What is SoundCloud' Everything you need to know about the music and podcast platform

<p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/60383cc205ddb100195f6524-2016/SoundCloud and heaphones.jpg" border="0" alt="SoundCloud and heaphones" data-mce-source="Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images" data-mce-caption="The logo of the music streaming service SoundCloud is displayed on a smartphone."></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>SoundCloud is an online audio streaming and music sharing platform founded in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2007.&nbsp;</p><p>The interactive nature of SoundCloud allows creatorsfrom musicians to podcastersto connect with listeners and fans through its various sharing tools. That includes a feature SoundCloud is perhaps most known forits popular commenting feature. It allows users to share their thoughts on specific moments in an audio stream, which are then visible by anyone who listens to the track.&nbsp;</p><h2>What you need to know about SoundCloud</h2><p>SoundCloud is available online and for <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soundcloud-music-audio/id336353151">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details'id=com.soundcloud.android">Android</a> devices, and the basic version is free. Here's everything else you need to know about SoundCloud.&nbsp;</p><h2>How much does SoundCloud cost</h2><p>While anyone can sign up and use SoundCloud at no-cost, there are advanced features that will require a monthly subscription.&nbsp;</p><p>The first premium tier on the platform for users is SoundCloud Go, and it costs just $4.99 a month. With SoundCloud Go, users can save an unlimited number of tracks for offline listening and enjoy an ad-free listening experience.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/603837b8d9208800185921e8-2121/Man with guitar in front of computer.jpg" border="0" alt="Man with guitar in front of computer" data-mce-source="damircudic/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Young man playing a guitar at home as he uploads music."></p><p>SoundCloud Go+ is the next level up. For $9.99 a month, subscribers enjoy all the benefits of SoundCloud Go plus higher quality audio and access to SoundCloud's full catalog.</p><p>For creators, there's the option of SoundCloud Pro Unlimited. SoundCloud Basic allows you to upload three hours of audio content and access to stats like the number of track plays and likes.</p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/60383d13d9208800185921f5-2400/SoundCloud Pro Unlimited.png" border="0" alt="SoundCloud Pro Unlimited" data-mce-source="Abigail Abesamis Demarest/Insider" data-mce-caption="Musicians have multiple paid tiers to support their songs on Spotify."></p><p>But SoundCloud Pro Unlimited offers even more listener statistics, unlimited audio uploads, opportunities to monetize and distribute audio tracks across other platforms, and more. SoundCloud Pro Unlimited costs $12 a month if you sign up for a yearly subscription or $16 for month-to-month billing.</p><h2>How to use SoundCloud as a listener</h2><p>Go to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/">SoundCloud.com</a> or download the SoundCloud app and create an account. You can do this by entering your email address and choosing a password or signing up via your Facebook, Apple, or Google account.</p><p>To edit your profile, click your display name on the top right of the screen, then click "Profile." Upload a header image and profile image to personalize your page. To edit your display name or profile url, click the "Edit" button underneath the header image. Here, you can also add or edit your bio and note your full name, city, and country if you'd like. Click "Save changes" when you're finished.</p><p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/6038382ed9208800185921ea-2400/Soundcloud Profile.png" border="0" alt="Soundcloud Profile" data-mce-source="Abigail Abesamis Demarest/Insider" data-mce-caption="SoundCloud uers can share their location, a bio, and links on their profile."></p><p>To start listening, navigate to the "Discover" page by clicking the "Home" tab to see what's trending or search for specific content using the search bar. Comment, like, and repost tracks you like; these options are all found underneath the waveforms of individual audio tracks.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/603839f205ddb100195f651c-2400/SoundCloud Discover.png" border="0" alt="SoundCloud Discover" data-mce-source="Abigail Abesamis Demarest/Insider" data-mce-caption="The DIscover tab on SoundCloud helps you find new music to enjoy."></p><p>You can create playlists by clicking the "More" button, then click "Add to playlist." Click the "Follow" button under an artist's name to follow their new tracks, playlists, and reposts. These will appear in your "Stream" tab alongside the tracks you upload and repost. Your likes and playlists live in the "Library" tab.</p><p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/60383b1c05ddb100195f651d-2400/SoundCloud Pro Unlimited.png" border="0" alt="SoundCloud Artist Profile" data-mce-source="Abigail Abesamis Demarest/Insider" data-mce-caption="Follow or listen to tracks from your favorite artist's SoundCloud profile."></p><h2>How to use SoundCloud as an artist</h2><p>Using SoundCloud is a bit more involved for creators, as there are many tools at your disposal to share your work and grow your audience.</p><p>To upload a track to SoundCloud, click "Upload." You can drag and drop files into the upload box or choose files to upload from your computer. Consider setting the privacy for your audio track by clicking "Public" or "Private." You can also choose to enable downloads for your track and add or change track information.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/60383c41d9208800185921f4-2400/SoundCloud Upload.png" border="0" alt="SoundCloud Upload" data-mce-source="Abigail Abesamis Demarest/Insider" data-mce-caption="Arists at any subscription tier can upload their music to SoundCloud."></p><p>SoundCloud stresses the importance of copyright and notes that uploaded tracks must comply with their <a href="https://soundcloud.com/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a> and not infringe on anyone else's rights. In other words, don't upload audio that doesn't belong to you.</p><p>The <a href="https://creators.soundcloud.com/guide">SoundCloud Creator Guide</a> offers a comprehensive look at all of the tools and resources available to artists to help them get the most out of the platform. 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