SoundCloud

The company operates a two‑sided platform model around user‑uploaded and licensed audio. On the demand side, it offers free ad‑supported streaming and premium subscription plans that provide ad‑free listening, offline playback and broader catalogue access. On the supply side, it offers creators and labels hosting, analytics, monetisation and distribution services bundled into paid subscription tiers.

Value is created by aggregating a large catalogue of tracks, especially from independent and emerging creators, providing discovery and listening tools to fans, and giving creators tools to manage their catalogue, reach audiences and earn royalties. Revenue is captured through recurring consumer and creator subscriptions, advertising sold against free‑tier listening, and revenue shares or fees on distribution and artist services delivered to external digital service providers via its Repost infrastructure.

SoundCloud Global Limited & Co. KG is a Berlin‑based audio streaming and creator platform that allows artists, labels and other creators to upload, host and distribute music and audio, while giving listeners free and paid access to stream that content. It also operates creator tools for monetisation, analytics and distribution to third‑party streaming services and digital service providers.

The company generates revenue from a freemium consumer streaming service with ad‑supported and paid subscription tiers, from paid creator subscriptions that bundle hosting, analytics and distribution, and from artist services and distribution fees via its Repost offering. Advertising on the free tier and brand partnerships add further income. Its customers are both consumers who pay for premium listening and independent artists, labels and managers who pay for creator subscriptions and distribution/artist services.