Gaming · head to head
Twitch vs Steam
Steam
Gaming
The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Twitch has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Twitch twitch's own App Store description discloses that the app includes Nielsen's proprietary measurement software contributing to third-party market research (Nielsen TV Ratings), with an opt-out only available via a separate Nielsen privacy policy page.; Steam publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Twitch and Steam actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Gaming).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Twitch
- Live streaming
- Chat interaction
- Video on demand
- Clips and highlights
- Channel subscriptions
- Donations and bits
- Extensions
- Mobile streaming
Only in Steam
Nothing recorded that Twitch does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Twitch
- Gaming live streamsnot Steam
- Content creationnot Steam
- Community buildingnot Steam
- Esports viewingnot Steam
- Creative streamingnot Steam
Steam
No use cases recorded yet. See the Steam review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Twitch
- Twitch's own App Store description discloses that the app includes Nielsen's proprietary measurement software contributing to third-party market research (Nielsen TV Ratings), with an opt-out only available via a separate Nielsen privacy policy page.
Steam
- Publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue
- Core purchases and library are tied to a single Steam account with no vendor-stated official resale or transfer mechanism for owned games
Pricing, plan by plan
Twitch
Free- FreeFree
- Watch live streams
- Chat participation
- Follow streamers
- Turbo$8.99/month
- Ad-free viewing
- Expanded emoticon set
- Priority support
Steam
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Steam review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Twitch if
- You need live streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo-switch.
- You also want chat interaction.
Choose Steam if
Nothing in the data separates Steam from Twitch on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Twitch or Steam better?
- Neither clearly leads. Twitch starts at Free and Steam at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Twitch or Steam?
- Twitch has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Twitch and On request for Steam.
- Does Twitch or Steam run on more platforms?
- Twitch runs on Web, Ios, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo-switch. Steam runs on Web.
- Can I use Twitch for free?
- Yes. Twitch has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Steam starts at On request.
- What is Twitch best used for?
- Twitch is most often used for gaming live streams, content creation, community building, esports viewing. Of those, gaming live streams and content creation are not what Steam is typically brought in for.
- What can Twitch do that Steam cannot?
- Twitch covers Live streaming, Chat interaction, Video on demand, Clips and highlights.