Softwr

Podcasting · head to head

Podcast.co vs SoundCloud

Podcast.co logo

Podcast.co

Podcasting

Professional podcast hosting and distribution

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

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: Podcast.co limited advanced podcast customization compared to enterprise solutions; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Podcast.co covers Unlimited hosting, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podcast.co and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Podcast.co and SoundCloud differ
AttributePodcast.coSoundCloud
Starting price$19/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20172007

Identical on both: 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 Podcast.co

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Podcast websites
  • Distribution
  • Advanced analytics
  • Team collaboration
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts

Only in SoundCloud

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

Both cover

  • Social media
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Podcast.co

  • Podcast hostingnot SoundCloud
  • Corporate podcastingnot SoundCloud
  • Network hostingnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

Podcast.co

  • Limited advanced podcast customization compared to enterprise solutions
  • Transcription service costs extra at $20/month for only 10 hours
  • Download limits vary by plan; Lite tier caps at 15,000 monthly downloads

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

Podcast.co

$19/month
  • Lite$19/month
    • 1 user
    • 15,000 monthly downloads
    • Basic podcast pages
  • Growth$49/month
    • 5 users
    • 75,000 monthly downloads
    • Advanced podcast pages
  • Premium$99/month
    • Unlimited users
    • 200,000 monthly downloads
    • Advanced podcast pages

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 Podcast.co if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want podcast websites.
Podcast.co 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 Podcast.co or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Podcast.co starts at $19/month and SoundCloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podcast.co or SoundCloud?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19/month for Podcast.co and Free for SoundCloud.
Does Podcast.co or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Podcast.co 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. Podcast.co starts at $19/month.
What is Podcast.co best used for?
Podcast.co is most often used for podcast hosting, corporate podcasting, network hosting. Of those, podcast hosting and corporate podcasting are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Podcast.co do that SoundCloud cannot?
Podcast.co covers Unlimited hosting, Podcast websites, Distribution, Advanced analytics. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Social media, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Podcast.co: How many podcasts can I host?

All Podcast.co plans allow unlimited podcasts and unlimited episodes. You can create and manage multiple shows under one account, with the Growth and Premium plans offering team collaboration for managing different podcasts.

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
Podcast.co: Which platforms does Podcast.co distribute to?

Podcast.co provides one-click distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other major podcast directories. The platform also offers scheduled publishing and custom episode artwork.

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
Podcast.co: What analytics are included?

All plans include audience data showing most popular episodes, listener locations, and top-performing platforms. Growth and Premium plans include more advanced analytics with team insights and subscriber tracking for private podcasts.

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
Podcast.co: Is transcription included?

Audio transcription is available as an add-on service at $20 per month for 10 hours of audio transcription. This helps repurpose podcast content into blog posts and social media snippets.

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
Podcast.co: Can I monetize my podcast?

Growth and Premium plans support private podcasting with invite-only episodes for paying subscribers. Podcast.co integrates with billing systems to deliver exclusive content to the right subscribers.

Source
Podcast.co: Is there a free trial?

Podcast.co offers a 14-day free trial with no hidden fees, allowing you to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Podcast.co

More on SoundCloud

Keep looking

Other head to heads