- PriceFree to $9.99/mo
- Founded2007
- HQBerlin, Germany
- Employees100 to 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?
Why do artists start on SoundCloud?
What are fan-powered royalties?
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.
Review notes
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026
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