--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "SoundCloud: The Music You Love" developer_entity: "SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG" bundle_id: "com.soundcloud.TouchApp" app_store_id: "336353151" google_play_id: "com.soundcloud.android" category: "Music" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Subscription" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-05-15" report_date: "2026-08-05" last_verified: "2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "8.60.0" total_reviews: 9381458 overall_rating: 4.7 sentiment: "Excited" sentiment_score: 75 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.95 top_praise_theme: "Extensive music library and underground discovery options keep listeners engaged beyond mainstream streaming services" top_complaint_theme: "Increased frequency of advertisements disrupts the listening experience for free-tier users during playback" review_sample_size: 8723 total_review_count: 8723 analyzed_review_count: 120 data_age_days: 11 momentum_velocity: "active" intelligence_version: 11 nemesis: "Audiomack - Play Music Offline" competitor_count: 8 tags: ["music", "subscription", "excited sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "independent", "music", "creators"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/soundcloud-the-music-you-love" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # SoundCloud: The Music You Love Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Music · Subscription - **Signal**: Rating 4.7 · Sentiment Excited - **Recent focus**: Increased frequency of advertisements disrupts the listening experience for free-tier users during playback (top complaint) · Extensive music library and underground discovery options keep listeners engaged beyond mainstream streaming services (top praise) > **TL;DR:** SoundCloud: The Music You Love is a music app by SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG, rated 4.7/5 by 9.4M users, with Excited user sentiment (75/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** SoundCloud: The Music You Love maintains Excited user sentiment (4.7/5 from 9.4M reviews), with users consistently praising extensive music library and underground discovery options keep listeners engaged beyond mainstream streaming services. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.7/5 (9.4M reviews) | | **User Mood** | Excited | | **Category** | Music | | **Developer** | SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG | | **Pricing** | Subscription | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.95/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 11d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG - **Category:** Music - **Target Audience:** Independent music creators and listeners seeking niche genres, DJ sets, and direct connection with emerging artists. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Reviewed:** 8.60.0 - **Report Date:** 2026-08-05 - **Signal Count:** 8723 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.95/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 336353151 - **Bundle ID:** com.soundcloud.TouchApp - **Google Play ID:** com.soundcloud.android - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-08-05 - **Short Description:** Hear what’s next in music: DJ sets, deep cuts, playlists and offline music ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** SoundCloud is a music discovery and streaming platform for independent artists and listeners, featuring DJ sets, remixes, and underground tracks on iOS and Android. **Why users hire it:** Listeners use SoundCloud to access niche content and unreleased tracks that are unavailable on mainstream streaming services, while creators use it to build direct-to-fan distribution channels. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Fan-Powered Royalties:** Direct payment model where subscription fees are distributed based on individual user listening habits rather than a pro-rata pool. * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features. - **[Differentiator] Community Engagement Tools:** Messaging, comments, and First & Top Fans lists that track and reward listener loyalty to specific artists. * *User Intent:* Users are motivated by consistent progression and daily incentives. - **[Differentiator] Artist Uploads:** Direct-to-platform distribution for creators to share original tracks and DJ sets. * *User Intent:* Users seek social connection and competitive engagement with peers. ## Market Position {#market-position} SoundCloud maintains a top-tier presence in the Music category across 193 countries, holding a #6 Grossing position in the UAE and #5 in Germany. The consistent top-10 category ranking despite recent technical instability signals strong brand lock-in among underground music enthusiasts. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Subscription - **Tiers:** Free tier with ad-supported playback, SoundCloud Go for ad-free and offline listening, SoundCloud Go+ for premium tracks, DJ integrations, and fan-powered royalties - **Analysis:** Freemium model segments users by ad-tolerance and creator-support features, with a specific entry-level artist plan. ## 🟢 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 120 of 8.7K reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.7/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.8/5 (1.8M ratings) | Android 4.7/5 (7.5M ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Excited ### Top Praises - **Extensive music library and underground discovery options keep listeners engaged beyond mainstream streaming services** - **Independent artists utilize the platform as a primary distribution channel to grow their audience base** - **Offline listening capabilities provide reliable access to saved music during periods of limited connectivity** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Increased frequency of advertisements disrupts the listening experience for free-tier users during playback** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Open-upload model creates a unique library of niche tracks - First & Top Fans lists gamify artist-listener loyalty **Growth Levers:** - Offline-first mode could reclaim users migrating to Audiomack - Sleep timer feature would address top-requested utility gap ## Recent Changes (v10 → v11) {#recent-changes} Technical instability has intensified, with new reports of login failures and account access issues now joining offline playback errors as primary churn drivers. This has forced a pivot in the product roadmap to prioritize core stability over UI refreshes. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-08-05 ### High-impact changes - **[Declined] Emergence of Login Failures** (sentiment) ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] Sleep Timer Opportunity** (swot) - **[] Roadmap Pivot** (pmActionItems) ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### SoundCloud: The Music You Love vs Audiomack - Play Music Offline - **[Audiomack - Play Music Offline](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-audiomack-iphone)** by Audiomack, Inc.: With nearly 2 million ratings and a focus on offline music discovery, it directly mirrors this app's core value proposition of crate-digging and independent artist discovery. - **Key differences:** - Offers a dedicated offline-first listening mode that reduces reliance on consistent data connectivity - Provides a creator-focused upload platform that incentivizes independent artists to host content exclusively - Features a trending music discovery engine that highlights emerging genres faster than traditional feeds ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Mixcloud: Music, Mixes & Radio](https://marlvel.ai/apps/mixcloud-music-mixes-radio)** by Mixcloud: High release velocity and a focus on long-form DJ sets make it a direct competitor for this app's 'DJ sets' audience segment. - Specializes in long-form DJ mixes and radio shows rather than individual track-based streaming - Maintains a high release cadence with 12 updates in six months to refine playback stability - **[Bandcamp](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-bandcamp-iosapp)** by Bandcamp: Serves the exact niche of music discovery and rare releases, acting as a direct alternative for users seeking deep cuts. - Enables direct-to-fan sales and physical merchandise integration that this app currently lacks - Focuses on high-fidelity audio purchases rather than purely ad-supported or subscription-based streaming ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-tunein-tuneinradio)** by TuneIn: Occupies the broader audio streaming space with a heavy emphasis on live radio and sports broadcasting. - Integrates live sports commentary and news broadcasts alongside standard music streaming channels - Provides a global radio tuner interface that allows users to access local stations worldwide - **[iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-clearchannel-iheartradio)** by iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.: A major player in the radio and podcast aggregation space, competing for the same daily active listening time. - Bundles live radio, podcasts, and custom artist stations into a single unified listening experience - Leverages massive terrestrial radio partnerships to offer exclusive live event and concert access - **[Smule: Sing & Duet](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-smule-sing)** by Smule: Focuses on the interactive, social-music creation aspect of the category rather than passive listening. - Gamifies the music experience by allowing users to record and share their own vocal performances - Users report the app's social features create a more active community than passive streaming platforms ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[Donna AI Song & Music Maker](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-ai-sound-donna)** by MOBIVERSITE YAZILIM BILISIM REKLAM VE DANISMANLIK HIZMETLERI SANAYI TICARET LIMITED STI: Rapidly emerging with 11 releases in the last six months, signaling an aggressive push into AI-generated music. - **[StarMaker-Sing Karaoke Songs](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-starmakerapp-starmaker)** by SKYWORK AI PTE LTD: Maintains an extremely high update frequency, indicating a focus on rapid feature iteration and community engagement. ## What's New - **Latest (v8.60.0, 1 weeks ago):** General performance improvements and bug fixes. ## App Momentum (Active) {#momentum} - Ships ~2 releases per month. - Last major update 82 days ago. > **Cadence:** 5 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 8 days since last update · 15 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} SoundCloud: The Music You Love is a market-leading music app. With a 4.7/5 rating from 9.4M reviews, it delivers strong user satisfaction. > **Bottom Line:** SoundCloud's discovery-first model remains a powerful retention lever, but technical instability in offline playback is actively eroding the user base. Resolving these playback regressions would stabilize the core listening experience and mitigate the migration to offline-first competitors. **Best for:** Independent music creators and listeners seeking niche genres, DJ sets, and direct connection with emerging artists. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [PIVOT] Rebuild offline playback logic because erratic skipping is a top-3 complaint → restore daily active habit ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Offline-first listening mode (available in Audiomack but absent here) ### Outlook: Mixed The music streaming market is consolidating around high-stability, offline-capable discovery platforms. SoundCloud's current maintenance-mode cadence leaves it exposed to rivals like Audiomack, which are actively capturing the underground segment through better technical reliability. The platform must prioritize playback stability to prevent further user migration. - 🔴 Technical instability and login failures following the latest update prevent users from accessing their libraries, directly increasing churn risk. - 🟢 The platform's unique library of underground music continues to attract indie creators, maintaining a strong moat against mainstream streaming services. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.7/5 | | Total Reviews | 9.4M | | Sentiment | Excited (75/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Subscription | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Mixed | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **SoundCloud: The Music You Love** (this app) | 4.7/5 | Excited | SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG | | [Donna AI Song & Music Maker](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-ai-sound-donna) | 4.7/5 | Excited | MOBIVERSITE YAZILIM BILISIM REKLAM VE DANISMANLIK HIZMETLERI SANAYI TICARET LIMITED STI | | [Audiomack - Play Music Offline](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-audiomack-iphone) | 4.8/5 | Mixed | Audiomack, Inc. | | [Bandcamp](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-bandcamp-iosapp) | 4.8/5 | N/A | Bandcamp | | [Smule: Sing & Duet](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-smule-sing) | 4.5/5 | Mixed | Smule | | [iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-clearchannel-iheartradio) | 4.8/5 | n/a | iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc. | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** SoundCloud Global Limited & Co KG - **Website:** [https://soundcloud.com/mobile](https://soundcloud.com/mobile) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/soundcloud) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SoundCloud) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/SoundCloud) · [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SoundCloud) · [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcloud) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/soundcloud) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soundcloud-the-music-you-love/id336353151?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.soundcloud.android&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://soundcloud.com/mobile) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Donna AI Song & Music Maker*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-ai-sound-donna) (MOBIVERSITE YAZILIM BILISIM REKLAM VE DANISMANLIK HIZMETLERI SANAYI TICARET LIMITED STI) · 4.7/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Audiomack - Play Music Offline*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-audiomack-iphone) (Audiomack, Inc.) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*Bandcamp*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-bandcamp-iosapp) (Bandcamp) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*Smule: Sing & Duet*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-smule-sing) (Smule) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-clearchannel-iheartradio) (iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*StarMaker-Sing Karaoke Songs*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-starmakerapp-starmaker) (SKYWORK AI PTE LTD) · 4.6/5 Rating - [*TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-tunein-tuneinradio) (TuneIn) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*Mixcloud: Music, Mixes & Radio*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/mixcloud-music-mixes-radio) (Mixcloud) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*BandLab – Music Maker & Beats*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/bandlab-music-maker-beats) (BandLab Singapore Pte Ltd) · 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Suno - AI Songs, Music, Lyrics*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/suno-ai-songs-music) (Suno, Inc.) · 4.0/5 Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is SoundCloud free to use? Yes, SoundCloud offers a free tier with ad-supported playback. Premium features like ad-free listening, offline access, and exclusive tracks are available through SoundCloud Go and Go+ subscriptions. ### How does SoundCloud compare to Audiomack? Both platforms focus on independent music discovery. However, Audiomack is often cited for a more reliable offline-first listening experience, whereas SoundCloud emphasizes social community features like comments and artist-fan lists. ### Does SoundCloud work offline? SoundCloud Go and Go+ subscribers can save tracks for offline listening. However, recent user reviews report that offline playback can be inconsistent, with some users experiencing skipping or loading errors. ### What are the best alternatives to SoundCloud? Listeners seeking independent music and DJ sets often consider Audiomack for its offline-first focus, Mixcloud for long-form DJ mixes, or Bandcamp for high-fidelity purchases and direct-to-fan support. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.95/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 8.7K - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 11 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/soundcloud-the-music-you-love) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.