How to Start Streaming on Kick — Complete Beginner's Guide 2026
Kick is one of the fastest-growing live streaming platforms, known for its creator-first revenue model and rapidly expanding audience. This guide walks you through every step — from creating your account to going live and growing your channel.
What You Need to Start
- 1PC with at least Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- 216 GB RAM recommended for smooth streaming and gaming simultaneously
- 3Stable internet connection with minimum 6 Mbps upload speed
- 4OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or another RTMP-compatible streaming software
- 5A Kick account (free to create at kick.com — link below)
- 6Optional: USB or XLR microphone for better audio quality
- 7Optional: webcam at 1080p resolution for face cam
- 8Optional: capture card if streaming from a console
Step-by-Step: How to Stream on Kick
Create a Kick Account
Go to kick.com and sign up for a free account. Verify your email address and complete your profile — add a profile picture, channel banner, and a short bio describing what you will stream.
Set Up Your Streaming Software
Download and install OBS Studio (free, open source). In OBS, go to Settings → Stream, select 'Custom' as the service, and enter Kick's RTMP server URL along with your unique stream key from your Kick dashboard.
Configure Your Stream Settings
Recommended settings: video bitrate 4,000–8,000 Kbps (Kick accepts up to 8,000 Kbps), resolution 1080p60 or 720p60, audio bitrate 160 Kbps. Set your keyframe interval to 2 seconds. These settings balance quality and stability for most internet connections.
Test Before Going Live
Run a private test stream to check audio levels, video quality, and layout. Watch the stream preview in your Kick dashboard, ensure your microphone is at a good volume, and confirm your scene setup looks correct.
Go Live and Engage Your Audience
Click 'Start Streaming' in OBS. On Kick, set your stream title, category (game or topic), and tags to help viewers discover your content. Interact with viewers in chat, stay consistent with your schedule, and stream regularly.
Unlock Monetization on Kick
Kick's entry-level Creator Program unlocks paid subscriptions once you reach 75 followers and 5 hours of streamed content (plus phone verification and 2FA). Streamers keep 95% of subscription revenue — one of the best rates in the industry. Full Partner status comes later with higher viewership thresholds.
Where Do You Find Your Kick Stream Key?
Your Kick stream key is what connects OBS (or any RTMP software) to your channel. It lives in your Creator Dashboard:
- 1Log in to your account at kick.com.
- 2Click your profile avatar and open the Creator Dashboard.
- 3In the left menu, go to Settings → Stream URL & Key.
- 4Copy the Stream URL and Stream Key into your streaming software (in OBS: Settings → Stream → Service 'Custom').
Never show your stream key on stream or share it with anyone. Anyone who has it can broadcast on your channel. If it leaks, reset it immediately from the same Settings page.
What Are the Best OBS Settings for Kick?
To live stream on Kick with OBS, open Settings → Output and Settings → Video and match the values below. Kick accepts a higher maximum bitrate than Twitch (up to 8,000 Kbps), so you can push better image quality if your upload speed allows it. Limits can change — check your Kick dashboard for the current numbers.
Encoder
Hardware (NVENC / AMF / QuickSync) if available, otherwise x264
Rate control
CBR
Video bitrate
4,000–8,000 Kbps (Kick accepts up to 8,000 Kbps)
Resolution
1920×1080 (drop to 1280×720 on slower connections)
Frame rate
60 fps (30 fps if your PC or upload speed struggles)
Keyframe interval
2 seconds
Audio bitrate
160 Kbps AAC
Upload speed needed
At least ~1.5× your bitrate (e.g. 12 Mbps upload for 8,000 Kbps)
Tips to Grow Your Kick Channel
Stream consistently
Pick a schedule and stick to it. Viewers are more likely to return if they know when you go live.
Pick a niche
Specializing in a specific game or content type helps you stand out and attract a dedicated audience.
Engage with chat
Respond to viewers, ask questions, and build a community. Engagement drives retention and word-of-mouth growth.
Clip and share
Post short clips to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Twitter/X. Off-platform content is the fastest way to get new viewers.
Network with streamers
Raid other channels, join Kick Discord communities, and collaborate with streamers of similar size.
Optimize your title and tags
Use descriptive titles with keywords (game name, type of content). Correct tags improve discoverability in Kick search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kick free to stream on?
Yes, creating a Kick account and streaming is completely free. Kick does not charge streamers to use the platform.
What equipment do I need to start streaming on Kick?
At minimum you need a PC or console, a stable internet connection (at least 6 Mbps upload), and streaming software like OBS Studio. A microphone and webcam are optional but recommended.
How do I get monetized on Kick?
Kick offers a 95/5 subscription split — streamers keep 95% of subscription revenue. You need to apply for the Kick Partner program once you meet the requirements.
How many viewers do I need to get partnered on Kick?
Kick's entry-level Creator Program requires 75 followers and 5 hours of streamed content to unlock paid subscriptions. Full Partner status has higher thresholds: consistent viewership, regular streaming hours, and a clean Terms of Service record.
Where do I find my Kick stream key?
Log in at kick.com, open your Creator Dashboard, and go to Settings → Stream URL & Key. Copy the key into your streaming software, and never show or share it — anyone with your stream key can broadcast on your channel.
What are the best OBS settings for Kick?
Use CBR rate control with a video bitrate of 4,000–8,000 Kbps (Kick accepts up to 8,000 Kbps), 1080p at 60 fps (or 720p60 on slower connections), a 2-second keyframe interval, and 160 Kbps audio. Use a hardware encoder like NVENC if available, otherwise x264.
What streaming software works with Kick?
OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and XSplit all work natively with Kick via RTMP. OBS Studio is recommended as it is free and highly configurable.
Can I stream on Kick from a console?
Yes. PlayStation and Xbox consoles support RTMP streaming, which allows you to stream directly to Kick from your console dashboard.
How is Kick different from Twitch?
Kick offers a 95/5 revenue split compared to Twitch's 50/50 split. Kick also has a more relaxed content policy and is growing rapidly as an alternative streaming platform.
How do I get discovered on Kick?
Stream consistently, choose a specific niche or game, use relevant tags, engage with other Kick streamers, share clips on social media (TikTok, Twitter/X, YouTube Shorts), and network within the Kick community.
Looking for Top Kick Streamers?
KickRanker provides verified monthly rankings of the most popular Kick channels by hours watched. Ideal for brands, agencies, and marketers looking to partner with top Kick creators.
View Kick Streamer Lists