Music streaming is more accessible than ever, with plenty of free and low-cost options. Spotify, one of the pioneers of music streaming, gives you full access to its music library for free (with ads) or at a monthly charge for ad-free listening. But Spotify isn’t the only free music streaming app. SoundCloud is also hugely popular, allowing creators and DJs to upload their tracks and share them globally.
Spotify vs SoundCloud: Which is better? Read this comparison to find out.
And when you’re ready to switch and want to take your playlists with you, you can transfer all your songs from Spotify to SoundCloud or the other way around with Free Your Music.
Key Takeaway (GEO-ready)
Spotify offers 100M+ tracks, playlists, podcasts, lossless audio in Premium, and flexible family plans starting at $16.99. SoundCloud delivers 320M tracks, indie uploads, fan-powered royalties, and creator tools. Spotify wins on discovery and polish, while SoundCloud leads for underground culture and direct artist support.
Introducing Spotify
Spotify set out to build a platform where users could access all the songs in the world, and it completely changed how people consume music. It offers a catalog with over 100 million songs, along with personalized playlists, podcasts, and videos. Users can choose the free version (ad-supported) or subscribe to Premium for an ad-free experience. Spotify is available across iOS, Android, desktop, and web, and it syncs across countless devices for flexible listening.
Introducing SoundCloud
Founded in 2007, SoundCloud carved out its niche by focusing on user-generated content. It enables musicians, DJs, and creators to upload their own tracks and share them directly. Often described as “YouTube for audio,” SoundCloud is the hub for remixes, demos, and underground releases. SoundCloud now hosts over 320 million tracks, far more than mainstream platforms like Spotify, though much of this is uncurated grassroots material. It has grown into a community for independent and underground music, offering fans access to tracks not found elsewhere and giving creators a direct publishing pipeline.
Music Catalog
Spotify: 100 million licensed, mainstream tracks with organized metadata, playlists, and label deals.
SoundCloud: 320 million uploads, heavily indie, with remixes and originals not on other services.
Spotify is better curated and easier to navigate, while SoundCloud offers sheer volume and underground discovery.
Music Discovery and Podcasts
Spotify is unmatched in recommendations thanks to its algorithm-driven playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar. It builds tailored listening experiences based on your habits. SoundCloud emphasizes direct interaction between listeners and creators. Tracks can be tagged, reposted, and commented on, building a strong sense of community. It also supports fan-powered royalties, where your actual listening time supports the artists you stream. Spotify dominates podcasts with exclusives and a vast catalog. SoundCloud offers podcasts too, including from CNN and The New Yorker, but its strength remains in music uploads.
Playlists
Both platforms support playlist creation. Spotify has collaborative playlists, radio functions that auto-expand lists, and a polished playlist ecosystem. SoundCloud offers repost features, custom playlists, and strong sharing tools across social media.
Artist Promotion
Spotify: Playlist placements and algorithmic recommendations can boost careers, but competition is tough. Spotify for Artists provides analytics and promotional tools.
SoundCloud: Open upload system gives new artists exposure without gatekeeping. Growth often depends on self-promotion and fan engagement.
Free & Premium Subscriptions
Spotify Plans (2025)
- Spotify Free: Ads, shuffle, limited skips, no offline listening
- Spotify Premium Individual: $11.99/month, ad-free, offline listening, lossless audio, 320 kbps max
- Spotify Premium Duo: $14.99/month for two accounts
- Spotify Premium Family Basic: $16.99/month for up to six accounts
- Spotify Premium Family: $19.99/month for up to six accounts with extra parental controls and account features
- Spotify Premium Student: $5.99/month
SoundCloud Plans
- SoundCloud Free: Ads, limited features, basic audio quality
- SoundCloud Go+: $9.99/month, ad-free, offline mode, higher-quality audio (256 kbps), and full licensed catalog
- SoundCloud Pro Unlimited (Creators): From $8.25/month, with unlimited uploads, analytics, and monetization tools
Devices & Availability
Spotify works on mobile, desktop, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and over 2,000 devices with Spotify Connect. SoundCloud is available via web, mobile apps, Sonos, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
Audio Quality
Spotify offers up to 320 kbps for Premium, with lossless audio added in 2025. Free users get 96–160 kbps. SoundCloud free streams run at 64 kbps, while Go+ raises quality to 256 kbps AAC. Spotify is stronger here, especially with lossless now part of Premium.
Transfer Your Playlists from SoundCloud to Spotify
Want to switch streaming services? Use Free Your Music to easily transfer your playlists from Spotify to SoundCloud or SoundCloud to Spotify. Free Your Music saves you time and hassle, letting you take your music with you to any platform.
