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Podcasting · head to head

Patreon vs SoundCloud

Patreon logo

Patreon

Podcasting

Membership platform for creators

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: Patreon takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Patreon covers Membership tiers, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Patreon and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Patreon and SoundCloud differ
AttributePatreonSoundCloud
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20132007

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

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 Patreon

  • Membership tiers
  • Exclusive content
  • Private podcast feeds
  • Community features
  • Analytics
  • Payment processing
  • Discord
  • Podcast apps

Only in SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Social media
  • Content protection
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Patreon

  • Creator monetizationnot SoundCloud
  • Content creation platformsnot SoundCloud
  • Fan support modelsnot SoundCloud
  • Membership communitiesnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

Patreon

  • Takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform
  • Payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees are charged on top of that 10% and are not quantified on the pricing page
  • The total deduction is therefore not calculable from the pricing page alone, and requires reading a separate support article

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

Patreon

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Patreon review.

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 Patreon if

  • You need membership tiers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want exclusive content.
Patreon 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 Patreon or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Patreon 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, Patreon or SoundCloud?
Patreon starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free.
Does Patreon or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Patreon runs on Web, Ios, Android. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Patreon for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Patreon best used for?
Patreon is most often used for creator monetization, content creation platforms, fan support models, membership communities. Of those, creator monetization and content creation platforms are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Patreon do that SoundCloud cannot?
Patreon covers Membership tiers, Exclusive content, Private podcast feeds, Community features. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Patreon: How much does it cost to start a Patreon?

Starting a Patreon is completely free. Creators can share their work immediately without any upfront costs or subscription fees. Patreon only charges when creators begin earning money from supporters on the platform.

Source
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
Patreon: How does Patreon's pricing model work?

Patreon charges a 10% platform fee on all income earned, plus payment processing, currency conversion, and payout fees along with applicable taxes. Creators earn through monthly subscriptions, membership tiers, and one-time payments from supporters, with Patreon handling all payment infrastructure and fraud protection.

Source
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
Patreon: What features are included in all Patreon creator accounts?

All creator accounts include content creation tools for audio, images, video, and livestreaming, plus community features like chats, direct messages, and comments. Creators also get access to analytics, email newsletters, and podcast management capabilities at no additional tier cost beyond the 10% platform fee.

Source
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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