Twitch

What is Twitch Turbo and Is It Worth the Price?

What is Twitch Turbo and Is It Worth the Price?

Twitch has solidified its position as the leading platform for live game streaming. With over 9 million monthly active broadcasters and close to 3 million daily twitch viewers, it has become a hub for gamers, esports enthusiasts, musicians, and hobbyists alike. Twitch serves as a space for individuals to connect and engage with like-minded communities.

In recent months, Twitch channels collectively accumulated more than 60 million watch hours per day. This massive engagement makes Twitch an appealing platform for advertisers looking to showcase their brand to millions of viewers.

For Twitch Partners and Affiliates, ad revenue represents a significant income stream. Ads can be integrated into live streams at various stages—pre-roll, mid-roll, and end of the stream. The more ads viewers see, the more revenue streamers earn.

However, frequent ads can be disruptive for viewers who want a seamless experience while supporting their favorite streamers. To address this, Twitch introduced Twitch Turbo—a subscription service designed to provide ad-free viewing.

In this article, we’ll explore what Twitch Turbo offers and whether it’s worth the investment.

What is Twitch Turbo?

Twitch Turbo is a premium subscription that offers a variety of benefits, with the most prominent being ad-free viewing across the platform. Available for $8.99 per month, Twitch Turbo has maintained its price since its introduction in 2013.

So, what does Twitch Turbo really bring to the table? Here’s a breakdown of the main features:

  1. Ad-Free Viewing: Say goodbye to pre-roll, mid-roll, and during-stream ads, though you’ll still encounter platform-wide promotions such as homepage takeovers. Even without ad exposure, streamers continue earning revenue.
  2. Exclusive Turbo Badge: As a subscriber, you’ll receive an exclusive purple badge that appears next to your name in chat, letting everyone know you’re part of the Turbo community.
  3. Custom Chat Colors: Turbo subscribers can customize their chat colors, making their messages stand out from others.
  4. Unique Emoticon Set: Gain access to an exclusive set of emotes, elevating your chat interactions.
  5. Extended Broadcast Storage: Turbo users enjoy extended video storage for their saved broadcasts, from the standard 14 days to 60 days.
  6. Priority Support: Need help? Turbo members receive faster customer service, with responses arriving within 1-2 business days compared to the standard 5-7 days.

Twitch Turbo vs. Channel Subscriptions: What’s the Difference?

A key point of comparison for many users is how Twitch Turbo differs from a regular channel subscription. Here’s a closer look:

  • Ad-Free Viewing: With a channel subscription, ad-free viewing is limited to that specific channel. Twitch Turbo, however, provides ad-free viewing across all channels, except for platform-wide promotions.
  • Subscription Cost: Channel subscriptions start at $4.99 per month, which only applies to the selected channel. In contrast, Twitch Turbo covers all channels for $8.99 monthly.
  • Amazon Prime vs. Twitch Turbo: Amazon Prime users enjoy one free channel subscription each month, but ad-free viewing only applies to that specific channel. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month—significantly more than Twitch Turbo.

Comparison of Twitch Turbo, Twitch Prime, and Regular Channel Subscriptions

Feature Twitch Prime Twitch Turbo Regular Channel Subscription
Ad-Free Viewing Only on one channel Sitewide Channel-specific
Free Channel Subscription Yes, 1 per month No No
Exclusive Chat Badge Yes, Prime crown Yes, Turbo badge Yes, channel badge
Custom Chat Colors Yes Yes Yes, channel-specific
Emotes Yes, channel-specific Yes, Turbo emotes Yes, channel-specific
Extended Broadcast Storage Yes, 60 days Yes, 60 days No
Priority Support No Yes No
Price $14.99 per month $8.99 per month From $4.99 per month

Why Choose Twitch Turbo?

Twitch Turbo offers a comprehensive solution for users who want to avoid ads without sacrificing streamer support. Previously, Amazon Prime provided sitewide ad-free viewing, but Twitch discontinued this feature to ensure that broadcasters receive more revenue from ads. Now, only Twitch Turbo subscribers enjoy ad-free streaming, while streamers continue earning ad revenue in the background.

If you’re an avid Twitch user and can justify the monthly cost, Twitch Turbo is a worthwhile investment. Not only do you get an uninterrupted viewing experience, but you also help sustain the platform and its creators.

Final Thoughts

While ads are crucial for supporting both Twitch and its streamers, they can detract from the viewing experience. For those who value uninterrupted content, Twitch Turbo offers a perfect solution. Plus, the additional perks, such as exclusive badges, chat customizations, and priority support, make the $8.99 monthly fee a reasonable price to pay.

If you frequently watch live streams and want to support your favorite broadcasters while enjoying an ad-free experience, Twitch Turbo is definitely worth considering.