How Much Do VTubers Really Make? Uncover the Real Numbers Now!

Virtual YouTubers, aka VTubers, are exploding into mainstream entertainment, attracting millions of fans with high-energy performances. Their human-like avatars have also helped them gain acceptance (Chen et al. 2024). But behind these colorful characters lies an important question: how much money do VTubers actually make?

The short answer is that it depends. A few top performers earn millions each year, while the majority bring in far less. Many reinvest their earnings back into their content.

In this post, we break down where VTubers’ money comes from, how much creators really keep after fees and cuts, and why income in this growing industry is so uneven.

Whether you’re thinking of starting your own channel or simply curious about the economics behind virtual idols, read on to find out just how lucrative VTubing really is.

Where VTuber Income Comes From

It’s important to understand how VTubers earn money from VTubing. There are multiple income streams possible:

• Super Chats and Donations: Fans send real-time financial support during livestreams, often highlighted in chat. These make up the core income source for many creators.
• Channel Memberships and Subscriptions: Viewers may pay to receive monthly perks, such as badges, emojis, and exclusive content.
• Sponsorships and Brand Collaborations: Popular VTubers often secure deals with game studios, tech companies, or lifestyle brands looking to reach their engaged audiences.
• Merchandise and Digital Goods: From t-shirts to voice packs, fans often support their favorite creators by purchasing both physical and digital items.
• Affiliate Marketing and Ads: Some VTubers integrate affiliate links in their posts or rely on YouTube’s advertising system, although ad revenue is usually smaller compared to direct fan support.

These revenue streams form the foundation of the VTuber economy, but how much of the revenue creators actually keep is another story.

The Harsh Reality of Platform Cuts 

Earnings are not as straightforward as the numbers you see on screen. A significant portion of a VTuber’s revenue is lost before it ever reaches their account.  

• YouTube and Twitch Fees: Platforms like these may take 30% or more of every transaction such as a Super Chat, donation, or subscription.
• Mobile Transaction Fees: Fan payments made through iOS apps can be subject to an additional 30% fee, which leaves a VTuber with even less of the original payment.
• Agency Splits: Corporate VTubers may share another 30 to 50% of their income with their agency in exchange for marketingl. (Rin Penrose Ch. and Snebby 2023).
• Taxes: On top of platform and agency cuts, all income is still subject to taxation laws.  

To put this in perspective, a $100 Super Chat might shrink to just $35 by the time a VTuber sees it (Reddit 2023). The gap between gross and net earnings is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. 

Corporate vs. Indie VTubers: Who Earns More?

While some VTubers join or collaborate with a corporation or agency to perform professionally, others build their brand independently. Each career path offers trade-offs in visibility, control, and income potential.

Corporate VTubers

• Pros: Agencies like Hololive and Nijisanji provide instant exposure, professional-quality models, marketing teams, and large-scale event access, which can all help rapidly grow a channel’s audience and revenue potential.
• Cons: Revenue sharing means agencies take as much as 50% of profits (Reddit 2023), and creative freedom can be limited. Smaller agencies may also lack the marketing power of big corporations, leaving talents to compete for attention with fewer resources.

Indie VTubers

• Pros: Independent creators get to keep nearly all of their earnings aside from platform fees and taxes. They also have full creative control and can experiment with content or style freely.
• Cons: Going solo still means streaming platforms take their share of profits (Valak Vtuber, 2023) and everything needs to be self-funded—models, marketing, equipment, etc. It’s also harder to grow without an existing network, and success usually requires building up a strong personal brand or going viral.

The best route to a VTubing career comes down to whether you value security and exposure or independence and revenue share.

How Much Do VTubers Actually Earn?

VTuber earnings vary widely by channel size, but most new VTubers start very small.

Take, for example, VtuberSenpai’s initial earnings as an educational VTuber. After monetization, his channel earned $51.52 in the first half-month and $84.55 the following month, totaling $138.81 in ad revenue (VtuberSenpai, 2023). These numbers reveal that ad income alone is modest, especially at the start.

Many beginner VTubers also reinvest early profits into improving their setup rather than treating them as personal income. They may buy DMCA-free music, better microphones, overlays, or more powerful PC components. For new VTubers, growth is often a bigger priority than short-term earnings.

The Income Inequality Problem

As with many creator economies, VTubing also has a sharp wealth gap. One study found that the top 1% of VTubers captured the majority of overall revenue (Vice 2022).

A lot of this comes down to whale fan dependency. It’s not uncommon that a few big donors (“whales”) will account for a large portion of a channel’s income, leaving earnings unstable for smaller creators. That makes long-term financial security especially difficult for indie VTubers.

To counter this, successful creators find ways to diversify their sources of income. Sponsorships, merchandise, and evergreen content that can generate views over time can all help reduce reliance on a handful of superfans.

Without this kind of diversification strategy, even popular VTuber channels can struggle to sustain momentum.

What Influences VTuber Earnings

Several factors determine how much a VTuber can realistically earn. These include:

• Platform Choice: YouTube and Twitch are the most popular, but each handles monetization differently. YouTube offers stronger ad revenue opportunities, while Twitch emphasizes subscriptions and donations (AI Influencer Company 2024).
• Audience Engagement and Culture: A smaller, loyal fan base may generate more income than a larger but less invested one.
• Collaborations and Marketing: Teaming up with other creators can help expand reach and build credibility.
• YouTube Key Metrics: Cost per thousand impressions (Cost Per Mille, or CPM) is what advertisers pay for exposure, while revenue per thousand views (Revenue Per Mille, or RPM) is the actual payout to creators after platform cuts. These vary widely for new channels and may be lower for certain niches like education.
• Content Strategy and Traffic Source: Evergreen, searchable videos may help with long-term growth. For instance, VtuberSenpai reported that over 50% of his traffic during one period of time came from YouTube search and another 20% from external links, with 70% of external traffic from Google (VtuberSenpai, 2023).

These variables show why no two channels follow the same income path. Strong community building and smart content planning can make the difference between hobby income and sustainable revenue.

Don’t Overlook Opportunities Beyond Income

While money has been the focus of this blog post, it really is only part of what makes VTubing so rewarding. We can’t forget that many creators have highlighted personal and creative benefits as a result of building a virtual persona:

• Global Community Building: VTubers can connect with fans across different languages and cultures.
• Creative Expression: Avatars allow people to perform, sing, or share stories without showing their real faces.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Virtual characters make it easier to collaborate across platforms and regions.
• Skill Development: Streaming, animation, branding, and content creation are all transferable digital skills.

Many VTubers also adopt a reinvestment mindset, putting their early income into better models, music, or overlays. This not only raises production quality but also provides more value for their community, creating a cycle of growth that goes beyond immediate profit.

Getting Started Is Easier Than Ever

The barriers to entry have never been lower. Basic equipment, such as affordable microphones, webcams, or even smartphones, can be all you need to begin streaming. Free and user-friendly avatar tools—like our online avatar maker—also make it possible to get started without investing in costly custom models.

VIVERSE and other immersive platforms give new creators ways to design and use avatars with minimal expense, reducing the need for large upfront commissions. At the same time, the VTuber community itself offers strong support. Tutorials, forums, and mentorship networks are widely available, helping beginners learn quickly and avoid common mistakes.

Aspiring VTubers really just need to get into the right mindset. You can start small, experiment, and steadily scale your setup as you grow.

Should You Try Becoming a VTuber?

For many people, the answer is yes! The entry barriers are lower than ever, and the potential rewards extend far beyond money. Anyone can get started just by testing different formats and growing at their own pace.

If you’re curious about the process, check out our guide on how to become a VTuber. It covers the basics of getting set up, from character creation and equipment to content strategy. We even have tips on using VIVERSE as a background source in OBS.

While not everyone will achieve superstar status, VTubing offers a flexible and creative outlet that can lead to community building, digital skill growth, and exciting new career paths.

The Bottom Line

How much a VTuber makes varies dramatically. A handful of superstars pull in millions annually, while most creators earn only modest amounts or reinvest early profits into their channels. Platform cuts, agency fees, and taxes reduce take-home pay even further, which makes sustainable success difficult.

Still, the industry offers meaningful opportunities. Creators can build global communities, sharpen digital skills, and express themselves in unique ways.

With affordable equipment and easy-to-use platforms like VIVERSE, aspiring VTubers no longer need major budgets to begin their journeys. VTubing isn’t guaranteed to be profitable, but it can be rewarding in many other ways.

VTubing income falls within a very wide range. Top creators earn huge sums, but most earn little. Success depends on community, content strategy, and diversification. But thanks to affordable and accessible tools, anyone can try VTubing today.

References

• AI Influencer Company. 2024. “How Much Do VTubers Make?” AI Influencer Company. [link].
• RuiRui Channel. 2023. “How Much Do VTubers Actually Make?” YouTube Video. [link].
• ValakVTuber. 2023. “How Much Do Corpo VTubers Actually Make?” TikTok Video. [link].
• Vice. 2023. “Do VTubers Face Income Inequality from Fans? One Study Tackles the Wealth Gap in VTubing.” Vice. [link].
• VirtualYoutubers Community. 2023. “How Much Money Do Corpo VTubers Actually Make?” Reddit Post. [link].
• Wang, Xia, and Yuxin Zhang. 2024. “Avatars in Live Streaming Commerce: The Influence of Anthropomorphism on Consumers’ Willingness to Accept Virtual Live Streamers.” ResearchGate. [link].

About the Video Author: VTuberSenpai

VTuberSenpai is a content creator and educator dedicated to supporting aspiring VTubers worldwide. Through in-depth tutorials, live workshops, and step-by-step guides, VTuberSenpai helps beginners navigate everything from creating avatars to setting up software and growing an audience. Their approachable teaching style and passion for sharing knowledge make complex topics accessible to everyone.