These are the most popular streamers of 2021

Olivia Richman Published 23/12/2021

Whether it’s follower count, hours watched, or just plain old controversy, there are many different ways to determine who is the top and most popular streamer of 2021. We put together a list of streamers based on their relevancy in 2021, whether this was due to their remaining in the spotlight for their big following, hot takes, bad decisions, or wicked gameplay.

These are streamers that were constantly on everyone’s mind in 2021.

xQc

Felix “xQc” Lengyel has over 9.7 million followers on Twitch, making him one of the most popular streamers on the platform. He was also watched for over 261.3 million hours in 2021, with fans obsessing over his Grand Theft Auto RP gameplay, hot takes on a variety of controversial topics, and mechanical skills in a variety of competitive titles played by the former Overwatch pro.

Ninja

Tyler “Ninja” Blevins may not be flossing at Times Square or starring in NFL commercials in 2021, but the popular streamer is still going strong after his Fortnite days. He currently has 17 million followers on Twitter, making him the most-followed streamer on the social media platform and proving his continuing influence. This comes after a dramatic move to Mixer, a Twitch competitor that has since floundered.

Ludwig

Ludwig Ahgren became one of the most popular influencers of 2021 after a record-breaking subathon on Twitch. Following a month of non-stop streaming, Ludwig became one of the most subbed content creators of all time. Despite the rapid climb up the ranks, Ludwig decided to leave Twitch and move to YouTube. He currently has 2.45 million YouTube subscribers and has continued to make an impact in the streaming community at his new home.

Pokimane

Imane “Pokimane” Anys has more than 8.4 million followers on Twitch, making her one of the top female streamers of 2021. She is known for her openness and authenticity, and is not afraid of standing up for what she believes in. In 2021, Pokimane showed off her natural hair and called out fans who continued asking about her personal life. In 2021, Pokimane also revealed that she has co-founded a new influencer talent agency called RTS.

Dream

Minecraft streamer Dream was awarded the Content Creator of the Year award at The Game Awards in 2021. He has over 27 million subscribers on YouTube, including many stans who are unwaveringly loyal to the faceless speedrunner. Dream is perhaps best known for cheating on a record-breaking speedrun, but has seemed to move rather easily past the controversy thanks to his more entertaining Minecraft content.

shroud

Known as the Human Aimbot, Michael “shroud” Grzesiek has remained one of the most famous streamers online due to his chill vibes and incredible mechanical skills displayed in almost every game he touches. This includes Valorant, Apex Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. While he has admitted that he’s a bit rusty compared to current pro players, shroud continues to impress through his Twitch streams, earning him 9.9 million followers.

Valkyrae

Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter had a pretty stressful 2021. She introduced a blue light pollution protection beauty line that was immediately met with skepticism from fans and fellow streamers alike. The popular variety streamer was accused of potentially scamming her young and impressionable followers, ultimately leading Valkyrae to withdraw from the brand before its products had formally launched.

Despite this upsetting situation, Valkyrae remains the Queen of YouTube in the eyes of her followers, not losing a step in her streaming numbers. She has continued to be a popular figure in the streaming world, often receiving over 500,000 views on her videos.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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