Spotify dominates with 100+ million songs, superior audio quality options (up to 320kbps), and 574 million users, while SoundCloud specializes in independent artists and emerging music with a smaller 76 million user base and lower streaming payouts that favor artist discovery over listener experience.
Spotify vs SoundCloud — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Spotify if you prioritize mainstream music discovery, superior audio quality options, extensive catalog curation, and prefer a platform with institutional backing and 30+ years of stable operations ahead. Choose SoundCloud if you're an emerging artist seeking fair payouts, want direct access to underground and independent music, value community feedback features, or prefer supporting smaller creators without corporate intermediaries.
Freemium music streaming platform with 626M users and industry-leading personalization
Artist-centric platform hosting 635+ million independent and emerging artist tracks with direct creator relationships.
Structured comparison data for Spotify vs SoundCloud with 161 attributes.
Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
Artist Growth Multiplier (focused strategy)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Annual Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Discover Weekly Playlists Generated Weekly
User Satisfaction with Discovery (2024 survey)
Monthly Subscription Price (Premium/Paid Tier)
Spotify vs SoundCloud — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Spotify vs SoundCloud.
Which platform pays artists more per stream?
SoundCloud pays approximately $0.007 per stream on average, while Spotify pays $0.003-$0.005 per stream. This means SoundCloud creators earn roughly 75% more per stream, making it significantly better for independent artists prioritizing direct revenue over audience reach.
Does Spotify offer lossless audio quality?
No. Despite announcing Spotify HiFi in 2021, the service has not launched lossless audio streaming as of 2026. Spotify's maximum quality remains 320kbps Ogg Vorbis on Premium tier, while SoundCloud maxes at 128kbps MP3, making neither platform ideal for audiophiles.
Can I find independent and underground music on both platforms?
Yes, but SoundCloud is purpose-built for it with 635 million independent artist tracks versus Spotify's 100 million curated catalog. SoundCloud's algorithm doesn't filter out emerging artists, whereas Spotify's algorithmic playlists favor established, high-engagement tracks from major labels.
Which platform is more stable long-term?
Spotify is financially stable with $13.6 billion annual revenue (2024) and profitability. SoundCloud has faced multiple near-bankruptcies, ownership changes, and layoffs (particularly in 2017 and 2024), creating uncertainty about long-term platform viability.
What's the cheapest way to stream music on both platforms?
SoundCloud Go+ is cheapest at $9.99/month for ad-free streaming. Spotify's cheapest premium tier (Standard) is $11.99/month. Both offer free tiers with ads and limitations, with SoundCloud free tier allowing unlimited skips while Spotify free tier restricts skips to 6 per hour.