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Bandcamp vs Mixcloud

Bandcamp logo

Bandcamp

Software

An artist-first music platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud

Software

The home of audio culture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bandcamp the vendor's own About page as captured by the Internet Archive on 20 November 2021 stated that when a fan buys something on Bandcamp, an average of 82 percent of the money goes to the artist or label, with the remainder covering Bandcamp's revenue share and payment processor fees; this is an average figure rather than a fixed per-sale rate and the capture is several years old; Mixcloud the free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads
  • They diverge on capability: Bandcamp covers Music streaming, Mixcloud covers DJ mixes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bandcamp and Mixcloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Bandcamp and Mixcloud differ
AttributeBandcampMixcloud
Founded20082007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bandcamp

  • Music streaming
  • Downloads
  • Artist support
  • Merchandise
  • Community
  • Payment processing
  • Secure payments

Only in Mixcloud

  • DJ mixes
  • Podcasts
  • Radio shows
  • Streaming
  • Payment systems
  • Creator controls
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Social media
  • Artist tools
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bandcamp

  • Artist discoverynot Mixcloud
  • Music supportnot Mixcloud

Mixcloud

  • Hosting DJ mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royaltiesnot Bandcamp
  • Live streaming DJ sets without copyright takedownsnot Bandcamp
  • Earning from listeners through tips and subscriptionsnot Bandcamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bandcamp

  • The vendor's own About page as captured by the Internet Archive on 20 November 2021 stated that when a fan buys something on Bandcamp, an average of 82 percent of the money goes to the artist or label, with the remainder covering Bandcamp's revenue share and payment processor fees; this is an average figure rather than a fixed per-sale rate and the capture is several years old

Mixcloud

  • The free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads
  • Unlimited uploads, private uploads, scheduling uploads, disabling comments and hiding play counts all require Pro
  • Live streaming video and audio requires Pro; the Basic tier cannot live stream
  • Monetization through Tips and Subscriptions is Pro only
  • Listener insights, tagging hosts and embedding a show player on your own site are Pro only
  • Basic audio uploads are capped at 64kbps AAC+, with 160kbps Opus HQ audio reserved for Pro
  • Free listening includes ads and offline listening requires the separate Premium for listeners subscription
  • The brand and radio station commercial packages start at $3,000 per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Bandcamp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited listening
    • Artist support

Mixcloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Listening
    • Ad-supported
  • Plus$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline listening

Which should you pick?

Choose Bandcamp if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want downloads.
Bandcamp review

Choose Mixcloud if

  • You need dj mixes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want podcasts.
Mixcloud review

Questions people ask

Is Bandcamp or Mixcloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Bandcamp starts at Free and Mixcloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bandcamp or Mixcloud?
Bandcamp starts at Free and Mixcloud at Free.
Does Bandcamp or Mixcloud run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Bandcamp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bandcamp best used for?
Bandcamp is most often used for artist discovery, music support. Of those, artist discovery and music support are not what Mixcloud is typically brought in for.
What can Bandcamp do that Mixcloud cannot?
Bandcamp covers Music streaming, Downloads, Artist support, Merchandise. Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Podcasts, Radio shows, Streaming. Both handle Social media, Artist tools, Web support, Ios support.
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Related pages

More on Bandcamp

More on Mixcloud

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