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Podcasting · head to head

RedCircle vs SoundCloud

RedCircle logo

RedCircle

Podcasting

Free podcast hosting with sponsorship opportunities

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: RedCircle the free Core plan is limited to 1 podcast; unlimited podcasts require the Growth plan at $14.99 per month; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: RedCircle 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 RedCircle and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where RedCircle and SoundCloud differ
AttributeRedCircleSoundCloud
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20152007

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 RedCircle

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Distribution
  • Sponsorship marketplace
  • Analytics
  • Podcast website
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

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.

RedCircle

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts with unlimited storage and downloadsnot SoundCloud
  • Monetising a podcast through host-read and programmatic ad marketplacesnot SoundCloud
  • Selling paid subscriptions and exclusive episodesnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

RedCircle

  • The free Core plan is limited to 1 podcast; unlimited podcasts require the Growth plan at $14.99 per month
  • The free Core plan caps AI transcripts at 5 per month
  • The Core plan podcast webpage carries a Related Shows section that cannot be removed
  • Support on the Core plan is standard with a 72 hour response; 48 hour Advanced support starts on Growth
  • Team seats are not available on Core or Growth; Pro at $29.99 per month includes 5 seats and unlimited seats require Enterprise at $99.99 per month
  • Video file upload to episodes and one-click YouTube distribution require the Pro plan
  • Running your own ads and tracking URLs require the Pro plan
  • A dedicated account manager is Enterprise only
  • The trial is 7 days

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

RedCircle

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Automatic distribution
    • Sponsorship opportunities

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 RedCircle if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want distribution.
RedCircle 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 RedCircle or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. RedCircle 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, RedCircle or SoundCloud?
RedCircle starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free.
Does RedCircle or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
RedCircle runs on Web, Ios, Android. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use RedCircle for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is RedCircle best used for?
RedCircle is most often used for hosting and distributing podcasts with unlimited storage and downloads, monetising a podcast through host-read and programmatic ad marketplaces, selling paid subscriptions and exclusive episodes. Of those, hosting and distributing podcasts with unlimited storage and downloads and monetising a podcast through host-read and programmatic ad marketplaces are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can RedCircle do that SoundCloud cannot?
RedCircle covers Unlimited hosting, Distribution, Sponsorship marketplace, Analytics. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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