IMPAKT vs StreamElements: which one should a streamer use?
They do different jobs, so most streamers can use both. StreamElements covers overlays, alerts, tipping and chat tools. IMPAKT adds rounds the whole audience plays, settled by the
Payouts to streamers are coming soon. Until they open, your share is recorded in your creator dashboard and nothing is paid out to a bank yet.
IMPAKT vs StreamElements: which one should a streamer use?
They do different jobs, so most streamers can use both. StreamElements covers overlays, alerts, tipping and chat tools. IMPAKT adds rounds the whole audience plays, settled by the game itself, with the streamer receiving 25 per cent of the coins viewers spend in their channel.
What does StreamElements do best?
StreamElements is a free toolkit for running a stream. According to its own documentation, it offers:
- An overlay manager that loads graphics into OBS from one source.
- Alerts for tips, cheers, subscribers, followers and hosts, with custom images, sounds and messages.
- Tipping through PayPal or its own payment processor, SE.Pay. StreamElements states that it adds no fee of its own on tips, though payment processors charge theirs.
- Chat tools and a bot.
If you need alerts, a tip page or overlays, StreamElements is the better choice. IMPAKT does not replace any of that.
What does IMPAKT do that StreamElements does not?
IMPAKT is about the viewer playing, not the viewer paying to be noticed. A tip triggers an alert. An IMPAKT round gives every viewer something to do for the next minute.
- Rounds with a countdown drawn into the video. Votes, predictions (YES/NO markets with cash out), bets on the round, and bids for actions.
- Settled by the game. Rounds close from the game's own state, not from the streamer's word. CS2 and Dota 2 use Valve's Game State Integration. League of Legends, Valorant, World of Warcraft and Minecraft use IMPAKT Link, a small Windows app.
- Revenue share. The streamer earns 25 per cent of the coins spent in their channel, plus 40 per cent of the house share on rounds settled there. It is free to start.
- Works on Kick. Kick has no extensions. IMPAKT has an official Kick app, a chat bot so viewers type
!yesor!no, and a Kick live page at impaktlive.tv/kick/your-channel with a clickable overlay.
Viewers play with IMPAKT coins. 100 coins cost 1 US dollar when bought, coins have no cash value and cannot be withdrawn, and daily free coins are available.
Side by side
| StreamElements | IMPAKT | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Overlays, alerts, tipping, chat tools | Audience rounds settled by the game |
| Viewer action | Tip, follow, subscribe | Vote, predict, bet, bid |
| Streamer revenue | Tips (processor fees apply) | 25 per cent of coins spent, plus 40 per cent of the house share |
| Cost to start | Free | Free |
| Kick | Check StreamElements for current support | Official Kick app, chat bot, live page |
| Twitch | Overlays and alerts in OBS | Chat bot live, extension in review |
Can I use both?
Yes. Keep StreamElements for alerts and your tip page, and add IMPAKT for the rounds. The two do not compete for the same job. Create a channel and see the earnings calculator for what your audience size could mean.
Questions
Is IMPAKT a replacement for StreamElements?
No. StreamElements handles alerts, overlays and tipping. IMPAKT handles audience rounds and the revenue share from them. Most streamers would run both.
Which pays a streamer more?
They pay for different things. Tips depend on a few generous viewers. IMPAKT pays 25 per cent of coins spent in your channel plus 40 per cent of the house share, so it grows with how many viewers take part. See the earnings calculator.
Does IMPAKT work on Kick?
Yes. There is an official IMPAKT Kick app, a chat bot for !yes and !no, and a Kick live page with a clickable overlay.
Does IMPAKT have a Twitch extension?
Not yet live. The Twitch extension is in review. The Twitch chat bot with !yes and !no is live today.
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