How to Get Donation Alerts on Twitch: Complete Beginner's Guide (2025)
Everything a new streamer needs to know about getting donation alerts on Twitch. No Affiliate required. Start accepting donations today.
So you're wondering "how do I get donation alerts on Twitch?" Great question! Donation alerts are one of the first things you should set up as a new streamer — and the good news is, you don't need Twitch Affiliate or Partner status to start accepting donations.
This complete beginner's guide will walk you through everything: what donation alerts are, why you need them, which platforms to use, and exactly how to set them up step by step.
Quick Answer
To get donation alerts on Twitch, you need:
- A payment account (CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal)
- An alert platform (like Stream Alert, StreamLabs, or StreamElements)
- OBS or streaming software to display alerts
Setup takes 5-20 minutes depending on the platform you choose.
What Are Donation Alerts?
Donation alerts (also called tip alerts or stream alerts) are notifications that appear on your Twitch stream when a viewer sends you money.
A typical donation alert shows:
- The donor's name (or "Anonymous")
- The donation amount ($5, $10, etc.)
- An optional message from the donor
- Visual animation (GIF, video, or graphic)
- Sound effect or text-to-speech audio
Example Donation Alert
$
$10 from GamerDude123!
"Love the stream! Keep it up!"
*Alert disappears after 5-10 seconds*
The alert instantly acknowledges the donation on stream, so the donor knows you received it, and other viewers can see that people are supporting you (which encourages more donations!).
Why You Need Donation Alerts
Here's why donation alerts are essential for streamers:
1. Instant Recognition
Without alerts, donors don't know if you received their money. Alerts provide instant confirmation and appreciation, making donors feel valued.
2. Increased Donations (250%+ More)
Streamers with donation alerts receive 250% more donations on average compared to those without. Alerts create social proof — when viewers see others donating, they're more likely to donate too.
3. Entertainment Value
Creative alerts add fun moments to your stream. Funny sounds, cool animations, and text-to-speech messages create memorable content that viewers love.
4. Professional Appearance
Donation alerts make your stream look more professional and established, which builds viewer confidence and trust.
Do I Need Twitch Affiliate for Donation Alerts?
No! You Don't Need Affiliate Status
This is the #1 misconception among new streamers. You do NOT need Twitch Affiliate or Partner status to accept donations or use donation alerts.
Twitch Affiliate is only required for Bits and channel subscriptions. Donations go directly to your payment accounts (like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal), not through Twitch, so anyone can accept them from day one.
Donations vs Bits vs Subs
| Method | Requires Affiliate? | You Keep | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations (CashApp/Venmo) | No | 100% (0% fees) | Everyone |
| Donations (PayPal) | No | ~97% (2.9% fees) | International viewers |
| Twitch Bits | Yes | ~50-70% | Affiliates/Partners |
| Channel Subs | Yes | ~50% | Affiliates/Partners |
Bottom line: Start with donations. Once you hit Affiliate, you can add Bits and Subs as additional revenue streams.
Step 1: Choose Your Payment Methods
Before setting up alerts, decide which payment platforms you'll use to receive donations:
Option 1: CashApp (Recommended for Beginners)
Why CashApp:
- 0% transaction fees (keep 100% of donations)
- Super easy for viewers — just $YourUsername
- 44 million users in the US (most viewers have it)
- Instant transfers to your bank account
Setup: Download CashApp, create account, set your $cashtag
Option 2: Venmo (Also Recommended)
Why Venmo:
- 0% fees on personal transactions
- 83 million users in the US (huge audience)
- Social feed can promote your stream
- Simple @username format
Setup: Download Venmo, create account, set your @username
Option 3: PayPal (For International Viewers)
Why PayPal:
- Accepted in 200+ countries
- Integrates with StreamLabs/StreamElements
- Familiar to older audiences
Downside: 2.9% + $0.30 fee per transaction
Setup: Create PayPal account at paypal.com, verify email
Our Recommendation
Use all three to maximize donations. Different viewers prefer different payment methods, and offering all three can increase total donations by 40-60%.
Step 2: Choose Your Alert Platform
Now you need a platform to detect donations and display alerts. Here are your three main options:
Option 1: Stream Alert (Easiest)
Recommended for beginners
$24.99/mo
7-day free trial
Why Stream Alert is Best for Beginners:
- Automatic CashApp & Venmo detection - Only platform that supports these
- 5-minute setup - Fastest and easiest
- No manual links - Automatically detects donations via email
- Save on fees - Pays for itself through saved PayPal fees
- Built-in analytics - Track donation trends
Setup difficulty: Very Easy (5 minutes)
Best for: Streamers who want CashApp/Venmo support and the easiest setup
Option 2: StreamLabs
Popular all-in-one platform
Free
Prime: $149/yr
Pros:
- Free to use
- All-in-one with SLOBS
- Large theme library
- Beginner-friendly
Cons:
- PayPal only (2.9% fees)
- No CashApp/Venmo
- Heavy CPU usage
- Manual donation links
Setup difficulty: Easy (20 minutes)
Best for: Complete beginners okay with PayPal-only
Option 3: StreamElements
100% free, best performance
100% Free
Pros:
- Completely free
- Best performance
- Advanced customization
- Cloud-based
Cons:
- PayPal only
- No CashApp/Venmo
- Steeper learning curve
- Manual setup required
Setup difficulty: Moderate (15 minutes)
Best for: Streamers who want free and have some tech experience
The CashApp/Venmo Problem
Neither StreamLabs nor StreamElements support CashApp or Venmo. If you want automatic alerts for these platforms (which 60%+ of viewers prefer), you need Stream Alert.
Step 3: Set Up Your Chosen Platform
Click the option you chose:
Setup Instructions: Stream Alert (5 minutes)
- Create Account
Visit streamalert.gg/register, start free trial
- Connect Gmail
Click "Connect Gmail" and authorize read-only access
- Add Payment Info
Enter your CashApp $cashtag, Venmo @username, PayPal email
- Customize Alerts
Choose alert design, sounds, and duration
- Add to OBS
Copy overlay URL → OBS → Add Browser Source → Paste URL
Setup Instructions: StreamLabs (20 minutes)
- Go to streamlabs.com and connect Twitch account
- Navigate to Donation Settings → Create Donation Page
- Connect your PayPal account
- Customize donation page and alert designs
- Copy alert box widget URL
- Add browser source to OBS with the URL
- Add donation page link to your Twitch panels
Setup Instructions: StreamElements (15 minutes)
- Go to streamelements.com and login with Twitch
- Dashboard → Payment Methods → Add PayPal
- Dashboard → Tipping → Customize tip page
- Dashboard → Alertbox → Choose or create theme
- Copy overlay URL from Alertbox section
- Add browser source to OBS with URL
- Share your tip page URL with viewers
Step 4: Test Your Alerts
Always test before going live! Here's how:
Testing Methods:
- Use Built-in Test (Fastest)
Most platforms have a "Test Alert" button. Click it and watch for the alert in OBS.
- Send Yourself $1
Use a second device or ask a friend to send you $1. Verify the alert appears within 5-10 seconds.
- Check Everything
- Alert appears at correct position
- Sound plays at good volume
- Text is readable
- Animation completes smoothly
- Alert disappears after set duration
Step 5: Promote Your Donation Options
Make it easy for viewers to find your donation info:
1. Twitch Panels
Create a "Donate" panel below your stream with your CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal info.
2. Chat Commands
Set up !donate, !cashapp, !venmo commands using Nightbot or another chatbot.
3. On-Screen Display
Add a small overlay with your payment info always visible (bottom corner).
4. Verbal Mentions
Occasionally mention that donations help support the stream, without begging.
Common Beginner Questions
How much money can I realistically make from donations?
It varies greatly, but here are realistic benchmarks:
- 1-5 avg viewers: $0-50/month
- 5-15 avg viewers: $50-200/month
- 15-30 avg viewers: $200-500/month
- 30+ avg viewers: $500+/month
Should I use CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal?
Use all three! CashApp and Venmo have 0% fees and are easier for mobile users. PayPal is essential for international viewers. Offering all three maximizes donations.
What if viewers donate but no alert appears?
This usually means: (1) Browser source not visible in OBS, (2) Payment method not properly connected, (3) Alert platform not detecting donations. With Stream Alert, alerts trigger within 5-10 seconds. With StreamLabs/StreamElements, viewers must use your donation page link.
Do I have to pay taxes on donations?
Yes, in most countries. Donations count as income and should be reported on your taxes. Consult a tax professional for specific advice.
Can I get banned for using donation alerts?
No. Donation alerts are completely allowed on Twitch. However, you can't use misleading language like calling donations "subscriptions" or promising Twitch benefits (like Bits/Subs) in exchange for donations.
Ready to Get Started?
You now know everything you need to get donation alerts on Twitch. The quickest way to start is with Stream Alert — automatic detection for CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal in just 5 minutes.