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Podcasting · head to head

Auphonic vs SoundCloud

Auphonic logo

Auphonic

Podcasting

Automated audio mastering and loudness processing

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: Auphonic the free tier covers 2 hours of processed audio a month; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Auphonic and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Auphonic and SoundCloud differ
AttributeAuphonicSoundCloud
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20102007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Auphonic

  • Automatic loudness optimization
  • Noise reduction
  • Audio restoration
  • Intelligent processing
  • API integration
  • Auto-upload
  • Podcast hosts
  • Dropbox

Only in SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • Social media
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Content protection

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Auphonic

  • Automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audionot SoundCloud
  • Batch processing an archive of recordingsnot SoundCloud
  • Generating transcripts and chapters from an episodenot SoundCloud
  • Producing consistent output across multiple formats from one uploadnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

Auphonic

  • The free tier covers 2 hours of processed audio a month
  • Billing is by audio duration with a 3 minute minimum per production, so many short clips cost more than the running time suggests
  • Multilingual speech recognition, automatic chapters and show notes all require a paid plan
  • Watch folders, batch productions and team accounts are paid features
  • Free output carries an Auphonic jingle

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

Auphonic

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours/month processing
    • Basic mastering
    • Download files
  • Personal$10/month
    • 50 hours/month
    • Advanced mastering
    • API access

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 Auphonic if

  • You need automatic loudness optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want noise reduction.
Auphonic 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 Auphonic or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Auphonic 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, Auphonic or SoundCloud?
Auphonic starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free.
Does Auphonic or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Auphonic runs on Web. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Auphonic for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Auphonic best used for?
Auphonic is most often used for automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audio, batch processing an archive of recordings, generating transcripts and chapters from an episode, producing consistent output across multiple formats from one upload. Of those, automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audio and batch processing an archive of recordings are not what SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Auphonic do that SoundCloud cannot?
Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, Noise reduction, Audio restoration, Intelligent processing. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Auphonic: Is Auphonic free or does it require payment?

Auphonic offers a free plan with 2 hours of audio processing per month. Premium plans require monthly subscription credits for additional processing hours, or one-time credit purchases that never expire.

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
Auphonic: What does Auphonic's free plan include and what are its limits?

The free plan includes 2 hours of audio processing per month, all basic audio algorithms (leveler, noise reduction, filtering), automatic shownotes, and filler/silence cutting. The Auphonic jingle is included in free productions.

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
Auphonic: How does Auphonic charge for audio processing beyond the free tier?

Auphonic offers monthly subscription tiers (S through XXL) based on hours needed and one-time credit purchases (5-3000+ hours). Billing is based on audio file duration; minimum 3 minutes per production. Custom subscriptions available for over 1000 hours/month.

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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