Stream Alert vs DonatorApp: Which UPI Alert Tool Is Better? (2026)

1. Introduction: Two Indian-Made Tools

If you're an Indian streamer looking for UPI donation alerts, you've likely narrowed your options down to two tools: Stream Alert and DonatorApp. Both are built specifically for the Indian market, both work with UPI, and both promise to show real-time donation alerts on your stream.

But which one is actually better? In this comparison, we put both tools head-to-head across every metric that matters — UPI app support, Business accounts, alert customization, TTS, pricing, setup ease, and reliability. By the end, you'll know exactly which tool fits your streaming needs.

Important context: Unlike international tools like Streamlabs or StreamElements, both Stream Alert and DonatorApp focus exclusively on capturing UPI payments and converting them into on-screen alerts. They solve the same core problem — but their approaches and capabilities differ significantly.

2. Quick Overview

3. UPI Apps Supported

The number and type of UPI apps supported directly impacts how many of your viewers can donate. Here's a breakdown:

Stream Alert's advantage: Because Stream Alert uses a notification-based detection system, it can work with virtually any UPI app that sends payment notifications. This future-proofs the tool — if a new UPI app gains popularity, Stream Alert can support it without requiring an app update.

DonatorApp supports the three major UPI apps (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm) which covers most use cases, but it falls short on Business account support and less common UPI apps.

4. Business Account Support

This is arguably the biggest differentiator between Stream Alert and DonatorApp. If you're a growing streamer in India, Business account support isn't just a nice-to-have — it's essential for protecting yourself.

Why Business Accounts Matter

Indian streamers receiving frequent UPI donations on personal accounts face a real risk: bank account freezes. When your personal account suddenly starts receiving dozens or hundreds of small transactions from different people, banks and cyber cells can flag it as suspicious activity. Your account gets frozen, and unfreezing it can take weeks or months.

Business UPI accounts (Google Pay Business, Paytm Business) are designed specifically for merchants receiving payments from multiple people. They don't trigger the same fraud detection flags because the bank knows you're a business receiving legitimate payments.

The bottom line: If you're receiving more than ₹10,000-₹15,000 in monthly donations, you should be using a Business UPI account. And if you want alerts from that Business account, Stream Alert is currently the only option.

5. Alert Customization & Features

Both tools let you display on-screen alerts when a UPI payment comes in, but the customization depth varies:

Both tools cover the basics well. Stream Alert edges ahead with more granular font customization, better tiered alert support (showing different animations/sounds for different donation amounts), and more robust alert queue management when multiple donations come in quickly during a hype moment.

6. Text-to-Speech (TTS) Comparison

TTS is one of the most engagement-boosting features for Indian streamers. When a donation message is read aloud on stream, it creates an interactive experience that encourages more viewers to donate. Here's how the two compare:

Hindi TTS is a game-changer. Most Indian streamers have a primarily Hindi-speaking audience. When a donor sends ₹100 with a Hindi message like "Bhai maza aa gaya!" and it gets read aloud in Hindi TTS, the entire chat lights up. This drives more donations because viewers want to hear their messages on stream.

Stream Alert's Hindi TTS properly handles Hinglish (Hindi written in English characters) and Devanagari script, making it accessible for the widest range of Indian viewers.

7. Streaming Software Integration

Both tools integrate with streaming software using the same basic method — a browser source URL that you add to OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop, or any other streaming software.

Both tools use the same underlying technology (browser source), so compatibility is similar. Stream Alert has been tested and confirmed to work with a wider range of streaming software, including less common options like XSplit and Prism Live Studio.

8. Pricing Comparison

Let's look at what each tool costs and what you get at each price tier:

Price vs. value analysis: DonatorApp's ₹199/month plan looks cheaper at first glance, but it doesn't include Business account support, Hindi TTS, or the full range of UPI apps. To get comparable features (minus Business accounts, which aren't available at any price), you'd need the ₹499/month premium plan.

Stream Alert's single ₹249/month plan includes everything — all UPI apps, Business account support, Hindi TTS, full customization, and unlimited alerts. There's no need to wonder which plan to pick or pay extra for critical features.

9. Ease of Setup

Both tools follow a similar setup process, but the experience differs in a few key ways:

Stream Alert Setup (approx. 5 minutes)

1. Download Stream Alert from the Google Play Store
2. Grant notification access permission
3. Select your UPI apps (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, Business apps)
4. Customize your alert appearance
5. Copy the browser source URL
6. Add the URL as a browser source in OBS
7. Test with a small payment — done!

DonatorApp Setup (approx. 5-10 minutes)

1. Download DonatorApp from Google Play Store
2. Create an account
3. Grant notification access permission
4. Select your UPI apps
5. Customize alert settings
6. Copy the browser source URL
7. Add the URL as a browser source in OBS
8. Test with a small payment

Both setups are straightforward. Stream Alert has a slight edge with a more streamlined onboarding process and the setup guide being built into the app. DonatorApp requires account creation as an extra step, which adds a minute or two.

10. Reliability & Performance

Reliability is critical for donation alert tools — missing even one donation alert means a viewer feels ignored and may not donate again. Here's how the two compare:

Alert Detection Speed

Stream Alert typically detects UPI payments within 1-3 seconds of the notification appearing. The alert appears on your stream almost instantly after detection. DonatorApp has similar speeds for its supported apps, though some users report slightly longer delays during high-traffic periods.

Battery Impact

Both apps run in the background on your Android phone to monitor notifications. Stream Alert is optimized for low battery consumption and uses Android's notification listener service efficiently. Battery impact is typically 2-4% over a 4-hour streaming session.

Missed Alerts

No notification-based system is 100% perfect — Android can occasionally delay or batch notifications, which can cause a missed or delayed alert. However, Stream Alert has built-in retry mechanisms and alert queuing to minimize missed donations. If the browser source momentarily disconnects, alerts are queued and displayed when the connection resumes.

11. Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

Choose DonatorApp if: You're on a very tight budget and the free tier is enough. You only use GPay/PhonePe/Paytm personal accounts. You don't need Hindi TTS or Business account support.

Choose Stream Alert if: You want the most complete UPI alert solution. You need Business account support. You want Hindi TTS. You're serious about growing your streaming career in India and want to protect yourself from bank freezes.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I switch from DonatorApp to Stream Alert easily?

Yes. Since both tools use browser source URLs in OBS, switching is as simple as replacing the browser source URL. Download Stream Alert, set it up, get your new URL, and replace the old DonatorApp URL in OBS. Your viewers won't notice any difference — donations will just show up with Stream Alert's styling instead.

Q: Can I run both Stream Alert and DonatorApp simultaneously?

Technically you could, but it's not recommended. Both apps monitor the same UPI notifications, so you'd get duplicate alerts on stream. Pick one and stick with it.

Q: Do either of these tools take a cut of my donations?

No. Both Stream Alert and DonatorApp charge a subscription fee only. Neither takes a percentage of your donations. UPI payments go directly from your viewer's bank account to your bank account — the alert tool simply detects and displays the payment.

Q: What about Streamlabs or StreamElements — aren't they better?

Streamlabs and StreamElements don't support UPI at all. They're great for international donations via PayPal, but useless for Indian viewers who use GPay, PhonePe, or Paytm. See our detailed comparison: Stream Alert vs Streamlabs vs StreamElements.

Q: Is ₹249/month worth it if I'm a small streamer?

If you receive even 3-5 donations per stream, Stream Alert pays for itself through the engagement boost and repeat donations that TTS and custom alerts drive. Many streamers report that professional-looking alerts significantly increase donation frequency and average amounts. At ₹249/month, you only need about ₹250 in extra donations per month to break even — that's typically just 2-3 donations.