SoundCloud vs Spotify
SoundCloud and Spotify do different jobs. SoundCloud is where independent artists, DJs and remixers upload directly. Spotify is where most people listen to official releases.
- Individual
- Not checked yet
- Duo
- Not offered
- Family
- Not offered
- Student
- $5.99/mo
- Max quality
- 256 kbps AAC
- Lossless
- No
- Hi-res
- No
- Catalog
- Official tracks plus independent uploads and DJ mixes
- Free tier
- Yes, with ads
- Podcasts
- Limited
- Lyrics
- No
- Social
- Comments, reposts, follows
- Artist payout
- Fan-powered royalties
- Individual
- $12.99/mo
- Duo
- $18.99/mo
- Family
- $21.99/mo
- Student
- $6.99/mo
- Max quality
- Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz
- Lossless
- Yes
- Hi-res
- No
- Catalog
- 100M+ tracks, large podcast and audiobook library
- Free tier
- Yes, with ads
- Podcasts
- Yes
- Lyrics
- Yes
- Social
- Jam, Blend, shared playlists
- Artist payout
- Pro-rata, 1,000-stream minimum per track
Price
SoundCloud has a free tier and SoundCloud Go+ for full access to major-label tracks and offline listening. Spotify Premium is $12.99.
Price calculator
Not checked yet: SoundCloud. Left out until we confirm current prices.
US prices, checked Sep 26, 2026. Yearly figure is 12 months at the monthly rate.
Sound quality
Spotify Premium includes lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz (Spotify). SoundCloud Go+ streams 256 kbps AAC, not lossless (SoundCloud).
Catalog and features
SoundCloud has DJ mixes, bootleg remixes and early tracks from new artists that never reach Spotify, and anyone can upload. Spotify has the cleaner official catalog, better recommendations, podcasts and audiobooks. Many people use both.
Verdict
Pick SoundCloud to find new and underground music, or if you upload your own. Pick Spotify as your everyday music app.