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Music · head to head

Soundtrap vs TuneCore

Soundtrap logo

Soundtrap

Music

Spotify-owned browser-based DAW and podcast studio, sold on separate Music Maker and Storytellers subscription tracks

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TuneCore logo

TuneCore

Music

Music distribution owned by Believe, offering both a 0%-royalty annual subscription and an older pay-per-release model side by side

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Soundtrap has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Soundtrap the free tier limits export quality and recording time enough that any real, publishable project needs a paid plan.; TuneCore tuneCore runs two different pricing structures side by side, and it is easy for a buyer to be quoted or compare against the wrong one for their release frequency.
  • They diverge on capability: Soundtrap covers Browser-based multitrack editor, TuneCore covers Unlimited uploads on subscription plans.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Soundtrap and TuneCore actually diverge.

Attributes where Soundtrap and TuneCore differ
AttributeSoundtrapTuneCore
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelPer user per monthPer year, subscription or pay-per-release
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

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 Soundtrap

  • Browser-based multitrack editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Podcast-specific tools
  • Loop and instrument library
  • Spotify Premium bundle
  • Direct publishing

Only in TuneCore

  • Unlimited uploads on subscription plans
  • Pay-per-release legacy option
  • 0% royalty commission on streaming stores
  • Publishing administration
  • Sync licensing marketplace
  • Multiple artist profile support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Soundtrap

  • A podcaster wanting browser-based multi-track voice recording with automatic leveling and noise reductionnot TuneCore
  • A musician collaborating remotely with bandmates in real time without sharing large project files manuallynot TuneCore
  • A Spotify Premium subscriber taking advantage of the bundled discount on a Soundtrap plannot TuneCore
  • A creator who wants access to both music and podcast production tools and picks the Complete tiernot TuneCore

TuneCore

  • A prolific artist releasing many singles a year who benefits from an unlimited-upload subscription over per-release feesnot Soundtrap
  • An infrequent releaser who prefers paying only for the specific single or album they put out rather than an annual platform feenot Soundtrap
  • An artist wanting publishing administration and sync licensing submission alongside distribution, from one vendornot Soundtrap
  • A songwriter managing multiple artist identities who is willing to pay the per-name annual fee for each additional profilenot Soundtrap

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Soundtrap

  • The free tier limits export quality and recording time enough that any real, publishable project needs a paid plan.
  • Music Maker and Storytellers are marketed as distinct products despite sharing the same underlying editor, which can lead a buyer to pay for the wrong track or duplicate features across two subscriptions.
  • Production depth, plugin support and mixing precision remain behind desktop DAWs such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro, limiting it for professional mastering work.
  • As a Spotify-owned product, roadmap priorities are set by a streaming company, and features that primarily benefit Spotify’s ecosystem (like direct publishing) get more attention than deep audio engineering tools.
  • Reliance on a stable internet connection for cloud-based recording and collaboration makes it a poor fit for fieldwork or unreliable-connectivity environments compared with a local desktop DAW.

TuneCore

  • TuneCore runs two different pricing structures side by side, and it is easy for a buyer to be quoted or compare against the wrong one for their release frequency.
  • The pay-per-release album price rises significantly on renewal, from $44.99 in year one to $56.49 in subsequent years, which is not obvious from the headline price.
  • As with DistroKid, the 0%-royalty claim covers streaming stores only; social monetisation and publishing administration both carry a 20% commission.
  • Ownership by Believe means TuneCore’s roadmap and priorities sit within a larger corporate group whose other artist-services brands can create channel conflicts or bundling pressure.
  • Additional artist profiles carry a recurring annual fee, so an artist running several projects under different names pays materially more than the headline single-artist price suggests.

Pricing, plan by plan

Soundtrap

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic recording and editing
    • Limited export quality and recording time
  • Music Maker Premium$9.99/month
    • Full-quality export
    • Extended recording time and loop library access
  • Music Maker Supreme$14.99/month
    • Expanded instrument and loop library
    • Higher-tier collaboration limits
  • Storytellers$14.99/month
    • Podcast-specific auto-leveling and noise reduction tools

TuneCore

On request
  • Rising Artist (subscription)$24.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, 0% royalty commission on streaming
  • Breakout Artist (subscription)$44.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, additional distribution features
  • Professional (subscription)$54.99/year
    • Unlimited uploads, full feature set
  • Pay-per-release: Single$24.99/year
    • One track, renews annually to keep it live

Which should you pick?

Choose Soundtrap if

  • You need browser-based multitrack editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
Soundtrap review

Choose TuneCore if

  • You need unlimited uploads on subscription plans.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want pay-per-release legacy option.
TuneCore review

Questions people ask

Is Soundtrap or TuneCore better?
Neither clearly leads. Soundtrap starts at Free and TuneCore at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Soundtrap or TuneCore?
Soundtrap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Soundtrap and On request for TuneCore.
Does Soundtrap or TuneCore run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Soundtrap for free?
Yes. Soundtrap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TuneCore starts at On request.
What is Soundtrap best used for?
Soundtrap is most often used for a podcaster wanting browser-based multi-track voice recording with automatic leveling and noise reduction, a musician collaborating remotely with bandmates in real time without sharing large project files manually, a spotify premium subscriber taking advantage of the bundled discount on a soundtrap plan, a creator who wants access to both music and podcast production tools and picks the complete tier. Of those, a podcaster wanting browser-based multi-track voice recording with automatic leveling and noise reduction and a musician collaborating remotely with bandmates in real time without sharing large project files manually are not what TuneCore is typically brought in for.
What can Soundtrap do that TuneCore cannot?
Soundtrap covers Browser-based multitrack editor, Real-time collaboration, Podcast-specific tools, Loop and instrument library. TuneCore covers Unlimited uploads on subscription plans, Pay-per-release legacy option, 0% royalty commission on streaming stores, Publishing administration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Soundtrap: Is Soundtrap free to use?

A free tier exists but with limited export quality and recording time; most real projects require a paid Music Maker, Storytellers or Complete plan.

TuneCore: Which pricing model should I use, subscription or pay-per-release?

If you release more than one or two records a year, the unlimited subscription is usually cheaper; infrequent releasers may prefer paying per release.

Soundtrap: What is the difference between Music Maker and Storytellers?

Music Maker is aimed at musicians with a loop and instrument library; Storytellers focuses on podcast tools like auto-leveling and noise reduction, though both run on the same core editor.

TuneCore: Who owns TuneCore?

Believe, a French independent music company, has owned TuneCore since 2015.

Soundtrap: Who owns Soundtrap?

Spotify, which acquired it in 2017 and now bundles it with Spotify Premium subscriptions at a discount.

TuneCore: Does TuneCore take a cut of streaming royalties?

No, on both the subscription and pay-per-release models you keep 100% of streaming store royalties; social platforms and publishing administration are commissioned separately.

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