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Entertainment · head to head

Infuse vs SoundCloud

Infuse logo

Infuse

Entertainment

Paid media player for Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and Mac with strong network share and cloud library streaming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Infuse it costs money in every form, subscription or lifetime, where IINA performs equivalent local Mac playback for free.; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Infuse covers Apple TV app, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Infuse and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Infuse and SoundCloud differ
AttributeInfuseSoundCloud
Pricing modelPer user per monthfreemium
PlatformsMac, iOS, tvOSWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
CategoryEntertainmentPodcasting
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Infuse

  • Apple TV app
  • Network share streaming
  • Cloud storage support
  • Automatic metadata and artwork
  • Subtitle and audio track handling
  • Cross-platform library

Only in SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • Social media
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Content protection

What people use each for

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

Infuse

  • Someone with a NAS full of ripped or downloaded video who wants it browsable on Apple TV like a streaming servicenot SoundCloud
  • A household that wants one media library accessible from the living room television, phones and a Macnot SoundCloud
  • A user who wants automatic artwork and metadata for a personal library rather than plain file namesnot SoundCloud
  • Someone already invested in the Apple TV ecosystem who wants better playback than the built in Apple TV app supportsnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

Infuse

  • It costs money in every form, subscription or lifetime, where IINA performs equivalent local Mac playback for free.
  • Full functionality depends on the Pro tier, so the free version alone is limited enough that most serious users end up paying.
  • It has no Android or Windows app, so it does not help a household with non-Apple television or phone hardware.
  • Streaming quality from a network share depends heavily on local network speed and NAS performance, which is outside the app control and can cause buffering.
  • Regional pricing and promotional lifetime pricing has varied over time, so the exact lifetime cost is worth checking on the App Store before buying.

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

Infuse

Free
  • Infuse (free)Free
    • Basic local file playback
    • Limited compared to Pro
    • No network share or cloud streaming
  • Infuse Pro Monthly$1.99/month
    • Full network share and cloud streaming
    • Metadata and artwork fetching
    • All future updates included while subscribed
  • Infuse Pro Lifetime$149.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase, no recurring fee
    • All future major version updates included
    • Regional pricing varies by App Store

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 Infuse if

  • You need apple tv app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, iOS, tvOS.
  • You also want network share streaming.
Infuse 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 Infuse or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Infuse starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Infuse or SoundCloud?
Infuse starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free.
Does Infuse or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Infuse runs on Mac, iOS, tvOS. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Infuse for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Infuse best used for?
Infuse is most often used for someone with a nas full of ripped or downloaded video who wants it browsable on apple tv like a streaming service, a household that wants one media library accessible from the living room television, phones and a mac, a user who wants automatic artwork and metadata for a personal library rather than plain file names, someone already invested in the apple tv ecosystem who wants better playback than the built in apple tv app supports. Of those, someone with a nas full of ripped or downloaded video who wants it browsable on apple tv like a streaming service and a household that wants one media library accessible from the living room television, phones and a mac are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Infuse do that SoundCloud cannot?
Infuse covers Apple TV app, Network share streaming, Cloud storage support, Automatic metadata and artwork. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Infuse: Is Infuse free?

A limited free version exists, but network share and cloud streaming, the main reason people choose Infuse, requires Infuse Pro, sold as a subscription or lifetime purchase.

SoundCloud: What are the differences between SoundCloud's Artist and Artist Pro plans for creators?

Artist is $3.25/month with 3-hour uploads and 2x boosts per month. Artist Pro is $8.25/month with unlimited uploads and unlimited boosts, plus more frequent AI mastering.

Source
Infuse: Does Infuse work on Apple TV?

Yes, it has a dedicated Apple TV app with a television-optimised browsing interface, which IINA does not offer at all.

SoundCloud: Do SoundCloud's Go and Go+ listener plans include trials?

Yes. SoundCloud Go includes a free 7-day trial. SoundCloud Go+ and the student version both include free 30-day trials.

Source
Infuse: Is there a one-time payment option?

Yes, a lifetime purchase is available alongside monthly and yearly subscriptions, currently around 149.99 US dollars depending on region.

SoundCloud: What is the difference between SoundCloud Go and Go+?

Both are ad-free with unlimited offline saves. Go+ costs $10.99/month and adds DJ app mixing capability plus artist support, compared to Go at $4.99/month.

Source
SoundCloud: Is there a discounted SoundCloud plan for students?

Yes. Student Go+ is $5.49/month (50% discount on the regular $10.99/month Go+ plan) and requires university verification.

Source
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