How Much Do vTubers Make in 2023?

Being a vTuber can indeed be a real job, and many successful vTubers earn good money from their videos. But how much do vTubers make?

It depends on how many people watch their videos and their monetization strategy. Take Gawr Gura, for example. She makes thousands of dollars through Super Chat a month. And she’s not the only one doing well with it.

If you want to become a vTuber and make money, let’s learn from the successful ones. In this article, we’ll figure out how much money vTubers make each month from their content. 

Keep reading to get inspired and learn how to do it the right way.

How Much Do Vtubers Make?

For beginners, your monthly earnings might start at $0. That’s because if you depend on ads, you may not have enough subscribers or watch time yet. 

Also, if you want to make money with brand partnerships, no brands will likely approach you for deals right away.

Once you’re a popular VTuber, you can earn lots of money from various sources. Now, let’s see how much VTubers make monthly using estimates from SocialBlade and Playboard.

1. Gawr Gura

• Subscribers on YouTube: 4,380,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $198,300
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,192,970
• Niche: Gaming, Challenge, Chatting

Gawr Gura is a famous vTuber from Hololive English. She has more than 4.38 million YouTube subscribers, making her the most popular VTuber worldwide.

Gawr Gura is a shark girl. She’s skilled at gaming and singing, which attracts viewers who enjoy the content. 

People like her because she’s calm and easy to talk to. She engages with her fans in a way that makes them feel like they’re part of a community. This is one of the reasons for her popularity.

How much money do vTubers make? From ads alone, she can make around $198,300 per year, while from Super Chat, she can make up to $1,192,970  with an average of $12/chat.

2. Kizuna AI

• Subscribers on YouTube: 3,020,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $361,000
• SuperChat Earnings: $196,505
• Niche: Gaming, Music, Singing

It’s hard to talk about how much do vTubers make without mentioning Kizuna AI. She’s known as the world’s first and most popular VTuber, boasting an impressive 3,020,000 followers on her AI Channel.

Her success story is rooted in her early entry into the VTuber industry and her unique personality. Her streams offer a mix of gameplay, singing, and casual chats.

We might be repeating ourselves, but it’s worth noting that when she appears alongside famous YouTubers like PewDiePie, it’s clear that VTubers have garnered significant attention.

It’s interesting to point out that, unlike many other VTubers who join Hololive, Kizuna AI is part of a subsidiary of the digital entertainment company Activ8.

3. Houshou Marine

• Subscribers on YouTube: 2,670,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $2,500,000
• SuperChat Earnings: $2,481,675
• Niche: Gaming, Variety

If you’re looking for vTuber content ideas to make your content appealing to a broad audience, consider Houshou Marine. She’s among the great VTubers for this.

Marine is known for her playful persona as a pirate captain and her passion for treasure hunting. One of her most popular phrases is “Ahoy! (Hello!)”

This approach is one of the most sought-after personalities that audiences enjoy. How much does a vTuber make from this approach? She can make up to $2,481,675 from the Super Chat feature alone.

4. Usada Pekora

• Subscribers on YouTube: 2,310,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $566,200
• SuperChat Earnings: $2,751,397
• Niche: Gaming, Comedy, Chatting

Gathering over 2 million YouTube subscribers is quite an achievement for a VTuber, and that’s exactly what Usada Pekora has done. She’s one of the highest-earning VTubers out there.

How much do Hololive members make? She earns about $566,200 every year just from YouTube Ads.

Usada Pekora is a VTuber from Hololive known for her rabbit-girl persona. Pekora is fun-loving and loves making people laugh with her funny actions. Her success is because she has a great sense of humor and is skilled in gaming.

She began with Super Mario Maker, but now she’s played many games like Metal Gear Solid, Minecraft, Among Us, Fall Guys, and many others.

Read More: How to Make Money Playing Games in 2023?

5. Mori Calliope

• Subscribers on YouTube: 2,280,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $470,500
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,722,075
• Niche: Music, Rap, Chatting

Mori Calliope began her journey as a vTuber in 2020. She’s part of the first generation of Hololive English, along with Gawr Gura and Amelia Watson.

As of now, Mori Calliope has over 2.28 million subscribers, and she’s famous for her skills in rapping and making music. If you’re into music in the world of Vtubers, Calliope is a top choice for your inspiration.

She’s now a Tokyo Tourism Ambassador, and she shares this role with Gawr Gura. This highlights that vTubers have gained recognition for promoting tourism to a broader audience.

How much do Hololive members get paid? Mori Calliope can earn up to $470,000 annually just from ad revenue.

6. Shirakami Fubuki

• Subscribers on YouTube: 2,210,00
• Annual Ad Revenue: $373,300
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,073,054
• Niche: Gaming, Singing, Chatting

Shirakami Fubuki is a popular vTuber from Hololive Japan with 2.21 million YouTube subscribers, making her a big name in the vTuber world.

Fubuki is a fox girl who’s excellent at gaming and has a beautiful voice. People like her because she’s full of energy and makes engaging content. She knows how to connect with her audience, creating a sense of community. 

How much do vTubers make a year? Fubuki can make around $150,000 a year from ads alone. And with Super Chat, she can potentially earn an extra $3,000.

7. Inugami Korone

• Subscribers on YouTube: 2,030,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $288,300
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,682,499
• Niche: Gaming, especially retro

If you’re interested in making money through Super Chat donations, you can take some tips from Inugami Korone. How much do vTubers make this kind of donation? She can earn up to $1,682,499 from these donations.

Inugami Korone is part of the second generation of Hololive and has more than 2 million subscribers on YouTube. She’s famous for saying, “Yubi, yubi!” and she enjoys doing long streams.

Korone is a skilled gamer who likes all kinds of games, like horror and action games. But she mainly plays retro games.

Read More: 

• How to Make a VTuber Avatar 3D: The Easy Way!
• How to Make a VTuber Avatar 2D: Quick Guide for Beginners

8. Minato Aqua

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,870,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $453,300
• SuperChat Earnings: $ 1,937,479
• Niche: Gaming, ASMR, Chatting

Minato Aqua, a well-known Vtuber from Hololive’s second generation, mainly focuses on gaming and interactive chatting.

She’s popular because of her skills in competitive PVP games like Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and Apex Legends. And yes, she’s always up for challenge runs in games like Dark Souls and Sekiro.

What makes Minato Aqua stand out is her role as the official ambassador for SAO’s Last Recollection, a popular game. This underlines her significance as a social influencer in the gaming industry as a Vtuber.

But there’s more to Minato Aqua than gaming; she’s a brand. Hololive even announced a game based on her called “Aquarium” for PlayStation 4.

How about Minato Aqua’s HoloLive salary? Well, she can earn up to $1,937,479 just from Super Chat alone. That’s jaw-dropping.

9. Watson Amelia 

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,750,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $75,900
• SuperChat Earnings: $795,485
• Niche: Gaming, Detective Roleplay

Watson Amelia is a VTuber from Hololive English. She plays a detective character and loves solving mysteries in her content. 

Yes, Watson’s success comes from her unique content, which includes detective work and gaming streams. She’s a British-American Virtual YouTuber and joined Hololive as part of the first English-speaking VTuber generation, along with Gawr Gura.

How much do VTubers make from detective roleplay? Since she only streams on weekends, her earnings might not be too high, around $9 per chat. So far, she has made more than $700,000.

10. Nekomata Okayu

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,600,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $417,000
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,269,448
• Niche: Gaming, ASMR, Chatting

Nekomata Okayu is famous for being a cat-girl. Her name, “Nekomata Okayu,” means “cat spirit” and “porridge.” This shows her calm and comforting personality.

She’s usually relaxed but can also have fun during her live streams. Okayu’s popularity comes from her special ASMR content and gaming skills.

Okayu is a much-loved Hololive community member and always brings her fans joy. Her fan group is officially called “Onigiryaa.”

How much do VTubers make from Gaming and ASMR niches like Nekomata Okayu? It can be a lot, up to $1,269,448, from Super Chat, with an average of 13,465 viewers.

11. Takanashi Kiara

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,490,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $211,400
• SuperChat Earnings: $1,517,439
• Niche: Niche: Singing, Cooking, Chatting

If you want to make money as a YouTuber in the music niche, check out Takanashi Kiara. She’s a VTuber from Hololive English, famous for her phoenix vTuber persona and her love for singing and gaming.

Kiara is a Japanese-German VTuber born in Austria. She’s incredibly talented in music and has a friendly personality, making her one of the most beloved VTubers.

What sets her apart is her passion for cooking. She often creates cooking videos like “KFP KITCHEN: Cooking An AUSTRIAN Dish!” and “BAKING: 1st Time Making XMAS COOKIES!”

Curious about how much do VTubers like Kiara earn in this unique niche? She can make up to $14 per chat from the Super Chat donation feature on YouTube.

12. Kureiji Ollie

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,300,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $66,800
• SuperChat Earnings: $309,732
• Niche: Gaming, Zombie Roleplay, Chatting

Meet Kureiji Ollie, the lively Zombie Idol. Her name, “Kureiji Ollie,” means “crazy me” in Japanese, reflecting her energetic and chaotic personality.

As you might guess, she’s part of the Indonesian Virtual YouTuber group called Hololive. She joined as a second-generation member with Anya Melfissa and Pavolia Reine. Ollie is known for her hyperactive nature and passion for games and singing.

How much do Hololive members make from a zombie persona as a VTuber? From Super Chat donations, Ollie can make up to $309,732, roughly $10 per chat.

13. Murasaki Shion

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,160,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $196,100
• SuperChat Earnings: $944,638
• Niche: Gaming, Singing, Chatting

Murasaki Shion is a part of Hololive’s 2nd generation. She’s known as a VTuber with a black magician persona and a playful attitude.

People like her because she’s both playful and caring. Her name, “Murasaki,” means purple, and “Shion” means violet. It fits her calm and cool personality.

She became successful because of her unique personality and talent for making her audience laugh through humor and gaming. She’s a big fan of Nintendo games and often teams up with other VTubers.

Read More:

• Top 20 Best Games to Stream on Twitch and YouTube
• Best Switch Games 2023 You Must Play!

14. Ookami Mio

• Subscribers on YouTube: 1,130,000
• Annual Ad Revenue: $190,000
• SuperChat Earnings: $847,087
• Niche: 

Ookami Mio has been a famous vTuber in Hololive since 2018. She’s part of the 2nd generation and has 1.13 million YouTube subscribers.

Mio is like Hololive’s caring figure because she’s mature and responsible. She’s in Hololive Fantasy with VTubers like Usada Pekora and Minato Aqua.

How much do Hololive members make? So far, Ookami Mio has earned $847,087 just from Super Chat donations. Her yearly earnings can reach up to $120,000, depending on how often she streams as a Vtuber.

How Do VTubers Make Money from Their Content

VTuber income can differ, but here are some ways to earn as a VTuber:

1. YouTube Super Chat 

YouTube Super Chat is a great YouTube feature that lets viewers send messages to VTubers during live streams. When viewers send messages, they show up on the screen, and the VTuber can read them out loud. 

That’s why followers are often willing to pay to get noticed. The cost depends on how long the message is and the currency they use.

How much money do vTubers make from this? We can say that the sky’s the limit. 

2. Channel Memberships

YouTube Channel Memberships can boost VTubers’ income. Viewers can subscribe each month, giving creators a steady income. 

Subscriptions start at $0.99/month and can go up to $499.99. Subscribers get awesome benefits like special emojis, badges, and exclusive live chats.

Bear in mind that YouTube takes 30%, but 70% goes to the VTuber, which is a big part of their income.

If you’re thinking about a membership platform with a 0% platform fee, platforms like Gank can be your choice. You can set up monthly or yearly memberships with special perks, improving your audience’s experience.

3. Advertising

Earning money as a VTuber using Google AdSense is something many beginners do. YouTube’s AdSense is the main place for video ads, but VTubers can also make deals with specific advertisers.

Now, let’s imagine if you are a Hololive VTuber. How much do Hololive members make from Ads? To figure that out, you need to think about CPM (Cost Per Mille), which is the cost for 1,000 views.

The amount they get from ads depends on how many people watch and like their videos. But sometimes, viewers use ad blockers, which can lower their earnings. Also, YouTube takes a share of the ad money.

4. Sponsorships

Brands may pay VTubers to mention their products during live streams or videos. How much do vTubers make from this partnership? It depends on your follower count and negotiation skills. The payments of a partnership can be one-time or based on how well you do.

Sponsorships are not only about money. It can help brands connect with your fans through someone they like. And to stay trustworthy, you must let your fans know if it’s sponsored. 

5. Merchandise Sales

Merchandise sales are a way for VTubers to make money and let fans own things related to their favorite virtual characters. These things can be t-shirts, hoodies, collectibles, or digital art.

VTuber income from merchandise sales depends on the popularity of the items, the size of the VTuber’s fan base, and the pricing strategy. For instance, limited-edition merchandise often commands higher prices and can sell out quickly, providing a significant revenue boost. 

6. Donations

Donations help fans support VTubers. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch have innate features to let creators get donations while streaming. The platform takes a small fee, but most of the money goes to the VTuber. 

How much do vTubers make from donations? It can be small or big. Do you remember when Dr. Lupo received a huge $1 million donation on Twitch? He didn’t keep it for himself but donated it to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

7. Creators Fund

Some platforms like TikTok have a fund program to help creators. The Creator Fund on TikTok is good to make money. It comes from TikTok, so there are no intermediaries involved. It’s dependable if you follow the terms and conditions.

Also, don’t forget about Gank. We have a Creator Grant Program that provides benefits to help you create better content and stand out as a VTuber, no matter your niche.

Final Thoughts on vTuber Income

In this article, you’ve learned that VTubers can earn lots of money, like $1,192,970, from Super Chat, which is given by their fans. This is what Gawr Gura did, and it’s a big deal.

The good news is there are many ways for VTubers to make money. They can do it through ads, working with brands, selling stuff, and having fun as creators.

Platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok have tools to help you make money from your content. But it’s also wise to get money from other platforms like Gank. We let you earn money from memberships, selling merchs, donations, and even a Creator Grand program.

So, why wait? Jump into the world of VTubing and start making your dreams come true!

Are you interested in learning more about Vtubing? Download our eBook: A Vtuber’s Journey: From Zero to Hero for free!