Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Discogs VS SoundCloud

Compare Discogs VS SoundCloud and see what are their differences

Discogs logo Discogs

Discover music on Discogs, the largest online music database. Buy and sell music with collectors in the Marketplace.

SoundCloud logo SoundCloud

Enjoy music & follow favourite artists
  • Discogs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • SoundCloud Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13

SoundCloud

Release Date
2007 January
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Berlin
City
Berlin
Founder(s)
Alexander Ljung
Employees
250 - 499

Discogs features and specs

  • Headquarters
    Portland, OR

SoundCloud features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    SoundCloud features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that makes it accessible for users of all technological proficiencies.
  • Free Access
    Users can upload, listen to, and share music for free, making it a cost-effective platform for both listeners and creators.
  • Discoverability
    SoundCloud's extensive library and recommendation algorithms make it easy for users to discover new and emerging artists.
  • Community Engagement
    The platform allows for comments and likes on individual tracks, facilitating direct interaction between artists and listeners.
  • Emerging Artistsโ€™ Platform
    It offers a great starting point for emerging artists to gain exposure without needing a record deal.
  • Integration with Other Services
    SoundCloud can be easily integrated with social media platforms and other music services, enhancing its usability.
  • Access to a Wide Variety of Music
    Free Music Downloads on platforms like SoundCloud offer users access to a diverse range of music genres and artists, including emerging talent and niche genres that may not be available on traditional music platforms.
  • Cost-Effectiveness
    Downloading music for free can save listeners money compared to subscribing to paid music services or purchasing albums, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.
  • Offline Listening
    Free music downloads allow listeners to enjoy their music offline, which is useful for situations where internet access is limited or unavailable.
  • Discovery of New Artists
    Platforms offering free music downloads often feature independent or lesser-known artists, providing users with the opportunity to discover new music that they might not hear on mainstream platforms.
  • Discovery of New Music
    SoundCloud Charts provide a platform for users to discover trending music across a wide range of genres, helping listeners find new tracks and artists.
  • Support for Emerging Artists
    By showcasing tracks that are popular on the platform, SoundCloud Charts offer visibility to emerging artists who may not have access to traditional music promotion channels.
  • Genre Variety
    The charts cover a diverse range of genres, allowing users to explore different styles of music and expand their listening habits.
  • Real-Time Updates
    The charts are updated regularly, providing users with the most current trends and popular tracks on the platform.

Possible disadvantages of SoundCloud

  • Limited Earnings for Artists
    The monetization options available on SoundCloud are generally less lucrative compared to other platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
  • Sound Quality
    Some users report that SoundCloud's audio quality is not as high as other streaming services.
  • Limited Offline Access
    While there is an option to download tracks for offline listening, this feature is restricted to SoundCloud Go+ subscribers.
  • Search Function Limitations
    The search function can sometimes be cluttered or not very accurate, making it difficult to find specific tracks or artists.
  • Copyright Issues
    Users sometimes upload copyrighted material without authorization, which can lead to tracks being taken down.
  • Ad-Frequency
    Free users may experience a high frequency of ads, which can disrupt the listening experience.
  • Quality and Legality Concerns
    Free music downloads can sometimes involve tracks that are of lower audio quality or are shared without proper licensing, raising issues regarding legality and artist compensation.
  • Limited Selection
    While there is a wide variety of music available for free, some popular or mainstream artists may not offer their tracks for free download, limiting the selection for certain users.
  • Lack of Support for Artists
    By downloading music for free, users may not be financially supporting the artists, which can impact their ability to continue producing music, especially for independent musicians.
  • Potential for Viruses or Malware
    Downloading music from unverified sources can pose the risk of infecting devices with viruses or malware, emphasizing the need for caution and security measures.
  • Popularity Bias
    The charts tend to favor music that aligns with mainstream tastes, potentially overlooking niche or experimental tracks.
  • Algorithm Limitations
    The algorithm that determines chart rankings may not accurately capture the quality or artistic merit of tracks, focusing more on play counts and engagement.
  • Limited User Personalization
    The charts don't always account for individual user preferences, presenting a general list that may not cater to specific musical tastes.
  • Potential for Short-Lived Fame
    Songs on the charts may experience a rapid rise and fall in popularity, offering only temporary visibility for artists.

Analysis of Discogs

Overall verdict

  • Discogs is generally considered a valuable tool for music collectors and enthusiasts due to its comprehensive database and active marketplace. It is especially appreciated for its depth of information and user-driven content, which aids in the exploration and acquisition of music. However, as with any online marketplace, users should exercise caution and verify seller reliability.

Why this product is good

  • Discogs is a renowned platform among music enthusiasts for its extensive and meticulously curated database of music releases. It offers users the ability to catalog their collections, buy and sell records, and explore a vast array of music genres. The platform's community-driven nature provides detailed information on vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and digital releases, making it a valuable resource for collectors. Its marketplace facilitates connections between buyers and sellers globally, often offering rare and hard-to-find releases.

Recommended for

  • Music collectors
  • Vinyl enthusiasts
  • Casual music listeners looking to catalog their collection
  • Individuals seeking rare or out-of-print releases
  • Sellers and buyers interested in trading physical music formats

Analysis of SoundCloud

Overall verdict

  • SoundCloud is generally considered a good platform, especially for music discovery and supporting up-and-coming artists. Its value largely depends on individual preferences: it's excellent for those seeking new and diverse sounds but might not offer the same convenience or catalog size as some mainstream streaming services. For creators, it provides accessible publishing tools and a supportive community.

Why this product is good

  • SoundCloud offers a unique platform for musicians, podcasters, and audio creators to upload and share their work with a global audience. It is particularly well-known for its community-driven approach, allowing emerging artists to connect directly with listeners and gain organic exposure. The platform supports a wide variety of genres and underground music scenes, which are often underrepresented on mainstream platforms. It also provides diverse features like playlists, reposting, and comments to enhance user interaction.

Recommended for

  • Emerging musicians and artists looking to share their work.
  • Listeners interested in discovering new, indie, or underground music.
  • Podcasters and audio creators seeking an accessible platform for distribution.
  • Fans of diverse musical genres not readily available on mainstream platforms.

Discogs videos

DISCOGS | An Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Everything you need to know about discogs.com | Crash course on vinyl collecting
  • Tutorial - How To Handle Scammers on Discogs

SoundCloud videos

Spotify vs Soundcloud - An Honest Comparison

More videos:

  • Review - Is Soundcloud Free | How It Works and Is Soundcloud Right For You
  • Review - Is Soundcloud Go Worth It?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Discogs and SoundCloud)
Music
14 14%
86% 86
Music Streaming
7 7%
93% 93
Shopping
100 100%
0% 0
Audio & Music
14 14%
86% 86

User comments

Share your experience with using Discogs and SoundCloud. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Discogs and SoundCloud

Discogs Reviews

11 Best Sites to Buy Rare Vinyl Records Online: Vinyl Record Marketplaces
Discogs has become one of the most popular places to buy and sell music among vinyl enthusiasts, but it is not the only place where you can satisfy your collecting needs. Here you have some other online marketplaces where you can look for that record missing in your collection. And if you know some online shop that should be on this list, please let us knlow in the comment...
Source: vinylradar.com
The best online tools for record collectors
Powered by Discogs, Vinyl Hub is the most exhaustive record shop database out there, with 5,491 crowd-sourced entries at time of writing. Explore the map or search by location, where youโ€™ll find listing for each shop, with a short description and photos if youโ€™re lucky. The community also regularly updates listings with closures, which is particularly useful when heading...

SoundCloud Reviews

  1. Maksym Moskalenko
    ยท Founder at Mixcode.io ยท
    The best audio streaming service on the market

    Great for both music producers and music labels. It's robust and very convenient.

  2. FaizaAdeel
    ยท Owner at Peacock.collection11 ยท
    Diverse Music Community

    SoundCloud stands out as a unique platform, fostering a diverse music community and providing a platform for emerging artists. Despite minor drawbacks like ad interruptions and discoverability challenges, it remains a valuable resource for those seeking a wide range of musical content.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Spotify
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Unlimited uploads|Community engagement|Free tier with ads|Versatile content
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Ad interruptions in free version|Discoverability challenges|Quality disparities

Spotify Vs. Others 29 Music Apps-which One is The Better?
SoundCloud is a unique platform that allows users to upload, promote, and share their music. It is particularly popular among independent artists and creators, offering a diverse range of genres and tracks that may not be available on mainstream platforms. SoundCloudโ€™s community-driven approach enables users to discover new music through reposts, comments, and interactions.
The Best Spotify Alternatives In Music[Top 10]
SoundCloud is a unique music streaming platform that focuses on independent artists and creators. With a vast library of user-generated content, SoundCloud offers a diverse range of music, podcasts, and audio tracks. Its โ€œDiscoverโ€ feature uses machine learning to recommend music based on user preferences, while its โ€œUploadโ€ feature allows artists to share their own music...
Best Spotify Alternatives In The World [Top 10] 2024
SoundCloud hosts over 200 million files, including songs and podcasts, making it a hotspot for emerging indie artists. While Spotify offers a curated experience with mainstream artists, SoundCloud fosters a vibrant community for discovering new talent and engaging with user-generated content.
Top 10 Spotify Alternatives (Free/Paid) โ€“ 2024
Yes, you can find new music with Spotify alternatives and with options such as SoundCloud. You can check the genre and find new music for your taste.
9 Best Free Music Download Sites in 2022
As a professional tip, we recommend you use Soundcloud and Geekersoft YouTube to MP3 to download music for free. However, the final choice is entirely up to you! If you have any suggestions, please share your feedback with us.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Discogs should be more popular than SoundCloud. It has been mentiond 289 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Discogs mentions (289)

  • Why does Spotify combine singles like this?
    Yeah but those would be official releases? Like if you went to discogs.com, you would be able to find those, along with release date, tracklist etc. I don't think thats the case for the example I'm making here. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • [TOMT][2000s] Eltro - Looking for a place to Stream or Legally Download MP3s of This Long Lost Treasure
    They only have 2 songs on Spotify, and my friend helped me find a website where I can buy used copies of their CDs from other users, but I don't know that site well (discogs.com), so I am hesitant. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help me reconcile this!
    I hear what you are saying about up-sampling and you are probably right to be suspicious. a great resource for checking this type of thing is discogs.com. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • SimpleStripper 3: Online Jukebox Title Strip Creator (Open Source)
    This is a free generator for Jukebox title strips, with functionality to import track & artist information from discogs.com. Manually fill in the form, or copy/paste the URL from discogs, select any style options you like, then hit the button to generate. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help me get a copy of a Louis Armstrong song?
    My father had an amazing record collection, it was all Jazz. I remember he had a Louis Armstrong song called "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." I've searched and searched for this song and I see other versions (on discogs.com for example) but never Louis'. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

SoundCloud mentions (95)

  • Stream Miror B's Grav Drive Spool by Third Cow
    Https : // soundcloud . Com / third-octave / miror-bs-grav-drive-spool. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How can I get the soundcloud downloading of a playlist to sleep?
    Yt-dlp --add-header Authorization: "" https://soundcloud.com/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Bi-Weekly Discussion Thread - Find language partners, ask questions, and get accent feedback - July 12, 2023
    Go to Vocaroo, Soundcloud or Clypit and record your voice. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Recent DNS issues?
    Seems like after the update to 2023.4 I am unable to access certain websites. It may have nothing to do with the latest release. But I cannot access (for example) soundcloud.com or arcboosts.com from any server I try from. Never had this issue before, and not happening on other devices with vpn turned off. Tried with both dns ad blocking on and off within the mullvad ui. Source: over 2 years ago
  • 403 Error?
    The app works fine, along with w.souncloud.com links which are embeds. All help links work, but the moment you try to go to the normal soundcloud.com, it gives that error. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Discogs and SoundCloud, you can also consider the following products

Spotify - Map shows when two people play same song at same time

Last.fm - The world's largest online music service. Listen online, find out more about your favourite artists, and get music recommendations, only at Last.fm

Deezer - Deezer is a music streaming app created in France. It is available in 180 counties and gets 16 million users a month. 6 million of the users have paid subscriptions. Read more about Deezer.

MusicBrainz Picard - Official website for MusicBrainz Picard, a cross-platform music tagger written in Python.โ€ŽDownloads ยทย โ€ŽMusicBrainz Blog ยทย โ€ŽPicard 2.

TagScanner - TagScanner is a multifunction program for organizing and managing your music collection.

Pandora - Pandora Radio is a free (ad-supported) internet radio founded in 2000.