How to Show Donation Alerts on Kick (2025 Complete Guide)
The ultimate guide to displaying donation, tip, and membership alerts on Kick streaming platform. Accept CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and more.
Kick is one of the fastest-growing live streaming platforms, attracting creators with its industry-leading 95/5 subscription revenue split and creator-first policies. But unlike Twitch — which has Bits, Hype Train, and built-in tipping — Kick doesn't offer a native donation or tipping system.
That means if you want to accept donations on Kick, you need external tools. And if you want your viewers to see flashy on-screen alerts when they donate? You'll need to set those up yourself through OBS.
This guide covers every method for showing donation alerts on Kick — from CashApp and Venmo tips to PayPal, Ko-fi memberships, and more. Whether you're a brand-new Kick streamer or migrating from Twitch, you'll have donation alerts running in under 10 minutes.
Key Takeaway
Kick has no built-in equivalent to Twitch Bits or YouTube Super Chat. External donation alerts are essential for any Kick streamer who wants to accept and display viewer tips on stream. The good news: setup takes 5–10 minutes with the right tool.
Kick Monetization Options at a Glance
Before choosing a donation alert tool, it helps to understand every way you can earn money on Kick — and what kind of alert support each method offers.
| Method | Fees | Alert Support | You Keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kick Subscriptions | 5% Kick cut | Built-in (Kick native) | 95% |
| CashApp Tips | 0% (person-to-person) | Stream Alert (auto) | 100% |
| Venmo Tips | 0% (person-to-person) | Stream Alert (auto) | 100% |
| PayPal Tips | 2.9% + $0.30 | Stream Alert / SL / SE | ~97% |
| Ko-fi Donations | 0% platform fee* | Stream Alert (webhook) | 95–100% |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5% platform fee | Stream Alert (webhook) | ~92% |
*Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees, but PayPal/Stripe still charge processing fees (2.9% + $0.30).
Method 1: Stream Alert (Recommended)
Stream Alert is the only donation alert platform that automatically detects CashApp and Venmo payments — the two most popular payment methods among viewers under 30. It also supports PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee, making it the most complete solution for Kick streamers.
Setup Steps
- Register at streamalert.gg/register
30-day free trial, no credit card required. Create your account in under 60 seconds.
- Connect your Gmail account
Stream Alert monitors your Gmail for CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal payment confirmation emails. This is how it detects tips automatically — no API needed from the payment apps themselves.
- Set up your payment accounts
Add your $cashtag, @venmo handle, PayPal email, and optionally connect Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee webhooks. Share these with your viewers so they know where to send tips.
- Customize your alerts
Choose alert designs, sounds, text-to-speech settings, tip tiers, and minimum amounts. Make alerts match your brand and stream aesthetic.
- Add the Browser Source to OBS
Copy your unique overlay URL from the Stream Alert dashboard. In OBS: Sources → Add (+) → Browser → paste URL → set Width: 1920, Height: 1080 → OK.
- Stream to Kick via OBS
In OBS: Settings → Stream → Service: Custom → paste Kick's RTMP URL and your stream key from the Kick dashboard. Click “Start Streaming” — your donation alerts are now live.
Why Stream Alert is Best for Kick
Since Kick has no native tipping system, you need a tool that covers every payment method your viewers might use. Stream Alert is the only platform that supports CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee in a single setup. Alerts trigger in 5–10 seconds, and the setup works identically whether you stream to Kick, Twitch, YouTube, or any other platform.
Method 2: StreamLabs
StreamLabs is one of the most well-known alert platforms, offering an all-in-one streaming suite with donation alerts, overlays, and a chatbot. It supports Kick streaming and has a large theme library for customizing your alerts.
How It Works on Kick
- Create a StreamLabs account and connect your PayPal
- Set up your donation page with a custom URL
- Add the StreamLabs alert box as a Browser Source in OBS
- Share your donation page link with viewers in Kick chat or bio
- Stream to Kick via OBS — PayPal alerts will appear on screen
Limitation: PayPal Only
StreamLabs only supports PayPal-based donations. There is no CashApp or Venmo alert support. Viewers must go through a donation page link and pay via PayPal, which means you'll pay 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction — and you'll miss out on the majority of younger viewers who prefer CashApp or Venmo.
Pros:
- Free tier available
- Large template/theme library
- All-in-one with SLOBS streaming software
- Mobile app for managing alerts
Cons:
- PayPal only — no CashApp or Venmo
- 2.9% + $0.30 fees on every donation
- Requires viewers to visit a separate donation page
- Higher CPU usage than alternatives
Method 3: StreamElements
StreamElements is a 100% free, cloud-based platform with donation alerts, overlays, and a chatbot. It's popular with streamers who want advanced customization (custom CSS/HTML) without paying for a premium tier.
How It Works on Kick
- Create a StreamElements account and connect PayPal
- Configure your tipping page and alert overlay in the dashboard
- Add the StreamElements overlay as a Browser Source in OBS
- Share your tipping page URL with viewers
- Stream to Kick via OBS — PayPal alerts display on screen
Limitation: PayPal Only
Like StreamLabs, StreamElements only supports PayPal-based donations. No CashApp, no Venmo. For Kick streamers whose audiences skew younger, this is a significant gap. You can pair StreamElements with Stream Alert to cover all payment methods.
Pros:
- 100% free — no premium tier
- Cloud-based (minimal CPU impact)
- Advanced CSS/HTML customization
- Reliable performance
Cons:
- PayPal only — no CashApp or Venmo
- 2.9% + $0.30 fees on every donation
- Moderate learning curve for advanced features
- Requires donation page link (not automatic)
Kick-Specific Tips for Maximizing Donations
Use Kick's Bio Section for Payment Links
Kick allows you to add links and text to your channel's bio panel (similar to Twitch panels). Add your $cashtag, @venmo, PayPal.me link, and Ko-fi page here so viewers can find them easily. Include a brief note like “Tips appear on stream with alerts!” to encourage viewers.
Kick's OBS Streaming Setup
Kick uses a custom RTMP server for streaming. In OBS, go to Settings → Stream → select “Custom” as the Service → enter Kick's RTMP URL (rtmp://fa723fc1b171.global-contribute.live-video.net/app/ or the URL from your Kick dashboard) and paste your stream key. Since donation alerts run through OBS browser sources, they work the same on Kick as they do on any other platform.
Stack Kick Subs with External Tips
Kick's 95/5 subscription split is the best in the industry — you keep $4.74 of every $4.99 sub. But subs require Kick partnership. External tips via CashApp or Venmo have zero fees and are available to every streamer from day one. Run both revenue streams: encourage subs for recurring support and tips for one-time donations.
Set Up Chat Commands with Botrix
Botrix is the most popular chatbot for Kick. Create commands like !tip, !cashapp, !venmo, and !donate that display your payment info in chat. When a viewer asks how to donate, just type the command — or let your mods handle it.
Run Tip Goals and Challenges
Kick viewers are familiar with gifted subs and generous spending. Channel that energy with tip goals — “$50 tip goal for a 24-hour stream” or “Every $10 tip = a spin on the wheel.” Stream Alert supports tip goal overlays that update in real time.
Why External Donations Matter on Kick
If you're coming from Twitch, you might be used to Bits, Hype Trains, and built-in tipping. Kick doesn't have any of that. Here's why external donation tools are non-negotiable for Kick streamers:
No Bits Equivalent
Kick has no virtual currency system. There's no way for viewers to send micro-donations through the platform itself. External tips are the only option.
Subs Require Partnership
Kick subscriptions are only available to partnered streamers. New and growing creators can't rely on sub revenue — tips fill that gap.
Tips Available to Everyone
External tips via CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal work for any Kick streamer — no follower count, no partnership, no application needed.
The Math: Tips vs. Subs on Kick
A $5 Kick sub earns you ~$4.74 (95% of $4.99). A $5 CashApp or Venmo tip earns you $5.00 (0% fees). Over 100 transactions, that's $500 from tips vs. $474 from subs.
Tips also convert at higher rates because viewers don't need a Kick account to send them — anyone with CashApp or Venmo can tip, even if they're watching without being logged in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kick have built-in donation alerts?
No. Kick has built-in alerts for subscriptions and gifted subs (if you're partnered), but there is no native tipping or donation system. You need an external tool like Stream Alert, StreamLabs, or StreamElements to show donation alerts on your Kick stream.
Do I need Kick partnership to accept donations?
No. External donations (CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, etc.) work for any Kick streamer regardless of partnership status. Partnership is only required for Kick subscriptions.
Can I accept CashApp and Venmo donations on Kick?
Yes, but only with Stream Alert. StreamLabs and StreamElements only support PayPal. Stream Alert automatically detects CashApp and Venmo payments via Gmail and triggers on-screen alerts within 5–10 seconds.
Will my donation alert setup work if I switch from Kick to Twitch?
Yes. Since donation alerts run through OBS browser sources (not through Kick's platform directly), the same setup works identically on Kick, Twitch, YouTube, TikTok Live, or any platform you stream to via OBS. No reconfiguration needed.
What's the best free option for Kick donation alerts?
StreamElements is 100% free and supports PayPal-based donations with on-screen alerts. However, if you want CashApp and Venmo support (0% fees), Stream Alert offers a 30-day free trial. For most Kick streamers, the combination of Stream Alert + StreamElements provides the best coverage.
How do I add donation links to my Kick channel?
Go to your Kick Dashboard → Channel → edit your bio/about section. Add your $cashtag, @venmo handle, PayPal.me link, and any other payment links. You can also use Botrix chat commands (!tip, !cashapp, !donate) to share links automatically in chat.
Start Showing Donation Alerts on Kick Today
Kick doesn't have built-in tipping — which makes Stream Alert essential. Set up in 5 minutes and start accepting CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and BMAC donations on your Kick stream with automatic on-screen alerts.
Try Stream Alert free for 30 days →