Twitch Turbo Explained: Complete Guide to Ad-Free Viewing, Turbo Benefits & Premium Features

Twitch Turbo is Twitch's premium subscription service designed for viewers who want an uninterrupted, enhanced viewing experience across the entire platform. Unlike channel subscriptions that support individual streamers, Turbo provides global benefits that apply everywhere you watch on Twitch.

According to Twitch's official Turbo page, the service has existed since Twitch's early days and remains a popular option for heavy Twitch viewers who value ad-free browsing. This guide covers everything you need to know about Twitch Turbo: features, pricing, comparisons to alternatives, and whether it's worth the investment.

What is Twitch Turbo?

Twitch Turbo is a monthly subscription service that provides premium viewing benefits across the entire Twitch platform. Unlike subscribing to individual channels, which requires separate payments for each streamer, Turbo is a single payment that unlocks features everywhere you go on Twitch.

The service was one of Twitch's earliest monetization features, predating the modern subscription system. While many platforms have adopted similar ad-free premium tiers (like YouTube Premium), Twitch Turbo has maintained its position as the only way to get platform-wide ad removal without relying on third-party solutions.

How Much Does Twitch Turbo Cost?

Twitch Turbo costs $11.99 per month in the United States, as documented in Twitch's official Turbo documentation. The subscription is billed monthly with no annual discount option currently available.

Pricing may vary slightly by region due to currency conversion and local pricing policies. Unlike some services, Twitch does not currently offer regional pricing discounts for Turbo subscriptions, making it a relatively expensive option in some regions compared to local income levels.

Ad-Free Viewing: The Core Benefit

The primary reason most viewers consider Twitch Turbo is the complete removal of Twitch's advertising. For heavy Twitch users, the ad experience can be particularly frustrating due to how Twitch implements its ad system.

Types of Ads Removed by Turbo

Twitch Turbo removes three main types of advertisements:

• Pre-roll ads: The 15-30 second ads that play when you first click on a stream. These are universally disliked because they interrupt the immediate viewing experience and can cause you to miss important moments.
• Mid-roll ads: Ads that streamers can run during their broadcast. Affiliates and Partners can choose to run these manually or enable automatic ads. Turbo removes these entirely from your experience.
• Display ads: Banner and sidebar advertisements that appear on the Twitch website. While less intrusive than video ads, removing these creates a cleaner browsing experience.

What Turbo Does NOT Remove

It's important to understand that Turbo only removes ads served by Twitch's ad platform. It cannot remove:

• Embedded sponsorships: When a streamer reads a sponsor message or displays branded content as part of their stream, this is not an "ad" in Twitch's system - it's part of the stream content itself.
• Branded overlays: Sponsor logos or promotional graphics integrated into a streamer's layout are part of the video feed.
• Extension-based promotions: Some Twitch extensions may include promotional elements that aren't classified as traditional ads.

Extended VOD Storage

Twitch Turbo extends your past broadcast storage from 14 days to 60 days. This benefit affects VODs (Videos on Demand) for channels you watch, giving you more time to catch up on content you missed.

How Extended Storage Works

The 60-day VOD storage applies to any past broadcast you watch on the platform. This is particularly valuable for:

• Catching up on streams: If a streamer you follow has been active while you were busy, you have more time to watch their past content.
• Rewatching memorable moments: Extended storage gives you a longer window to revisit great streams before they expire.
• Following multiple streamers: With more storage time, you can keep up with multiple content creators without feeling rushed.

Note that this storage extension applies to broadcasts that support VODs. Some streamers may disable VODs entirely, and streams with DMCA-flagged audio may have muted sections regardless of your subscription status. For information on copyright considerations, see our DMCA and music copyright guide.

Custom Chat Colors

One of Turbo's most visible features is the ability to set any custom color for your username in chat. While standard users can choose from a preset selection of 15 colors, Turbo subscribers can input any hex color code.

Setting Your Custom Color

To set a custom chat color with Turbo:

1. Open any Twitch chat
2. Click on your username or the chat settings icon
3. Select "Name Color" or type /color #HEXCODE in chat
4. Enter any valid hex color code (e.g., #FF5733, #00FF00)

This feature allows you to stand out in chat with unique colors that match your personal brand or simply your favorite shade. The color applies globally across all channels you chat in.

The Turbo Badge

Turbo subscribers receive an exclusive chat badge that displays next to their username in all channels. The purple Turbo badge signals to others that you're a premium Twitch subscriber.

The badge is purely cosmetic and doesn't grant any additional permissions in channels. However, it does serve as a status symbol and can help you stand out in busy chats.

Twitch Turbo vs Prime Gaming

Many viewers wonder whether Twitch Turbo or Prime Gaming is the better investment. These are fundamentally different services with different purposes.

When to Choose Each Option

Choose Twitch Turbo if:

• Your primary goal is removing ads across all of Twitch
• You browse many channels and hate pre-roll ads when switching streams
• You already have Amazon Prime and want ADDITIONAL ad-free coverage
• Extended VOD storage and custom chat colors are valuable to you

Choose Prime Gaming if:

• You want to support one specific streamer monthly with a free sub
• You value free games and in-game loot
• You already use Amazon Prime benefits (shipping, Prime Video)
• You mainly watch one or two streamers consistently

Twitch Turbo vs Channel Subscriptions

Understanding the difference between Turbo and channel subscriptions is crucial for making the right choice for your viewing habits.

Cost Comparison Analysis

At $11.99/month, Turbo equals the cost of two Tier 1 subscriptions ($5.99 each). This means:

• If you subscribe to 1-2 channels: Individual subs are cheaper and support the streamer
• If you subscribe to 3+ channels for ad-free: Turbo becomes more cost-effective
• If you browse many channels without subscribing: Turbo is the only way to avoid pre-roll ads everywhere

Is Twitch Turbo Worth It?

Whether Turbo is worth $11.99/month depends entirely on your viewing habits and priorities. Here's a framework for deciding:

Turbo is Worth It If You:

• Watch 10+ different streamers monthly and find yourself constantly hitting pre-roll ads
• Are extremely ad-averse and want a completely clean viewing experience
• Browse for new content frequently and hate interruptions when checking out new streamers
• Value extended VOD storage because you often miss live streams
• Already support creators through other means like donations, merch, or Patreon

Turbo May Not Be Worth It If You:

• Mainly watch 1-3 streamers - subscribing to those channels is more cost-effective
• Don't mind occasional ads - waiting 30 seconds for pre-roll isn't a major issue for you
• Want to support streamers directly - your money goes further with subs and Bits
• Have limited streaming budget - $12/month could support two creators instead

How to Subscribe to Twitch Turbo

Subscribing to Twitch Turbo is straightforward:

1. Visit twitch.tv/turbo
2. Sign in to your Twitch account if not already logged in
3. Click "Subscribe" or "Get Turbo"
4. Enter your payment information (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
5. Confirm your subscription

Benefits activate immediately after payment. Your subscription will auto-renew monthly unless cancelled.

Managing Your Turbo Subscription

To manage or cancel Turbo:

1. Go to your Twitch Settings
2. Navigate to "Subscriptions" or "Turbo"
3. Select "Don't Renew" to cancel auto-renewal
4. Your benefits continue until the end of the current billing period

Turbo for Different Viewer Types

Your ideal choice between Turbo, Prime Gaming, and channel subscriptions depends on how you use Twitch.

The Casual Browser

If you casually browse Twitch, checking out different streams without committing to specific channels, Turbo provides the best value. You avoid pre-roll ads on every new channel you visit, making discovery much more pleasant.

The Dedicated Fan

If you primarily watch 2-3 favorite streamers, channel subscriptions make more sense. You get ad-free viewing on those channels while directly supporting creators. Use the Subscription Revenue Calculator to see how much your support means to streamers.

The Multi-Viewer

If you regularly watch 5+ different streamers and want ad-free viewing everywhere, combining Turbo with selective channel subscriptions may be optimal. Turbo handles the ad-free experience while subs support your favorite creators.

The Budget-Conscious Viewer

If budget is a concern, Prime Gaming offers the most value: a free monthly sub (supporting one creator), free games, and in-game loot. While it doesn't provide platform-wide ad removal, it's the most feature-rich option for the price.

Turbo and the Twitch Economy

Understanding how Turbo fits into Twitch's broader monetization system helps contextualize your viewing choices. Streamers earn revenue through multiple channels:

• Subscriptions: Direct viewer support (Affiliates get 50%, Partners can negotiate up to 70%)
• Bits: Cheering with Bits provides $0.01 per Bit to streamers
• Ads: Revenue from ads shown to viewers (varies by CPM and viewership)
• Bounties: Sponsored content opportunities from Twitch

When Turbo users watch without seeing ads, streamers lose that potential ad revenue. Twitch does provide some compensation to streamers through the Turbo program, but it's generally less than what they'd earn from actual ad views. This is why, if supporting creators is important to you, direct support through subscriptions, Bits, or donations is more impactful.

Common Questions About Turbo

Can I Use Turbo and Prime Gaming Together?

Yes, you can have both Turbo and Prime Gaming active simultaneously. They provide different benefits that stack together. You'd have ad-free viewing everywhere (Turbo), a free monthly sub (Prime), and access to games and loot (Prime).

Does Turbo Work on Mobile and TV Apps?

Yes, Turbo benefits apply across all platforms where you use your Twitch account: desktop browser, mobile apps (iOS/Android), smart TV apps, and gaming console apps. The ad-free experience follows your account everywhere.

Can I Gift Turbo to Someone?

Currently, Twitch does not offer the ability to gift Turbo subscriptions to other users. Unlike channel subscriptions, which can be gifted, Turbo must be purchased directly by the account holder.

What Happens If I Cancel Turbo?

If you cancel Turbo, your benefits continue until the end of your current billing period. After that, you'll see ads again, lose the custom chat color feature (reverting to preset colors), lose the Turbo badge, and return to standard VOD storage times.

Final Verdict

Twitch Turbo is a solid service for viewers who prioritize an ad-free viewing experience above all else. At $11.99/month, it's a reasonable price for unlimited ad removal across the entire platform, plus nice extras like custom chat colors and extended VOD storage.

However, it's crucial to remember that Turbo doesn't support streamers the way subscriptions do. If you're torn between Turbo and channel subscriptions, consider what matters more to you: a clean viewing experience everywhere, or direct financial support to the creators you love.

For many viewers, the optimal approach is combining Prime Gaming (for one free sub and extra benefits) with a few paid subscriptions to favorite streamers, rather than Turbo alone. But if ads genuinely diminish your Twitch experience across many channels, Turbo delivers exactly what it promises.