Twitch used to be the default place for streamers and viewers alike. In 2019, it pulled in over 30 million daily users and had a 76% market share across the Americas and Europe. But fast-forward to 2025, and things are shifting.
Twitch has lost ground mainly because it’s failing to keep up with what creators actually need. Between strict ad rules, poor payouts, and moderation issues, many streamers have started looking elsewhere. One name keeps coming up: Kick.
Kick’s Rise From Newcomer to Challenger
Kick was launched in late 2022, quietly at first, but with a strong promise to treat streamers better. The platform is backed by people tied to Stake, the online casino brand, which gave it major financial backing from the start. Its biggest selling point? A 95/5 revenue split where creators keep 95% of what they earn, while the platform takes only 5%.
That deal alone got the attention of mid-size streamers who had grown tired of Twitch’s 50/50 or 70/30 cuts. By 2023, Kick was starting to land big-name creators. Twitch veterans like xQc and Adin Ross made the switch, bringing millions of followers with them. This shift gave Kick more legitimacy and turned what looked like a side project into a serious alternative. As a result, Kick’s viewership has exploded.
According to recent stats, the platform now regularly peaks at over 750,000 concurrent viewers and has crossed 2.5 million peak viewers in total. Esports events, gaming streams, and IRL content now have their own strong footing.
The platform’s pace isn’t slowing. It continues to gain new creators and test new features. That’s why, for anyone who streams or watches streams regularly, finding a go-to hub for the Kick streaming latest news, developments on the platform, as well as biggest headlines is a must. Keeping track of these shifts helps both creators and viewers stay ahead.
Twitch Looks the Same While Others Keep Moving
One of the biggest reasons creators are leaving Twitch isn’t just about money or rules, but it is about how little the platform has changed. Over the years, Twitch has built a reputation for being slow to adjust, even as the streaming space evolves.
The structure, features, and creator tools feel almost frozen in time, especially when compared to how quickly platforms like Kick are adding new systems. For a long time, Twitch counted on loyalty from big creators. But even some of the biggest names have moved on after years of calling the platform home.
This has made it harder for streamers to try new formats or build stronger connections with their audience. Updates feel rare, and when they do happen, they often create more frustration than support. That gap is what newer platforms are taking advantage of.
Kick's Viewer Base Is Getting Bigger and Smarter
Kick isn't just gaining creators because its viewer numbers are hitting new highs across the board. In the August-September 2025 time frame, Kick hit 1.55 million peak live viewers, and its all-time peak sits at over 1,7 million. This sharp rise in traffic shows that people aren't just checking out the platform, they’re staying.
Streamers are seeing more consistent engagement, and chat activity has been rising even during non-peak hours. One reason for this growth is variety. Kick’s most-watched categories aren’t just competitive titles. In September 2025, the top content type was Just Chatting, with over 2,200 channels streaming it.
Popular games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III follow close behind, both seeing major spikes in peak channels and viewership. Even older games like GTA V continue to draw strong numbers. As viewer interest spreads out across more content types, creators on Kick are finding more chances to build their own niche.
Why Kick Works Better for Streamers Right Now
Kick doesn’t just pay more, it listens more. After Twitch rolled out new ad rules in 2023, limiting how much branding streamers could show on-screen, backlash hit hard. Some sponsors pulled deals, and creators spoke out. Kick, by contrast, doesn’t mess with those kinds of limits. Streamers control how they run their channel.
Another big issue is discoverability. Twitch’s algorithm tends to favor already-big creators. That means newer streamers can go unnoticed for months. On Kick, token reward systems and looser ranking filters help smaller creators get found faster.
When TechCrunch reviewed the trend earlier this year, it noted how Kick was offering better visibility to up-and-comers, especially in categories like Just Chatting and Grand Theft Auto V. Kick’s support for esports is growing, too. It recently hosted tournaments for titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Modern Warfare III, pulling in hundreds of thousands of viewers. These events show that Kick is now part of major gaming circuits.