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Podcasting · head to head

SoundCloud vs Spreaker

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Podcasting

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Spreaker actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Spreaker differ
AttributeSoundCloudSpreaker
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20072011

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 SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Desktop support

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms
  • Payment processors

Both cover

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

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot SoundCloud
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot SoundCloud
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot 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

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

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 Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Spreaker?
SoundCloud starts at Free and Spreaker at Free.
Does SoundCloud or Spreaker run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Spreaker cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Spreaker: Does Spreaker offer free podcast hosting?

Yes, Spreaker offers free podcast hosting. The homepage explicitly states 'Your Podcasts Free' and includes a call-to-action to 'Start Free Today' for Spreaker Create for Web.

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
Spreaker: What premium features does Spreaker offer beyond the free tier?

Spreaker provides additional features beyond free hosting, including monetization features through the Prime Network. However, specific premium plan names, prices, and feature details are not disclosed on the main homepage and require visiting additional pages or contacting Spreaker.

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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