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SoundCloud

The open platform where new music and artists surface first.

4.2
(19 reviews)
Visit Website
  • PriceFree – $9.99/mo
  • Founded2007
  • HQBerlin, Germany
  • Employees100 – 500

About SoundCloud

SoundCloud is still where music breaks first: an open uploading platform with 300M+ tracks, remixes, DJ sets, and demos you will not find on Spotify. Next Pro gives artists distribution and fan insights, while Go+ unlocks the full catalog ad-free for listeners.

Key Features

  • Open track uploading
  • Remixes and DJ sets
  • Fan-powered royalties
  • Comments on waveforms
  • Artist Pro tools

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Music unavailable anywhere else
  • Direct artist-fan connection
  • Free uploading for creators

Cons

  • Inconsistent audio quality
  • Cluttered free experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoundCloud free?
Yes for listening with ads; Go+ ($9.99/mo) removes limits.
Why do artists start on SoundCloud?
Free instant uploading with a discovery-hungry audience.
What are fan-powered royalties?
Your subscription money goes to artists you actually play.

Reviews

4.2

19 reviews

Write a review


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Best For

Music discoverers and emerging artists building first fans.

Use Cases

Discovering underground, independent, and emerging artists first
Uploading your own tracks and building a fanbase as a new artist
Following DJs, remixes, and mixes unavailable on major platforms
Getting feedback on demos through timed comments
Monetizing music without a label via fan-powered royalties

Pricing Details

SoundCloud is free for listening with ads and for uploading up to a few hours of audio. Artist Pro (about $12/month) unlocks unlimited uploads, monetization, advanced stats, and distribution to other platforms. Go+ (about $10.99/month) gives listeners ad-free, offline, full-catalog streaming including major-label tracks.

Security & Trust

SoundCloud accounts support Google and Apple sign-in; use a strong unique password as two-factor options are limited. Artists should watch for fake-promotion scams targeting musicians — legitimate playlist placement is never bought via DM. Standard content reporting and copyright systems apply to uploads.

Alternatives To Consider

Bandcamp is better for direct artist support and purchases, while Audiomack offers a similar free streaming and mixtape culture. Spotify and Apple Music cover mainstream catalogs the moment tracks are distributed. For DJs specifically, Mixcloud handles long-form mixes with proper licensing.

Editorial Verdict

SoundCloud is still music discovery at its rawest — the place where genres are invented and artists break before the industry notices. The listening experience is scrappier than Spotify and ads can grate, but for anyone who cares about new music or makes it themselves, SoundCloud is irreplaceable.

Sources & Review Notes

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026