You’re hanging out in your favorite stream, the hype train is hitting level four, and you decide it’s time to drop some support. You want to hit that "Gift a Sub" button and select five. But then you pause. How much is this actually going to set you back?
Honestly, the answer used to be a simple "twenty-five bucks." Not anymore.
Twitch changed the math. Between regional price hikes, mobile app "taxes," and local currency adjustments, the price of five gifted subs is a moving target. If you’re in the US and on a desktop, you’re looking at $29.95 for Tier 1. If you’re on an iPhone, it’s more. If you’re in Brazil, it’s a totally different story.
The Real Cost of 5 Gifted Subs in 2026
Most people still think a Tier 1 sub is $4.99. That was the standard for years, but Twitch updated their pricing structure across several major markets including the US, UK, and Canada.
In the United States, a single Tier 1 sub on the web now costs $5.99.
So, for five gifted subs, the math looks like this:
- Web/Desktop Price: $29.95
- Mobile App Price: Roughly $39.95 (Apple and Google take a ~30% cut, and Twitch passes that cost to you).
It’s a massive jump. Buying those five gifts on your phone instead of your laptop is basically like lighting ten dollars on fire for no reason.
What about the higher tiers?
If you’re feeling particularly wealthy and want to drop Tier 2 or Tier 3 gifts, the numbers get scary fast.
- 5 Gifted Tier 2 Subs: $49.95 (These are $9.99 each).
- 5 Gifted Tier 3 Subs: $124.95 (These are $24.99 each).
Most viewers stick to Tier 1 because, let’s be real, the emotes are usually the same and the streamer gets a similar boost in morale regardless.
The Regional Pricing "Cheat Code" (That Isn't Really One)
Twitch uses something called Local Subscription Pricing. This was designed so that a viewer in a country with a lower cost of living wouldn't have to pay a full day's wages just to support a creator.
If you are physically located in Turkey, for example, those five subs might only cost you about 220 TRY (roughly $6–$7 USD). In Mexico, it might be around 300 MXN.
But don't think you can just flip on a VPN and get cheap subs. Twitch is onto that. Your payment method (credit card or PayPal) usually has to match the region of your IP address, or the transaction will just fail. Plus, Twitch has been known to shadowban accounts that try to game the system this way.
How Much Does the Streamer Actually Get?
This is where it gets kind of depressing.
You spend $30. You’d think the streamer gets $15, right? The "50/50 split" is the industry standard everyone talks about. Well, sort of.
Before Twitch splits the money with the creator, they take out "fees and taxes." This includes payment processing fees (Credit card companies want their cut) and any applicable sales tax or VAT.
If you spend $29.95 on five gifted subs:
- Uncle Sam/Government: Takes their sales tax (varies by state).
- Payment Processors: Take a small percentage.
- The Remainder: Split 50/50 between Twitch and the Streamer.
In reality, for five gifted subs, the streamer is likely seeing somewhere between $12.50 and $13.50 land in their dashboard. If they are a massive "Partner Plus" creator with a 70/30 split, they might see closer to $19.00.
Why 5 Gifted Is the "Sweet Spot"
There is a reason why "5 gifted" is the most popular denomination on the site. It’s the lowest amount that triggers the "Community Gift" alert that feels substantial.
One sub is a nice gesture. Five is a "drop."
When you gift five, Twitch’s algorithm randomly distributes them to people currently watching the stream who aren't already subscribed. It creates an instant "hype" moment. The chat fills up with "Thank you!" and the streamer usually takes a second to acknowledge you personally.
The Hidden Benefits for You
Gifting five subs isn't just charity. You get stuff too:
- The Gift Lead Badge: You get a little sandwich or gift icon next to your name in chat.
- Sub Leaderboards: Most channels have a weekly or monthly "Top Gifter" board.
- Channel Points: You usually get a massive burst of channel points for gifting in bulk.
Don't Get Burned by Taxes
Depending on where you live, that $29.95 price tag isn't the final number. In the UK or EU, VAT (Value Added Tax) is often included in the price you see. In the US, sales tax is added at the very last second of checkout.
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If you live in a high-tax state like Washington or Illinois, your $29.95 purchase could easily end up being **$32.50**.
Always check the final checkout screen before you hit "Purchase." Twitch is very good at hiding that extra dollar or two until you've already committed.
Actionable Tips for Gifting
If you want to support a creator but want to be smart about your money, follow these rules:
- Never buy on mobile. I cannot stress this enough. Open Safari or Chrome on your phone and go to Twitch.tv manually if you aren't at a computer. Don't use the app.
- Check for "Subtember" or sales. Twitch frequently runs promotions in September or during the holidays where gifted subs are 20% to 30% off. Your $30 might get you 6 or 7 subs instead of 5.
- Consider Bits instead. If you want the streamer to get a more "predictable" amount of money, 2,500 Bits costs roughly the same and the streamer gets exactly $25.00 (Twitch takes their cut when you buy the bits, not when you give them).
- Verify the tier. Make sure you haven't accidentally selected Tier 2. It happens more often than you'd think, especially on the redesigned 2026 interface.
Gifting is the lifeblood of Twitch. It keeps the lights on for your favorite creators and builds the community. Just make sure you know exactly what’s leaving your bank account before you hit that button.