Question 1

What is StreamAlert?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert is a platform-agnostic donation alert system designed for streamers and content creators. It unifies CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, Patreon, Fourthwall, and 15+ other payment platforms into a single, customizable alert feed that works with any broadcasting software including OBS, Streamlabs, and StreamElements.

Question 2

How does StreamAlert work?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert uses secure webhook integrations and email parsing to detect donations, tips, memberships, and orders from your connected platforms. When a payment is received, StreamAlert automatically triggers a customizable alert in your stream within 5-10 seconds. The alerts can include custom GIFs, sounds, duration settings, and message templates.

Question 3

Is StreamAlert free?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial, pricing is $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year (saving you $60). The yearly plan is our most popular option for committed creators.

Question 4

Does StreamAlert work with my streaming software?

Accepted Answer

Yes! StreamAlert works with any broadcasting software that supports browser sources, including: OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop, StreamElements OBS Live, XSplit, vMix, and Wirecast.

Question 5

Can I use StreamAlert with Streamlabs or StreamElements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert complements both platforms. You can forward StreamAlert notifications to Streamlabs or StreamElements using our integration features, or use StreamAlert as a standalone alert system alongside your existing setup.

Question 6

How do I show CashApp donations on Twitch?

Accepted Answer

To show CashApp donations on Twitch using StreamAlert: 1) Sign up for StreamAlert and connect your Gmail account, 2) StreamAlert monitors your Gmail for CashApp payment notifications, 3) When someone sends you money via CashApp, an alert automatically appears in your stream, 4) Customize your alert appearance in the Alert Box settings.

Question 7

Does CashApp have native Twitch integration?

Accepted Answer

No, CashApp does not have native integration with Twitch or streaming software. This is why streamers use StreamAlert - it bridges the gap between CashApp and your streaming setup.

Question 8

Is it safe to connect my Gmail to StreamAlert?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert uses OAuth 2.0 for secure Gmail authentication. We only request read-only access to detect CashApp and Venmo payment emails. Your data is encrypted and we never store email contents beyond the transaction details needed for alerts.

Question 9

How quickly do CashApp alerts appear?

Accepted Answer

CashApp alerts typically appear in your stream within 5-10 seconds of the payment being sent. This includes the time for CashApp to send the email, Gmail to receive it, and StreamAlert to process and trigger the alert.

Question 10

Can I set a minimum amount for CashApp alerts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can set minimum donation thresholds in your StreamAlert settings. For example, you can configure alerts to only show for CashApp payments of $5 or more.

Question 11

How do I accept Venmo donations while streaming?

Accepted Answer

To accept Venmo donations while streaming: 1) Create a StreamAlert account, 2) Connect your Gmail account (the one receiving Venmo notifications), 3) Share your Venmo username/handle with viewers, 4) Venmo payment alerts will automatically appear in your stream.

Question 12

Can viewers see my Venmo transactions?

Accepted Answer

No, viewers only see the alert you configure in StreamAlert. You control exactly what information is displayed - typically just the sender's name, amount, and any message they include. Your full Venmo transaction history remains private.

Question 13

Does Venmo work with OBS?

Accepted Answer

Venmo does not have direct OBS integration. StreamAlert acts as the bridge between Venmo and OBS (or any other streaming software) by detecting payment notifications and triggering custom alerts.

Question 14

What platforms does StreamAlert support?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert supports 15+ platforms including: Donations - CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee; Memberships - Patreon, Ko-fi Memberships, Buy Me a Coffee Memberships; E-commerce - Fourthwall, Shopify, Gumroad, Etsy, WooCommerce; Streaming - Streamlabs, StreamElements.

Question 15

Does StreamAlert work with Patreon?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert has native Patreon integration. You can connect your Patreon creator account to automatically show new patron alerts, pledge updates, and membership notifications in your stream.

Question 16

Can I use StreamAlert with Ko-fi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert supports Ko-fi donations, shop orders, and memberships. Connect your Ko-fi account via webhook integration for instant alerts.

Question 17

Does StreamAlert support Fourthwall?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert has full Fourthwall integration for merchandise orders. When someone buys from your Fourthwall shop, an alert appears in your stream.

Question 18

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

Most users complete StreamAlert setup in 5-10 minutes. This includes creating an account, connecting your first platform, and adding the alert box to your streaming software.

Question 19

Do I need to download anything?

Accepted Answer

No, StreamAlert is entirely web-based. You configure everything through your browser, and alerts are displayed using a browser source URL in your streaming software.

Question 20

What is a browser source?

Accepted Answer

A browser source is a feature in streaming software that displays web content as an overlay in your stream. StreamAlert provides you with a unique URL that you add as a browser source to display alerts.

Question 21

Can I customize the alert appearance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you have full control over alert customization including: Custom GIFs or images, Alert sounds, Duration and timing, Message templates, Font, colors, and styling, Minimum donation amounts.

Question 22

Can I test alerts without real donations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert includes a Test Alert feature that lets you preview exactly how alerts will look and sound before going live, without requiring actual donations.

Question 23

How much does StreamAlert cost?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert has two pricing tiers: Monthly at $9.99/month or Yearly at $59.99/year (equivalent to $4.99/month, saves $60). Both plans include all features. We also offer a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.

Question 24

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 30-day free trial to test all features. After the trial, a paid subscription is required to continue using StreamAlert.

Question 25

Can I cancel anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Question 26

StreamAlert vs Streamlabs: What's the difference?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert and Streamlabs serve different purposes: StreamAlert specializes in supporting payment platforms that Streamlabs doesn't (CashApp, Venmo, Fourthwall, etc.), Streamlabs is an all-in-one streaming platform with built-in alerts for supported platforms. Many streamers use both: Streamlabs for their main setup and StreamAlert for CashApp/Venmo alerts.

Question 27

Is StreamAlert better than StreamElements?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert complements StreamElements by adding support for platforms StreamElements doesn't integrate with. If you use CashApp or Venmo, StreamAlert fills that gap.

Question 28

Why use StreamAlert if I already have Streamlabs?

Accepted Answer

If you accept CashApp or Venmo donations, StreamAlert is essential because Streamlabs doesn't support these platforms. StreamAlert integrates with your existing Streamlabs setup.

Question 29

Is StreamAlert secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, StreamAlert uses industry-standard security practices: OAuth 2.0 for platform authentication, SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission, Read-only access to Gmail (can't send emails), No storage of sensitive payment information, Regular security audits.

Question 30

What data does StreamAlert collect?

Accepted Answer

StreamAlert only collects data necessary for alerts: Transaction amounts and sender names, Platform connection tokens (encrypted), Alert customization preferences, Basic account information (email, username).

Question 31

Does StreamAlert store my payment information?

Accepted Answer

No, StreamAlert never stores payment card details or bank information. Payment processing is handled entirely by Stripe for subscriptions, and by the respective platforms (CashApp, Venmo, etc.) for donations.

Question 32

My alerts aren't showing. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If alerts aren't appearing: 1) Check that your platform is properly connected, 2) Verify the browser source URL is correct in your streaming software, 3) Test the alert using the Test Alert feature, 4) Check that your streaming software browser source is visible, 5) Contact support if issues persist.

Question 33

CashApp alerts aren't working

Accepted Answer

If CashApp alerts aren't working: 1) Verify Gmail is connected and notifications are enabled, 2) Check that CashApp is sending email notifications to the connected Gmail, 3) Confirm the payment email isn't in spam/promotions folder, 4) Try disconnecting and reconnecting Gmail.

Question 34

The alert sound isn't playing

Accepted Answer

If alert sounds aren't working: 1) Check browser source audio is enabled in your streaming software, 2) Verify the sound URL is valid and accessible, 3) Check your streaming software audio mixer settings, 4) Test with a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

CashApp

Venmo

Integrations

Setup

Pricing

Comparison

Security

Troubleshooting

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