What Twitch subscriptions are and who can use them
A Twitch subscription is a paid membership to a specific streamer's channel. When you subscribe, you pay a monthly fee directly to that streamer (though Twitch takes a cut). In return, you get perks like ad-free viewing on that channel, custom emotes, and a badge next to your username in chat. Subscriptions are separate from following a channel — following is free and just adds the channel to your list.
Only streamers who are part of the Twitch Affiliate or Partner program can offer subscriptions. If a streamer hasn't reached those tiers yet, there's no subscription button on their channel. You can still support them through other means like Bits (Twitch's virtual currency) or direct donations, but those aren't subscriptions.
Subscriptions are available in most countries where Twitch operates, though payment methods and pricing may vary by region. You need a Twitch account and a valid payment method on file to subscribe.
Key Takeaways
- Twitch subscriptions cost $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 per month depending on the tier you choose, and the streamer receives a portion of that fee.
- Tier 1 subscriptions are the cheapest option and give you basic perks like ad-free viewing and a subscriber badge in chat.
- Prime Gaming members (Amazon Prime subscribers) get one free Tier 1 subscription per month through their Prime membership.
- Subscriptions renew automatically each month unless you cancel, and you can manage or cancel your subscriptions anytime from your account settings.
- Only Twitch Affiliates and Partners can offer subscriptions; newer streamers cannot accept them yet.
The three subscription tiers and what each costs
Twitch offers three subscription levels, each with a different monthly price. Tier 1 costs $4.99 per month. Tier 2 costs $9.99 per month. Tier 3 costs $24.99 per month. The higher tiers give you more perks — usually more emotes, a higher-tier badge, and sometimes exclusive access to subscriber-only streams or Discord channels.
The exact perks vary by streamer because each one customizes what their subscribers receive. Some streamers offer the same basic perks across all tiers and only add extra emotes at higher levels. Others create tier-specific benefits like Tier 3 getting early access to videos or exclusive content. Check the subscription page on the streamer's channel to see what each tier includes before you subscribe.
Twitch takes a percentage of subscription revenue — typically 50 percent for most streamers, though top partners may negotiate a different split. The streamer keeps the rest. This is different from Bits or donations, where the split is different.
How Prime Gaming subscriptions work
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you also have Prime Gaming included at no extra cost. Prime Gaming gives you one free Tier 1 subscription to any Twitch channel every month. This subscription renews automatically each month, so you get a new free subscription to use or reuse on the same channel.
To use your Prime Gaming subscription, go to the channel you want to subscribe to and look for the subscription button. You should see an option to subscribe with Prime Gaming. Click it, and the subscription is applied immediately. You don't need to enter payment information because it's tied to your Prime membership.
If you want to subscribe to a different channel the next month, you can cancel your current Prime Gaming subscription and use it on a new channel instead. You can only have one active Prime Gaming subscription at a time, but you can switch which channel receives it whenever you want.
How to subscribe and manage your subscriptions
To subscribe to a channel, visit the streamer's page and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually located near the top of the page or in the channel info section. Click it, choose your tier, and follow the payment steps. Your subscription will renew automatically on the same day each month unless you cancel it.
You can manage all your subscriptions from your account settings. Go to your profile, select "Subscriptions," and you'll see a list of every channel you're subscribed to, which tier you're on, and when your next renewal date is. From this page, you can cancel any subscription immediately, and you won't be charged again. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access to subscriber perks until your current billing period ends.
If you want to change tiers on an existing subscription — for example, upgrading from Tier 1 to Tier 2 — you can do that from the same subscriptions page. The change takes effect on your next renewal date, and you'll only pay the difference if you're upgrading mid-month.
What happens if a subscription renews and you don't want it
Subscriptions renew automatically every month on the date you subscribed. If you forget to cancel and get charged, you can request a refund from Twitch within a certain window — typically 30 days from the charge date, though this can vary. Go to your account settings, find the charge in your transaction history, and request a refund through Twitch's support system.
To avoid unexpected charges, set a reminder on your phone or calendar to cancel subscriptions you no longer want before the renewal date. Alternatively, some people cancel immediately after subscribing if they only wanted to support a streamer once — you keep the perks for the full month even after canceling.
If you're having trouble canceling or getting a refund, contact Twitch Support directly through their help center. They can walk you through the process or investigate charges that seem incorrect.
Subscription perks and what you actually get
The most common subscription perk across all tiers is ad-free viewing on that specific channel. When you're subscribed, you won't see ads before streams or during ad breaks — but this only applies to that one channel, not all of Twitch. If you watch other channels, you'll still see ads there.
Every subscriber gets a subscriber badge next to their name in chat, which shows other viewers you support the channel. Higher tiers get fancier badges. Most streamers also offer custom emotes — small images you can use in chat — and higher tiers usually unlock more emotes to use.
Beyond these standard perks, streamers can add their own benefits. Some offer subscriber-only Discord servers, early access to videos, exclusive streams, or shoutouts during broadcasts. Check the subscription details on the channel page to see what the streamer is offering before you commit to a tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I subscribed by mistake?
Yes. If you subscribed within the last 30 days, you can request a refund through your Twitch account settings. Go to your transaction history, find the subscription charge, and select the refund option. Twitch will review your request, and refunds usually process within a few business days. If you're outside the 30-day window, contact Twitch Support to explain your situation.
Do I have to subscribe to watch streams?
No. Subscriptions are optional. You can watch any public stream for free, though you may see ads. Subscribing removes ads on that channel and gives you extra perks, but it's not required to view the content.
What's the difference between subscribing and following?
Following is free and just adds a channel to your list so you see notifications when the streamer goes live. Subscribing costs money and gives you perks like ad-free viewing and emotes. You can follow without subscribing, or do both.
Can I use a gift card to pay for a subscription?
You can use a gift card if it's linked to a payment method Twitch accepts — like a credit card or PayPal account. Add the gift card balance to your payment method first, then use that method to subscribe. Twitch doesn't sell its own gift cards for subscriptions the way it does for Bits.
If I cancel my subscription, do I lose my perks immediately?
No. You keep all subscriber perks (ad-free viewing, emotes, badge) until your current billing period ends. After that date, the perks disappear and you'll start seeing ads on that channel again. If you resubscribe later, you regain the perks.