You stream 4-6 hours a day, you play games that cost 70€ each, you see sponsorship deals on Twitter that make you drool. Good news : most streamers miss the platforms that match creators with publishers and brands, because nobody told them.
This guide lists the 14 real platforms I use (or saw my streamer friends use). With honest entry thresholds (not the marketing copy) and average payouts. The last section calls out which ones to avoid because they take advantage of small creators.
Why these platforms exist
Publishers and brands want authentic content. Rather than paying 50K€ to one Insta influencer for a single dead post, they prefer sending 500 keys to 500 small streamers and reaching 50K viewers in 1 week. You're the content they're looking for.
Platforms are the middleman : they verify your audience, push you the campaigns, pay you (or send the keys). You make content, the publisher gets visibility, the platform takes 15-30% on top.
Section 1 : free keys + sponsorship platforms
These give you free Steam keys in exchange for streaming/video/review. Some also pay cash for pro campaigns.
Lurkit
The most accessible. Indie + mid-tier AAA catalog (Outlast Trials, Hades 2, Manor Lords).
- Threshold : 50 average viewers over 30 days, or 1000 followers
- How it works : link your Twitch / YouTube, they audit your history. Validated in 1-3 days. You then see a campaign dashboard, apply with 1 click.
- Payout : mostly keys (10-50€ value). Paid campaigns exist but reserved for 500+ viewers.
- Verdict : start here if new. Friendly entry, catalog rotates fast.
Keymailer
The historical standard. More demanding than Lurkit, more prestigious catalog.
- Threshold : 200 avg viewers (Twitch) or 5000 subscribers (YouTube). Visible in your dashboard, varies per campaign.
- How it works : submit stats, wait for validation (sometimes 2 weeks). Once validated, you can request a key on any open campaign. Publisher approves or denies manually.
- Payout : AAA keys (Black Myth, Helldivers 2 type), sometimes cash on activation campaigns (50-300€).
- Verdict : essential at 500+ viewers. Validation is slow, anticipate. Don't quit if denied on your first request.
Woovit
Direct competitor of Keymailer, more permissive.
- Threshold : 100 avg viewers or 2000 Twitch followers.
- How it works : nearly identical to Keymailer. Catalog more indie/mid but moves faster.
- Payout : mostly keys, cash on certain Capcom/Sega campaigns.
- Verdict : combine with Keymailer. If denied on one, the other often passes.
Wehype
Premium sponsorship matching. Connects brands directly to creators for paid deals.
- Threshold : 1000 followers minimum + regular activity (10+ streams/month)
- How it works : full profile (stats, demographics, languages), algo match with campaigns. Brands contact you or you apply.
- Payout : 100-2000€ per campaign depending on audience. Mostly cash, sometimes keys + cash combined.
- Verdict : where the real money is. You won't make cash below 500 average viewers, but it's the right place to professionalize your channel.
Instreamly
Contextual in-stream sponsorship. They serve non-intrusive ads during your streams (3-5s overlay + optional voice-over).
- Threshold : 50 avg viewers. Very accessible.
- How it works : install their OBS browser source, activate the campaigns you accept. System auto-serves when you have N viewers.
- Payout : 0.5-2€ per 1000 impressions (CPM). For 200 viewers, that's 5-15€/stream.
- Verdict : passive revenue while you're streaming anyway. Stack with other levers.
Free keys recap
| Platform | Viewer threshold | Payout type | Validation difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lurkit | 50 / 1k followers | Keys (90%) + cash | Easy |
| Keymailer | 200 / 5k YT | AAA keys + cash | Medium |
| Woovit | 100 / 2k followers | Mid keys + cash | Easy |
| Wehype | 1000 followers | Cash 100-2k€ | Medium |
| Instreamly | 50 viewers | CPM 0.5-2€/1k | Very easy |
Section 2 : display ads + passive activations
Activate a browser source overlay, they serve discreet banners during your streams. Zero effort, micro-revenue.
StreamCluster
Discreet banner at the bottom of the screen, auto-rotation between sponsors.
- Threshold : 30 avg viewers.
- Payout : 1-3€ per 1000 impressions. ~10-30€/month for 200 viewers.
- Verdict : passive income, install once and forget. Payout isn't huge but it adds up.
Streamboost (StreamElements)
Integrated directly in StreamElements (cf section 4). Activate campaigns from your SE dashboard.
- Threshold : SE partner program (1000 Twitch followers roughly).
- Payout : variable per campaign, CPM-based.
- Verdict : like Streamcluster but you leverage the SE ecosystem you've already installed.
Aim Lab Sponsor Connect
Reserved for FPS / esport streamers. Aim Lab connects with their gaming gear sponsors.
- Threshold : 200 avg viewers + FPS niche (Valo, CS, Apex).
- Payout : gear keys + cash 50-500€ per campaign.
- Verdict : niche but premium pricing if you fit.
Section 3 : direct sponsorship without middleman
Platforms that connect you directly to brands (no pre-listed campaign, custom deals).
Playzy
Sponsorship marketplace for micro/mid streamers.
- Threshold : 100 avg viewers.
- Payout : 50-500€ per deal. Can be one-shot (sponsored stream) or recurring (1x mention/week).
- Verdict : good for testing professional deals. Marketplace less active than others, but deals are more customizable.
Livad
Mid/large French streamers especially (the company is French).
- Threshold : 500 avg FR viewers.
- Payout : 300-3000€ per campaign. Often FR retail (food, telecom, gaming gear).
- Verdict : if you're FR with 500+ viewers and not on Livad, you're missing money.
Section 4 : tipjar + overlays + free tools
Not exactly "they pay you" but they let you monetize your existing audience.
StreamElements
The 2026 standard. Overlays, alerts, tipjar, merch store, Twitch/YouTube/Trovo integrations.
- Free (base + advanced)
- Built-in tipjar : viewers tip directly (0% SE commission)
- Merch store : send a design, they handle print + shipping. You take 10-30% per item.
- Verdict : install + tipjar setup + a sub-goal on overlay = doubles your tips within a month.
Throne
Public wishlist (Amazon style). Viewers send you physical gifts.
- Free
- How it works : you put up a wishlist (mug, controller, gear, books), viewers buy and the item arrives at your home anonymously.
- Verdict : less financial than tips, but huge trust-building. "My viewer just sent me an Elite controller, crazy" = natural content.
Ko-fi
One-shot tip + custom commission (e.g., "I'll do a dedicated video for 50€").
- Free (or Pro $6/month for advanced features)
- Verdict : alternative to Streamlabs Tip for small streamers. No commission on tips.
Patreon
Recurring fan club. Members pay 5-15€/month for exclusive content (private Discord, bonus replays, sneak peeks).
- Free (5-12% commission per tier)
- Threshold : you need a community of fans wanting bonus content. Below 100 avg viewers, it's tough.
- Verdict : long-term play. 50 patrons at 10€ = 500€/month recurring, but you really need to deliver.
Section 5 : avoid these platforms (caution)
Some platforms are predatory or useless. My warnings based on community feedback :
- GamerLink : opaque commission, no support if payment issues.
- Outplayed : sketchy model, no transparency on where the money comes from.
- Any site asking you to pay to register : absolute red flag. Real platforms take commission on payouts, never upfront.
- Platforms requiring exclusivity : no big gain without long-term commitment.
Section 6 : how much can you stack ?
With the right platforms activated in parallel, here are realistic monthly revenues :
| Avg viewers | Recommended setup | Monthly revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 50-200 | Lurkit + Instreamly + StreamElements (tipjar + merch) | 30-150€ |
| 200-500 | + Woovit + Streamcluster + Ko-fi | 150-500€ |
| 500-1000 | + Wehype + Playzy + Throne | 500-1500€ |
| 1000-2000 | + Keymailer + Livad + Patreon | 1500-4000€ |
| 2000+ | Everything + direct sponsorship + agency | 4000-15000€+ |
Important : these numbers assume you activate all platforms in parallel (~8-10) and stream 5 days/week. Not playing 2h on Sundays.
Activation strategy : where to start
If you're starting and thinking "ok I want to activate everything tomorrow", here's the order I recommend :
- Week 1 : StreamElements (tipjar + sub-goal overlay). Free, 30 min install, +20-40% tips in following month.
- Week 2 : Lurkit (free keys). Gentle entry, exposes you to matching platforms.
- Week 3 : Instreamly (CPM ads). Activate on browser source, forget. First real passive revenue.
- Month 2 : Woovit + Keymailer (in parallel).
- Month 3+ : Wehype and direct sponsorship when you have 500+ stable viewers.
Where does clipping fit in ?
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TL;DR
Activate StreamElements + Lurkit + Instreamly as soon as you have 50 viewers. Add Wehype + Keymailer at 500 viewers. Stack Patreon + Throne when you have a loyal community. And clip your stream to multiply your audience 3-5x without working harder.
Streaming in 2026 is profitable. But only if you activate the right levers, at the right time, and you're not afraid to stack 8 platforms in parallel.
