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Software · head to head

SoundCloud vs Libsyn

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Software

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Software

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/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; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Libsyn differ
AttributeSoundCloudLibsyn
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20072004

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
  • Desktop support

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Content protection
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 Libsyn
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Libsyn
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Libsyn

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot SoundCloud
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot SoundCloud
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot 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

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

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

Libsyn

$5/month
  • Classic 50$5/month
    • 50 MB monthly storage
    • Basic statistics
    • Podcast page
  • Classic 150$15/month
    • 150 MB monthly storage
    • Advanced statistics
    • Custom website
  • Advanced 400$20/month
    • 400 MB monthly storage
    • Premium analytics
    • Multiple shows
  • Advanced 800$40/month
    • 800 MB monthly storage
    • Full analytics suite
    • Priority support

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 Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Libsyn at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Libsyn?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SoundCloud and $5/month for Libsyn.
Does SoundCloud or Libsyn run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/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 Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Libsyn cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Content protection, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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Related pages

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