Are Paid Overlays Worth It? An Honest Review

5th September 2025

Are Paid Stream Overlays Worth It? An Honest Review.

As a budding streamer or creator, it is likely that before you decided to pick up the capture card or navigate through your console to the go live button, that you were a viewer. Whether you were a lurker, silently supporting your favorite streamer, or an active participant in a community, you will have seen the content creators make, the way they interact with their stream, and the way they present their content to their audience.

By spending any amount of time on one of the major streaming platforms - Kick, Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming - you will notice that the most successful streamers, the ones with consistent viewers and loyal viewers, the ones that look professional and committed to their content, they almost always have custom stream overlays or, at least, high-quality, attention grabbing stream overlays and Twitch overlays.

So this leads us to a question - Is paying for stream overlays worth it? Or are free overlays enough for my channel?

What are Stream Overlays and why you should use them

Stream overlays are graphics that are used on your stream on top of your content that are viewable to your audience.
Stream overlays and Twitch overlays include:
- Scenes (Just Chatting, Intermission, Offline, BRB, Starting Soon)
- Alerts, widgets, reactive overlays that are triggered by viewer interaction
- Transitions that move your content from scene to scene
- Webcam boxes to frame your camera with labels, events and so on.
- Panels to display your information whether you are online or offline

Stream overlays are visually pleasing, attention grabbing and stimulating for your audience. But they are not just for decoration - Stream overlays are tools for your stream.

Stream overlays keep your viewers engaged, they offer interactive features, they brand your stream, create a professional viewing experience, and make you stand out from the thousands of other channels on the same streaming platform.

Are Free Overlays enough for my channel?

Free overlays are available far and wide, and there are a reasonable amount of designs for you to use on your channel. We have a selection of free overlays for you to try out - Free Stream Overlays. These include camera masks, matte transitions, OBS and StreamElements widgets, and a small amount of static alerts and emotes.

Free overlays are a great choice for you if:
- You're new to streaming
- You're unsure of what designs work for your branding and you want to experiment
- You're not fussed on if you can customize your overlays heavily
- You are unsure of how overlays work and are learning how to use them
- You don't have the budget to invest into paid items right now

However, if you choose free overlays over paid overlays there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The design choices for free overlays will be limited, meaning it is unlikely that you will find the color, theme, or type you are looking for
- They aren't usually suitable to use to create unique branding that makes your channel stand out
- Free overlays can be overused as they are available to every creator
- Most free overlays are static and without dynamic animation, which means they hold less interactivity and visual appeal to your viewers
- Many come with limited features

Overall, free overlays are a great starter for you to get to know how stream overlays work, how to use them on your stream, and to experiment with different looks for your stream - but they are more for creators that treat streaming as a hobby. If you are wanting to take your streaming seriously and encourage growth in terms of viewers and revenue, you will want the additional design aspects and interactive features that come with paid overlays.

We will start with the disadvantage of paid overlays, as there is only one - they cost money. However, there are plenty of budget friendly options out there. Professional streamers will most likely have uniquely created custom stream overlays, but premade stream overlays packages are a great option. No one expects you, especially as a new streamer, to break the bank to include these important tools in your stream. You can see some budget friendly options in our article: Stream Overlays Packages for every budget: Affordable Twitch overlays.

Advantages of Paid Stream Overlays

Interactive Features and Engagement Numbers
This is the big one. Every single stream overlay serves a purpose - to keep your viewers watching. And whilst your content is a huge part of that, as are you and the way you interact with your stream, stream overlays are there to complete the triangle. Alerts encourage subs, followers, donations by viewers triggering them. Scenes tell the viewers what is going on. Transitions visually stimulate viewers with animations. By adding features to your stream you are engaging your viewers and encourage them to tune in and keep watching.

Professional and Polished Branding
Custom overlays are cool, right? That's undeniable. It is one of the things that many streamers covet as they start out. Seeing your branding across platforms that represents you. Both custom and premade stream overlays give off a professional and polished look. They show your viewers that you take your stream seriously. And they'll stick around if your visuals are clean and interesting.

Customizable Options for Unique Elements
Paid overlays will usually come with customizable options, meaning you can add your own flair to your overlays and branding. This makes even premade overlays unique to you. There are also far more design options with paid overlays than free ones, helping your channel stand out from a crowd using the same templates.

All-in-one Stream Upgrade for Consistency
Paid stream overlays can be purchased in an all-in-one stream pack that includes everything you need to upgrade not only your streaming channel, but also your social media on other platforms. All of your scenes, alerts, screens, cam boxes, social media banners and so on will match, creating a recognizable brand across your online platforms.

Immediate Setup = More Time Streaming
With paid stream overlays, setup is simple. At GETREKT, we offer a 1-click setup system for all major platforms including Twitch, YouTube, OBS, Streamlabs, StreamElements and more. By investing in paid overlays, rather than collecting a selection of free overlays from different places, you can be set up quickly on your stream and get back to streaming. In general, paid overlays come with updates and support with setup included.

In short... yes. If you are trying to grow and take streaming seriously.

Free overlays are a great place to start, figure out what you like and what you need. Especially if you cannot budget for paid at the moment. If streaming is just a fun way to spend time for you and you aren't doing it for any reason beyond a hobby - free overlays might be right for you.

Paid overlays are the right choice for you as a creator if you are looking to build your brand, grow your stream, aim for partner on a streaming platform, and generate income from your content. For an investment, you're giving yourself a huge variety of tools to create a professional brand and include engaging, interactive features that will keep your viewers hooked.

Now the question that you're all probably wondering... how much do paid overlays cost?
Less than you think - if you go for premade stream overlays. You can get a premade stream overlays package with all the elements you need to upgrade your stream from as little as $10USD, ranging up to around $50USD for overlays that include animations or 3D animated elements. Custom overlays are another giant entirely, these are bespoke and require a significant budget in most cases. But premade stream overlays have customizable features that you can use to make yours unique without needing that kind of budget.

In the conversation of free vs paid overlays, it is not a case of one is prettier than the other - it is a case of one offers far more in terms of stream tools.

Paid overlays are professional, clean, more visually stimulating, create a recognizable brand and provide necessary engagement tools.

If you are serious about wanting to grow your stream, to attract and keep viewers, the small investment into a paid stream pack will pay off in terms of brand growth, viewer retention and professional presentation.

If you're ready to upgrade your channel and get started with growing your stream and content, check out our Stream Overlays Packages.

In the conversation of free vs paid overlays, it is not a case of one is prettier than the other - it is a case of one offers far more in terms of stream tools.

Paid overlays are professional, clean, more visually stimulating, create a recognizable brand and provide necessary engagement tools.

If you are serious about wanting to grow your stream, to attract and keep viewers, the small investment into a paid stream pack will pay off in terms of brand growth, viewer retention and professional presentation.

If you're ready to upgrade your channel and get started with growing your stream and content, check out our Stream Overlays Packages.

TL;DR

For a small investment in interactive, paid overlays, the potential for growth and the value in return is undeniable. There are a huge amount of affordable options from premade stream packs, and then eventually the higher end of fully custom made stream overlays. For those who are serious about their streaming growth and revenue, paid overlays will pay off for you.

If you want more on stream overlays and helpful streaming tips, head to our Blogs & Guides pages.

To be the first to know our updates, news, guides and tips - join our Elements Community Discord. And don't forget that you can currently save 50% on Animated Stream Overlays in our Summer Sale.

"The game isn't over until you've given it your all",
Em