How to Get Buy Me a Coffee Donations on Streamlabs & StreamElements (2025 Guide)
The complete guide to displaying Buy Me a Coffee donations as alerts on your Twitch, YouTube, or Kick stream using Streamlabs or StreamElements.
Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) is one of the most popular platforms for creators to receive support. With memberships, extras, and simple one-time donations, it's a powerful tool for streamers. But there's one problem: Buy Me a Coffee doesn't natively integrate with Streamlabs or StreamElements.
This means when someone sends you a BMAC donation, it won't automatically appear as an alert on your stream. You'd have to manually check Buy Me a Coffee and announce donations yourself.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to get automatic Buy Me a Coffee donation alerts on Streamlabs and StreamElements using Stream Alert.
Why Buy Me a Coffee Doesn't Work with Streamlabs/StreamElements
Streamlabs and StreamElements are designed to work with their own donation systems. They have built-in donation pages, and there's no official integration with Buy Me a Coffee.
This leaves streamers with frustrating choices:
- Use Streamlabs/StreamElements donation page (less flexible)
- Use Buy Me a Coffee but miss out on stream alerts
- Manually monitor BMAC and trigger alerts yourself
The Manual Method is Painful
Some streamers keep Buy Me a Coffee open on a second monitor and manually trigger alerts when donations come in. This is distracting, unreliable, and means you'll miss donations during intense moments.
The Solution: Stream Alert
Stream Alert bridges the gap between Buy Me a Coffee and your streaming alerts. When someone donates on BMAC, Stream Alert automatically forwards that donation to Streamlabs or StreamElements, triggering your custom alerts instantly.
How Buy Me a Coffee to Streamlabs/StreamElements Works
Here's the flow:
- Viewer donates on Buy Me a Coffee - They click your BMAC link and send a donation
- BMAC sends webhook to Stream Alert - Instant notification (within seconds)
- Stream Alert forwards to Streamlabs/StreamElements - Donation data is sent to your alert service
- Alert appears on your stream - Your custom alert plays with donor name, amount, and message
The entire process takes less than 5 seconds from donation to on-screen alert.
Why Webhooks Are Better Than Email
Unlike email-based solutions (which can have 30-60 second delays), Buy Me a Coffee webhooks deliver donation data instantly. Stream Alert uses this direct connection for the fastest possible alerts.
Benefits of Using Buy Me a Coffee with Stream Alert
Memberships & Extras
BMAC offers memberships and digital extras that many viewers love.
Instant Alerts
Donations appear on stream within seconds via webhook integration.
Custom Alert Designs
Use your existing Streamlabs/StreamElements alert designs and sounds.
Support Messages
BMAC support notes are forwarded and displayed with the alert.
Works Everywhere
Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook Gaming - any platform that uses OBS.
Analytics Dashboard
Track all BMAC donations alongside other payment sources.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Follow these steps to connect Buy Me a Coffee to Streamlabs or StreamElements. Total setup time: 5 minutes.
Step 1: Create a Stream Alert Account
- Go to streamalert.gg/sign-up
- Enter your name, email, and password
- Verify your Twitch or YouTube account
- Click "Start Free Trial"
Time: 1 minute
Step 2: Connect Streamlabs or StreamElements
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, go to Apps
- Click Connect on Streamlabs or StreamElements
- Log in and authorize the connection
Which Should I Use?
Both work great! If you're already using one, stick with it. If you're new, read our comparison.
Time: 1 minute
Step 3: Connect Buy Me a Coffee
- In Stream Alert, go to Apps
- Find Buy Me a Coffee and click Connect
- Copy your unique Webhook URL
Time: 30 seconds
Step 4: Configure Buy Me a Coffee Webhook
- Open Buy Me a Coffee Studio Webhooks (log in if needed)
- Paste your Stream Alert webhook URL
- Select Support Created or Donation Created as the event
- Click Save
Time: 1 minute
Step 5: Test Your Setup
- In Buy Me a Coffee webhook settings, send a test webhook
- Open your Stream Alert Live Alerts page
- You should see a test donation appear
- Check your Streamlabs/StreamElements alert box in OBS
Time: 1 minute
You're All Set!
Buy Me a Coffee donations will now automatically trigger alerts on your stream through Streamlabs or StreamElements. The supporter's name, amount, and message will all be displayed.
Buy Me a Coffee vs Other Donation Methods
Here's how Buy Me a Coffee compares to other donation options:
| Feature | BMAC + Stream Alert | Ko-fi + Stream Alert | Streamlabs Donations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 5% | 0% | 0% |
| Memberships | Yes | Yes | No |
| Extras/Products | Yes | Yes (Shop) | No |
| Payout Speed | Weekly | Instant | 1-5 days |
| Payment Methods | Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay | PayPal, Stripe | PayPal |
| Custom Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tips for Maximizing Buy Me a Coffee Donations
1. Create Compelling Extras
BMAC allows you to sell digital extras. Ideas:
- Custom emote packs
- Wallpapers and overlays
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Personalized shoutouts
2. Set Up Memberships
Monthly memberships provide recurring income:
- Exclusive Discord access
- Early access to content
- Monthly game sessions
- Name on supporter list
3. Promote Your BMAC Page
Add your Buy Me a Coffee link to:
- Twitch panels
- Stream overlay
- Chat commands (!support, !donate, !bmac)
- Social media bios
4. Thank Supporters Personally
When the alert pops up:
- Say their name
- Read their message
- Give a genuine thank you
Troubleshooting
BMAC donation didn't trigger an alert
Check these things:
- Webhook URL is correctly pasted in BMAC Studio settings
- Event type is set to "Support Created" or "Donation Created"
- Streamlabs or StreamElements is connected in Stream Alert
- Your alert box is added to OBS and visible
Alert is delayed
BMAC webhooks are instant, so delays are rare. If alerts take more than 10 seconds, check your Streamlabs/StreamElements connection in Stream Alert.
Wrong amount showing
Make sure your Buy Me a Coffee currency settings match your Streamlabs/StreamElements settings. Contact support if the issue persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Buy Me a Coffee AND Ko-fi?
Yes! Stream Alert can forward donations from both platforms simultaneously. Each donation will trigger alerts regardless of the source.
Do BMAC memberships trigger alerts?
Yes! Each membership payment from Buy Me a Coffee will trigger an alert, just like one-time donations.
What about BMAC extras purchases?
Extra purchases also trigger webhooks and can trigger alerts on your stream.
Is my webhook URL secure?
Your webhook URL is unique to your account and should be kept private. It acts as an authentication key.
Start Receiving Buy Me a Coffee Alerts Today
Buy Me a Coffee is a powerful donation platform for streamers, and with Stream Alert, you can finally get automatic alerts on Streamlabs and StreamElements. Setup takes just 5 minutes, and you'll never miss a donation again.
Join thousands of streamers who use Stream Alert to unify their donation alerts across all payment platforms.