OBS Donation Alerts: Complete Setup Guide (2025)
Learn how to set up donation alerts in OBS Studio. Step-by-step guide for CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and more. Works with StreamAlert, Streamlabs, and StreamElements.
Donation alerts are one of the most important elements of a professional live stream. When a viewer sends you money through CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal, a well-configured donation alert pops up on screen — showing the donor's name, the amount, and an optional message — all in real time. For your audience, it's an exciting, interactive moment. For you, it's a direct revenue stream that doesn't require Affiliate or Partner status.
The key to making donation alerts work is OBS Studio. OBS is free, open-source streaming software that supports Browser Sources — the technology that displays donation alerts from services like Stream Alert, Streamlabs, and StreamElements directly on your stream.
This guide covers three complete methods for adding donation alerts to OBS, along with detailed Browser Source settings, customization tips, troubleshooting steps, and pro-level advice to make your alerts look and sound perfect.
Table of Contents
What You Need
Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:
OBS Studio installed
Download it free from obsproject.com. Version 28+ recommended for best Browser Source support.
An alert service account
Stream Alert, Streamlabs, or StreamElements — at least one is required to generate the overlay URL that OBS will display.
Payment accounts
CashApp, Venmo, and/or PayPal. We recommend setting up all three to maximize donations.
A Gmail account (for Stream Alert)
Stream Alert monitors Gmail for CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal payment notifications. Only needed if you choose Method 1.
5–15 minutes of setup time
Stream Alert takes about 5 minutes. Streamlabs and StreamElements take 10–15 minutes each.
Method 1: Stream Alert + OBS (Recommended)
Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easiest | Cost: $24.99/mo (30-day free trial)
Best for: Streamers who want automatic CashApp, Venmo & PayPal alerts with zero manual work
Stream Alert is the fastest way to get donation alerts running in OBS because it automatically detects payments via your Gmail inbox. There are no manual donation links for viewers to use — they simply send money to your CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal as they normally would, and Stream Alert triggers the on-screen alert within seconds.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Create your Stream Alert account
Go to streamalert.gg/register and sign up. The 30-day free trial starts immediately — no credit card required.
- Connect your Gmail
In the Stream Alert dashboard, click Connect Gmail and authorize access. Stream Alert reads incoming payment confirmation emails from CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal to detect donations in real time.
- Add your payment details
Enter your CashApp $cashtag, Venmo @username, and PayPal email. These are displayed on your donation page so viewers know where to send money.
- Choose your alert platform
Select whether you use Streamlabs or StreamElements for overlays, or use Stream Alert's standalone overlay URL.
- Copy your overlay URL
In the dashboard, navigate to your overlay settings and copy the Browser Source URL provided.
- Add a Browser Source in OBS
Open OBS Studio and follow these steps:
• In the Sources panel, click the + button
• Select Browser
• Name it "Donation Alerts" and click OK
• Paste the overlay URL into the URL field
• Set Width to 1920 and Height to 1080
• Check "Shutdown source when not visible"
• Check "Refresh browser when scene becomes active"
• Click OK - Test your alert
Back in the Stream Alert dashboard, click Send Test Alert. You should see a donation alert appear in your OBS preview within a few seconds. If it works, you're all set!
Why Stream Alert Is the Best Option for OBS
- Automatic detection — no donation page links needed
- Works with CashApp and Venmo (Streamlabs and StreamElements don't support these)
- Alerts trigger in 5–10 seconds
- One overlay URL covers all payment platforms
- Built-in analytics dashboard tracks every donation
No credit card required
Method 2: Streamlabs + OBS
Time: 10–15 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Cost: Free (Prime: $149/yr)
Best for: Beginners who want a free, beginner-friendly setup with PayPal donations
Streamlabs is one of the most popular alert platforms for streamers. It provides a dedicated Alert Box widget with a unique URL you can paste into OBS as a Browser Source.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Create a Streamlabs account
Go to streamlabs.com and log in with your Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook account.
- Connect PayPal
Navigate to Donation Settings → Payment Methods and connect your PayPal email address.
Important
Streamlabs only supports PayPal natively. For CashApp and Venmo alerts, you need Stream Alert.
- Set up your donation page
In Donation Settings, customize your tip page URL (streamlabs.com/yourname/tip). Set a minimum donation amount ($1–$2 recommended).
- Copy the Alert Box widget URL
Go to Dashboard → Alert Box → click Copy Widget URL. This is the URL you'll use in OBS.
- Add a Browser Source in OBS
In OBS Studio:
• Sources → + → Browser
• Name it "Streamlabs Alerts"
• Paste the Alert Box widget URL
• Set Width: 1920, Height: 1080
• Click OK - Customize alert appearance
Back in the Streamlabs dashboard, customize your alert design, sound effects, animation style, duration, and TTS settings under Alert Box → Themes.
- Share your donation link
Copy your Streamlabs donation page URL and add it to your Twitch panels, chat commands (!donate), and social media bios.
Tip
If you use Streamlabs Desktop (formerly SLOBS), alerts are built in automatically. You only need to add the Browser Source manually if you use standard OBS Studio.
Method 3: StreamElements + OBS
Time: 10–15 minutes | Difficulty: Moderate | Cost: 100% Free
Best for: Streamers who want free, cloud-based alerts with advanced customization
StreamElements is completely free and runs in the cloud, meaning it uses almost no CPU on your machine. It offers powerful customization through CSS and HTML editing, making it popular with experienced streamers.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Create a StreamElements account
Go to streamelements.com and click Login. Connect your Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook account.
- Connect PayPal
Navigate to Account Settings → Payment Methods → add your PayPal email address.
Heads Up
Like Streamlabs, StreamElements only supports PayPal. For CashApp and Venmo alert support, pair it with Stream Alert.
- Set up your tipping page
Go to Tipping in the dashboard. Customize your tip page, set minimum donation amount, and enable donor messages.
- Configure your overlay
Navigate to Streaming Tools → My Overlays. Create a new overlay or edit the default one. Add an Alertbox widget to your overlay.
- Copy the overlay URL
Click Show Overlay URL (or the link icon) on your overlay and copy the URL.
- Add a Browser Source in OBS
In OBS Studio:
• Sources → + → Browser
• Name it "StreamElements Alerts"
• Paste the overlay URL
• Set Width: 1920, Height: 1080
• Check "Shutdown source when not visible"
• Click OK - Test and share
Use the test button in the StreamElements dashboard to verify alerts appear in OBS. Then share your tipping page link (streamelements.com/yourname/tip) in your Twitch panels and chat commands.
OBS Browser Source Settings
Getting your Browser Source settings right is critical. Incorrect settings can cause alerts to not display, have no audio, or perform poorly. Here are the optimal settings:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 1920 | Matches standard 1080p canvas |
| Height | 1080 | Full canvas coverage for centered alerts |
| FPS | 30 | Smooth animations without high CPU usage |
| Custom CSS | Leave blank (default) | Only add CSS if you need to override alert styling |
| Shutdown source when not visible | Checked | Saves CPU when the source is hidden or on another scene |
| Refresh browser when scene becomes active | Checked | Prevents stale connections after scene switching |
| Control audio via OBS | Checked | Lets you control alert volume in the OBS audio mixer |
Scene Placement Tips
- Layer order matters. The Browser Source must be above your game capture or webcam in the Sources list. Sources higher in the list render on top.
- Full-canvas placement is easiest. Set the Browser Source to 1920×1080 and position it at 0,0. The alert service handles where the alert appears within the overlay.
- Use transform for custom positioning. Right-click the source → Transform → Edit Transform to set exact X/Y coordinates if you want alerts in a specific spot.
- Don't resize with the mouse. Dragging the corners changes the scale and can distort alerts. Use Transform settings instead.
Warning: Custom CSS Overrides
If you add custom CSS to the Browser Source, it can override styles from your alert service and break the alert layout. Only use custom CSS if you know what you're doing, and always test after making changes.
Customizing Alert Appearance
Every alert service lets you customize how donation alerts look, sound, and behave. Here are the key settings to configure:
Visual Design
- Alert image/GIF: Upload a custom image or animated GIF that appears with each alert. Match it to your stream's brand and color scheme.
- Font and text color: Choose a font that's easy to read on stream. Bold, large text works best. Avoid thin or script fonts.
- Background: Most alerts use a transparent background so they overlay your stream content. Avoid opaque backgrounds unless you want a banner-style alert.
- Animation: Choose entrance and exit animations (fade, slide, bounce, etc.). Subtle animations look more professional than flashy ones.
Sound Effects
- Upload custom .mp3 or .wav files for alert sounds
- Keep sound volume consistent with your stream audio — test before going live
- Use different sounds for different donation tiers ($1 vs $10 vs $50)
- Avoid sounds that are too loud, too long, or annoying on repeat
Text-to-Speech (TTS)
- TTS reads the donor's message aloud on stream — great for viewer interaction
- Set a minimum donation amount for TTS ($3–$5 recommended) to prevent spam
- Enable profanity filters to block inappropriate messages
- Set a character limit (50–200 characters) to keep messages reasonable
- Choose a TTS voice that fits your stream's tone
Duration
- $1–$4: 3–5 seconds (quick acknowledgment)
- $5–$9: 5–7 seconds (with sound effect)
- $10–$24: 8–10 seconds (with animation)
- $25+: 10–15 seconds (premium alert with custom media)
Tip: Less Is More
Overly flashy alerts can be distracting and annoying after the first few times. Aim for clean, on-brand alerts that enhance the stream without taking over. Your regular viewers will appreciate it.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Alert Not Showing in OBS
- Check the URL: Make sure you pasted the correct overlay/widget URL in the Browser Source properties. Even one extra space can break it.
- Verify the source is visible: Click the eye icon next to your Browser Source in the Sources panel. It must be visible (eye open).
- Check the active scene: Browser Sources only work in the scene they're added to. If you switch scenes, the alert won't appear unless the source exists in the new scene too.
- Check layer order: The Browser Source must be above your game capture in the Sources list.
- Refresh the source: Right-click the Browser Source → Properties → click Refresh cache of current page, or right-click → Refresh.
Alert Audio Not Playing
- Enable audio control: In Browser Source properties, check "Control audio via OBS".
- Check the Audio Mixer: Look for your Browser Source in the OBS Audio Mixer panel. Make sure it's not muted and the volume slider is up.
- Set Audio Monitoring: Right-click the audio source in the mixer → Advanced Audio Properties → set monitoring to "Monitor and Output". This lets you hear alerts through your headphones AND your stream.
- Check sound file: Verify the sound file is uploaded correctly in your alert service's dashboard.
Alert Is Delayed
- Normal delay: Most alert services have a 3–10 second delay between the donation and the on-screen alert. This is normal.
- Stream Alert: Verify your Gmail connection is active in the dashboard. If the connection drops, alerts won't trigger.
- Streamlabs/StreamElements: Check that your PayPal connection is still authorized. Re-connect if needed.
- OBS encoding delay: Your stream itself has a delay (usually 5–15 seconds to viewers). Factor this into your expectations.
Browser Source Is Frozen or Blank
- Refresh the source: Right-click → Refresh (or Properties → Refresh cache).
- Delete and re-add: Remove the Browser Source entirely and create a new one with the same URL.
- Check OBS version: Older versions of OBS have Browser Source bugs. Update to the latest version.
- Restart OBS: Sometimes a simple restart fixes frozen Browser Sources.
- Check "Shutdown source when not visible": If unchecked, the source can become stale over time. Enable this setting and the "Refresh browser when scene becomes active" option.
Pro Tips
Lock Your Browser Source
Click the lock icon next to your Browser Source in the Sources panel. This prevents you from accidentally clicking, dragging, or resizing it during your stream.
Use a Separate Scene for Alerts
Create a dedicated scene called "Alerts" that contains only your Browser Source, then nest it into your other scenes using Scene as a source. This way, any changes you make to the alert source apply everywhere at once.
Always Test Before Going Live
Use the test alert feature in your alert service's dashboard every time you go live. It takes 5 seconds and can save you from an embarrassing silent stream with broken alerts.
Set Audio Monitoring to "Monitor and Output"
In OBS, go to Edit → Advanced Audio Properties and set your Browser Source's monitoring to "Monitor and Output." This ensures you hear alerts in your headphones (so you can react) and your viewers hear them on stream.
Use Hotkeys to Toggle Alert Visibility
In OBS Settings → Hotkeys, assign a key to show/hide your alerts Browser Source. This is useful during competitive moments when you don't want alerts covering your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need OBS Studio specifically, or can I use other streaming software?
OBS Studio is the most popular and recommended option, but donation alerts work with any streaming software that supports Browser Sources. This includes Streamlabs Desktop (formerly SLOBS), XSplit, Twitch Studio, and others. The setup process is nearly identical — you just need to add a Browser Source and paste your overlay URL.
Can I have donation alerts from multiple services at the same time?
Yes, but be careful. Running two alert Browser Sources for the same payment method can cause duplicate alerts. The recommended approach is to use Stream Alert for CashApp and Venmo alerts and StreamElements or Streamlabs for PayPal alerts, each in a separate Browser Source.
Why are my alerts appearing behind my game capture?
In OBS, sources are layered from bottom to top. The Browser Source containing your alerts must be above your game capture in the Sources list. Click and drag it higher in the list to fix this.
Do I need Twitch Affiliate to use donation alerts in OBS?
No. Donation alerts work for any streamer on any platform, regardless of Affiliate or Partner status. Donations go directly to your CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal — they don't go through Twitch.
How much CPU does a Browser Source use?
A single Browser Source typically uses 1–3% CPU when idle and 3–5% during an active alert animation. This is minimal and shouldn't affect stream performance. If you notice issues, enable "Shutdown source when not visible" to free resources when the source isn't needed.
Can I test alerts without actually donating real money?
Yes. All three services — Stream Alert, Streamlabs, and StreamElements — include a test alert button in their dashboards. Click it and a fake donation alert will appear in your OBS preview. Always test before every stream.
Start Getting Donation Alerts in OBS Today
Adding donation alerts to OBS is one of the most impactful things you can do for your stream. Alerts acknowledge your supporters in real time, create exciting moments for your audience, and directly increase your revenue.
Our Recommendation
For the fastest, most complete setup, use Stream Alert. It's the only service that automatically detects CashApp and Venmo donations, and it works alongside Streamlabs or StreamElements for PayPal. One overlay URL, all payment platforms, 5 minutes to set up.
No credit card required