Is SoundCloud or YouTube Music free?

Both can be used for free. SoundCloud: Free plan, paid from $5 a month. YouTube Music: Free plan, paid upgrades.

Do I need to install SoundCloud or YouTube Music?

No. Both run in a web browser, so you can open either one and start. SoundCloud 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.

Songs, albums and music videos from YouTube.

SoundCloud: free plan, paid from $5 a month. YouTube Music: free plan, paid upgrades.
Only SoundCloud can be installed to a home screen or dock.

SoundCloud

YouTube Music

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

YouTube Music mixes official releases with live versions and covers, free with ads.

Apps that do a similar job, closest matches first.

Bandcamp
Buy music and merch straight from the artists.
Music & AudioNewFree
Open
Apple Music
Stream songs, albums and playlists in the browser.
Music & AudioNewPaid
Open
Suno
Make a full song, vocals included, from a short prompt.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
TIDAL
Music streaming with a higher-quality tier.
Music & AudioNewPaid
Open
Udio
Describe a song and get a finished track with vocals.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Spotify
Stream music and podcasts in the web player.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open