SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a Berlin-based social sound platform serving independent artists and music listeners, offering streaming subscriptions, artist distribution services, AI-powered discovery, and fan-powered royalties across a 375M+ track catalog.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What SoundCloud does
SoundCloud is a Berlin-based social sound platform founded in 2007 that operates a two-sided music streaming and creator services marketplace serving independent and emerging artists alongside music listeners. The platform hosts over 375 million tracks from approximately 40 million creators, with roughly 140 million registered users, and maintains an estimated 65% share of the global creator-upload segment. Its core technology is a cloud-based audio streaming and distribution platform enhanced by AI capabilities acquired through the 2022 Musiio deal, which powers catalog management, playlist curation, and artist discovery across the catalog; additional AI functions include anomaly/fraud detection on streams and predictive analytics for the annual Music Intelligence Report. SoundCloud differentiates through fan-powered royalties (where listener subscription fees flow directly to the artists they listen to), an immediate upload-to-live workflow (tracks go live within minutes without distributor approval), and a content library skewed toward indie, hip-hop, electronic, and DJ content not well represented on mainstream DSPs.
The business model spans consumer subscriptions (SoundCloud Go at $4.99/month and Go+ at $10.99/month for ad-free, offline, and full-catalog access), advertising on the free tier (monetized via a programmatic partnership with SiriusXM's AdsWizz), and artist-facing subscriptions (Artist at $39/year and Artist Pro at $99/year). The October 2025 launch of the All-in-One Artist Subscription eliminated SoundCloud's 20% distribution revenue share, allowing artists to retain 100% of royalties and adding Fan Support (zero-commission direct fan-to-artist payments of $1-$1,000). Distribution services push Artist Pro content to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and TikTok. Complementary revenue streams include print-on-demand vinyl (elasticStage partnership), merch sales, and SMS fan engagement (Subtext integration). GTM motion is primarily community-led and product-led, with strategic partnerships (TikTok's default 'Add to Music App' destination, Twitch DJ Sessions, Ticketmaster, Auracles) driving cross-platform user acquisition and retention. The company achieved its first positive EBITDA (€2M) in 2023 following a 20% workforce reduction and a $1B valuation milestone, and raised a $75M Series G in March 2026 to fund further product development and geographic expansion into Latin America and Southeast Asia.
SoundCloud firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SoundCloud
- Website
- https://soundcloud.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- SoundCloud is a Berlin-based social sound platform serving independent artists and music listeners, offering streaming subscriptions, artist distribution services, AI-powered discovery, and fan-powered royalties across a 375M+ track catalog.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SoundCloud industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Streaming Platform
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- On-Demand Music Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ad-Supported Music Streaming (Freemium Tiers) (MPAIACAO), Creator Tools & Monetization Platforms (Podcasts/Audio) (MPAIADAG)
Keywords
Where SoundCloud is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
SoundCloud business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Consumer Subscriptions (Go, Go+): Monthly subscription plans for listeners providing ad-free access and offline listening; Go+ provides full catalog access including 320M+ tracks of indie and DJ content
- Artist Subscriptions (Artist, Artist Pro): Annual subscription tiers for artists providing upload limits, analytics, distribution, fan-powered royalties, and merch tools; Artist Pro includes unlimited uploads and full distribution capabilities
- Advertising Revenue: Ad-supported model for free-tier users generating revenue through display and audio advertisements
- Distribution Fees: Previously charged revenue share (20%) for distribution to other platforms; eliminated in late 2025 as SoundCloud now allows artists to keep 100% of distribution royalties
- Fan Support / Direct Donations: Fee-free fan-to-artist payment feature allowing fans to contribute $1 to $1,000 directly to artists; SoundCloud takes no commission on early testing showing artists earning more than their entire streaming history
- Vinyl Production and Merchandise: Print-on-demand vinyl records via elasticStage partnership and merchandise showcase tools integrated into artist pages, generating transaction-based revenue
- Merch Sales: Integrated merchandise sales capabilities within artist profiles as part of all-in-one subscription offering
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free tier with limited uploads and ad-supported listening |
| Subscription | Monthly | SoundCloud Go - entry-level subscription for listeners |
| Subscription | Monthly | SoundCloud Go+ - premium subscription with full catalog access |
| Subscription | Annual | Artist - basic artist subscription tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Artist Pro - comprehensive artist subscription with unlimited distribution |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
SoundCloud product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SoundCloud operates a social sound platform where anyone can create, upload, and share audio content, offering free ad-supported streaming alongside consumer subscriptions (Go, Go+) for ad-free listening and artist subscriptions (Artist, Artist Pro) for distribution, analytics, and monetization tools. The platform differentiates through its fan-powered royalties model, 100% royalty retention on distribution to other streaming services, and unique catalog of 375M+ indie and DJ tracks. Artist-facing services include unlimited uploads, multi-platform distribution, vinyl-on-demand production, and direct fan engagement features.
Product overview
SoundCloud operates as a multi-tiered music streaming and artist services platform with a core free tier, consumer subscriptions (SoundCloud Go and Go+), and artist-focused subscriptions (Artist and Artist Pro at $39-$99/year). In October 2025, SoundCloud launched its All-in-One Artist Subscription bundling distribution, fan engagement, and monetization features with 100% royalty retention. The platform differentiates through fan-powered royalties where listeners directly fund artists, and since acquiring Musiio in 2022, has integrated AI for music discovery and curation. SoundCloud provides distribution services to other streaming platforms, vinyl-on-demand through elasticStage, SMS fan engagement via Subtext, and social discovery features. The platform hosts over 375 million tracks with approximately 140 million registered users, maintaining a focus on independent and emerging artists especially in hip-hop, electronic, and lo-fi genres.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SoundCloud (Free)
- SoundCloud Go (Consumer Subscription)
- SoundCloud Artist (Creator Subscription)
- All-in-One Artist Subscription
- Distribution Services
- Vinyl on Demand
- Music Intelligence Report
- SoundCloud API
Quantifiable outcome
- First positive EBITDA achieved in 2023, reversing €29M loss in 2022
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use SoundCloud
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SoundCloud technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability11 records
Feature10 records
SoundCloud partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- TwitchcorePartnership for SoundCloud Sessions, a one-day DJ festival featuring live performances from Twitch DJ Program members via streaming and IRL sets at SoundCloud's New York City office. Includes 45-minute viewer engagement incentive featuring exclusive emote and dedicated landing page for DJ content, combining Twitch's live music community with SoundCloud's global discovery ecosystem.
- Auracles (Imogen Heap)strategicPartnership with Imogen Heap's Auracles to develop artist data platform for improved metadata management and artist connectivity. Announced at Web Summit 2025, enables easier account integration and music publishing between platforms, leveraging AI to democratize music creation and enhance artist promotion.
- GoDigital MusicminorPartnership with GoDigital Music as part of their acquisition of Octiive distribution platform, establishing European headquarters in Zurich and expanding service offerings for independent artists.
- elasticStagecorePartnership enabling independent artists worldwide to sell vinyl records with no upfront costs through print-on-demand technology. Artists can monetize and connect with fans in physical format, with vinyl produced only upon order.
- TwoShotminorPartnership with TwoShot for Future Sound Awards (AI music awards), with entries open July 1-22, 2025, judging criteria including SoundCloud chart listens, $10,000 in prizes for AI music creators.
- SiriusXM's AdsWizzcoreRenewed European advertising partnership with SiriusXM's AdsWizz for programmatic audio advertising across the SoundCloud platform, supporting ad-supported free tier monetization.
- TikTokcoreIntegration of SoundCloud into TikTok's 'Add to Music App' feature, allowing users to save TikTok-discovered tracks directly to SoundCloud playlists. Coincides with SoundCloud's 'Move Your Music' feature enabling library transfers from competing services. Feature has facilitated over a billion track saves across platforms since rollout.
- MusiiocoreAcquired AI music curation company Musiio in 2022 to enhance music discovery system. Integration aimed at improving playlist curation and discoverability of new and established artists through AI-powered catalog analysis.
- TicketmasterminorPartnership announced with Ticketmaster as part of new features and strategic partnerships in 2024/2025, though specific details not disclosed in available sources.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SoundCloud competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Apple Music: Apple Music is Apple's flagship music streaming service with a major-label-dominated catalog and tight iOS integration. While not focused on independent creator uploads, it is a primary alternative to SoundCloud for mainstream listening and a distribution destination for SoundCloud Artist Pro users.
- YouTube Music: YouTube Music is Google's music streaming service with deep integration into YouTube's video ecosystem and a massive catalog including user-uploaded content. It competes with SoundCloud for mainstream listening hours while leveraging Google's distribution and recommendation infrastructure.
Direct peers
- Pandora: Pandora is a US-focused music streaming and internet radio service. While its lean-back radio model differs from SoundCloud's social discovery, it competes for the same subscription and ad-supported streaming dollars among mainstream listeners.
- Spotify: Spotify is the global leader in music streaming with over 600M users and a broad major-label catalog. It is directly comparable to SoundCloud as a competing music streaming subscription platform, though its scale, mainstream focus, and podcast investments are far larger.
- Deezer: Deezer is a European music streaming service with broad catalog coverage and a presence in similar geographies to SoundCloud's European base. It competes on subscription streaming, though it lacks SoundCloud's distinctive creator-upload and social community features.
- Bandcamp: Bandcamp (acquired by Songtradr in 2023) is an artist-friendly music marketplace known for direct-to-fan sales, generous artist revenue shares, and indie/electronic music community roots. It shares SoundCloud's DNA of prioritizing independent artists and direct fan-artist relationships.
- Tidal: Tidal is a premium music streaming service with a major-label catalog and artist-ownership structure. It competes with SoundCloud on artist-friendly positioning and high-fidelity audio, though its user base skews toward established-label listeners rather than independent creators.
- Audiomack: Audiomack is a free music streaming and discovery platform focused on independent and emerging hip-hop, electronic, and African music scenes. It competes most directly with SoundCloud in the creator-upload niche and indie artist community.
Emerging players
- DistroKid: DistroKid is a leading music distribution service enabling independent artists to release music to all major streaming platforms at low annual cost. It directly overlaps with SoundCloud Artist Pro's distribution capability but does not operate its own streaming audience, making it more complementary than competitive.
- Audius: Audius is a decentralized music streaming protocol built on blockchain, with artist-friendly features and a focus on independent musicians. It shares SoundCloud's indie creator focus but pursues a fundamentally different technology and governance model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SoundCloud social profiles
Digital presenceSoundCloud compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SoundCloud financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SoundCloud leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
SoundCloud subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SoundCloud funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SoundCloud M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SoundCloud
What does SoundCloud do?
SoundCloud operates a social sound platform where anyone can create, upload, and share audio content, offering free ad-supported streaming alongside consumer subscriptions (Go, Go+) for ad-free listening and artist subscriptions (Artist, Artist Pro) for distribution, analytics, and monetization tools. The platform differentiates through its fan-powered royalties model, 100% royalty retention on distribution to other streaming services, and unique catalog of 375M+ indie and DJ tracks. Artist-facing services include unlimited uploads, multi-platform distribution, vinyl-on-demand production, and direct fan engagement features.
Is SoundCloud a public or private company?
SoundCloud is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SoundCloud founded?
SoundCloud was founded in 2007. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is SoundCloud based?
SoundCloud is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does SoundCloud make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Consumer Subscriptions (Go, Go+) is the primary driver. The others are artist Subscriptions (Artist, Artist Pro), advertising Revenue, distribution Fees, fan Support / Direct Donations, vinyl Production and Merchandise and merch Sales.
Who are SoundCloud's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Apple Music and YouTube Music. Direct peers are Pandora, Spotify, Deezer, Bandcamp, Tidal and Audiomack. Emerging players are DistroKid and Audius.
Does SoundCloud have an API?
Yes. SoundCloud offers API access for developers and partners. The platform uses GraphQL Federation technology, with SoundCloud participating as an enterprise design partner in WunderGraph Hub's private beta (launched August 2025), which enforces schema change approvals, ownership checks, and consumer-impact validation for API governance at scale.
What industry is SoundCloud in?
SoundCloud's product category is Music Streaming Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAA, On-Demand Music Streaming Platforms, with a secondary code of MPAIACAO, Ad-Supported Music Streaming (Freemium Tiers). Its NAICS code is 516210.