Top Twitch Streamers: The BIGGEST Channels in 2021
Who are the top Twitch streamers of 2021? Twitch takes bragging rights as the world’s leading platform for live streaming. Although it is facing some competition with some of the biggest Twitch streamers moving to Microsoft’s Mixer.
A subsidiary of Amazon, Twitch primarily focuses on video game streaming and eSports competitions. Although you’ll also find a variety of other content including music broadcasts and live DJ sets; general chit chat, sports, and other live special events.
Whether you’re looking to improve your own gameplay, or you just want to sit back and enjoy watching your favourite players; Twitch garners attention from millions of viewers, every single day.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that some of the top Twitch streamers have amassed millions of followers, and millions of views. And as a result, the most successful Twitch streamers have turned their favourite games into valuable business opportunities; meaning they can earn a very generous living streaming their gameplay on Twitch.
The top Twitch streamers are able to earn revenue through paid subscriptions, viewer donations, and sponsorships. Not to mention, some publishers are happy to pay thousands of dollars to have their games broadcasted by some of the top streamers. For example, most popular streamer Ninja was reportedly paid $1 Million US dollars to stream Apex Legends for the day of its release. That’s some serious coin for playing a game!
Best Streaming Equipment
When it comes to streaming equipment and setups, it’s no surprise that many of the gamers on this list rely on similar professional audio gear for their crispy audio quality.
In particular, the Shure SM7B is by far the most widely used microphone for streamers and podcasters looking for immaculate quality in their broadcasts. You’ll often find these dynamic microphones paired with a good set of studio headphones that allow gamers to hear exactly what’s happening around them during gameplay.
Honorable Mention – Ninja
Followers: 14,688,886
Most Known For: Fortnite Streaming
Net Worth: Est. $10 Million USD
Ninja is without a doubt, the most well-known professional gamer/streamer in the world. Rising to fame thanks to his popular Fortnite streams, Ninja has amassed a massive following with over 14 million followers on Twitch. A number that’s close to double that of the streamer who comes in at 2nd top spot. What’s even more impressive about that feat, is the fact that Ninja left the Twitch platform in August 2019 as part of a partnership with Mixer.
Since Ninja has effectively left the Twitch platform, we’ve left him off the official countdown. But he’s definitely still worth tuning into on Mixer if you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of him!
Streaming Equipment
When it comes to streaming equipment, Ninja is known to use an Audio Technica microphone. Pairing it with the popular RODE PSA1 for a professional boom arm setup!
Honorable Mention – Shroud
Followers: 7,050,284
Most Known For: Counterstrike GO
Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million USD
Shroud is a Canadian full-time streamer who like Ninja has become the latest superstar Twitch streamer to leave the platform in favour of Microsoft’s Mixer. Which is why we’ve left him as an honorable mention on the list! Most known for playing Counterstrike GO professionally, Shroud built up a reputation that led him to become the most-watched variety-streamer on Twitch. While also garnering notable attention from “just chatting” and Fornite.
On top of that, Shroud’s renowned aim is said to be so good that he can beat hackers. He also labels himself the “King of Reddit”.
Streaming Equipment
Following suit with a number of renowned streamers, Shroud’s crispy audio can be attributed to the Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone.
10. Drlupo
Followers: 3,955,235
Most Streamed: Escape from Tarkov & Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million USD
Coming in at 10th spot, Drlupo is a full-time American Twitch Streamer. Drlupo began his streaming career with Destiny, before moving onto Battle Royale games such as PubG and eventually Fortnite. Joining up with Ninja and TimTheTatman for a streaming group, this is where Drlupo gained most of his recognition. Today, you’ll find Drlupo spends most of his time streaming Escape from Tarkov and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Most notably, Drlupo ran a 24-hour live stream in 2018 in order to boost his fundraiser for cancer research. As a result, he raised and donated a total of $1.3 million dollars!
Streaming Equipment
When it comes to streaming equipment, Drlupo is known for using the Blue Spark XLR microphone as part of his Twitch streaming setup.
9. Rubius
Followers: 4,129,233
Most Known For: Minecraft & Just Chatting
Estimated Net Worth: $10 Million USD
El Rubius is a Spanish YouTuber & Twitch streaming personality. Rising into the spotlight thanks to his Youtube channel that included everything from Vlogs to his gameplay. Rubius is now most known for broadcasting a combination of Minecraft gameplay, and “Just Chatting”. Although he does stream gameplay of several other games including Animal Crossing, and League of Legends.
Streaming Equipment
Rubius is known for using several different microphones across his streaming career, and currently uses the Blue Yeti Microphone
8. Dr Disrespect
Followers: 4,269,836
Most Streamed: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Estimated Net Worth: $6 Million USD
Dr Disrespect is a top Twitch streamer who has established himself thanks to his trademark mullet wig, sunglasses, and fake mustache. Disrespect has amassed a huge Twitch following mostly by playing PUBG (PlayerUnknowns BattleGrounds) as well as Fortnite. However these days, he’s racking up most of his hours streaming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone.
It’s also worth noting, Dr. Disrespect spent time working for SledgeHammer games and is responsible for developing many of the maps on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
Streaming Equipment
When it comes to streaming, DrDisrespect relies on the Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone for all his streams, and it’s no wonder he always has such crisp audio!
7. Dakotaz
Followers: 4,331,528
Most Known For: Fortnite
Estimated Net Worth: $2 Million USD
Boasting his trademark Wolf logo, Dakotaz is an American gamer who streams Fortnite full-time. He’s also the 5th most-watched Fortnite channel online! You’ll also find him occasionally streaming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as well as Just Chatting with his 4 million followers.
Streaming Equipment
Dakotaz relies on the trusty AT2020 USB microphone from Audio Technica for his Twitch streaming.
6. Riot Games
Followers: 4,437,718
Most Known For: Developer of League of Legends
Riot Games is the channel of the American video game developer of the same name. Renowned for developing League of Legends, the company primarily focuses on improving LoL, rather than developing new games. They’re also responsible for organizing some of the biggest eSports tournaments in the world. Those of which you’ll find regularly live-streamed on Twitch and attracting millions of viewers from all over the world!
5. Pokimane
Followers: 4,633,313
Most Streamed: Just Chatting, Valorant, League of Legends, & Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million USD
Pokimane is a Canadian-Moroccan online personality, Youtuber, and Twitch streamer. Most known for her live Twitch-streams, Pokimane is heavily interactive with her audience and often streams “Just Chatting”. While her Youtube channel is filled with all things from Vlogs to ASMR videos.
Streaming Equipment
The microphone choice of many, Pokimane is another popular streamer who relies on the Audio Technica AT2020 USB Microphone for her crispy audio!
4. TimTheTatman
Followers: 4,802,416
Most Streamed: Fortnite, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Estimated Net Worth: $8 Million USD
TimTheTatman is an American, full-time Twitch streamer. You’ll find him streaming on Twitch nearly every day of the week besides Sundays where he is dedicated to the church. Beginning his streaming career playing Call of Duty: Black Ops II, it wasn’t until he switched to Counter-Strike: GO before he garnered popularity on Twitch over 2 years later. From there, TimTheTatman switched to primarily streaming Overwatch, before switching almost-completely to Fortnite. It was Fortnite that gave TimTheTatman his most success and he’s now often found streaming alongside the biggest names in Fortnite including Ninja and DrLupo.
Streaming Equipment
Another streamer favouring Audio Technica, TimTheTatman uses the AT4047 Microphone for his streaming and gameplay. While also paired with the ATH M50X Studio Headphones.
3. Summit1g
Followers: 5,281,258
Most Known For: Former competitive Counterstrike: GO player
Estimated Net Worth: $7.5 Million USD
Summit1g is a variety Twitch streamer who originally found success on the platform by streaming WarZ. However, he gained most of his notoriety by streaming CS:GO on its release. From there, Summit1G committed himself to playing CS:GO professionally, while still streaming on Twitch for his viewers.
Since the emergence of Battle Royale style games, Summit1g has strayed away from competitive gameplay, earning most of his living entirely by Twitch streaming. At the time of writing, Summit1g spends most of his time streaming Escape from Tarkov, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Streaming Equipment
It’s worth noting that Summit1G is heavily sponsored by Audio Technica. Which is why you’ll find him constantly repping Audio Technica Headphones & Microphones
2. Myth
Followers: 6,410,802
Most Known For: Fortnite
Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million USD
Myth is an American full-time Fortnite streamer renowned for being one of the best builders in the game. Not only is Myth one of the most streamed Fortnite players, he also boasts a YouTube channel with over 4 million subscribers he uses to share gameplay clips. Dedicating some of his time towards competitive gaming, Myth is more focused on streaming. Most notably reaching the Top 100 for kills on Fortnite, as well as Top 30 global wins on Fortnite PC.
Streaming Equipment
Myth is another professional gamer who’s known for using Audio Technica gear in his streaming setup. In particular, he uses the AT2035 Microphone
1. Tfue
Followers: 8,043,811
Most Known For: Fortnite
Estimated Net Worth: $6 Million USD
Tfue comes in at the number 1 spot with the most followers on an active Twitch channel! Tfue is an American full-time Twitch streamer who spends most of his time playing Fortnite. Although you might also find him playing Escape from Tarkov and Valorant.
Beginning by playing Halo and Destiny, Tfue eventually claimed pro-gamer status when he moved to Call of Duty. Since the release of Fortnite, Tfue almost exclusively streams this game and it’s lead to his massive emergence in the online gaming community. Not shy of controversy, Tfue was issued with a notable 30-day suspension for using the word Coon during a stream though after apologizing, his ban was reduced to 7 days. He also launched a lawsuit in 2019 against former clan FaZeClan for failing to pay him his fair share of sponsorship earnings.
Streaming Equipment
Again, like many of the gamers on this list Tfue is another who swears by the Shure SM7B for his live streams.
Thinking about streaming on Twitch? Check out our how-to guide for streaming on Youtube or Twitch with OBS.