SoundCloud tests direct music sales for artists
SoundCloud is testing a new feature that lets selected artists sell music downloads directly from their profiles, with the platform taking zero commission on sales.
SoundCloud is giving artists another way to make money from their music with the beta launch of direct music purchases.
The new feature lets selected artists sell downloadable tracks directly from their SoundCloud profiles. Fans can discover a song, listen to it and purchase a copy without leaving the platform.
Artists can set their own prices and choose the format they provide, including MP3 and WAV. SoundCloud says it won’t take a commission from sales, meaning artists keep the proceeds from each purchase after applicable fees and taxes.
For now, the beta is limited to around 200 US-based Artist Pro creators with Fan Support enabled. SoundCloud plans to gradually expand access before making the feature available to all eligible creators later this fall.
Why is SoundCloud testing music downloads?
Downloads might seem like an unlikely addition to a streaming platform in 2026, but SoundCloud says there is already demand from artists and fans.
According to SoundCloud, more than 250,000 artists have linked over 2.4 million tracks to external music platforms, while the platform sends more than half a million users to external services each year to purchase music.
SoundCloud’s own research also found that 28% of surveyed artists either already sell downloadable music or want to, split evenly between those two groups.
The idea is to remove the extra step between discovering music on SoundCloud and buying it. Instead of sending a fan to another website to purchase a track, the transaction can happen where they are already listening.
That could be particularly useful for artists with a smaller but highly engaged fanbase. SoundCloud says its research suggests that superfans can spend up to five times more on music and artists than casual listeners, highlighting the potential value of giving dedicated fans more ways to support the artists they love.
Downloads are niche, but fans still buy music
SoundCloud’s move doesn’t mean digital downloads are suddenly making a comeback. Streaming remains by far the dominant way people consume recorded music.
According to the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026, streaming accounted for 69.6% of global recorded music revenue in 2025, while downloads and other digital formats accounted for just 2.5%. Downloads and other digital revenue also fell by 5% during the year.
But downloads can still have a place in a direct-to-fan strategy for artists.
Platforms such as Bandcamp have built a successful direct-to-fan model around fans buying music, physical releases and merchandise, even when they could stream the same tracks elsewhere.
SoundCloud is now bringing a similar purchasing option directly into a platform where artists already have an audience. Its zero-commission approach could make this particularly appealing to creators looking to turn their most engaged listeners into paying fans.
SoundCloud is building more ways for artists to earn
Direct music purchases also fit into SoundCloud’s wider push to give artists more ways to earn from their audiences.
The platform already offers tools including Fan-Powered Royalties, Fan Support, on-demand vinyl and ticketing. Digital downloads add another option alongside these existing revenue streams.
The company’s latest move also reflects a broader trend towards direct-to-fan music. Streaming remains essential for reaching a large audience, but artists can potentially earn more from the fans who want to go a step further by buying music, merchandise, tickets or physical releases.
For independent artists and labels, that means building an audience isn’t just about generating as many streams as possible. It’s also about giving your most engaged listeners meaningful ways to support your work.
Launching in beta
The feature is in beta for now, with SoundCloud saying that the small-scale launch is designed so it can get feedback from artists and fans before expanding the feature.
Participating creators can set prices for eligible tracks, make streamed music available to purchase and track sales through Artist Studio and the Fan Support Dashboard.
Wider access is planned for eligible creators later this fall, so it could become an interesting new option for SoundCloud artists looking to sell music directly to their fans.