Why do Twitch subs on mobile cost more?

Ivan Frigato Published August 23, 2024

Twitch has raised the cost of subs on its mobile app, and viewers are wondering why.

2024 has not been a kind year for Twitch so far. Earlier in 2024, Twitch laid off 35% of its workforce and lost exclusivity contracts with talents like Imane “Pokimane” Anys. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy was blunt about the company’s status, saying it was “bigger than it needs to be. 

“We aren’t profitable at this point. Amazon has been extremely supportive of Twitch, and a big thing for being sustainable over time is ensuring that we don’t lose money, and that’s a big part of my job because that’s going to be what makes sure we can be here for the long term,” said Clancy in a Q&A stream.

The upcoming subscription price hikes for the Twitch mobile app only add to the company’s controversial year.

Why Twitch subs cost more on mobile

Twitch has to pay app stores for every sub on mobile, so subs cost more on the apps.

Twitch is “catching up” mobile subscription prices with its desktop subscription rates. Subscriptions processed through iOS and Android have additional platform processing fees. This phenomenon is not unique to Twitch, as many other companies have to account for processing fees from Apple and Google’s app stores. Twitch also clarified the recent price hike is not different from the platform-wide hikes announced earlier in 2024. It was simply delayed for those on mobile.

However, there is a way to get around the heightened prices of mobile subscriptions. Those with a computer can simply subscribe to streamers from the desktop, as these will still roll over into the mobile app. Twitch also encourages this, as the payout to streamers and Twitch remains the same regardless of the method used.

Regardless of the reasons, these subs cost hikes have turned away many former Twitch viewers. While exact numbers aren’t available, many social media users have expressed disdain at Twitch’s price hikes and constant technical issues. Plus, other platforms have begun to offer more enticing contracts to streamers.

“YouTube offered me more money than Twitch, I’ll just say straight up,” said Ludwig Anders Ahgren bluntly in a Q&A stream. He also emphasized how YouTube gave him more freedom to do whatever streams he wanted without hitting hourly quotas like in his Twitch contract.

Although Twitch remains popular, the platform’s issues could snowball if not dealt with in time.