SoundCloud

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.

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

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

• Music streaming platform
• Artist distribution services
• Audio content hosting
• Creator monetization tools
• Music discovery platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. 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
2. 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
3. Advertising Revenue: Ad-supported model for free-tier users generating revenue through display and audio advertisements
4. 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
5. 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
6. Vinyl Production and Merchandise: Print-on-demand vinyl records via elasticStage partnership and merchandise showcase tools integrated into artist pages, generating transaction-based revenue
7. Merch Sales: Integrated merchandise sales capabilities within artist profiles as part of all-in-one subscription offering

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability11 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• TwitchcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 June 2026Partnership 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)strategicTechnology or Integration · 15 December 2025Partnership 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 MusicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 November 2025Partnership with GoDigital Music as part of their acquisition of Octiive distribution platform, establishing European headquarters in Zurich and expanding service offerings for independent artists.
• elasticStagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Partnership 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.
• TwoShotminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 July 2025Partnership 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 AdsWizzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 June 2025Renewed European advertising partnership with SiriusXM's AdsWizz for programmatic audio advertising across the SoundCloud platform, supporting ad-supported free tier monetization.
• TikTokcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 May 2025Integration 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.
• MusiiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2022Acquired 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.
• TicketmasterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soundcloud
• Xx.com/soundcloud
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoundCloud

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors19 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SoundCloud