30+ Best Twitch Tools for Streamers in 2025 (Free & Paid)
The ultimate list of Twitch tools every streamer needs. From donation alerts to chatbots, overlays to analytics — grow your channel with these essential streaming tools.
Whether you're a brand-new affiliate or a seasoned Twitch partner, the tools you use can make or break your stream. The right toolkit helps you look professional, engage your audience, monetize effectively, and grow faster — without burning out.
We've compiled this mega-list of 30+ essential Twitch tools across every category a streamer could need. Each tool includes what it does, whether it's free or paid, and quick pros and cons so you can decide what belongs in your setup.
Bookmark this page — it's the only resource guide you'll need for your streaming toolkit in 2025.
Table of Contents
Tools by Category
- • Donation & Monetization (7)
- • Broadcasting Software (3)
- • Chatbots & Moderation (4)
- • Overlays & Graphics (4)
- • Analytics & Growth (4)
- • Clip & Highlight Tools (3)
- • Community & Social (3)
- • Audio & Music (3)
- • Miscellaneous & Productivity (3)
Donation & Monetization Tools
Monetization is the backbone of full-time streaming. These tools help you accept donations, tips, and recurring support from your community — and display alerts that encourage more giving.
1. Stream Alert
Best for: CashApp & Venmo donation alerts
$24.99/mo
30-day free trial
Stream Alert is the only tool that automatically detects CashApp and Venmo donations and triggers real-time alerts on your stream — something StreamLabs and StreamElements simply cannot do.
Key Features:
- Automatic CashApp, Venmo & PayPal detection via Gmail API
- Works alongside StreamLabs and StreamElements
- Real-time alerts with 5-10 second detection
- Built-in donation analytics dashboard
- Zero fees on CashApp/Venmo (vs PayPal's 2.9% + $0.30)
- Multi-platform support (Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook Gaming)
Pros:
- Only solution for CashApp/Venmo alerts
- Works with existing alert setups
- Easy 5-minute setup
- Save hundreds per year on PayPal fees
Cons:
- Paid subscription ($24.99/mo)
- Requires Gmail for email monitoring
- Complement to (not replacement for) StreamLabs/SE
Why it's #1: CashApp and Venmo have surpassed PayPal in popularity among younger viewers in 2025. Stream Alert is the only way to get automatic alerts for these platforms.
ROI: If you receive $500/month in donations, using CashApp/Venmo (0% fees) vs PayPal (2.9%) saves you $175/year — paying for the subscription 7x over.
2. StreamLabs
Best for: All-in-one monetization platform
Free
Prime: $149/yr
StreamLabs is one of the most popular streaming platforms, offering donation pages, alert management, merch store integration, and tipping widgets all in one place. Its free tier is generous, though the premium unlock removes branding and adds extra themes.
Pros:
- Huge library of free alert themes
- Built-in donation page
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Integrated merch store
Cons:
- No CashApp/Venmo support
- Prime subscription removes branding
- Higher CPU usage than alternatives
Best paired with: Stream Alert for CashApp/Venmo coverage
3. StreamElements
Best for: Free alerts & loyalty system
100% Free
No premium tier
StreamElements is a completely free, cloud-based streaming platform with alerts, overlays, a chatbot, loyalty points, and a tipping system. It's lighter on resources than StreamLabs because overlays run in the cloud rather than locally.
Pros:
- Completely free forever
- Low CPU usage (cloud-based)
- Built-in chatbot & loyalty system
- Highly customizable with HTML/CSS/JS
Cons:
- No CashApp/Venmo support
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer pre-made themes than StreamLabs
Best for: Budget-conscious streamers who want maximum customization
4. Ko-fi
Best for: One-time tips & memberships
Free
Gold: $6/mo
Ko-fi lets viewers “buy you a coffee” with one-time donations, and also supports memberships, commissions, and a shop. The free tier takes 0% platform fees on donations — only standard payment processing fees apply.
Pros:
- 0% platform fee on donations (free tier)
- Memberships, shop, and commissions
- Simple, clean interface
Cons:
- Limited alert integration (needs third-party)
- Less well-known brand than Patreon
5. Buy Me a Coffee
Best for: Simple tip jar & supporter page
Free
5% fee on tips
Buy Me a Coffee is a straightforward tipping platform with a clean supporter page, memberships, and extras (digital products). It's popular with content creators who want a simple donation link to share.
Pros:
- Instant payouts available
- Clean, mobile-friendly supporter page
- Easy to set up and share
Cons:
- 5% platform fee on all transactions
- No native stream alert integration
6. Patreon
Best for: Recurring revenue & community building
5-12% fee
On earnings
Patreon is the gold standard for subscription-based creator income. Set up tiered membership levels offering exclusive perks like Discord access, behind-the-scenes content, or private gaming sessions.
Pros:
- Predictable monthly income
- Strong brand recognition
- Tiered membership system
Cons:
- 5-12% platform fee depending on plan
- Requires consistent exclusive content
- Best suited for streamers with 200+ avg viewers
7. Fourthwall
Best for: Merch, memberships & creator storefronts
Free to start
0% on donations
Fourthwall is a rapidly growing creator commerce platform that combines merch sales, memberships, donations, and a customizable storefront. It's been adopted by many top streamers for its clean UX and strong Twitch integration.
Pros:
- 0% fee on donations/gifts
- Built-in merch with print-on-demand
- Custom storefront website
- Twitch alert integration
Cons:
- Newer platform (smaller community)
- Merch margins can be thin on basic items
Maximize Your Donation Revenue
The smartest monetization setup in 2025: Use StreamLabs or StreamElements for PayPal donations + Stream Alert for automatic CashApp & Venmo detection. This way, you never miss a donation regardless of how your viewers prefer to pay.
Start Your Free Stream Alert Trial →Broadcasting Software
Your broadcasting software is the engine that powers your stream. It captures your screen, webcam, and audio, encodes it, and sends it to Twitch. Here are the top three options in 2025.
8. OBS Studio
Best for: Customization & performance
Free
Open source
OBS Studio is the industry-standard, open-source broadcasting software used by the majority of Twitch streamers. It's completely free, highly performant, and supports a massive ecosystem of plugins.
Pros:
- 100% free and open source
- Best performance (lowest CPU/GPU usage)
- Massive plugin ecosystem
- Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Cons:
- No built-in alerts or widgets
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires external tools for most features
Pro tip: Pair OBS with StreamElements overlays (cloud-based) for the lightest resource usage possible.
9. Streamlabs Desktop
Best for: Beginners who want all-in-one
Free
Ultra: $19/mo
Streamlabs Desktop (formerly Streamlabs OBS) is a fork of OBS Studio with StreamLabs' alerts, widgets, themes, and donation tools built directly in. It's the easiest way to go from zero to streaming.
Pros:
- Built-in alerts, themes, and widgets
- One-click setup for new streamers
- Integrated chat, tips, and merch
Cons:
- Higher CPU/RAM usage than OBS
- Windows only
- Some features locked behind Ultra subscription
10. XSplit Broadcaster
Best for: Professional productions & podcasts
Free
Premium: $15/mo
XSplit is a polished broadcasting suite with a more traditional interface. It's particularly strong for multi-camera setups, podcasts, and professional-style productions. The free tier has a watermark limitation.
Pros:
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Excellent for multi-camera setups
- Built-in scene transitions
Cons:
- Free tier has watermark
- Windows only
- Smaller plugin ecosystem than OBS
Pro Tip: Which Broadcasting Software Should You Use?
New streamer? Start with Streamlabs Desktop for the easiest setup. Performance matters? Use OBS Studio + StreamElements. Professional production? Consider XSplit. Most top Twitch streamers use OBS Studio because of its flexibility and performance.
Chatbots & Moderation
Chatbots automate moderation, run commands, manage giveaways, and keep your chat engaging even when you're focused on gameplay. Here are the best options.
11. Nightbot
Best for: Custom commands & song requests
Free
Cloud-based
Nightbot is one of the oldest and most widely used Twitch chatbots. It runs in the cloud (no download required) and handles custom commands, spam filtering, song requests, timers, and giveaways.
Pros:
- 100% free, no download needed
- Easy custom commands
- Built-in song request system
- Works on Twitch, YouTube & Trovo
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- No loyalty points system
- Basic moderation compared to alternatives
12. Moobot
Best for: Moderation & auto-responses
Free
Pro: $9.99/mo
Moobot is a veteran Twitch chatbot focused on powerful moderation. It excels at spam protection, auto-responses, and scheduled messages. The pro tier adds advanced features like sub-only mode automation.
Pros:
- Strong spam protection
- Twitch-native integration
- Easy dashboard management
Cons:
- Twitch-only (no YouTube or Kick)
- Advanced features require Pro
- Fewer integrations than competitors
13. StreamElements Bot
Best for: Loyalty points & integrated ecosystem
Free
Part of SE platform
If you already use StreamElements for alerts and overlays, their built-in chatbot is a natural choice. It includes loyalty points, chat games, custom commands, and moderation — all managed from the same dashboard.
Pros:
- Free with loyalty points system
- Integrated with StreamElements overlays
- Chat games & engagement tools
Cons:
- Best value only within SE ecosystem
- Song requests less polished than Nightbot
14. Fossabot
Best for: Advanced moderation & scalability
Free
Cloud-based
Fossabot is a newer, high-performance chatbot gaining popularity among mid-to-large streamers. It's completely free, cloud-based, and known for its fast response times and clean interface.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Very fast response times
- Modern, clean dashboard
- Scales well for large channels
Cons:
- Smaller community than Nightbot
- Fewer tutorials and guides available
Overlays & Graphics
Professional overlays, panels, and graphics give your stream a polished look that keeps viewers watching. These tools help you design or download stream visuals without needing to be a graphic designer.
15. OWN3D
Best for: Premium overlay packages
$13-49/mo
Or one-time purchase
OWN3D is one of the largest marketplaces for stream overlays, alerts, panels, and emotes. They offer both a subscription plan (OWN3D Pro) with hundreds of included designs and individual one-time purchases.
Pros:
- Huge library of professional designs
- Animated overlays & alerts included
- Easy one-click install for OBS
Cons:
- Subscription required for full access
- Designs used by many streamers (less unique)
16. Nerd or Die
Best for: Free & premium overlay templates
Free & Paid
Packages: $10-40
Nerd or Die offers a mix of free and premium stream overlays, alerts, and widgets. They're well-known for high-quality animated designs and are one of the most popular overlay providers in the Twitch community.
Pros:
- Many free options available
- High-quality animated designs
- Compatible with OBS, StreamLabs, and SE
Cons:
- Best designs are paid
- Some customization requires editing skills
17. StreamElements Themes
Best for: Free overlays within SE ecosystem
Free
Part of SE
StreamElements includes a theme gallery with free overlay packages that install directly into your StreamElements setup. The community also shares custom themes through the SE overlay editor.
Pros:
- Completely free
- One-click install from gallery
- Community-made themes
Cons:
- Requires StreamElements platform
- Smaller selection than OWN3D/Nerd or Die
18. Canva
Best for: Custom panels, banners & thumbnails
Free
Pro: $12.99/mo
Canva isn't streaming-specific, but it's an indispensable tool for creating Twitch panels, offline screens, social media posts, and thumbnails. The drag-and-drop editor makes design accessible to everyone.
Pros:
- Easy drag-and-drop editor
- Thousands of templates
- Free tier is very capable
Cons:
- Can't create animated overlays
- Not designed for stream-specific assets
Pro Tip: Design Consistency
Pick 2-3 brand colors, one font, and stick with them across all your stream graphics. Use Canva for static assets (panels, banners) and OWN3D or Nerd or Die for animated overlays. Consistent branding makes your channel look professional and memorable.
Analytics & Growth
Data-driven decisions separate growing channels from stagnant ones. These analytics tools help you understand your audience, optimize your schedule, and track your progress over time.
19. TwitchTracker
Best for: Channel stats & growth tracking
Free
Web-based
TwitchTracker provides detailed statistics for any Twitch channel, including viewer trends, follower growth, stream history, and category performance. It's the go-to tool for tracking your channel's progress.
Pros:
- Free and comprehensive stats
- Historical data going back years
- Category and game analytics
- Compare with other channels
Cons:
- Data can lag behind real-time
- Limited actionable recommendations
20. SullyGnome
Best for: Category research & competition analysis
Free
Web-based
SullyGnome is an advanced Twitch analytics platform that excels at category-level data. Use it to find under-served game categories, analyze peak streaming times, and research competitor channels.
Pros:
- Excellent category/game analytics
- Find low-competition categories
- Detailed stream-by-stream breakdown
Cons:
- Interface feels dated
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
21. Stream Hatchet
Best for: Industry trends & esports analytics
Free reports
Enterprise paid
Stream Hatchet focuses on macro-level streaming industry data. They publish free reports on trending games, platform comparisons, and esports viewership — useful for understanding where the industry is headed.
Pros:
- Industry-wide trend analysis
- Free weekly/monthly reports
- Cross-platform data
Cons:
- Enterprise pricing for full access
- Less useful for individual channel analytics
22. Twitch Inspector
Best for: Stream health & troubleshooting
Free
Official Twitch tool
Twitch Inspector is Twitch's official tool for monitoring your stream's technical health in real time. It shows bitrate stability, dropped frames, encoding issues, and stream quality — essential for diagnosing technical problems.
Pros:
- Official Twitch tool (accurate data)
- Real-time stream health monitoring
- Identifies encoding and bitrate issues
Cons:
- Technical data only (no audience analytics)
- Only useful while actively streaming
Pro Tip: Weekly Analytics Routine
Set aside 15 minutes every week to review your TwitchTracker stats. Look at which streams had the highest average viewers, what games performed best, and when your peak hours are. Use SullyGnome to find new categories where you could rank higher. Data-driven streamers grow 2-3x faster than those who wing it.
Clip & Highlight Tools
Clips and highlights are your content's second life. Great clips drive discovery on social media, Reddit, and TikTok — bringing new viewers back to your live streams.
23. Medal.tv
Best for: Automatic clip capture & sharing
Free
Premium: $3.99/mo
Medal.tv runs in the background and lets you clip the last 15 seconds to 5 minutes of gameplay with a single hotkey. Clips are automatically uploaded and can be shared to social media instantly.
Pros:
- One-key clip capture
- Automatic upload & sharing
- Low performance impact
- Social media integration
Cons:
- Free tier has storage limits
- Clips hosted on Medal.tv platform
24. Outplayed
Best for: AI-powered automatic highlights
Free
By Overwolf
Outplayed (by Overwolf) uses AI to automatically detect and capture your best gameplay moments — kills, clutch plays, objectives, and more. It supports dozens of popular games and creates highlight reels automatically.
Pros:
- AI auto-detects best moments
- Supports 20+ popular games
- Free with no watermark
Cons:
- Requires Overwolf platform
- AI detection isn't always accurate
- Windows only
25. Twitch Built-in Clips
Best for: Viewer-created clips & discoverability
Free
Built into Twitch
Twitch's built-in clip system lets both you and your viewers capture 5-60 second moments directly on the platform. Clips appear on your channel page and can be shared anywhere. The most clipped moments often drive organic discovery.
Pros:
- No extra software needed
- Viewers can create clips for you
- Clips help Twitch discoverability
Cons:
- Max 60 seconds
- No editing features
- Hosted only on Twitch
Audio & Music
Audio quality and background music can make or break the viewer experience. These tools help you sound professional and keep your stream entertaining without getting DMCA'd.
29. Voicemod
Best for: Voice effects & soundboard
Free
Pro: $45/yr
Voicemod is a real-time voice changer and soundboard app. Use it for funny voice effects, sound alerts triggered by chat, or character voices during roleplay streams. It integrates directly with OBS and Discord.
Pros:
- Real-time voice changing
- Custom soundboard
- Twitch integration for chat triggers
Cons:
- Free tier rotates available voices
- Windows only
- Can be CPU-intensive
30. Pretzel Rocks
Best for: DMCA-safe stream music
Free
Premium: $4.99/mo
Pretzel Rocks provides a library of stream-safe, DMCA-free music specifically licensed for live streamers. It runs as a desktop app and automatically displays the current song on your stream via OBS integration.
Pros:
- 100% DMCA-safe for streams and VODs
- Large curated music library
- Now-playing widget for OBS
Cons:
- Free tier has ads between songs
- Music selection more limited than Spotify
31. StreamBeats
Best for: Free lo-fi & chill stream music
Free
By Harris Heller
StreamBeats is a completely free, DMCA-safe music collection created by Harris Heller (Alpha Gaming). Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and as a direct download, it includes hundreds of tracks across lo-fi, hip-hop, EDM, rock, and more.
Pros:
- 100% free, forever
- Safe for streams, VODs, and YouTube uploads
- Available on all music platforms
- New tracks added regularly
Cons:
- All from one artist (same vibe)
- No desktop app with OBS integration
Pro Tip: Avoid DMCA Strikes
Never play copyrighted music on stream — even if you have a Spotify subscription. DMCA strikes can result in permanent bans. Use StreamBeats (free) or Pretzel Rocks for background music. Your VODs and clips will thank you.
Miscellaneous & Productivity
These utility tools don't fit neatly into other categories, but they can seriously level up your streaming workflow and production quality.
32. Touch Portal
Best for: Stream deck alternative (phone/tablet)
Free
Pro: $13.99 (one-time)
Touch Portal turns your phone or tablet into a customizable stream controller — think of it as a free Elgato Stream Deck alternative. Control OBS scenes, trigger sound effects, adjust audio, and more with custom button pages.
Pros:
- Free Stream Deck alternative
- Works on iOS & Android
- OBS, Twitch, and Spotify integration
- Highly customizable buttons
Cons:
- Requires phone/tablet tethered to PC
- Not as tactile as physical Stream Deck
33. Aitum
Best for: OBS automation & advanced triggers
Free
Open source
Aitum is a powerful automation tool for OBS that lets you create complex triggers and actions without coding. Automate scene changes, show/hide sources, play sounds, and respond to Twitch events (raids, subs, channel points) automatically.
Pros:
- Free and open source
- No-code automation builder
- Responds to Twitch events
- Powerful integration ecosystem
Cons:
- Learning curve for complex automations
- Requires OBS WebSocket
34. LioranBoard (Streamer.bot)
Best for: Advanced stream deck & automation
Free
Open source
LioranBoard (now evolved into Streamer.bot) is an advanced stream automation and control tool. It functions as a stream deck, event handler, and automation engine all in one — used by many of the most technically advanced streamers on Twitch.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful automation
- Free and community-driven
- Deep Twitch & OBS integration
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Documentation can be sparse
- Overkill for casual streamers
Master Comparison Table
Here's a quick-reference table of all 34 tools, their pricing, and what category they fall into.
| Tool | Category | Price | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream Alert | Monetization | $24.99/mo | 30-day trial |
| StreamLabs | Monetization | Free-$149/yr | Yes |
| StreamElements | Monetization | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Ko-fi | Monetization | Free-$6/mo | Yes |
| Buy Me a Coffee | Monetization | 5% fee | Yes |
| Patreon | Monetization | 5-12% fee | Yes |
| Fourthwall | Monetization | Free | Yes |
| OBS Studio | Broadcasting | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Streamlabs Desktop | Broadcasting | Free-$19/mo | Yes |
| XSplit | Broadcasting | Free-$15/mo | Yes (watermark) |
| Nightbot | Chatbot | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Moobot | Chatbot | Free-$9.99/mo | Yes |
| StreamElements Bot | Chatbot | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Fossabot | Chatbot | Free | Yes (100%) |
| OWN3D | Overlays | $13-49/mo | Limited |
| Nerd or Die | Overlays | Free-$40 | Yes |
| SE Themes | Overlays | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Canva | Graphics | Free-$12.99/mo | Yes |
| TwitchTracker | Analytics | Free | Yes (100%) |
| SullyGnome | Analytics | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Stream Hatchet | Analytics | Free reports | Partial |
| Twitch Inspector | Analytics | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Medal.tv | Clips | Free-$3.99/mo | Yes |
| Outplayed | Clips | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Twitch Clips | Clips | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Discord | Community | Free-$9.99/mo | Yes |
| Linktree | Social | Free-$5/mo | Yes |
| Carrd | Social | Free-$19/yr | Yes |
| Voicemod | Audio | Free-$45/yr | Yes |
| Pretzel Rocks | Music | Free-$4.99/mo | Yes |
| StreamBeats | Music | Free | Yes (100%) |
| Touch Portal | Utility | Free-$13.99 | Yes |
| Aitum | Automation | Free | Yes (100%) |
| LioranBoard | Automation | Free | Yes (100%) |
The Ultimate Streamer Toolkit (Our Recommendation)
If you're building your toolkit from scratch, here's exactly what we recommend for each stage of your streaming career:
Beginner Streamer (0-50 avg viewers)
- Broadcasting: Streamlabs Desktop (easiest setup)
- Alerts: StreamLabs built-in + Stream Alert for CashApp/Venmo
- Chatbot: Nightbot (free, easy)
- Overlays: Nerd or Die free templates
- Music: StreamBeats (100% free)
- Community: Discord server
Growing Streamer (50-200 avg viewers)
- Broadcasting: OBS Studio (better performance)
- Alerts: StreamElements + Stream Alert
- Chatbot: StreamElements Bot (loyalty points)
- Overlays: OWN3D or Nerd or Die premium
- Analytics: TwitchTracker + SullyGnome
- Music: Pretzel Rocks (no ads)
- Clips: Medal.tv
Established Streamer (200+ avg viewers)
- Broadcasting: OBS Studio + Aitum automations
- Alerts: StreamElements + Stream Alert
- Monetization: Patreon or Fourthwall for subs + merch
- Chatbot: Fossabot or StreamElements Bot
- Controller: Touch Portal or Elgato Stream Deck
- Audio: Voicemod + Pretzel Rocks
- Analytics: Full analytics stack
Stop Missing CashApp & Venmo Donations
Most streamers are still stuck with PayPal-only alerts. Stream Alert automatically detects CashApp and Venmo donations in real time — the payment methods your viewers actually prefer. Works alongside StreamLabs and StreamElements.
$24.99/month • 30-day free trial • Zero donation fees on CashApp/Venmo
Start Your Free Trial →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most essential tools for a new Twitch streamer?
At minimum, you need broadcasting software (OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop), an alert platform (StreamLabs or StreamElements), and a chatbot (Nightbot). Add Stream Alert if you want to accept CashApp and Venmo donations. Everything else is optional but helpful as you grow.
Are free Twitch tools good enough, or should I pay for premium?
Absolutely — you can build a fully professional stream using 100% free tools. OBS Studio, StreamElements, Nightbot, StreamBeats, and Discord are all free and used by top streamers. Premium tools like Stream Alert, OWN3D, and Pretzel Rocks add specific advantages (like CashApp alerts or better design options), but they're not required to get started.
Can I use StreamLabs and StreamElements at the same time?
It's not recommended to run both for the same type of alerts (it creates conflicts). Choose one as your primary alert platform. However, you can use Stream Alert alongside either one — it handles CashApp/Venmo detection while StreamLabs or StreamElements handles everything else.
What's the best way to accept donations on Twitch without PayPal fees?
Use Stream Alert to accept CashApp and Venmo donations with 0% transaction fees. PayPal charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, which adds up quickly. CashApp and Venmo are free for person-to-person transfers, and Stream Alert automatically detects these donations and triggers on-stream alerts.
How do I avoid DMCA strikes while playing music on stream?
Use DMCA-safe music services like StreamBeats (free), Pretzel Rocks (free/paid), or the StreamElements music player. Never play copyrighted music from Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube on your stream — even if you have a paid subscription, it doesn't cover broadcast licensing.
Do I need a Stream Deck for Twitch?
A physical Stream Deck is nice to have but not essential. Free alternatives like Touch Portal turn your phone into a stream controller, and tools like Aitum can automate many of the same tasks. Start with free options and invest in hardware once you're sure streaming is a long-term commitment.