Softwr

Software · head to head

SoundCloud vs Blubrry

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Software

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Blubrry logo

Blubrry

Software

Podcast hosting with advanced analytics and tools

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Blubrry entry plan at $7 per month allows only 1.5 hours of new audio published per month
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Blubrry actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Blubrry differ
AttributeSoundCloudBlubrry
Starting priceFree$12/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Wordpress
Founded20072005

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
  • Ios support

Only in Blubrry

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Distribution
  • Advanced analytics
  • WordPress plugin
  • Monetization
  • Detailed stats
  • WordPress
  • All podcast platforms

Both cover

  • Content protection
  • 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 Blubrry
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Blubrry
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Blubrry

Blubrry

  • Hosting a podcast with a managed WordPress site includednot SoundCloud
  • Publishing to podcast directories with IAB compliant statisticsnot SoundCloud
  • Running programmatic and dynamically inserted podcast advertising at the Professional tiernot 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

Blubrry

  • Entry plan at $7 per month allows only 1.5 hours of new audio published per month
  • Advanced podcast statistics require the $25 per month Advanced 6 plan; cheaper plans get standard statistics only
  • Monetization features are restricted to the Advanced plans
  • Dynamic ad insertion, programmatic advertising, unlimited shows and sub-accounts sit on a Professional tier with no published price
  • Publishing allowance is measured in hours of audio per month, so a long-form show hits the cap quickly

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

Blubrry

$12/month
  • Basic$12/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Distribution
    • Analytics
  • Advanced$20/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Monetization tools

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.
SoundCloud review

Choose Blubrry if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You work on Web, Wordpress.
  • You also want distribution.
Blubrry review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Blubrry better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Blubrry at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Blubrry?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SoundCloud and $12/month for Blubrry.
Does SoundCloud or Blubrry run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Blubrry runs on Web, Wordpress.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blubrry starts at $12/month.
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 Blubrry is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Blubrry cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting, Distribution, Advanced analytics, WordPress plugin. Both handle Content protection, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on SoundCloud

More on Blubrry

Keep looking

Other head to heads