Software · head to head
SoundCloud vs Acast
The short version
- Only SoundCloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads; Acast the free Starter tier is limited to 1 show and 5 episodes; unlimited episodes require making the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace
- They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Acast covers Enterprise hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Acast actually diverge.
| Attribute | SoundCloud | Acast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Desktop | Web |
| Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 SoundCloud
- Audio streaming
- Uploads
- Discovery
- Sharing
- Social media
- DJ software
- Privacy settings
- Content protection
Only in Acast
- Enterprise hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship platform
- Analytics
- Monetization
- API access
- All podcast platforms
- Advertising networks
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
SoundCloud
- Discovering tracks from emerging and independent artistsnot Acast
- Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Acast
- Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Acast
Acast
- Hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening appsnot SoundCloud
- Monetising episodes through the Acast advertising marketplace and sponsorshipsnot SoundCloud
- Publishing video podcast episodes alongside audionot SoundCloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Acast
- The free Starter tier is limited to 1 show and 5 episodes; unlimited episodes require making the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace
- Multiple shows require the paid Influencer plan at $14.99 per month billed annually or $25 per month billed monthly
- Team management, prioritised support and the Publishing API require the Pro plan at $29.99 per month billed annually or $40 per month monthly
- Publishing video episodes to Apple Podcasts requires the Video plan at $39.99 per month billed annually or $50 per month monthly
- The Video plan includes only 10,000 monthly video views
- A payment card is required to sign up even for the free tier
- The Creator Network tier is quote only with no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
SoundCloud
Free- FreeFree
- Limited uploads
- Ads
- Go$5.99/month
- Ad-free
- Offline
- Go+$12.99/month
- Full catalog
- HQ audio
Acast
On request- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Unlimited hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship marketplace
Which should you pick?
Choose SoundCloud if
- You need audio streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
- You also want uploads.
Questions people ask
- Is SoundCloud or Acast better?
- Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Acast at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Acast?
- SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SoundCloud and On request for Acast.
- Does SoundCloud or Acast run on more platforms?
- SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Acast runs on Web.
- Can I use SoundCloud for free?
- Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acast starts at On request.
- What is SoundCloud best used for?
- SoundCloud is most often used for discovering tracks from emerging and independent artists, uploading your own music to reach listeners directly, offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tier. Of those, discovering tracks from emerging and independent artists and uploading your own music to reach listeners directly are not what Acast is typically brought in for.
- What can SoundCloud do that Acast cannot?
- SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Both handle Web support.