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Mixcloud vs TuneCore

Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud

Music

The home of audio culture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TuneCore logo

TuneCore

Music

Music distribution owned by Believe, offering both a 0%-royalty annual subscription and an older pay-per-release model side by side

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mixcloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mixcloud the free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads; TuneCore tuneCore runs two different pricing structures side by side, and it is easy for a buyer to be quoted or compare against the wrong one for their release frequency.
  • They diverge on capability: Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, TuneCore covers Unlimited uploads on subscription plans.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mixcloud and TuneCore actually diverge.

Attributes where Mixcloud and TuneCore differ
AttributeMixcloudTuneCore
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumPer year, subscription or pay-per-release
Free tierYesNo
Founded2007Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

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 Mixcloud

  • DJ mixes
  • Podcasts
  • Radio shows
  • Streaming
  • Artist tools
  • Social media
  • Payment systems
  • Creator controls

Only in TuneCore

  • Unlimited uploads on subscription plans
  • Pay-per-release legacy option
  • 0% royalty commission on streaming stores
  • Publishing administration
  • Sync licensing marketplace
  • Multiple artist profile support

What people use each for

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

Mixcloud

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

TuneCore

  • A prolific artist releasing many singles a year who benefits from an unlimited-upload subscription over per-release feesnot Mixcloud
  • An infrequent releaser who prefers paying only for the specific single or album they put out rather than an annual platform feenot Mixcloud
  • An artist wanting publishing administration and sync licensing submission alongside distribution, from one vendornot Mixcloud
  • A songwriter managing multiple artist identities who is willing to pay the per-name annual fee for each additional profilenot Mixcloud

Where each one falls short

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

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

TuneCore

  • TuneCore runs two different pricing structures side by side, and it is easy for a buyer to be quoted or compare against the wrong one for their release frequency.
  • The pay-per-release album price rises significantly on renewal, from $44.99 in year one to $56.49 in subsequent years, which is not obvious from the headline price.
  • As with DistroKid, the 0%-royalty claim covers streaming stores only; social monetisation and publishing administration both carry a 20% commission.
  • Ownership by Believe means TuneCore’s roadmap and priorities sit within a larger corporate group whose other artist-services brands can create channel conflicts or bundling pressure.
  • Additional artist profiles carry a recurring annual fee, so an artist running several projects under different names pays materially more than the headline single-artist price suggests.

Pricing, plan by plan

Mixcloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic streaming access
  • Premium for Listeners$7.99/month
    • Unlimited replays
    • Offline listening and downloads
    • No ads
  • Pro for Creators$11.25/month
    • Unlimited show uploads
    • Live streaming without takedowns
    • High-quality audio enhancement

TuneCore

On request
  • Rising Artist (subscription)$24.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, 0% royalty commission on streaming
  • Breakout Artist (subscription)$44.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, additional distribution features
  • Professional (subscription)$54.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, full feature set
  • Pay-per-release: Single$24.99/year
    • One track, renews annually to keep it live

Which should you pick?

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

Choose TuneCore if

  • You need unlimited uploads on subscription plans.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want pay-per-release legacy option.
TuneCore review

Questions people ask

Is Mixcloud or TuneCore better?
Neither clearly leads. Mixcloud starts at Free and TuneCore at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mixcloud or TuneCore?
Mixcloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mixcloud and On request for TuneCore.
Does Mixcloud or TuneCore run on more platforms?
Mixcloud runs on Web, Ios, Android. TuneCore runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Mixcloud for free?
Yes. Mixcloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TuneCore starts at On request.
What is Mixcloud best used for?
Mixcloud is most often used for hosting dj mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royalties, live streaming dj sets without copyright takedowns, earning from listeners through tips and subscriptions. Of those, hosting dj mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royalties and live streaming dj sets without copyright takedowns are not what TuneCore is typically brought in for.
What can Mixcloud do that TuneCore cannot?
Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Podcasts, Radio shows, Streaming. TuneCore covers Unlimited uploads on subscription plans, Pay-per-release legacy option, 0% royalty commission on streaming stores, Publishing administration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mixcloud: What does Mixcloud Premium for Listeners include?

Mixcloud Premium for Listeners costs $7.99/month and includes unlimited replays, offline listening with downloads, ad-free streaming, and upfront tracklists showing all songs from the start.

Source
TuneCore: Which pricing model should I use, subscription or pay-per-release?

If you release more than one or two records a year, the unlimited subscription is usually cheaper; infrequent releasers may prefer paying per release.

Mixcloud: How much is Mixcloud Pro for Creators?

Mixcloud Pro for Creators costs $11.25/month when paid annually and allows unlimited show uploads, live streaming without takedowns, high-quality audio, monetization features, and detailed analytics.

Source
TuneCore: Who owns TuneCore?

Believe, a French independent music company, has owned TuneCore since 2015.

TuneCore: Does TuneCore take a cut of streaming royalties?

No, on both the subscription and pay-per-release models you keep 100% of streaming store royalties; social platforms and publishing administration are commissioned separately.

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