves)海(Sea)》的主播，则在进行直播时，您将被归类为《盗贼之(Thieves)海》类别。(Sea)Twitch的算法也可能会根据他们之前观看该游戏的时间长度推荐新观众。
您仍然可以作为流媒体推荐给YouTube 上(YouTube)的观众，但新的流媒体越来越有可能被大牌明星抢购一空。因此，大多数YouTube频道都专注于视频创作，制作他们可以在闲暇时发布的视频以培养观众，而不是持续流式传输。
这在两个平台之间形成了一些对比，YouTube 上的流媒体以大型(YouTube)游戏发布和主要YouTube名人为中心。播放《使命(Call)召唤：战区》的大型YouTuber流媒体是这一策略成功的最新例子。
然而， Twitch(Twitch)让小型游戏和小型直播更容易生存。即使您只向 10 人流式传输，也更有可能在Twitch上向新观众推荐您而不是在YouTube 上(YouTube)，尤其是在您玩不太受欢迎的游戏时。
就绝对数字而言，您更有可能在YouTube 上(YouTube)看到更多具有大量观众的流。除非你有一个巨大的渠道开始。但是，您会发现使用Twitch更容易建立观众群。
货币化机会(Monetization Opportunities)
不管在建立观众群方面有多么困难，如果您始终如一的话， Twitch和YouTube上的主播的获利机会是巨大的。(YouTube)
Twitch 可能会通过推荐给您带来一些麻烦，特别是如果您玩的是不太受欢迎的游戏，但您不太可能建立一个没有固定时间表的关注您的流的社区，其中更多的观众（和更多的订阅者）意味着每个流的收入更高。
YouTube 的难度更大，要求您在 12 个月内达到 4000 小时的观看时(reach 4000 watch hours)长，并且需要超过 1000 名订阅者才能成为 YouTube合作伙伴(Partner)。只有 YouTube合作伙伴(Partner)可以通过他们的视频获利，这对大多数频道来说都是高价的。新的 YouTube(New YouTube)频道需要定期安排流媒体和视频来实现这一目标。
YouTube 合作伙伴(YouTube Partners)主要通过广告获得收入，但如果您正在流式传输，您还可以从观众那里获得直接捐款，每次捐款时您和YouTube之间的分成比例为 70/30。(YouTube)同样(Again)，这仅适用于YouTube 合作伙伴(YouTube Partners)，将货币化工作限制在更大的频道上。
Twitch 也有类似的限制，但水平要低得多。从一开始，您就可以在 Twitch 上设置捐赠链接(set up a donation link on Twitch)以帮助获得外部收入。然而，大笔资金来自Twitch Prime（现为 Prime Gaming）订阅(Twitch Prime (now Prime Gaming) subscriptions)、流前和中流视频广告，以及“比特”捐赠，所有这些都直接通过Twitch本身进行。
但是，要做到这一点，您需要成为Twitch 合作伙伴(Twitch Partner)或会员(Affiliate)。附属公司(Affiliates)需要在过去 30 天内的 7 天内至少有 500 分钟的流媒体播放，以及平均至少 50 名关注者和 3 名并发观众。合作伙伴(Partners)需要在过去 30 天内的 12 天内观看 25 小时，平均观看人数为 75 人。
只要成为YouTube 合作伙伴(Partner)的途径对大多数主播来说都是漫长且遥不可及的，Twitch就提供了最佳的获利机会。但是，如果您有一个YouTube频道，并且想从过去的流媒体和视频中获得收入，那么您可能想玩长线游戏并继续使用 Google 的平台。
Twitch vs YouTube：选择流媒体平台(Twitch vs YouTube: Choosing a Streaming Platform)
无论您是热衷于开始在 Twitch 上进行流媒体播放，(streaming on Twitch)还是想尝试一下YouTube(giving YouTube a go)，开始都从未如此简单。定期进行流式传输后，您将需要投资购买优质的相机、麦克风和采集卡，以提高流式传输的质量、吸引更多观众(gain a bigger audience)并获得获利资格。
尤其是 Twitch，它有许多功能可以帮助您与其他流媒体建立更大的平台和网络。如果您开始在 Twitch 上进行突袭，(raiding on Twitch,)您可以帮助其他主播并让自己重新获得追随者。您还可以考虑制作 Twitch 表情(making Twitch emotes)来帮助将您自己的一些个性插入到您的信息流中。
Twitch vs YouTube: Which Is Better for Streaming?
Game streaming has hit the mainstream, but there arеn’t many competitors to the twо biggest names in the industry: YouTube and Twitch. Twitch is built with streaming entirely in mind, while YouTube has a rich history with millions of amateur videos, with streaming an ever-increasing focus for the platform.
YouTube and Twitch are great options for streaming, whether it’s streaming your own content or viewing somebody else’s. But there are plenty of differences to consider. If you’re wondering which is best in the battle between Twitch vs YouTube, this guide should help you decide.
User Interface and Stream Quality
Twitch and YouTube are built with ease-of-use in mind, with a user interface that gamers can quickly use and understand on their desktop PCs, mobile devices, and big-screen interfaces such as games consoles.
On Twitch, the interface is easy to navigate, with recommendations front-and-center on the front page. If you’re subscribed to any Twitch channels, you can quickly access them via the icons on the right. When you’re viewing a stream, you’ll see basic controls along the bottom of the video, with a collapsible chat on the right.
For streamers, Twitch’s interface isn’t too different, either. Most of the settings you’ll need are available through the Creator Dashboard (accessible from the Twitch menu), where you can begin streams, set quality settings, run ads, check moderation, link your Twitch streaming software, and more.
Unfortunately, some of YouTube’s best-known features (such as rewinding a live video) aren’t available for live Twitch stream viewers. YouTube does allow this for live streams, so if you’re on a poor connection, or just need to stop for a moment, you can pause or rewind the stream to catch up.
YouTube’s biggest advantage in this area is familiarity, however. YouTube’s interface is even simpler to use than Twitch’s, with channel subscriptions and trending streams and videos accessible on the left. In the main interface, you can view recommended videos, search for new videos, streams or channels, and more.
YouTube also has another advantage over Twitch: stream quality. Twitch streams are capped at 1080p HD streams at 60fps (frames per second), while YouTube streamers can stream up to 4K (2160p) at 60fps, putting it ahead of Twitch, although you may need to choose a good bitrate to maximize this.
Audience Discovery and Viewing Figures
In a way, YouTube and Twitch are like apples and oranges—they’re both fruit, but they’re ultimately very different tastes. Twitch and Youtube are similar, largely because of the way the audiences on both platforms are formed.
On Twitch, viewers will find new streamers based on the game they’re streaming. If you’re a streamer who plays Sea of Thieves, you’ll be categorized in the Sea of Thieves category when you’re streaming. Twitch’s algorithm will likely recommend new viewers, too, based on the length of time they’ve watched that game previously.
You can still be recommended as a stream to viewers on YouTube, but it’s increasingly likely that newer streamers are priced out by bigger names. Most YouTube channels focus on video creation as a result, building up videos they can publish at their leisure to build their audience, rather than streaming consistently.
This has created a bit of a contrast between the two platforms, where streaming on YouTube centers around big game releases and on major YouTube personalities. Big YouTuber streamers playing Call of Duty: Warzone are a recent example of the success of this strategy.
Twitch, however, makes it much easier for smaller games and smaller streams to survive. Even if you’re only streaming to 10 people, you’re more likely to be recommended to new viewers on Twitch than on YouTube, especially if you’re playing less popular games.
In terms of absolute numbers, you’re more likely to see a greater number of streams with a large number of viewers on YouTube. Unless you have a huge channel to begin with. However, you’ll be able to find it easier to build an audience with Twitch.
Monetization Opportunities
Regardless of the difficulties in building up an audience, the monetization opportunities for streamers on Twitch and YouTube are huge—if you’re consistent.
Twitch may throw some crumbs your way through recommendations, especially if you’re playing less popular games, but you’re unlikely to build up a community who cares about your stream without a regular schedule, where more viewers (and more subscribers) means a higher revenue per stream.
YouTube has even more difficulties, requiring you to reach 4000 watch hours over 12 months and over 1000 subscribers to become a YouTube Partner. Only YouTube Partners can monetize their videos, which prices out most channels. New YouTube channels will need a regular schedule of streams and videos to aim for this.
YouTube Partners mostly receive revenue through ads, but if you’re streaming, you can also receive direct donations from your audience, with a 70/30 split between yourself and YouTube for each donation. Again, this is only possible for YouTube Partners, limiting the monetization efforts to bigger channels.
Twitch, too, has similar restrictions, but at much reduced levels. From the beginning, you can set up a donation link on Twitch to help gain outside income. The big money, however, is in Twitch Prime (now Prime Gaming) subscriptions, pre-stream and mid-stream video ads, as well as “bits” donations, all directly through Twitch itself.
To do this, however, you need to become a Twitch Partner or Affiliate. Affiliates require at least 500 minutes of streaming over 7 days in the last 30 days, as well as a minimum of 50 followers and 3 concurrent viewers on average. Partners require 25 hours over 12 days in the last 30 days, with an average of 75 viewers.
As long as the route to become a YouTube Partner is lengthy and out-of-reach for most streamers, Twitch offers the best opportunities for monetization. If you have a YouTube channel, however, and want to build revenue from past streams and videos, you may want to play the long game and stay with Google’s platform instead.
Twitch vs YouTube: Choosing a Streaming Platform
Whether you’re keen to start streaming on Twitch or thinking about giving YouTube a go, it’s never been easier to start. Once you’re streaming regularly, you’ll want to invest in a good camera, microphone, and capture card to increase the quality of your streams, gain a bigger audience, and become eligible for monetization.
Twitch, in particular, has a number of features to help you build a bigger platform and network with other streamers. If you start raiding on Twitch, you can help other streamers and gain followers back yourself. You can also think about making Twitch emotes to help insert some of your own personality into your streams.
