SoundCloud is one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world. Whether you're an independent artist looking to share your music or a fan searching for underground tracks and fresh talent, SoundCloud offers something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about SoundCloud, including how it works, how artists get paid, its monetization program, and how to use it effectively in 2025.
SoundCloud is a global online audio distribution platform and music sharing website founded in 2007. It allows users to upload, promote, and share audio tracks. Unlike major streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, SoundCloud is known for its focus on independent and emerging artists.
As of 2025, SoundCloud hosts over 300 million tracks and is used by millions of creators around the world.
Artists can upload their tracks for free or through a paid subscription. SoundCloud supports MP3, WAV, FLAC, and other audio formats.
Listeners can like, comment, and repost tracks. Many underground artists build their fan base directly through listener interaction.
With algorithms, tags, trending charts, and user-generated playlists, SoundCloud is a discovery powerhouse for new music.
Available as an app and on the web, SoundCloud is accessible across all devices.
Artists can interact with fans through comments, messages, and reposts, building stronger engagement.
SoundCloud offers two main monetization programs:
This program allows eligible independent artists to earn money directly from their music streams on SoundCloud.
Original music content.
At least 500 plays in the past month (from countries where monetization is available).
No copyright violations or violations of SoundCloud's terms.
Artists are paid based on revenue generated from:
Ad-supported streams (users who listen with ads).
Subscriptions (from SoundCloud Go+ users).
The payout rate varies but averages around $0.0025 to $0.005 per stream, depending on factors like location, engagement, and listener subscription.
Unlike traditional streaming royalties that pool revenue, Fan-Powered Royalties pay artists based on the actual listening behavior of fans.
This means:
If a listener only streams your music during the month, you get 100% of their subscription revenue share.
This model supports independent artists more directly, especially those with loyal fanbases.
Upload up to 3 hours of audio.
Basic audience insights.
Limited stats.
$2.50/month (approx.)
Monetize music with Fan-Powered Royalties.
More upload time.
Basic distribution to other platforms.
$12/month (approx.)
Unlimited uploads.
Advanced analytics.
Scheduled releases.
Track replace feature.
Priority support.
Global distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
| Feature | SoundCloud | Spotify | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist-friendly | ✅ Best for indie | ⚠️ Requires aggregator | ✅ Good with YouTube |
| Monetization Model | Fan-Powered Royalties | Pro-rata pool | Ad & Premium-based |
| Direct Upload | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Community Features | ✅ Comments, shares | ❌ Limited | ✅ Comments |
| Discovery Tools | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong |
Create a Pro Account
Upgrade to Next Plus or Next Pro to unlock monetization.
Upload Original Music
Ensure your tracks are high-quality and meet copyright standards.
Promote Your Music
Share on social media, collaborate with others, and engage with fans in comments.
Optimize Metadata
Use good titles, tags, and descriptions to help your music get discovered.
Track Your Earnings
Use SoundCloud's analytics to monitor your plays, engagement, and revenue.
Use good cover art and branding
A professional look helps attract clicks and builds credibility.
Engage with your audience
Respond to comments, repost fan remixes, and say thanks.
Collaborate with other artists
Tap into new audiences by featuring on other tracks.
Submit to repost channels
These are SoundCloud-curated accounts that boost your track to a wider audience.
Use SoundCloud promotion tools
Paid promotion and integrations like SubmitHub or Repost by SoundCloud can amplify your reach.
Repost by SoundCloud
Distribute your music to major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and more.
Stem splitting & mastering tools
SoundCloud partners with platforms like Dolby.io and LANDR for music enhancement.
Monetization dashboards
Real-time tracking of your music earnings and stream sources.
Yes. If you're an independent artist, beatmaker, or podcaster, SoundCloud is one of the best platforms to showcase your work, connect with fans, and make money directly.
With Fan-Powered Royalties, Repost distribution, and strong discovery tools, SoundCloud continues to lead as a creator-first platform in 2025.
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