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Software · head to head

SoundCloud vs Fireside

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Software

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fireside logo

Fireside

Software

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/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; Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Fireside covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Fireside actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Fireside differ
AttributeSoundCloudFireside
Starting priceFree$20/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb
Founded20072018

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
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Ios support
  • Android support

Only in Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Both cover

  • Social media
  • 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 Fireside
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Fireside
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Fireside

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot SoundCloud
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot SoundCloud
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot 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

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

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

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

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 Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Fireside better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Fireside at $20/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Fireside?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SoundCloud and $20/month for Fireside.
Does SoundCloud or Fireside run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Fireside runs on Web.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fireside starts at $20/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 Fireside is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Fireside cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Analytics. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support.
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Related pages

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