Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Which is better in 2025?

Part 1. Bandcamp vs SoundCloud for Artists

Many indie artists often find themselves debating: "SoundCloud or Bandcamp?" or "Which platform is better for artists: Bandcamp or SoundCloud?" If you're unsure which platform to choose, we're here to help you understand the key differences between Bandcamp and SoundCloud for artists. In this section, we'll break down the pricing, compensation, and other important features to help you make an informed decision.

SoundCloud vs Bandcamp: Plan Pricing for Artists

Both Bandcamp and SoundCloud offer free and paid plans for artists, but their approaches differ significantly when it comes to pricing and features.

• Bandcamp allows artists almost complete control over pricing, with the ability to set their own prices for music downloads. For free accounts, there are some limitations, including a maximum upload size of 291MB per track. However, once an artist makes $20 or more in sales through Bandcamp, their upload size limit increases to 600MB per track. If you choose to upgrade to a Bandcamp Pro account for $10/month, the upload limit increases to 2GB per track, offering more flexibility for artists with larger files. If you manage multiple artists, you can also opt for a Label Account, which costs $20/month for up to 15 artists, or $50/month for unlimited artists. This account has same features to the Pro Account.

• SoundCloud, on the other hand, follows a freemium model with SoundCloud Free, SoundCloud Artist, and SoundCloud Pro plans. The free plan allows 120 minutes of upload time with a maximum file size of 4GB. SoundCloud Artist subscribers can upload up to 3 hours of music for just $3.25/month. For SoundCloud Pro users, there are no limits on uploads, but this plan costs $8.25/month. It's important to note that these plans differ in terms of additional features such as statistics, monetization options, and storage space.

Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Compensation for Artists

The compensation models for Bandcamp and SoundCloud are designed to serve different purposes and audiences.

• Bandcamp is primarily focused on supporting independent musicians. It allows artists to sell albums, individual tracks, and even merchandise directly to fans. The platform lets artists set the prices for their music, providing greater control over their revenue. Artists keep up to 85% of the earnings from sales, with a higher share of 90% if they earn over $5,000 in a year. Bandcamp also features a Bandcamp Subscription model, enabling fans to support their favorite artists with recurring monthly payments, thus providing a stable income stream. Unlike many streaming services, Bandcamp doesn't rely on ad income or streaming royalties, focusing instead on direct sales.

Note: Bandcamp offers a special program called Bandcamp Fridays, where all payments from fans go directly to the artist, with no platform fees. This occurs on select Fridays of each month, giving artists a chance to earn 100% of their sales.

• SoundCloud, in contrast, enables artists to monetize their content through ads, premium subscriptions, and SoundCloud's Premier Program. In the Premier Program, artists earn royalties based on the number of streams they receive. However, the revenue share on SoundCloud is more complicated and depends on factors such as the number of plays, the type of plan you have, and whether your content is monetized. As of 2025, artists on SoundCloud Pro can expect to earn around $0.0025 - $0.004 per stream. While this provides broader exposure, the earnings per stream are significantly lower than those on Bandcamp.

📝In summary: Bandcamp offers a more artist-friendly approach, allowing creators to maintain control over their pricing and revenue. SoundCloud offers wider exposure but comes with a more complex revenue model and lower earnings per stream.

Part 2. Bandcamp vs SoundCloud for Users

When it comes to choosing between Bandcamp and SoundCloud as a listener, several factors can influence your decision. These factors include subscription pricing, music catalog, sound quality, platform focus, social networking features, and more. If you're looking to understand how these two platforms compare for music lovers, this section will provide a comprehensive breakdown.

Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Plan Pricing

Both Bandcamp and SoundCloud offer free access to music, but the details differ significantly for listeners:

• Bandcamp allows listeners to explore and stream music for free. Most tracks on the platform are available for free streaming, and you can listen without even needing to log in. Some artists also offer a selection of tracks from their albums for free to give listeners a taste before purchasing. While you can stream music for free, downloading individual tracks or albums often requires a purchase or donation to the artist. The price varies depending on the artist's pricing model, and there are no ads on the platform.

• SoundCloud offers a free version that lets users listen to tracks with ads. However, some tracks, especially those labeled 'Go+', are only available with a paid subscription. For premium features, SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+ subscriptions are available.

For the paid subscriptions, there are clear differences between the two services:

While Bandcamp does not have a standard monthly subscription for listeners, you can purchase albums, tracks, or even merchandise to support the artists you love. In contrast, SoundCloud offers two main subscription options: SoundCloud Go ($4.99/month) and SoundCloud Go+ ($10.99/month). Both plans offer an ad-free experience and offline listening options. The premium SoundCloud Go+ plan provides access to exclusive tracks and higher-quality audio. Students can also enjoy a discounted rate of $5.49/month for SoundCloud Go+ after verification.

View also: How to Get SoundCloud Free Trial

SoundCloud vs Bandcamp: Music Catalog

When it comes to music catalog, SoundCloud offers a massive selection of over 300 million tracks, making it one of the largest music platforms globally. It features a wide variety of genres, with a strong presence in social-driven genres like Hip-Hop, Trap, and EDM. SoundCloud serves as a hub for emerging artists, offering demos, remixes, podcasts, and user-generated content. It's a place where new music can rapidly gain popularity through sharing and community interaction.

On the other hand, Bandcamp is focused more on quality and ownership. Unlike SoundCloud, Bandcamp doesn't host as many tracks, but it provides a curated, artist-owned catalog. Bandcamp excels in serving underground, independent, and niche genres such as Indie Rock, Metal, Ambient, and Experimental Electronic. Artists on Bandcamp typically upload albums or EPs, and tracks are often available in high-quality or lossless formats such as FLAC and WAV. Additionally, Bandcamp offers podcasts and audiobooks as part of its catalog, which adds more variety for listeners.

Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Sound Quality

Sound quality is one of the key differentiators between Bandcamp and SoundCloud:

• Bandcamp is known for offering lossless audio quality in formats such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, and more. If you've purchased an album or track, you can download it in 16-bit 44.1kHz FLAC, WAV, ALAC, or AIFF formats, which is especially appealing for audiophiles and listeners who care about the highest quality sound. However, when streaming free tracks, the quality is limited to 128 kbps MP3. For purchased tracks, streaming is available at around 250 kbps MP3 quality.

• SoundCloud provides high-quality MP3 streams for free users, with SoundCloud Go+ offering streaming up to 320 kbps. Free users are limited to standard 128 kbps MP3, making it less ideal for audiophiles when compared to Bandcamp's high-quality and lossless options.

SoundCloud vs Bandcamp: Platform Focus

SoundCloud is a platform that blends social networking and music streaming. It functions similarly to YouTube or Reddit but for music. Users can interact with artists, share tracks, and collaborate with other creators. The platform is heavily community-driven, and its algorithm suggests songs and playlists based on your listening habits. SoundCloud also supports automatic playback, creating a more personalized listening experience.

In contrast, Bandcamp is primarily focused on artist-to-fan relationships. It acts more like an online marketplace where you can purchase music and merchandise directly from artists. While it doesn't offer social networking features or automatic playlist suggestions, it allows for a deeper connection with music. You can explore artist stories, view album artwork, and read detailed music notes. It's more about discovery and supporting independent creators.

Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Social Networking

While Bandcamp does offer a social aspect, allowing you to follow artists and join communities, it doesn't have the interactive features that SoundCloud provides. On Bandcamp, you can comment on albums you purchase, share your favorite tracks, and engage with other fans through social media. However, the social experience is more limited compared to SoundCloud.

SoundCloud excels in social networking, allowing users to comment on tracks, follow artists, and interact with other listeners. SoundCloud also allows you to comment on specific sections of a track, enabling more direct interaction with the music itself. The platform is built for collaboration and sharing, making it more dynamic for users who want to connect with others.

Both platforms support embedding tracks on social media, allowing you to share your favorite music easily.

SoundCloud vs Bandcamp: User Interface

SoundCloud offers a modern, dynamic interface designed for social interaction. The home page is filled with recommended playlists, tracks you've listened to, and suggestions based on your listening habits. It's easy to find new music and interact with other users.

Bandcamp has a simpler, more minimalist interface focused on music discovery and purchases. The layout is clean, making it easy to browse through music and buy albums. However, new users may find the platform a bit less intuitive compared to the more interactive, social layout of SoundCloud. It also lacks some of the social media-style features that are common in other platforms, making it feel less dynamic in comparison.

Bandcamp vs SoundCloud: Region and Language Availability

Both SoundCloud and Bandcamp are available worldwide, but SoundCloud has a broader global reach and offers support in up to 9 languages. This wide accessibility has contributed to SoundCloud's dominance in the international music scene. Bandcamp, while also available globally, is offered in 6 languages, including English, Spanish, and French.

Part 3. Pros and Cons of Bandcamp vs SoundCloud

Pros of Bandcamp

✔ Direct artist-to-fan sales and engagement

✔ Discover and support independent music

✔ High-quality, lossless audio options

✔ Simple revenue model with better profit margins for artists

✔ No ads during playback or on the platform layout

Cons of Bandcamp

❌ Smaller catalog compared to SoundCloud

❌ Limited social networking and community features

Pros of SoundCloud

✔ Vast catalog of music, including emerging artists

✔ Strong social networking and community features

✔ Wide variety of podcasts and DJ mixes

✔ Monetization options available for creators

✔ More DJ-friendly features and tools

Cons of SoundCloud

❌ Lower audio quality for free users

❌ Frequent ads during playback

❌ Complex pricing structure and lower revenue share for artists compared to Bandcamp

❌ Less control for artists over pricing and music distribution

Part 4. Comparison of Bandcamp vs SoundCloud

For quick reference, here's a comparative summary table of SoundCloud vs Bandcamp:

Feature	Bandcamp	SoundCloud
Artist Upload Limit	Free Account: 291 MB per track (increased to 600 MB after $20 in sales); Pro Account: 2GB per track	Free Account: 120 minutes total upload, max 4GB per track; Pro Account: Unlimited upload, $8.25/month
Revenue Model for Artists	85% of earnings (up to 90% after $5000), direct sales, no ad income	Royalties based on plays (around $0.0025 per stream), ads, premium subscriptions
Pricing for Artists Plan	Pro: $10/month; Label Account: $20/month or $50/month	Artist: $3.25/month; Pro: $8.25/month
Platform Focus	Artist-to-fan relationship, music sales, and merchandise	Social networking for music, community sharing, and discovery
Free Listening	Free streaming for most tracks	Free streaming with ads
Paid Subscription	No standard subscription for listeners, pay per album/tracks	Go: $4.99/month; Go+: $10.99/month ($5.49 for students)
Music Catalog	Focus on indie, underground, and niche genres, albums, EPs, and more	Over 300 million tracks, strong in EDM, Hip-Hop, Trap, DJs, and podcasts
Sound Quality	Lossless formats; Streaming: 128 kbps (free), up to 250 kbps (purchased tracks)	MP3 (128 kbps for free users); up to 320 kbps (SoundCloud Go+)
Music Discovery	No recommendations or automatic playlists, more personal discovery	Algorithmic recommendations, auto-playlists, trending tracks
Offline Listening	No subscription required, purchase music to download and listen offline	SoundCloud Go+ allows offline listening for subscribers
Community Engagement	Limited, more artist-fan interaction after purchase	Strong community interaction with comments, likes, and shares
UI/UX	Clean, minimalist interface with focus on discovery and purchases	Dynamic, social-driven interface with playlists and recommendations
Region & Language Support	Available worldwide in 6 languages	Available worldwide in 9 languages
Physical Goods Sales	Direct sales of CDs, vinyl, and merchandise	Not applicable

Part 5. FAQs about SoundCloud vs Bandcamp

Can I access Bandcamp and SoundCloud on mobile devices?

Yes, both platforms are available on mobile, with apps for iOS and Android.

What are the main differences between Bandcamp and SoundCloud?

Bandcamp operates as an online music store, prioritizing direct artist-to-fan sales and featuring high-quality, lossless audio. Its revenue model is straightforward and focused on ownership. In contrast, SoundCloud functions as the 'YouTube of audio' - a vast social platform with a massive catalog of user-generated content, including tracks, mixes, and podcasts.

Can I listen to all tracks for free on Bandcamp and SoundCloud?

Bandcamp allows free streaming but charges for downloads of the tracks. SoundCloud provides free listening in a limited catalog and restricts features like offline listening and ad-free playback for free users.

Which platform is more suitable for DJs and live music mixes: Bandcamp or SoundCloud?

SoundCloud is more suitable for DJs and live music mixes due to its social features and focus on continuous streaming and sharing. Bandcamp focuses more on individual track sales.

Can artists earn more from streaming on Bandcamp or SoundCloud?

Bandcamp generally offers a better revenue share for artists. SoundCloud allows for monetization but takes a larger share, especially if you're using their ad-based revenue model.

Bonus Tips: Best Tools to Download Tracks from SoundCloud or Bandcamp

If you're a fan of SoundCloud, you might be looking for an efficient tool to download your favorite SoundCloud playlists. One of the best options for this is the AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. This powerful tool works across 9 popular streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and more, enabling you to easily download your music collection.

Bonus Tip: If you prefer Bandcamp, you can use a tool like AudFree Audio Capture to store tracks you can stream online, saving them locally in lossless quality. This tool also preserves ID3 tags and artwork for better organization.

How to Download SoundCloud Tracks via AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder:

Step 1 Set Up AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder

Install and launch AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder on your PC or Mac. Once installed, open the application and activate your account to unlock all features.

Step 2 Adjust Output Settings

Click the menu icon in the top-right corner and select 'Preferences' > 'Conversion' to change the output audio format to FLAC. You can also adjust parameters like bitrate, sample rate, and audio channels. Under the 'Output' tab, choose the destination folder and enable ID3 tag export for better organization of your music library.

View also:: How to Convert SoundCloud to MP3

View also:: How to Convert SoundCloud to WAV

Step 3 Add SoundCloud Tracks to the Conversion List

Go back to the main interface, click the SoundCloud icon, and log in to your account. Browse and select the tracks, playlists, or albums you wish to download. Then, click the green + button to add them to your conversion list.

Step 4 Start the Conversion Process

Click the Convert button to begin the downloading process. Once the conversion is complete, go to the Converted tab to access your downloaded files, or locate them directly in the specified output folder.

View also: How to Download Songs from SoundCloud

In Summary

Choosing between Bandcamp and SoundCloud in 2025 ultimately comes down to what you value as a listener or an artist. Bandcamp offers a more straightforward and artist-friendly experience for both music sales and streaming, with a focus on independent music and high-quality audio. On the other hand, SoundCloud excels in community engagement, with features designed to help users discover and interact with new artists and content in a more socially-driven environment.