If you’re thinking about getting into streaming, you’ve probably considered streaming on Twitch. The Twitch platform ins incredibly popular. It has over 10 million active daily users. Twitch is so popular that its name is synonymous with streaming.
However, there’s also another platform worth considering: Mixer. Mixer is a newer streaming platform that is backed by Microsoft. While the platform hasn’t reached Twitch levels of popularity, it’s slowly building an audience.
The Advantages of Using Twitch
If you want to be where the people are, it’s hard to argue against Twitch. Twitch has a massive built-in audience. It’s been around since 2011, which means it’s had plenty of time to attract an audience and improve its service.
Twitch is very easy to navigate, and it offers a wide array of features that make it easier to use. Twitch is also compatible with every major console, which means it’s easy to stream content from the platform of your choosing.
The Disadvantages of Using Twitch
One of the biggest disadvantages of using Twitch is intense competition. While there are plenty of people that watch content on Twitch, there are also many people that are creating content on Twitch. It might be difficult for your stream to find an audience when you’re competing with professional streamers that have had years to amass an audience.
You won’t be able to earn any sort of profit on Twitch unless you’re able to build a fairly large following. You may be able to do this if there’s something that sets you apart from your top competitors. However, if your plan is to stream popular games, Twitch might not be the right platform for you.
The Advantages of Using Mixer
Because Mixer is a newer platform, there’s far less competition than you’ll find on Twitch. Even though Mixer’s total audience is significantly smaller than Twitch’s audience, it will be easier for you to get attention from that audience.
Mixer can be a fantastic platform for new streamers that are looking to make a name for themselves. While your content might get lost in the crowd on Twitch, you’ll be able to stand out on Mixer.
The Disadvantage of Using Mixer
While it’s possible that Mixer will eclipse Twitch at one point or another, it seems unlikely. Twitch is the dominant streaming platform, and that’s unlikely to change.
It can also be more challenging to stream to Mixer if you stream from a console. Not all major consoles have built-in Mixer functionality.
Lastly, Mixer’s user interface can make it hard to access older content. If you want people to see the latest content you create, that won’t be much of a problem. However, if you want people to be able to view your newest content, Mixer might not be the best option for you.
Which Streaming Platform Should You Use?
There are benefits and drawbacks to both of these streaming platforms. If you’re trying to decide between these platforms, you’ll want to consider the type of content you’ll be creating. What will you be streaming? What is the competition like on both platforms?
There’s no one right choice for streamers. There are streamers that will be far happier on Twitch, but there are also streamers that will have a better experience with Mixer. Because of this, you’ll want to evaluate both platforms carefully so that you can find the one that’s best for you.
Twitch is the dominant streaming platform for a reason. It’s easy to use, has a history, and a massive audience of regular users. However, streaming on Mixer can still be a great choice. Don’t rule Mixer out if you’re trying to decide where to stream.
