How to Show Donation Alerts on Facebook Gaming (2025)
Complete guide to displaying Stars, donations, and tip alerts on Facebook Gaming. Accept CashApp, Venmo, PayPal with StreamAlert.
Facebook Gaming offers streamers two paths to earning money: the built-in Stars program and external donations via apps like CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal. While Stars are convenient, they come with strict eligibility requirements, high minimum payouts, and Facebook's cut of every transaction.
External donation alerts let you bypass those restrictions entirely. Whether you're a brand-new Facebook Gaming streamer or a Level Up partner looking to maximize revenue, this guide walks you through every method for displaying donation alerts on your Facebook Gaming streams — from free options to the most powerful paid tools available in 2025.
Key Takeaway
You don't need Level Up or Partner status to accept donations on Facebook Gaming. With external tools like Stream Alert, any streamer can display real-time CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal donation alerts through OBS — starting today.
Facebook Stars vs External Donations
Before choosing a setup method, it's important to understand the differences between Facebook's built-in monetization and external donation platforms. Here's how every major option stacks up:
| Method | Fees | Requirements | You Keep | Alert Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Stars | ~30% (Facebook's cut) | Level Up / Partner | $0.01 per Star | Built-in only |
| Fan Subscriptions | ~30% (Facebook's cut) | Level Up / Partner | ~70% | Built-in only |
| CashApp | 0% | None | 100% | Stream Alert |
| Venmo | 0% | None | 100% | Stream Alert |
| PayPal | 2.9% + $0.30 | None | ~95-97% | StreamLabs / StreamElements / Stream Alert |
| Ko-fi | 0% platform fee* | None | ~95-97% | Webhook (limited) |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5% platform fee | None | ~90-92% | Webhook (limited) |
*Ko-fi charges 0% platform fee but PayPal/Stripe still applies its standard processing fees.
Why External Donations Win
With CashApp and Venmo, viewers send money directly to you — no eligibility requirements, no minimum payout, and zero fees. Facebook Stars require Level Up status and a $100 minimum before you see a single dollar. For newer streamers especially, external donations are the fastest path to earning.
Method 1: Stream Alert (Recommended)
Best for: CashApp, Venmo & PayPal alerts on Facebook Gaming
Setup Time: 5 minutes • $24.99/mo • 30-day free trial
Stream Alert is the only platform that automatically detects CashApp and Venmo donations by monitoring your Gmail for payment confirmation emails. It also supports PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee — making it the most comprehensive donation alert tool for Facebook Gaming streamers.
- Create a Stream Alert account
Visit streamalert.gg/register and sign up for the 30-day free trial.
- Connect your Gmail account
Stream Alert uses Gmail API to detect incoming CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal payment notifications in real time.
- Add your payment accounts
Enter your $cashtag, @venmo handle, PayPal email, and optionally connect Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee webhooks.
- Copy your overlay URL
From the Stream Alert dashboard, copy your unique browser source overlay URL.
- Open OBS and add a Browser Source
In OBS, click the + button under Sources → select Browser → paste the overlay URL → set resolution to 1920x1080.
- Connect OBS to Facebook Gaming
Go to OBS Settings → Stream → Service: Facebook Live → connect your Facebook account or paste your stream key from the Facebook Live Producer.
- Go live and test
Start streaming and send yourself a small CashApp or Venmo payment to confirm alerts trigger on screen.
Why Stream Alert Is Best for Facebook Gaming
Unlike Twitch, Facebook Gaming doesn't have a third-party extension ecosystem. That means you can't install donation panels or chat commands natively. Stream Alert works entirely through OBS browser sources, which makes it platform-agnostic — the same setup works whether you stream to Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, or Kick.
Method 2: StreamLabs
StreamLabs is one of the most well-known alert platforms and supports Facebook Gaming natively. However, it only works with PayPal donations — no CashApp or Venmo support.
- Create a StreamLabs account
Sign up at streamlabs.com and log in with your Facebook account.
- Connect PayPal
Navigate to Donation Settings and link your PayPal email address. This is the only payment method available.
- Customize your alert design
Go to Alert Box settings and choose from built-in themes, or customize the animation, sound, font, and duration.
- Copy the Alert Box widget URL
Click Copy on the widget URL from the Alert Box settings page.
- Add Browser Source in OBS
In OBS, add a new Browser source and paste the StreamLabs widget URL. Set resolution to 1920x1080.
StreamLabs Limitation
StreamLabs only supports PayPal for donation alerts. If your viewers prefer CashApp or Venmo (which most viewers under 30 do), you'll need to pair StreamLabs with Stream Alert to cover all payment methods.
Method 3: StreamElements
StreamElements is a popular free alternative to StreamLabs. It's cloud-based (lower CPU usage) and offers solid alert customization. Like StreamLabs, it's PayPal-only for donations.
- Create a StreamElements account
Sign up at streamelements.com. Note: StreamElements primarily supports Twitch and YouTube logins. For Facebook Gaming, you'll use the overlay URL method.
- Set up your tipping page
Go to My Overlays → Donation Settings and connect your PayPal account.
- Build a custom overlay
Use the overlay editor to add an Alert Widget. Customize the design, sound, and duration to match your brand.
- Copy the overlay URL
Click Launch Overlay and copy the generated URL.
- Add Browser Source in OBS
Paste the overlay URL into a new OBS Browser source at 1920x1080 resolution.
StreamElements Limitation
StreamElements doesn't have native Facebook Gaming integration for follows/subs. It works for PayPal donation alerts via the tipping page, but you won't get Stars or fan subscription notifications through it. For CashApp and Venmo, add Stream Alert.
Facebook Gaming Specific Setup
Streaming to Facebook Gaming is slightly different from Twitch or YouTube. Here's what you need to know to get your stream — and your donation alerts — running smoothly.
Gaming Fan Page vs Personal Profile
Facebook Gaming streams should be broadcast from a Gaming Fan Page, not your personal profile. Fan Pages give you access to the Gaming Creator Dashboard, Stars eligibility, stream analytics, and a dedicated follower base. To create one, go to facebook.com/gaming/pages/create and select your game category.
Using the Gaming Creator Dashboard
Access the Gaming Creator Dashboard at facebook.com/gaming/streamer. From here you can manage stream settings, view analytics, set up Stars goals, and access the Live Producer to get your stream key. Bookmark this page — you'll use it before every stream.
Streaming via OBS to Facebook
To connect OBS to Facebook Gaming:
- Open OBS → Settings → Stream
- Select Facebook Live as the service
- Click Connect Account to log in with Facebook (recommended), or manually paste the stream key from Live Producer
- Under Output, set bitrate to 4000-6000 Kbps for 1080p or 2500-4000 Kbps for 720p
- Click Start Streaming — OBS will push your video (including alert overlays) to Facebook Gaming
Alert Overlays Work Through OBS
Your donation alert overlays (whether from Stream Alert, StreamLabs, or StreamElements) render inside OBS as browser sources. When OBS sends the video feed to Facebook Gaming, the alerts are baked into the video. This means alerts work on any streaming platform — Facebook doesn't need to "support" the tool directly.
Promoting Donations on Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming doesn't have Twitch-style chat commands or channel point panels, so promoting your donation links requires different strategies. Here are the most effective methods:
Pin a Post with Payment Links
Create a post on your Gaming Fan Page listing all your payment options (CashApp $tag, Venmo @handle, PayPal link) and pin it to the top of your page. Pinned posts are the first thing new visitors see, and they remain visible during live streams.
Drop Links in Stream Chat
Periodically paste your donation links in the stream chat as a comment. Unlike Twitch, Facebook Gaming chat is essentially a comment section — your links will remain visible and clickable as viewers scroll through.
Update Your Page Description
Add your donation links to your Gaming Fan Page's About section and page description. Viewers who visit your page between streams can still find your payment info and support you.
Mention Donations in Your Stream Title
Include something like "Tips: CashApp/Venmo accepted!" in your stream title or description when going live. This creates awareness without being overly pushy and lets potential supporters know the option exists before they even join.
Verbal Call-Outs During Stream
Periodically thank recent tippers by name and mention your payment methods verbally. This is especially important on Facebook Gaming because viewers may not actively look at chat commands. A simple "If you're enjoying the stream, you can tip via CashApp or Venmo — links are in the pinned post!" goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Level Up or Partner status to accept external donations?
No. Level Up and Partner status are only required for Facebook Stars and fan subscriptions. External donations via CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee work for any Facebook Gaming streamer, regardless of follower count or program eligibility.
Will donation alerts show on my Facebook Gaming stream?
Yes. Donation alerts render inside OBS through browser sources. When OBS sends the video feed to Facebook Gaming, alerts are part of the video output. Viewers watching on Facebook will see alerts exactly as they appear in your OBS preview.
Can I use CashApp and Venmo donation alerts on Facebook Gaming?
Yes, but only with Stream Alert. StreamLabs and StreamElements only support PayPal donations. Stream Alert is the only tool that automatically detects CashApp and Venmo payments and triggers on-screen alerts.
Should I use Stars and external donations at the same time?
Absolutely. Keep Stars enabled for viewers who want the convenience of donating directly through Facebook. Offer CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal as alternatives for viewers who prefer those methods or want more of their money to reach you. Running both maximizes your earning potential.
Can I stream to Facebook Gaming and Twitch at the same time?
Yes, with multistreaming tools like Restream or OBS plugins that push your feed to multiple platforms simultaneously. Your Stream Alert donation alerts will appear on all platforms because they render locally in OBS before the video is sent anywhere.
What's the minimum payout for Facebook Stars vs external donations?
Facebook Stars require a $100 minimum before you can cash out, and payouts are processed monthly. External donations through CashApp and Venmo have no minimum — money hits your account instantly when someone sends it.