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Podcasting · head to head

SoundCloud vs Starz

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/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; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Starz covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Starz actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Starz differ
AttributeSoundCloudStarz
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
CategoryPodcastingEntertainment
Founded20071994

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Content protection

Only in Starz

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Both cover

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

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot SoundCloud
  • Original series watchingnot 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

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

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

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

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 Starz if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Starz review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Starz?
SoundCloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SoundCloud and $6.99/month for Starz.
Does SoundCloud or Starz run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Yes. SoundCloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz starts at $6.99/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 Starz is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Starz cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Starz covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Exclusive content. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android 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
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

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
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

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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