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Software · head to head

Fireside vs SoundCloud

Fireside logo

Fireside

Software

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Software

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SoundCloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fireside and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Fireside and SoundCloud differ
AttributeFiresideSoundCloud
Starting price$20/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20182007

Identical on both: 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 Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Only in SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Ios support
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Social media
  • Content protection
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot SoundCloud
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot SoundCloud
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

  • Discovering tracks from emerging and independent artistsnot Fireside
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Fireside
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Fireside

Where each one falls short

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

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

SoundCloud

  • The free tier plays tracks with ads
  • Offline saving of tracks requires a SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscription
  • Premium Go+ tracks are locked behind the higher Go+ tier, so SoundCloud Go alone does not unlock the full catalogue
  • Exclusive DJ app integrations require Go+
  • The app is available in only eight languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Arabic
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.4 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

SoundCloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited uploads
    • Ads
  • Go$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline
  • Go+$12.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HQ audio

Which should you pick?

Choose Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Choose SoundCloud if

  • You need audio streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want uploads.
SoundCloud review

Questions people ask

Is Fireside or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Fireside starts at $20/month and SoundCloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fireside or SoundCloud?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $20/month for Fireside and Free for SoundCloud.
Does Fireside or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Fireside runs on Web. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fireside starts at $20/month.
What is Fireside best used for?
Fireside is most often used for hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast website, running several shows as a podcast network from one account, tracking episode download metrics and link clicks. Of those, hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast website and running several shows as a podcast network from one account are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Fireside do that SoundCloud cannot?
Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Analytics. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support.
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Related pages

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