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Podcasting · head to head

SoundCloud vs Transistor.fm

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

Discover, stream, and share music

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Transistor.fm logo

Transistor.fm

Podcasting

The podcast host built for professional broadcasters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads; Transistor.fm add-on pricing for transcription services is listed but actual prices omitted from display
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SoundCloud and Transistor.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where SoundCloud and Transistor.fm differ
AttributeSoundCloudTransistor.fm
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Mobile
Founded20072016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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
  • Social media
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Content protection

Only in Transistor.fm

  • Unlimited episodes
  • Automatic transcription
  • Advanced analytics
  • Custom player
  • Email newsletters
  • White-label options
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

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

Transistor.fm

  • Podcast hosting and distributionnot SoundCloud
  • Video podcast publishingnot SoundCloud
  • AI transcriptionnot SoundCloud
  • Dynamic ad insertionnot SoundCloud
  • Private podcast networksnot 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

Transistor.fm

  • Add-on pricing for transcription services is listed but actual prices omitted from display
  • Enterprise pricing lacks specificity and requires direct contact
  • Private subscriber limits appear restrictive for scaling large networks
  • No transparent usage overage costs shown

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

Transistor.fm

Free
  • Starter$19/month
    • 20K monthly downloads
    • 50 private subscribers
    • Unlimited podcasts
  • Professional$49/month
    • 100K monthly downloads
    • 500 private subscribers
    • Dynamic ads
  • Business$99/month
    • 250K monthly downloads
    • 3K private subscribers
    • Branded removal
  • Enterprise$199/month
    • Custom limits exceeding 250K downloads or 3K private subscribers

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 Transistor.fm if

  • You need unlimited episodes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want automatic transcription.
Transistor.fm review

Questions people ask

Is SoundCloud or Transistor.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud starts at Free and Transistor.fm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SoundCloud or Transistor.fm?
SoundCloud starts at Free and Transistor.fm at Free.
Does SoundCloud or Transistor.fm run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Transistor.fm runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Transistor.fm is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Transistor.fm cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes, Automatic transcription, Advanced analytics, Custom player. 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
Transistor.fm: Does Transistor.fm offer a free trial?

Yes, Transistor offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

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
Transistor.fm: What's the least expensive plan?

The Starter plan costs $19 per month USD and includes 20K monthly downloads, 50 private subscribers, unlimited podcasts, and unlimited collaborators.

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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