How to Show Buy Me a Coffee Donations on Instagram Live (2026)
Step-by-step guide to displaying Buy Me a Coffee donation alerts on your Instagram Live stream using OBS, Stream Alert, and a restreaming service like Yellow Duck or Restream.
Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) is one of the best donation platforms for Instagram Live creators — with just a 5% platform fee, international availability, and built-in memberships, it outperforms Instagram's own Badges system by a wide margin. But Instagram Live doesn't natively support donation overlays, so showing BMAC alerts on your stream requires a workaround.
The solution: stream through OBS using a restreaming service like Yellow Duck or Restream, then add Stream Alert (connected to BMAC via webhook) as a browser source. When a supporter buys you a coffee, the alert fires on your Instagram Live stream in real time — with their name, amount, and message displayed on screen.
Compared to Instagram Badges, which take roughly 30% of every purchase and cap at $4.99 per Badge, Buy Me a Coffee lets you keep 95% of every donation with no upper limit. For Instagram creators serious about monetization, BMAC paired with Stream Alert is the strongest setup available in 2026.
TL;DR — Buy Me a Coffee on Instagram Live
- Instagram Badges: ~30% platform cut, capped at $4.99 per Badge, US-only, requires 10K+ followers
- Buy Me a Coffee: 5% fee, no donation cap, available worldwide, no follower requirements
- Visual alerts require OBS + a restreaming tool (Yellow Duck is free, Restream supports multistream)
- Stream Alert connects to BMAC via webhook and fires alerts as a browser source in OBS
- Mobile streamers: Share your BMAC page link via Linktree in your Instagram bio — no visual overlay, but donations are tracked in your Stream Alert dashboard
- BMAC memberships provide recurring monthly revenue from your most loyal supporters
- International support: BMAC accepts cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay worldwide — Badges are US-only
Why Buy Me a Coffee Beats Instagram Badges
Instagram Badges are the platform's built-in tipping feature, but they come with serious limitations. Viewers can purchase Badges at fixed tiers of $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99, and Instagram takes approximately 30% of every Badge purchase. That means you keep roughly $0.70, $1.40, or $3.50 respectively. On top of that, Badges are only available to creators in the United States with a Professional account and at least 10,000 followers.
Buy Me a Coffee flips every one of those limitations:
- 95% to the creator: BMAC charges a flat 5% platform fee. On a $5 donation, you keep $4.75 instead of roughly $3.50 with Badges.
- No donation cap: Supporters can send $3, $10, $50, or any custom amount. There's no $4.99 ceiling.
- Memberships: BMAC lets you offer monthly membership tiers with exclusive perks — Discord access, behind-the-scenes content, early access, custom shoutouts. This creates predictable recurring revenue.
- International: BMAC is available worldwide. Your audience in Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond can all support you. Badges are US-only.
- No eligibility requirements: You don't need 10,000 followers, a Professional account, or any approval process. Create a BMAC page, share the link, and start receiving donations immediately.
- Custom branding: Your BMAC page can be fully customized with your colors, profile image, bio, and featured extras. It acts as a mini storefront for your community.
- Multiple payment methods: Supporters can pay with credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay — no Instagram account required.
The Revenue Math
If 100 viewers each send a $5 donation through Instagram Badges, you receive approximately $350 after Instagram's ~30% cut. The same 100 viewers sending $5 each through Buy Me a Coffee nets you $475 after BMAC's 5% fee. That's a 36% increase in revenue just by switching your donation method.
Setting Up BMAC Alerts on Instagram Live
To display Buy Me a Coffee donation alerts on your Instagram Live stream, you need three things: a BMAC account, a Stream Alert account connected via webhook, and OBS paired with a restreaming service. Here's the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Create Your Buy Me a Coffee Account
- Go to buymeacoffee.com and sign up
- Customize your page with your profile image, bio, and branding
- Set up your payout method (bank transfer, PayPal, or Stripe)
- Optionally create membership tiers and extras for recurring revenue
Time: 5 minutes
Step 2: Create a Stream Alert Account
- Go to streamalert.gg/register
- Enter your name, email, and password
- Verify your account
- Click “Start Free Trial”
Time: 1 minute
Step 3: Connect Buy Me a Coffee via Webhook
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, go to Apps
- Find Buy Me a Coffee and click Connect
- Copy your unique Webhook URL
- Open Buy Me a Coffee Studio → Webhooks
- Paste your Stream Alert webhook URL
- Select Support Created as the event type
- Click Save
Time: 2 minutes
Step 4: Set Up OBS + Yellow Duck or Restream
- Download and install OBS Studio if you don't have it
- Install Yellow Duck (free — generates an Instagram RTMP key) or sign up for Restream (paid — multistreams to Instagram + other platforms)
- Log in to Yellow Duck or Restream with your Instagram account
- Copy the RTMP URL and stream key provided
- In OBS, go to Settings → Stream and enter the RTMP details
Time: 5 minutes
Step 5: Add Stream Alert as a Browser Source
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, copy your overlay URL
- In OBS, click Sources → Add → Browser
- Paste your Stream Alert overlay URL
- Set the width and height to match your canvas (e.g., 1920x1080)
- Position the source layer above your webcam and other elements
Time: 1 minute
Step 6: Test Your Setup
- In Buy Me a Coffee webhook settings, click Send Test
- Watch your OBS preview — a test donation alert should appear
- Start a test stream to Instagram to confirm everything flows through
- Ask a friend to send a small real donation to verify the full pipeline
Time: 2 minutes
You're All Set!
When a supporter buys you a coffee, Stream Alert receives the webhook from BMAC, fires the alert animation in your OBS browser source, and it appears live on your Instagram stream — complete with the supporter's name, amount, and message.
Buy Me a Coffee vs Instagram Badges
Here's a side-by-side breakdown of both monetization methods for Instagram Live creators:
| Feature | Buy Me a Coffee | Instagram Badges |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 5% | ~30% |
| Creator Keeps | 95% | ~70% |
| Donation Limit | No cap | $4.99 max per Badge |
| Payout | Weekly (bank, PayPal, Stripe) | Monthly (after reaching threshold) |
| Eligibility | Anyone, no requirements | US-only, 10K+ followers, Professional account |
| Recurring Revenue | Yes (memberships) | No |
| International | Worldwide | US only |
| Custom Page | Yes (branded page, extras, goals) | No |
| Payment Methods | Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay | In-app purchase (Apple/Google takes a cut too) |
| Stream Alerts | Yes (via Stream Alert + OBS) | Built-in badge icon only |
Keep Both Active
You don't have to choose one or the other. If you qualify for Instagram Badges, keep them enabled as a low-friction option for casual viewers who don't want to leave the app. Use Buy Me a Coffee for supporters who want to give more, subscribe monthly, or access exclusive perks. The two systems work side by side with no conflict.
Mobile Instagram Live and BMAC
Most Instagram creators go live from their phone, and here's the reality: you cannot display visual donation alerts on a mobile-only Instagram Live stream. OBS browser sources require a desktop streaming setup with a restreaming tool. However, that doesn't mean BMAC is useless for mobile streamers — far from it.
How Mobile Streamers Use BMAC on Instagram Live
- BMAC page link in Linktree: Add your Buy Me a Coffee page URL to a Linktree (or similar service) and put that Linktree in your Instagram bio. This is the primary way mobile viewers discover and access your donation page.
- Verbal mentions during the stream: Periodically remind viewers that they can support you through the link in your bio. Keep it natural — “If you're enjoying the stream, you can buy me a coffee through the link in my bio!”
- Pin a comment: As soon as you go live, post a comment like “Support the stream: link in bio!” and pin it. Late joiners will see it immediately.
- Stories promotion before going live: Post an Instagram Story 15–30 minutes before your Live with a link sticker pointing to your BMAC page. Followers who see the Story know how to support you before the stream even starts.
- Monitor donations on a second device: Open your Stream Alert dashboard on a tablet or laptop while streaming from your phone. When a BMAC donation arrives, you'll see it in real time and can thank the supporter verbally on stream.
Mobile Works Better Than You Think
While you won't have visual overlays, the personal touch of a verbal shoutout can actually drive more donations than a silent alert animation. Instagram viewers are accustomed to a more intimate, conversational stream format. Naming a supporter and thanking them directly creates social proof and encourages others to donate.
Promoting BMAC on Instagram
Having a Buy Me a Coffee page is only half the equation. To maximize donations, you need to actively promote it across your Instagram presence. Here are the most effective strategies:
Linktree in Your Bio
Your Instagram bio is the only clickable link on your profile. Use Linktree (or Beacons, Koji, or a similar tool) with your BMAC page as the first or second link. Label it clearly: “Buy Me a Coffee” or “Support My Content.” Make sure it's near the top so visitors don't have to scroll.
Stories Before Going Live
Post an Instagram Story 15–30 minutes before your Live. Include a countdown sticker for the stream and a link sticker directly to your BMAC page. This primes your audience and gives them a chance to support you before you even start streaming. Save these Stories to a “Support” highlight on your profile for evergreen visibility.
Reels Content
Create short Reels showing your stream highlights, behind-the-scenes setup, or thank-you clips for recent supporters. Mention your BMAC page in the caption and use relevant hashtags. Reels reach far beyond your existing followers and can bring in new supporters who discover your content organically.
Verbal CTAs During Your Stream
Mention your BMAC page naturally throughout your Live. Don't beg — instead, tie it to value: “If this stream helped you or you're having a good time, you can buy me a coffee through the link in my bio. Every coffee helps me keep doing these Lives!” Repeat every 15–20 minutes for new joiners.
Thank Supporters in Posts
After your Live, post a feed photo or carousel thanking your supporters (with their permission). Tag them if appropriate. Public gratitude encourages repeat donations and shows potential supporters that their contributions are genuinely appreciated. Consider a monthly “supporter spotlight” post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a certain number of followers to use Buy Me a Coffee?
No. Unlike Instagram Badges (which require 10,000+ followers and a US-based Professional account), Buy Me a Coffee has zero eligibility requirements. Anyone can create a BMAC page and start accepting donations immediately, regardless of follower count, location, or account type. You just need a valid email address and a payout method.
Can I show visual BMAC alerts on Instagram Live from my phone?
Not directly. Visual donation alerts require a browser source overlay in OBS, which means streaming from a desktop through a restreaming tool like Yellow Duck or Restream. If you're streaming from your phone, you can still accept BMAC donations by sharing your link in your bio and giving verbal shoutouts. Monitor incoming donations through the Stream Alert dashboard on a second device.
Buy Me a Coffee vs Ko-fi for Instagram Live — which is better?
Both are excellent, but they have different strengths. Ko-fi has a 0% platform fee on its free tier (vs BMAC's 5%) and offers instant PayPal payouts. Buy Me a Coffee has a more polished page design, built-in extras, Apple Pay and Google Pay support, and stronger brand recognition among non-gaming audiences. For Instagram creators, BMAC's mobile-friendly payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay) tend to convert better since Instagram viewers are almost entirely on mobile devices. You can also use both — Stream Alert supports Ko-fi and BMAC simultaneously.
Is it against Instagram's rules to promote Buy Me a Coffee?
No. Instagram does not prohibit sharing external donation links or asking for financial support. Thousands of creators include BMAC, Ko-fi, PayPal, and other payment links in their bios. Just avoid being excessively spammy with your asks — focus on delivering great content and mention your BMAC page naturally. Instagram's terms primarily restrict illegal activities and spam, not legitimate creator monetization.
Can I offer BMAC memberships to my Instagram Live audience?
Absolutely, and this is one of BMAC's biggest advantages over Instagram Badges. You can create monthly membership tiers on your Buy Me a Coffee page with exclusive perks — early access to content, private Discord channels, bonus Lives, personalized shoutouts, or downloadable extras. Promote these memberships during your Instagram Lives and in your Stories. Memberships provide predictable recurring revenue, which is far more sustainable than relying solely on one-time tips.
Start Showing Buy Me a Coffee Donations on Your Instagram Live
Connect your BMAC account to Stream Alert, set up OBS with a restreaming tool, and display real-time donation alerts on your Instagram Live stream. Keep 95% of every donation instead of losing ~30% to Badges.
Create Your Free Stream Alert Account