Is SoundCloud or Spotify free?

Both can be used for free. SoundCloud: Free plan, paid from $5 a month. Spotify: Free plan, paid from $11 a month.

Do I need to install SoundCloud or Spotify?

No. Both run in a web browser, so you can open either one and start. Both can also be installed to a home screen or dock if you like.

Price, ratings and what each one does, side by side. Every fact here comes from their listings on Linkstore.

Hear new tracks from independent artists first.

Stream music and podcasts in the web player.

SoundCloud: free plan, paid from $5 a month. Spotify: free plan, paid from $11 a month.
Both can be installed to a home screen or dock.

SoundCloud

Spotify

Upload your own music or follow artists before they get big. Mixes, demos and remixes you won't find elsewhere.

The full Spotify library in a tab: playlists, podcasts and your library, with no app to install.

Apps that do a similar job, closest matches first.

Bandcamp
Buy music and merch straight from the artists.
Music & AudioNewFree
Open
Suno
Make a full song, vocals included, from a short prompt.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Udio
Describe a song and get a finished track with vocals.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Apple Music
Stream songs, albums and playlists in the browser.
Music & AudioNewPaid
Open
YouTube Music
Songs, albums and music videos from YouTube.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Learning Music
Learn the basics of making music right in the browser.
Music & AudioNewFree
Open