What Are Stream Alerts?
Stream alerts are real-time on-screen notifications that appear during a live broadcast when a viewer donates, tips, subscribes, or places an order. They let streamers publicly acknowledge supporters the moment a payment arrives — no manual checking required.
TL;DR: Stream alerts are pop-up notifications in OBS that fire when a viewer sends money. StreamAlert connects 7 payment platforms (CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, Fourthwall) to your stream via Streamlabs, StreamElements, or a custom widget URL. 7-day free trial.
What Are Stream Alerts?
Stream alerts are visual and audio notifications that overlay a live stream when a specific event occurs — most commonly a donation, tip, new membership, or merchandise order. The alert typically shows the supporter's name, amount, and an optional message, accompanied by a custom sound or animation.
Alerts are delivered through broadcasting software like OBS Studio using browser source overlays. Services like Streamlabs and StreamElements provide these overlays, or you can use StreamAlert's custom widget URL directly.
Why Stream Alerts Matter Now
Live streaming has grown into a global industry. According to TwitchTracker, over 9 million unique creators stream on Twitch each month. Streams Charts reports that viewership across Twitch, YouTube, and Kick exceeded 1.7 billion hours watched per month in 2024.
Stream alerts turn passive viewers into active supporters. When a donation triggers a visible, on-screen acknowledgment, it creates a positive feedback loop: the donor feels recognized, other viewers are encouraged to donate, and the streamer builds a stronger community. Without alerts, donations go unnoticed during the broadcast.
How Stream Alerts Work
StreamAlert detects payments from 7 platforms and forwards alerts to your stream. It connects to payment sources like CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal via Gmail notification parsing, and to Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, and Fourthwall via direct webhook. Patreon connects via OAuth API.
When a payment arrives, StreamAlert extracts the sender name, amount, and message, then pushes an alert to your chosen destination — Streamlabs, StreamElements, or StreamAlert's custom widget URL. The alert appears as an overlay in OBS within seconds.
Types of Stream Alerts
Donation Alerts
StreamAlert detects one-time payments from CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee. Each donation triggers an on-screen alert with the sender name and amount. Streamers see donations in real time without checking their phone.
Membership Alerts
StreamAlert monitors recurring subscriptions from Patreon, Ko-fi memberships, and Buy Me a Coffee memberships. New signups and renewals trigger alerts that display the supporter name and tier level on stream.
Order Alerts
StreamAlert receives webhook events from Fourthwall when a viewer purchases merchandise. The alert shows the buyer name and product details, turning merch sales into on-screen moments.
Tip Alerts
Tip alerts work like donation alerts but are specifically triggered by platforms that use "tip" terminology — including Ko-fi coffees and Buy Me a Coffee tips. StreamAlert treats tips and donations identically for alert purposes.
How to Set Up Stream Alerts
Create a StreamAlert account
Sign up at streamalert.gg with a 7-day free trial. No credit card required.
Connect your payment platforms
Link CashApp, Venmo, PayPal (via Gmail), Ko-fi, Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, or Fourthwall (via webhook/OAuth).
Choose your alert destination
Forward alerts to Streamlabs, StreamElements, or use StreamAlert's custom widget URL as an OBS browser source.
Customize and go live
Upload custom sounds, images, and GIFs. Set minimum donation thresholds. Start streaming — alerts fire automatically.
Supported Platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
What are stream alerts?
Stream alerts are real-time on-screen notifications that appear during a live broadcast when a viewer donates, tips, subscribes, or places an order. They are displayed as pop-up overlays in broadcasting software like OBS.
How do stream alerts work?
Stream alerts work by connecting a payment source (like CashApp or Venmo) to an alert service (like StreamAlert), which detects incoming payments and sends a visual notification to your OBS overlay via Streamlabs, StreamElements, or a custom widget URL.
Do I need Streamlabs or StreamElements to use stream alerts?
No. While Streamlabs and StreamElements are popular options, StreamAlert also provides a custom widget URL that works as a standalone OBS browser source. No third-party alert service account is required.
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