SoundCloud
Podcast hosting platforms
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$3.25 per month
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What is SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an audio publishing and distribution platform that supports hosting and syndication of podcasts alongside music and other audio content. It is used by independent creators and small teams to upload episodes, generate an RSS feed (on eligible plans), and distribute to major podcast directories. The product also functions as a consumer listening platform, which can provide an additional discovery channel beyond traditional podcast apps. SoundCloud’s podcast features sit within a broader audio ecosystem rather than a podcast-only workflow toolset.
Built-in listener discovery channel
SoundCloud combines hosting with a large consumer listening destination, so episodes can be discovered and played directly on SoundCloud in addition to external podcast apps. This can be useful for creators who want one place to publish both podcast episodes and other audio. The platform supports embeddable players that work well for sharing on websites and social channels.
Simple publishing and embeds
Uploading audio and publishing episodes is straightforward and familiar to many creators. SoundCloud provides share links and embeddable players that are commonly used for web distribution. For teams that prioritize quick publishing over complex production workflows, the interface is generally easy to adopt.
Audio platform ecosystem integrations
SoundCloud supports distribution workflows that can include RSS-based syndication for podcasts (plan-dependent) and playback within its own apps. It also offers creator account features oriented around audio publishing, which can reduce the need for separate tools for basic hosting and playback. This is helpful when a creator’s content spans podcasts and non-podcast audio.
Not a podcast-first toolset
Because SoundCloud is a general audio platform, podcast-specific workflows can be less comprehensive than in dedicated podcast hosting products. Teams looking for advanced podcast operations (e.g., network management, granular role controls, or specialized publishing workflows) may find the feature set less targeted. Some capabilities are plan-dependent and may require upgrading to access podcast RSS and distribution features.
Analytics depth can vary
SoundCloud provides creator analytics, but organizations that need podcast-industry standard reporting across directories may find differences compared with podcast-specialist platforms. Podcast measurement expectations (downloads by app, IAB-aligned reporting, and detailed attribution) can be harder to standardize when analytics are split between SoundCloud plays and external podcast consumption. This can complicate reporting for sponsors or internal stakeholders.
Branding and control constraints
SoundCloud’s listening experience and player are tied to the SoundCloud ecosystem, which can limit how much the end-user experience can be customized compared with fully white-labeled approaches. For businesses that require strict brand control, custom domains, or highly tailored web players, options may be more constrained. Content policies and platform changes can also affect how audio is presented and discovered.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | $0 — Free | Up to 2 hours upload (Basic free tier); limited artist features (no monetization/distribution eligibility). See SoundCloud Help Center for upload limits and Basic plan notes. |
| Artist | $3.25 per month (billed yearly for $39) | 3 hours total upload; 3 track replacements/month; 2 distributed & monetized tracks/month; 1 mastering credit/month; spotlighted track; standard insights. (Price and features listed on SoundCloud pricing page and Artist Subscriptions docs.) |
| Artist Pro | $8.25 per month (billed yearly for $99) | Unlimited uploads; unlimited monetization & distribution; 3 mastering credits/month; advanced insights; premium profile badge; full distribution capabilities. (Price and features listed on SoundCloud pricing page and Artist Subscriptions docs.) |
Seller details
SoundCloud Global Limited & Co. KG
Berlin, Germany
2007
Private
https://soundcloud.com
https://x.com/SoundCloud
https://www.linkedin.com/company/soundcloud/
