How to Live Stream on Kick with OBS including the Best Settings for OBS
Want to kickstart your career as a live streamer? Then Kick is the platform to stream on.
Kick has accumulated 2.09 billion hours of watch time in just its second year of existence. This live streaming platform is quickly becoming the go-to destination for creators who want to get higher payouts for their content and engage with their audiences more closely.
While that is a nice sentiment, creating a loyal fan base takes more than just streaming on the hottest new platform. Audiences now expect professional-level streams. So, how can you provide high-quality production values if you’re just starting out? By using OBS Studio to improve your Kick streaming.
OBS is a free and incredibly versatile streaming software. It’s also the key that will help you unlock Kick’s full potential. Using OBS gives streamers complete control over the stream’s overall look and presentation. Combine that with Kick’s viewer-friendly interface, and you have a winning formula for a live stream that sucks viewers in.
Don’t have any experience with Kick or OBS? Don’t worry; in this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know on how to stream on Kick with OBS. We’ll even help you figure out the necessary Kick OBS settings for smooth streaming.
Table of Contents:
- What is Kick, And Is It Any Good?
- How Businesses Can Use Kick Live Streaming for Growth
- Kick vs. Twitch
- Getting Started on Kick
- OBS Studio – The Live Streaming Powerhouse
- Installing and Setting Up OBS To Use With Kick
- Configuring OBS for Optimal Streaming on Kick
- Going Live on Kick with OBS
- Advanced OBS Settings for a Professional Kick Stream
- Additional Tips And Resources For Kick Streaming With OBS
- Troubleshooting OBS Streaming Issues on Kick
- The Technology Behind Streaming Live on Kick With OBS
- Dacast’s RTMP Streaming Platform
- Elevate Your Live Streaming with Dacast and OBS
- Using AI Tools for OBS And Kick Streaming in 2025
- FAQ
- Maximize Your Kick Streams With Dacast and OBS
What is Kick, And Is It Any Good?
Kick is a live-streaming platform that launched on October 18, 2022. It’s the brainchild of several experienced entrepreneurs, including Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, who are the founders of the online casino website called Stake.com. They also received valuable industry input from veteran streamer Trainwreckstv.
It started live as a competitor of Twitch and has since become a massively popular platform, especially for up-and-coming streamers. It managed to amass an astounding 779.3 million hours of watch time in just its first year of operations
In addition to Twitch, it also has a few similarities to YouTube Live, but with enough unique features that it stands out among the many live streaming platforms. Part of Kick’s success is due to the strong focus on community, which makes it a great place to network with other streamers and connect with viewers.
Because it’s still relatively new, it’s not oversaturated with creators, so newer names have a greater chance of discovery and success. But what really sets Kick apart is the payment model. The Kick Creator Incentive Program allows streamers to keep a whopping 95% of their revenue, which is significantly more than any other similar platform.
Why Stream on Kick?
With other longer-running options for live broadcasting available, why choose the Kick streaming platform? Here are some of the benefits:
- Strong Focus on Community: Kick has a built-in chat feature that makes it easy for streamers to connect with their viewers. It’s also another way of generating revenue, thanks to the gift subscription feature where chat participants can buy subscriptions and give them as gifts to other viewers.
- High-Quality Content: Kick offers high-quality content that is streamed at up to 1920×1080 resolution with a max bitrate of 8,000 kbps. The maximum framerate your streams can have is 60fps. All of these settings are adjustable.
- Larger Share of Earnings: Creators on Kick earn up to 95% of their revenue, compared to 50% on Twitch and 70% on YouTube Live. So, in theory, the larger your audience, the bigger your profits. Kick doesn’t state how long this payment method will last, so join while you can.
- Multiple Ways to Make Money: Creators on Kick can make money through subscriptions, donations, and advertising. To qualify for monetization, streamers must have at least 1500 followers and have at least 25 direct subscriptions in the last 30 days.
How Businesses Can Use Kick Live Streaming for Growth
While at first glance, it may seem that Kick mostly focuses on individual creators and streamers, it also offers plenty of partnership opportunities for businesses and brands. Your company can use Kick to reach a wider audience and target potential clients from across the globe without needing intricate marketing campaigns.
Whether through sponsorships, product promotions, or branded entertainment, Kick can be a dynamic and effective marketing tool for your business. Kick is useful for:
- Brand Engagement And Sponsorships: You can partner with popular streamers for sponsored gameplay, product placements, or live demonstrations or collaborate with other influencers on the platform to tap into their audience and improve your brand’s credibility. For example, G Fuel and Logitech often collaborate with Kick streamers to promote their products.
- Affiliate Marketing And Cross-Promotion: Use Kick streams to promote your websites, online stores, and digital products. You can integrate affiliate links into content and offer viewers exclusive discounts and incentives. Streamers can easily blend promotions with entertainment by showcasing your product in use and explaining why they like it.
- Corporate Live Events And Webinars: Companies can use the Kick platform to host live Q&A sessions or launch their latest products. They can use the chat and poll features to interact directly with customers while collecting real-time feedback and insights. For example, Adobe MAX uses YouTube Live to stream keynotes and sessions from their conference. Your company can do something similar on Kick.
Kick vs. Twitch
Kick is a newer platform that is known for its focus on community and its more relaxed content guidelines. Meanwhile, Twitch is a more established platform with a larger user base – over 7 million monthly streamers. It has a wider range of features, a more robust chat system, and a more comprehensive library of games.
It also has very strict content policies, and any violation can lead to an immediate ban for an indefinite time. Twitch also issues lifetime bans for its creators, like in the cases of prominent creators Ice Poseidon and Dr DisRespect.
Here’s a complete list of the pros and cons of Kick streaming vs. Twitch.
Kick | Pros | Cons |
95/5 revenue split | Less potential reach | |
Lenient content moderation | Limited features compared to Twitch | |
Heavily focused on community-building | ||
Twitch | Massive established audience | 50/50 revenue split (or 70/30 for top partners) |
Robust features (mature chat moderation tools, extensive analytics, etc.) | Strict content moderation policies | |
Diverse monetization options (subscriptions, bits, ads) | Slightly oversaturated |
Why is Kick Better Than Twitch for Some Streamers?
When it first launched, Kick managed to get several large streamers, like xQc and Amouranth, to switch over from Twitch. They offered great financial incentives, which attracted even more streamers to make the jump. Now, many new streamers are turning to Kick instead of Twitch – here’s why:
- Higher Revenue Split: The main difference between Kick and Twitch is how they distribute revenue. Kick’s generous 95/5 split is more appealing than Twitch’s 50/50 for most creators, putting more money in streamers’ pockets. Even with their Partner Plus Program, Twitch only offers 70% of the revenue to creators.
- Relaxed Content Guidelines: Kick takes a more relaxed approach to content moderation, allowing for a wider range of content and creative expression. This appeals to streamers who find Twitch’s policies too restrictive.
- Community-Centric Approach: Kick emphasizes a strong sense of community, with features like easy-to-use chat and interactive elements that encourage viewer engagement.
However, Twitch is still a great platform for creators who value extensive features and an established audience. Learn how to start streaming on Twitch here.
Kick VS. Other Popular Streaming Platforms
While Kick considers Twitch as its main competitor, it still manages to hold its own against other giants in the live-streaming industry, including YouTube Live. Let’s see how it compares to the most popular platforms in terms of monetization and usefulness for brands, companies, etc.
Feature | Kick | YouTube Live | Rumble |
Revenue Split (Creators) | 95/5 (Best for streamers, minimal platform fees) | 70/30 (Industry standard, lower creator earnings) | 60/40 (Varies, lower creator earnings) |
Gaming Focus | Strong (Twitch-style, gaming-driven audience) | Moderate (Gaming exists but not the main focus) | Weak (Limited gaming presence) |
Business Integration | Growing (More and more brand partnerships, potential for future growth) | Strong (SEO, AdSense, ideal for businesses and branding) | Limited (Smaller business ecosystem, mostly niche content) |
Audience Size | Growing (New but rapidly expanding with strong engagement) | Largest (Massive reach, established user base but oversaturated) | Niche (Politically-driven, smaller user base) |
Influencer Monetization | Best (Higher revenue split, low fees, crypto potential) | Good (Super Chats, memberships, but higher platform fees) | Moderate (Ad-based, tipping, but weaker engagement) |
Ad Revenue Model | Creator-friendly (More direct earnings, fewer restrictions) | Ads dominate (Platform takes a bigger cut) | Limited ad revenue (Smaller advertiser network) |
Platform Stability | Moderate (New, evolving policies and potential improvements) | Strong (Established, stable, long-term, not always creator-friendly) | Moderate (Growing, but niche and unpredictable) |
Decentralization and Web3 Potential | Emerging (Possible blockchain integrations in the future) | None (Traditional centralized platform) | Some (Freedom-oriented, but not blockchain-based) |
Best For Gaming | Yes (High engagement, revenue share, Twitch alternative) | Somewhat (Gaming exists, but mixed focus) | No (Weak gaming support) |
Best For Business and Branding | Constantly improving (Developing, great potential to be more business-oriented) | Yes (SEO, discoverability, B2B-friendly) | No (Not ideal for mainstream businesses) |
Best For Influencer Monetization | Yes (Higher earnings, best revenue split) | Somewhat (Super Chats, but higher fees) | Moderate (Limited monetization tools) |
Potential for Web3 Growth | High (Could integrate crypto, NFTs, and smart contracts) | Low (Centralized, ad-reliant) | Some (Leans towards freedom, but not decentralized) |
While YouTube remains the more dominant platform, Kick has the momentum to catch up and surpass it. It also has the potential to compete with Web3-based platforms. Kick already has a creator-focused economy, and if it adopts smart contracts or tokenized memberships, it could appeal to both Web3 users and mainstream influencers.
Getting Started on Kick
Kick is a streaming platform that focuses on the user experience. That’s why it made sure to make creating an account and launching an account as simple as possible. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be streaming on Kick in no time.
Step 1: Account Creation and Channel Setup
Creating a Kick account will take you less than 3 minutes. All you have to do to register is:
- Visit the Kick website and click on the green “Sign Up” button.
- Enter the necessary details, like email and birth date, then click verify.
- Fill out your profile with the correct information.
Step 2: Navigating the Kick Creator Dashboard
The creator dashboard is where you can manage your channel, view your analytics, and interact with your viewers. You can access it by clicking your avatar after you log in. The dashboard is divided into several sections, including:
- Stream: This is where you’ll find information on your current stream. It displays whether you’re on or off-line, the number of current viewers, chat, time live, etc.
- Revenue: If you’re a Kick affiliate, this is where you can find all the relevant revenue and payment information.
- Achievements: This section shows you how close you are to getting an affiliate status and the green verification check mark. It displays all the important channel landmarks.
- Studio: This is where you can find and categorize your VODs.
- Channel: Go to the Channel section to add moderators to manage the chat and community.
- Settings: Here, you can personalize your profile and adjust the security levels for the channel.
Step 3: Find Your Kick Stream Key and Server URL
Your Kick stream key is a unique identifier that you will need to use to connect your streaming software to Kick. To start streaming, you’ll also need your Kick server URL. Follow these steps to get both.
- Go to your creator dashboard and click on “Channel.”
- Click on the “Stream URL & Key” tab.
- Copy the URL displayed in the “Stream URL” bar.
- Copy the key displayed in the “Server Key” bar.
Once you have your Kick stream key and server URL, you can connect your streaming software to Kick and start streaming!
OBS Studio – Your Live Streaming Powerhouse
OBS Studio is a completely free, open-source streaming software for Kick video recording and live streams. It’s a powerful tool that can be used to manage your videos and stream to a variety of platforms, including Kick. Key features include:
- Scenes and sources: OBS Studio allows you to create multiple scenes, each of which can contain different sources, such as your webcam, game capture, or browser windows. This makes it easy to switch between different layouts during your stream.
- Audio mixing: OBS Studio has a native audio mixer that provides complete control over the volume of your microphone, game audio, and other sources. You can even add specialized filters and effects to your audio.
- Video effects and transitions: OBS Studio has a wide variety of video effects and transitions that you can use to enhance your stream. You can also create customized effects using the built-in scripting engine.
- Recording capabilities: OBS Studio can be used to record your streams to a local file. This is a great way to save your streams for later viewing or editing.
OBS vs. Other Streaming Software
OBS Studio is a completely free, open-source streaming software you can use for video recording and live streaming. It’s a powerful tool that helps users manage videos and streams and integrate them with various platforms, including Kick. Key features include:
- Scenes and sources: OBS Studio allows you to create multiple scenes, each containing different sources, such as your webcam, game capture, or browser windows. This makes it easy to switch between different layouts during your stream.
- Audio mixing: OBS Studio has a native audio mixer that provides complete control over the volume of your microphone, game audio, and other sources. You can even add specialized filters and effects to your audio.
- Video effects and transitions: OBS Studio has a wide variety of video effects and transitions that you can use to enhance your stream. You can also create customized effects using the built-in scripting engine.
- Recording capabilities: With OBS Studio, you can record any stream to a local file. This is a great way to save your streams for later viewing or editing.
- Not Resource Intensive: Although OBS has extensive customization features, it can still be very efficient. It uses the GPU for encoding and doesn’t use unnecessary resources while streaming.
OBS vs. Other Streaming Software
So, why are we recommending OBS over other similar software? For one, it’s completely free to download and use. Considering its functionalities, it gives a lot without requiring much in return in terms of system requirements.
There is similar software for broadcasting streams on Kick, but OBS Studio takes the cake in terms of practicality and results. Let’s see how it compares.
Software | Pros | Cons |
OBS Studio | Free and open-source | Steep learning curve |
Highly customizable | ||
Robust Kick-friendly features | ||
Streamlabs OBS | User-friendly interface | Less customization than in OBS Studio |
Integrated with Streamlabs features (alerts, donations) | Potential for resource intensiveness | |
Easy setup | ||
XSplit | User-friendly and sleek interface | Paid software (free version limited) |
Professional production features (scene transitions, virtual camera) | May not be as resource-efficient as OBS Studio |
Many readers may also ask for an OBS vs. Kick comparison, but it’s worth noting that the two aren’t the same type of platform. OBS is the streaming software tool you use to create and manage your stream, while Kick is the platform where you broadcast your content. In fact, you can even integrate OBS with Kick for a seamless streaming experience and maximize your Kick streaming revenue.
Maximizing Revenue on Kick with OBS
If you can stream directly on Kick, why do you need a tool like OBS? Simply put, to take the production value of your streams and video recordings to the next level. Kick allows channel monetization after you hit a certain number of followers and subscribers, and what better way to reach that goal than to polish up your streams for free?
When you add more value to your content, viewers won’t hesitate to pay for a subscription or membership to get more. Some ways to improve monetization options for Kick streamers using OBS include:
- Exclusive Membership Tiers: OBS allows you to record and stream in 4K, so you can offer VIPs private content and behind-the-scenes videos in high resolution. OBS also lets you do private streams to provide exclusive content to members. This is a great incentive for people to subscribe or become a member.
- Sponsorship And Affiliate Deals: Each time you secure a brand partnership, you can use the OBS overlays to signify that you’re talking about a sponsored item or product. OBS also allows you to embed links in your streams and recordings so your audience can click on them directly.
- AI-Driven Ad Placement: OBS already uses some AI itself, so it won’t interfere with Kick’s automatic AI ad placement. They analyze viewer data and predict the best moments to insert ads, such as during quieter moments or natural breaks in the stream.
Installing and Setting Up OBS To Use With Kick
Let’s start our Kick streaming tutorial with OBS and go over the entire process step-by-step. To install OBS Studio to stream on Kick with it, just download the installer from the OBS website. Once you install the software, launch it and start setting up your stream. Here’s how to use OBS for professional video streaming:
- Add your Kick stream key: Find the Kick stream key in your creator dashboard. Once you have your stream key, add it to OBS Studio by going to Settings > Stream > Service.
- Adjust your OBS output settings: Adjust the OBS output settings by going to Settings > Output. You must select the appropriate video encoder and bitrate for your stream.
- Edit your Kick stream details: Once you configure your OBS settings for optimal performance, edit your stream details by going to your creator dashboard in Kick. You can add a unique title, description, and tags to your stream from here.
- Test and start your Kick streaming: Once you have everything set up, you can test your stream by clicking the “Start Streaming” button in OBS Studio.
Configuring OBS for Optimal Streaming on Kick
Now that you know what streaming software to use for Kick (Hint: it’s OBS Studio all the way), it’s time to learn how to stream on Kick with that platform. The first step is configuring your OBS settings and account for optimal Kick streaming.
Step 1: Optimal OBS Settings for Kick
Adjust to these OBS Studio settings for Kick streaming:
- Resolution and Bitrate: Kick supports a maximum bitrate of 8000 kbps, but your internet upload speed may limit it. A good starting point for most users is 1080p resolution at 6000 kbps. If you experience buffering or dropped frames, lower your bitrate accordingly.
- Encoder: If your computer has a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, you can get the most out of it by using the NVENC or AMD encoders, respectively. These hardware encoders offer better performance and efficiency compared to the software-based x264 encoder. If you don’t have a dedicated GPU, x264 is a reliable option, but you may need to lower your resolution or bitrate to avoid overloading your CPU.
- Audio Settings: For audio, focus on a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a bitrate of 128 kbps. Make sure your microphone is the main audio input source, and adjust the volume levels accordingly.
- Keyframe Interval: Set your keyframe interval to 2 seconds for better stream stability and quality. Some streaming platforms allow higher values, but Kick recommends 2 seconds for optimal playback and encoding efficiency.
- CPU Usage Preset: If you are using x264 software encoding, adjust the CPU usage preset to balance quality and performance. Faster presets reduce CPU load but may lower video quality, while slower presets improve quality but demand more from your processor.
If you’re not sure if your streaming setup can handle these settings, here are our recommended system requirements for OBS streaming on Kick:
Component | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement |
CPU | Intel i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1050 / AMD RX 560 | NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 XT |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 | 34GB DDR4 or higher |
Storage | 10GB free space (SSD preferred) | 256GB+ SSD for optimal performance |
Internet Speed | 5 Mbps upload | 10+ Mbps upload for 1080p 60fps |
Operating System | Windows 10 / macOS 10.13+ | Windows 11 / Latest macOS version |
OBS Version | Latest stable release | Latest stable release |
Step 2: Connecting OBS to Kick
- In your creator dashboard in Kick, navigate to the “Channel” tab and click on “Stream URL & Key.” Copy your unique Stream Key and Server URL.
- Launch OBS Studio and go to “Settings” > “Stream.”
- Choose “Custom” as the service.
- Paste your Kick Stream Key into the “Stream Key” field and your Server URL into the “URL” field.
- Set your desired resolution, bitrate, encoder, and audio settings as described above.
Step 3: Setting Up Scenes and Sources
- Add Sources: Click the “+” button under the “Sources” box to add your webcam, game capture, display capture, or other sources you want to include in your stream.
- Arrange Scenes: Create different scenes for various parts of your stream (gameplay, intermission, just chatting, etc.) and easily switch between them.
- Add Overlays and Alerts: Personalize your stream with custom overlays, logos, and alerts for new followers, subscribers, and donations.
Step 4: Test Your Stream
Finally, before going live, click “Start Streaming” to get a preview. Check your audio and video quality, look for any lag or dropped frames, and adjust settings as needed.
Going Live on Kick with OBS
Wait, our tutorial on how to live stream on Kick with OBS isn’t over yet! Once you’ve configured OBS Studio to work perfectly with Kick, it’s time to finally start streaming! Here’s how that’s supposed to look.
Step 1: Start Streaming
- Head over to your Kick Creator Dashboard and click on “Edit Stream Info” (located in the bottom right corner).
- Fill out essential information like your stream title, category (gaming, IRL, music, etc.), and whether it’s 18+ content. Click “Save.”
- In OBS Studio, make sure your scenes and sources are set up and ready to go.
- Hit the big “Start Streaming” button in OBS Studio. You should see a confirmation message indicating you’re now live on Kick.
Step 2: Monitoring Your Stream Health
Keep an eye on the OBS Studio interface for indicators of your stream’s health. Pay attention to:
- Bitrate: Make sure it stays within the recommended range for your internet speed and Kick’s limits.
- Dropped Frames: A high number of dropped frames can indicate your encoder is struggling. That means you should lower your resolution or bitrate.
- CPU/GPU Usage: Monitor your system’s resource usage to make sure it’s not being overloaded, which could lead to lag or crashes.
Step 3: Overlays and Branding
Custom overlays are a fantastic way to amp up your stream’s visual appeal. They can include elements like a lower-third banner with your name and social media handles, frames for your webcam, and eye-catching graphics to highlight your stream title or game.
Several websites and graphic designers offer free and premium OBS overlays tailored just for Kick. We recommend platforms like OWN3D, Nerd or Die, and Visuals by Impulse to find overlays that match your aesthetic.
Step 4: Stream Alerts
Stream alerts are animated notifications that pop up on your screen when certain events occur, like new followers, subscribers, or donations. They add excitement and energy to your stream and make viewers feel more involved.
Visual alerts are great, but don’t forget about audio alerts! A catchy sound effect to accompany your visuals is a great way to create a more immersive experience for your viewers.
Step 5: Ending Your Stream
When you’re ready to sign off, click the “Stop Streaming” button in OBS Studio. The Kick dashboard will automatically reflect that your stream has ended.
Advanced OBS Settings for a Professional Kick Stream
Now that we know the basics of connecting OBS and Kick, let’s get into more advanced stuff. As mentioned, OBS can give your stream a professional production level with the proper OBS studio settings. These are just small adjustments, but they can really make a big difference in the quality of your live content.
Dynamic Bitrate Adjustments
One of OBS Studio’s most useful features is dynamic bitrate. Its purpose is to prevent stream crashes when your internet connection fluctuates. Instead of completely stopping the stream due to poor bandwidth, OBS will automatically lower the bitrate until the connection stabilizes.
You can enable the dynamic bitrate by going to Settings > Advanced > Network > Enable Dynamic Bitrate. This will minimize dropped frames, preventing buffering issues for viewers with inconsistent internet speeds.
Custom Encoding Settings High-Quality Streaming
For creators looking for the absolute best video quality, configuring OBS for 4K 60FPS or 1440p high refresh rate streaming is a must. You can active that with the following settings:
- Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) or 1440p (2560×1440)
- Bitrate: 4K 60FPS: 20,000-40,000 kbps or 1440p 60FPS: 12,000-18,000 kbps
- Encoder: Use NVENC (NVIDIA GPUs) or AMD AMF (AMD GPUs) for efficient hardware encoding
- Keyframe Interval: Set to 2 seconds for Kick’s optimal playback
- Preset: Use Quality or Max Quality for the best visuals without unnecessary CPU strain
Multi-Platform Streaming
Want to maximize your reach and reach an even bigger audience? With OBS, you can stream to Kick, YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook simultaneously using the Multiple RTMP Outputs plugin or third-party restreaming services.
OBS does not natively support multistreaming, but the Multiple RTMP Outputs plugin allows you to simultaneously send your stream to multiple destinations. It’s a free and open-source solution that allows separate encoding settings for each platform.
A cloud-based streaming platform may be a better solution if your internet connection or PC cannot handle multiple outgoing streams. Services like Restream.io allow you to send them a single stream, which they distribute to multiple platforms.
Use NDI for Multi-Camera Streaming
You’ve probably seen many streamers switch between multiple camera angles seamlessly and wondered how they do it so seamlessly. The answer probably is the OBS NDI plugin, which anyone can download and use. All you need to do is:
- Install the OBS NDI Plugin and enable NDI output on each camera feed.
- Add NDI sources in OBS > Sources > Add > NDI Source.
Additional Tips And Resources For Kick Streaming With OBS
As you can notice, connecting OBS to your Kick platform opens a whole new opportunity for customization and upgrading your streams. This streaming tool is endlessly versatile and will allow you to add additional plug-ins, overlays, scenes, etc., to your streaming repertoire.
Recording Kick Streams Locally with OBS
Want to save your live streams for future editing or content repurposing? You can use OBS to record Kick streams simultaneously while broadcasting. Let’s see how to enable local recording in OBS:
- Go to OBS > Settings > Output
- Under the Output Mode, select Advanced
Navigate to the Recording tab and configure the following:
- Recording Path: Choose a folder where OBS will save the recordings.
- Recording Format: Use MP4 or MKV (MKV prevents file corruption if OBS crashes).
- Encoder: Select NVENC (NVIDIA GPUs) or x264 (CPU-based) for high-quality recording.
- Bitrate: Set to 10,000-15,000 kbps for high-quality 1080p recordings.
- Click Apply and OK.
Press Start Recording before starting your live stream, or enable Automatically Record When Streaming in the settings.
Integrating Chat Overlays in OBS for Kick Streams
What makes a Kick stream successful is how many concurrent viewers it attracts that stay until the end. One way to keep their attention is by chatting with them. You can add a Kick chat overlay directly into OBS so viewers can see the chat on your stream. Do that by:
- Open your Kick channel in a web browser and navigate to your chat.
- Use a Kick chat overlay tool like PixelChat, Chat Arena, or browser-based solutions.
- Generate a browser source URL from the tool.
- In OBS, click + under the Sources panel and select Browser Source.
- Paste the chat URL and adjust the width, height, and opacity for better visibility.
- Position the chat overlay on your stream layout for optimal engagement.
Best OBS Plugins for Kick Live Streaming
Another way to add value to your streams is to use OBS-compatible plug-ins. They are a piece of software that adds extra features or functionality to an existing program without modifying its core structure. Some of the most versatile plug-ins for OBS that can improve your Kick streams are:
- Move Transition Plugin – Smoothly animate sources and camera movements for a professional look.
- DroidCam OBS – Lets you use your smartphone as a high-quality webcam for streaming.
- Source Clone – This creates clones of your sources and applies different filters without affecting the originals. It’s super helpful in customizing your stream layout on Kick.
- ReaPlugs VST FX Suite – A suite of free plugins to improve microphone audio in OBS Studio
- Downstream Keyer: Great for adding logos, lower thirds, or other overlays on top of your main video feed.
Live Streaming Tips for Kick Using OBS
Now, we’re sure you want your streams to succeed each time and keep your audience engaged and interested in returning. Here are a few best practices to incorporate into your broadcasting routine:
- Use a Stable Internet Connection: Aim for upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps to support high-quality 1080p or 4K streaming.
- Optimize Audio Settings: Use noise suppression (RNNoise or NVIDIA RTX Voice) to eliminate background noise.
- Customize Overlays And Alerts: Use OBS and additional plug-ins to add professional overlays, alerts, and widgets.
- Engage with Your Audience: Read chat messages, ask questions, and interact with viewers to boost retention.
- Monitor CPU And GPU Usage: Keep OBS’s Stats Panel (View > Stats) open to check CPU, GPU, and dropped frames.
Troubleshooting OBS Streaming Issues on Kick
We’ve given you all the information you need to start streaming on Kick using OBS. But technology is fickle, and no matter how well you prepare, sometimes it doesn’t work as it should. If this happens to you during one of your test streams, don’t fret. Here are some of the most common issues you’ll encounter and their solutions.
Issue | Solution |
Stream Lagging or Dropping Frames | – Lower bitrate to 4,500-6,000 kbps for 1080p streaming. – Enable Dynamically Change Bitrate in OBS > Settings > Advanced. – Use NVENC encoder (for NVIDIA GPUs) instead of x264. – Close unnecessary apps and background processes. – Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. |
Kick Stream Not Going Live | – Ensure that you copy the correct stream key from Kick into OBS. – Verify the Kick RTMP server URL is correct. – Restart OBS and your internet router. – Check if Kick servers are down via their status page or forums. |
No Audio on Stream | – Go to OBS > Settings > Audio and select the correct Microphone & Desktop Audio device. – Open the Audio Mixer in OBS to confirm audio levels are moving. – Ensure Windows audio settings have the correct default device selected. – Toggle Audio Monitoring in OBS to check if it’s capturing sound. |
Blurry or Pixelated Stream Quality | – Increase bitrate to 6,000-8,000 kbps for 1080p 60FPS. – Use CBR (Constant Bitrate) instead of VBR for consistent quality. – Match Base (Canvas) and Output resolution (e.g., 1920×1080). |
OBS Crashing or Freezing | – Update OBS to the latest version. – Disable unnecessary OBS plugins that might cause conflicts. – Lower CPU usage by switching to Faster encoder preset. – Reduce browser sources and overlays. – Check for Windows or GPU driver updates. |
Delayed Stream or High Latency | – Enable Low-Latency Mode in OBS > Settings > Advanced. – Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. – Reduce the Stream Buffer size in advanced settings. – Ensure your internet upload speed is at least double the bitrate you’re streaming at. |
The Technology Behind Streaming Live on Kick With OBS
Now it’s time to go a little more in-depth into how Kick and other live-streaming platforms work. The tech that keeps them going is RTMP or Real-Time Messaging Protocol. It’s a method of transmitting video/audio over the internet in real-time. It’s essentially a delivery system for your live stream, providing a smooth and (almost) instant viewing experience.
What makes RTMP so important to live streaming is its ability to handle real-time data transfer. It minimizes latency, which is very important for platforms like Kick, where interactive features like chat and real-time reactions are key to a good streaming experience.
RTMP takes your video and audio data, compresses it using codecs (like H.264 for video and AAC for audio), and then splits it into small packets. Then, it sends these packets over the internet using a persistent connection between the RTMP encoder (your streaming software, like OBS) and the server.
The server then distributes these packets to your viewers, who use a compatible video player to decode and display the video.
Platforms like OBS Studio also use RTMP to send your live stream to platforms like Kick. You simply enter your Kick stream key and server URL into OBS, which handles the rest – guaranteed seamless delivery of your content to your audience.
Dacast’s RTMP Streaming Platform
Dacast’s streaming software recognizes the power and versatility of RTMP as a core protocol for live streaming. Our RTMP streaming platform offers robust RTMP ingest, so broadcasters can effortlessly send their live streams to Dacast for delivery to a global audience.
But Dacast goes beyond just RTMP ingest. Our platform offers all kinds of tools and features for professional-grade RTMP server hosting and delivery. For businesses seeking advanced video monetization options, Dacast provides pay-per-view, subscription, and advertising models for businesses seeking advanced video monetization options – all easily integrated with your RTMP-based live streams.
Plus, Dacast’s RTMP infrastructure is scalable and, most importantly, reliable. Whether streaming to a small audience or broadcasting a large-scale event, you can count on your stream reaching your viewers with latency as low as 10 seconds or less!
Elevate Your Live Streaming with Dacast and OBS
Kick and OBS Studio are the perfect combination for live streaming, giving creators a way to connect with their audience without giving up half of their revenue. But as your streaming aspirations grow, you’ll need a robust and reliable platform to host, manage, and monetize your content, a platform like Dacast.
Dacast is a leading online video platform (OVP) that provides businesses and broadcasters with all-inclusive streaming solutions. Dacast focuses more on the B2B market and has over 300,000 broadcasters. It’s still a very versatile platform which allows users to:
- Effortlessly stream with OBS: Dacast’s seamless RTMP ingest makes integrating OBS Studio easy and delivers your live stream to a global audience with exceptional quality and stability.
- Enjoy powerful video monetization: Dacast offers various video monetization tools, including subscriptions, pay-per-view, and advertising, to help you maximize your streaming revenue.
- Brand your stream: Customize your video player with Dacast’s white-label branding to create a professional and consistent streaming experience for your audience.
- Expand your viewership: Dacast’s OTT platform allows you to reach viewers across multiple viewing devices and platforms.
- Manage your video library: Dacast’s video-on-demand (VOD) hosting and EXPO library lets you store, organize, and deliver your pre-recorded videos alongside your live streams.
Want to connect your OBS account to Dacast’s streaming solution? Check out our Quick Start guide to Live Streaming with OBS Studio.
Dacast for Kick Streaming
While Kick may seem like a streaming platform with a big focus on gaming, with the help of Dacast and ONS, companies and brands can still use it to their business advantage. It’s relatively new and not over-saturated with streamers, so the potential is there. By integrating Dacast and Kick, you can expect:
- RTMP Streaming: Dacast’s RTMP capabilities provide high-quality streaming to Kick with minimal latency, giving your audience uninterrupted broadcasts. This integration helps businesses maintain top-notch video quality even during peak traffic times.
- Private Streams and Pay-Per-View Options: Dacast enables private streaming and pay-per-view options for businesses looking to monetize exclusive content. You can host premium streams and embed them on Kick, offering viewers exclusive access to valuable content for a fee.
- Monetization: Dacast provides multiple revenue streams through subscriptions, pay-per-view, and ads, all of which you can easily integrate with Kick.
- Advanced Analytics: With Dacast’s detailed analytics, businesses can track viewer engagement, behavior, and performance metrics in real time. This optimizes streaming strategies and improves overall content delivery.
- Reliable Hosting: Dacast’s reliable cloud hosting guarantees fast and secure video delivery, eliminating potential disruptions and keeping your Kick streams stable and accessible to a global audience.
Using AI Tools for OBS And Kick Streaming in 2025
The use of AI also has a place in live streaming and broadcasting. Platforms like Kick and streaming tools like OBS already incorporate AI in their functionalities, leaving room for additional AI integrations.
For example, OBS plugins like “StreamFX” use AI to automate scene transitions based on voice or facial recognition. Creators use it to get smooth transitions that match the tone of the broadcast without removing their focus from the stream.
There are AI video streaming technology like NVIDIA Broadcast that automatically remove background noise, improve voice clarity, and boost video quality. Others, like StreamElements or Nightbot, use AI to monitor chat for inappropriate content and maintain positive community interaction.
AI-powered subtitle generators, like Rev, can add real-time captions and translations to streams if you’re trying for global appeal. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, there’s probably an AI tool to help.
FAQ
1. Can you multistream Kick and Twitch with OBS?
It’s possible to multistream to Kick and Twitch with OBS using the Multiple RTMP Outputs plugin or restreaming services like Restream.io. These tools allow you to broadcast to both platforms simultaneously while maintaining the quality of your stream.
2. What bitrate should I use for 1080p 60fps on Kick?
The bitrate recommendation for streaming 1080p at 60fps on Kick is 6000 kbps. However, adjust the bitrate according to your internet speed and check if your upload bandwidth can handle it without causing buffering or dropped frames, especially during peak streaming times.
3. How does Kick compare to Twitch for business streaming?
Kick offers a more favorable revenue split for streamers than Twitch, which benefits businesses looking to maximize earnings. While Twitch has a larger audience, Kick’s growing platform allows companies to engage with a more dedicated community while keeping a higher percentage of their subscription and ad revenue.
Maximize Your Kick Streams With Dacast and OBS
Kick is a relatively new streaming platform that already shows massive potential for establishing partnerships, tapping into new audiences, and generating revenue. Combining its potential with the functionality of OBS and the capabilities of Dacast is the perfect recipe for producing and hosting streams with high-production value and engaging content.
So get ahead of the curve and explore Dacast’s comprehensive streaming solutions to discover how to take your live streaming to the next level. With flexible live streaming pricing plans tailored to your needs, Dacast is your committed partner in growing your audience and monetizing your content.
You can try Dacast and all its features with our 14-day free trial today.
We invite you to join our LinkedIn group for regular live streaming tips and exclusive offers.