SoundCloud vs Apple Music: Which Platform Is Right for You?
SoundCloud vs Apple Music
At first glance, SoundCloud and Apple Music are both places where you can listen to music—but for creators and independent artists, they serve very different roles.
Whether you’re an artist trying to decide where to publish your music, or a fan figuring out where to follow your favorite acts, understanding the difference between these two platforms is key.
Let’s break it down based on creative control, audience engagement, monetization, and overall purpose.
Different Platforms, Different Purposes
Here’s the main thing to understand:
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SoundCloud is an open platform.
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Apple Music is a closed, premium platform.
That difference changes how music is published, discovered, and experienced on each.
SoundCloud: Built for Creators
SoundCloud is a creator-first platform. Anyone can sign up and upload music instantly.
It’s home to:
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Bedroom producers
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Indie rappers and singers
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Experimental musicians
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DJ remixes and unreleased tracks
There’s a community vibe to SoundCloud. Listeners can comment on specific moments in a song, repost music, and follow creators easily.
Apple Music: Built for Listeners
Apple Music is a subscriber-based streaming service—a polished home for official releases from signed and independent artists.
To get your music on Apple Music, you must use a distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. You can’t just upload it directly.
It’s a great place for:
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Polished albums and singles
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Artists with an existing fanbase
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Professional releases meant for global distribution
Audience and Reach
SoundCloud: Grassroots and Niche
SoundCloud is perfect for finding new, underground, or unreleased music. Listeners on SoundCloud are often early adopters looking for what’s next.
If you’re trying to build from the ground up, it’s a place where fans can grow with you.
Apple Music: Mainstream and Global
Apple Music has a huge global audience—but it’s a curated and polished space. If your music is on Apple Music, it’s part of a massive catalog, sitting alongside the world’s top artists.
This makes it harder to stand out unless you’re already promoting your music elsewhere.
Creative Control
SoundCloud: Total Freedom
On SoundCloud, you control everything—when to upload, what to share, and how long it stays up.
You can:
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Upload demos and delete them later
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Share early versions
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Post remixes or mashups (at your own copyright risk)
Apple Music: Professional Standards
To be on Apple Music, your track must meet industry-level requirements: proper metadata, artwork, licensing, and distribution.
You can’t update the track easily once it’s live, and changes take time to process through your distributor.
Monetization Options
SoundCloud: Limited But Possible
SoundCloud’s monetization options (via SoundCloud Premier) are limited and only available to eligible creators. But it’s still possible to earn through tips, fan support platforms like Patreon, or by funneling listeners to official releases.
Apple Music: Royalties Through Streams
Apple Music pays per stream through your distributor. It’s a more structured revenue stream, but the payout per stream is relatively low unless you have thousands or millions of plays.
Discovery and Promotion
SoundCloud: Organic Discovery
Tracks can be found through tags, reposts, playlists, and engagement from the community. Going viral is possible, especially with the right network or support from tastemakers.
Apple Music: Playlist Placement Is Everything
Getting noticed on Apple Music usually depends on being featured in editorial playlists or promoted via social media, email lists, and press. Discovery is less organic and more algorithm- or editorial-based.
Which Platform Is Best for You?
Choose SoundCloud If:
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You’re just starting out
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You want full control over your uploads
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You’re experimenting with different sounds or styles
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You want fast feedback from listeners
Choose Apple Music If:
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You’re ready for a professional release
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You want your music on a premium, global platform
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You already have fans and want to monetize streams
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You’re working through a label or distributor
Final Thoughts: Use Each One for What It’s Best At
The smartest move? Use both.
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Upload work-in-progress, remixes, and underground tracks to SoundCloud
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Release polished singles and albums through a distributor to Apple Music
That way, you’re reaching listeners at all levels—from curious early fans to paying subscribers—and building a well-rounded presence as an artist.