If you're an independent artist, producer, DJ, or simply someone who loves discovering music before everybody else catches on, SoundCloud is a platform worth checking out. SoundCloud connects artists and fans in one music-focused community where creators can upload music, build an audience, interact with listeners, and discover new sounds.

SoundCloud describes itself as an artist-first music streaming and sharing platform designed to help established and independent artists connect directly with fans.

Upload Your Music

One of the biggest reasons artists use SoundCloud is the ability to upload music directly to the platform. Whether you're releasing a finished single, sharing a demo, dropping a freestyle, or experimenting with a new sound, SoundCloud gives creators a place to put their music in front of listeners.

SoundCloud currently offers Artist and Artist Pro plans with additional creator tools, while the basic plan also provides an upload allowance. Artist Pro includes unlimited uploads.

Build Your Own Audience

Getting people to hear your music is only part of the journey. Building an actual audience is what can turn a random listener into a longtime supporter.

SoundCloud provides tools that allow artists to connect with listeners through comments, direct messages, profiles, and other community features. That direct interaction can give artists another way to build relationships around their music.

Discover New Music

SoundCloud isn't just for artists. It's also a place for music fans to discover tracks that may not be available everywhere else.

Listeners can find independent artists, underground music, remixes, DJ sets, demos, emerging genres, and other sounds from creators around the world. SoundCloud says its catalog includes music from more than 40 million creators.

Promote Your Music

SoundCloud has also introduced tools designed to help artists reach more listeners. Its Amplify feature can recommend eligible tracks to matched listeners, giving creators another way to put their music in front of potential fans.

Artist Pro also includes additional promotional and audience-growth tools, including track promotion and playlisting features. Availability and eligibility depend on the applicable plan and SoundCloud's current requirements.

See Who's Listening

Numbers tell a story. SoundCloud provides artists with insights into plays, fans, listener locations, top tracks, engagement, and other audience information so creators can better understand how their music is performing.

Knowing where your listeners are located and which tracks are getting attention can help you understand what is connecting with your audience.

Distribute Your Music

SoundCloud has expanded beyond streaming and sharing. Eligible artists using its creator plans can distribute music to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube, and more than 50 additional platforms through SoundCloud for Artists.

SoundCloud currently says artists using its distribution service keep 100% of their royalties, subject to applicable processing fees and terms.

Get Paid for Your Music

For eligible creators, SoundCloud offers monetization options including Fan-Powered Royalties. SoundCloud says this model connects revenue to the fans who actually listen to an artist's music rather than distributing revenue from one large pooled subscription pot.

SoundCloud also offers additional ways for eligible artists to earn, including distribution, merchandise and ticket links, vinyl-on-demand options, and direct fan support features.

Let Your Fans Support You

SoundCloud is also testing and rolling out Fan Support, which allows participating fans to send money directly to artists. SoundCloud says it does not take a cut of those contributions, although payment processing fees apply. Availability is currently being rolled out and eligibility requirements apply.

More Than a Streaming Platform

For independent musicians, SoundCloud can function as more than somewhere to upload songs. It can become part of an artist's larger music strategy by combining music hosting, audience discovery, community interaction, analytics, promotion, monetization, and distribution.

That combination makes SoundCloud an interesting option for artists who want to build their audience while keeping their music and fan relationships in one place.

For Music Fans Too

If you're a listener instead of an artist, SoundCloud gives you plenty to explore. You can search for established artists while also discovering independent creators, underground releases, remixes, DJ sets, early demos, and music that may not have reached the mainstream yet.

SoundCloud also offers paid listener plans with features such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and access to its broader catalog.

Put Your Music Out There

Every artist has to start somewhere. You don't need to wait until you have millions of followers before putting your music in front of people.

Upload the song. Build your profile. Connect with listeners. Study your audience. Keep creating. Then use the tools available to take your music wherever you want it to go.

If you're an independent artist looking for another place to build your sound and connect with listeners, check out SoundCloud and explore the tools available for creators and fans.

Important Reminder

SoundCloud features, pricing, eligibility, monetization requirements, distribution terms, and promotional tools can change. Some features are limited to certain plans, locations, or eligible artists. Review SoundCloud's current terms and requirements before purchasing a subscription or relying on a particular monetization feature. This article is promotional and informational and is not a guarantee of earnings or audience growth.