Live streaming is still one of the most popular ways to interact with the audience, no matter what type of content you create. Whether it’s brand promotion, business advertisements, or gameplay streaming, a lot of platforms offer services that allow content creators to start live streams and reach the biggest number of viewers. Most social media platforms have live streaming options because videos have become an inseparable part of our online activities.
You will find live streaming features on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which specializes in video content exclusively. Naturally, YouTube has this option as well, allowing you to store the streams right on your channel. Then there’s Twitch, the live-streaming behemoth that is still the go-to place for the majority of gamers and esports lovers. Which platform to choose depends largely on the content you want to share and the special features offered by each website. You should also look into monetization options because some platforms have their limitations.
For example, YouTube allows using paid ads in its videos only if you have 1,000 subscribers and a certain number of views per year. Live streaming is an immersive experience, so most platforms offer live chats with different features, like sending reactions and asking questions. This is important because most people would like to interact with the streamer one way or another, so you should look into that, too, when choosing your streaming website. Not all services allow streaming from desktop computers, so device compatibility is also something you need to consider.
While most social media platforms are free to use, they may have different approaches to storing live-stream videos. There’s also a length limitation that might hinder your creative process. So, let’s look into five major streaming platforms you can use in 2025.
1. Twitch
Twitch is still one of the first choices for streaming gaming sessions and esports events. If you need financial support, the platform offers a lot of monetization options using badges, donations, emotes, gifted subs, etc. Even if your video theme is different, you can still opt for this platform and find your niche audience there.
Its main advantages are:
- An active user base – in the U.S. alone, Twitch had 34.6 million users in 2024, receiving around 1.71 billion visits per month.
- It’s beginner-friendly and has easy navigation.
- Subscribers get streaming alerts.
- A convenient chat feature.
2. YouTube Live
With 2.7 billion active users, YouTube is a great choice for all kinds of live-streaming videos that cater to a large audience. Many creators choose YouTube due to its popularity and large user base, but it can also be the platform’s downside because it becomes harder to stand out if monetization is your main focus.
Its main advantages are:
- You can stream in 4K.
- Powerful analytics on your videos.
- It’s free to use.
- Live chat feature to communicate with your audience.
- Your live videos get saved on your channel.
3. TikTok Live
While TikTok is geared towards short viral videos, it has 1.12 billion monthly active users and plenty of live streaming opportunities. TitTok Live has features such as LIVE Gifts, multi-guest hosting, moderation, and effects. You can either stream from your mobile app or use TikTok’s live studio software to stream from your PC. The only drawback of TikTok Live is that streaming becomes available to you only if you have 1000 followers or more.
Its main advantages are:
- There can be more than one person in a stream.
- Viewers can ask you questions.
- Your chat can have a moderator.
- Your video can go viral.
4. Facebook Live
Facebook has been around for a long time, and it’s huge, with more than 3 billion people actively using it every month. If you already have a following on Facebook, it can become a great instrument for your growth as a streamer or as a brand. Still, this platform has some restrictions. For example, the video shouldn’t be longer than 90 minutes, and monetization options also have their limitations.
Its main advantages are:
- You can schedule live-streaming events.
- There’s a live chat.
- Your followers will get notifications about the time you will go live.
- It’s a well-known platform with a huge user base.
5. Instagram Live
With 2 billion people actively using Instagram every month, this platform is a great option for both content creators and their audience. Instagram gives notifications to your subscribers whenever you go live, and you can later save the video and post it to your feed, so the replay also becomes available to anyone who has missed the stream.
Its main advantages are:
- It’s easy to use.
- A variety of filters you can add to your stream.
- Go live with Badges to earn some extra income (if you live in the U.S.)
- You can invite other people to your stream.
When it comes to choosing the best live-streaming platform, you need to consider a lot of factors. Most social media websites have video length limitations but offer different monetization options. You should also consider your niche and the topic of the content you want to make. Twitch is still one of the leading platforms for gaming and esports streams. Websites like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram can help you advertise your brand or services while growing your audience. With features like live chats, emoji reactions, and subscriber notifications, these platforms can become a decent choice for a wide range of content creators.
