SoundCloud launches new lower-cost artist plan: How does it compare to RouteNote?
Image Credit: SoundCloud
SoundCloud Artist subscription is more affordable, offering professional-level tools at a fraction of the price.
SoundCloud has continued to rebrand its artist plans, offering a new $3.25/month subscription designed to give musicians access to premium features without breaking the bank. Targeting emerging and independent artists, this lower-cost plan helps “bridge the gap” between the SoundCloud’s basic and Next Pro tiers- now renamed Artist Pro.
Aiming to support artists at every stage of their careers, SoundCloud piloted this plan in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The promising feedback indicated strong demand among emerging artists for affordable access to professional tools and distribution.
“At SoundCloud, we believe great music can come from anywhere, and it shouldn’t be held back by cost or complexity.”
Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud
What does the SoundCloud Artist plan offer?
Coming in at $39/year, the Artist plan introduces an affordable entry point for musicians who want more than the basics, without committing to the higher-priced Artist Pro plan. Here’s how the plans compare:
SoundCloud Artist Plan ($3.25/month or $39/year):
- Track uploads: Limited to 3 hours.
- Distribution and monetisation: Limited to 2 tracks per month on SoundCloud and other streaming platforms.
- Promotional tools: 2 playlisting opportunities per month to reach 100+ listeners.
- Track replacement: Update 2 tracks monthly without losing stats.
- AI Mastering: 1 track per month.
SoundCloud Artist Pro Plan ($8.25/month or $99/year):
- Track uploads: Unlimited.
- Distribution and monetisation: Unlimited to SoundCloud and other streaming platforms.
- Promotional tools: Unlimited playlisting opportunities to reach 100+ listeners.
- Track replacement: Unlimited track replacement without losing stats.
- AI Mastering: 3 tracks monthly.
- Advanced audience insights.
How does RouteNote compare?
While SoundCloud’s new offering can be useful for emerging artists, RouteNote provides an even more artist-friendly alternative.
Unlike SoundCloud’s Artist plans, RouteNote allows artists to distribute their music to streaming services- including Spotify, Apple Music, even SoundCloud, and many more– for free. RouteNote users also enjoy unlimited track uploads without the barriers of subscription fees or track limits, making it easier for artists to share their music widely and monetise their work.
In contrast to SoundCloud’s paywalled approach, both Free and Premium users of RouteNote can receive advanced insights and revenue splitting with collaborators at no extra cost. These features, which are only available on SoundCloud’s premium Pro tier, come as standard for all RouteNote users.
RouteNote Pricing
RouteNote Free ($0):
- Track uploads: Unlimited.
- Distribution: Seamless distribution to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
- Monetisation: Keep 85% of revenue.
- Revenue sharing: Split payments with collaborators.
- Advanced audience insights.
RouteNote Premium ($9.99):
- Cost per release: $10 single, $20 EP, $30 album, $45 extended album.
- Distribution: Seamless distribution to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
- Monetisation: Keep 100% of revenue.
- Revenue sharing: Split payments with collaborators.
- Advanced audience insights.
By offering features like unlimited uploads, detailed statistics, and revenue splitting at no cost, RouteNote removes unnecessary barriers for musicians, ensuring artists can focus on their music while enjoying industry-leading distribution.