SoundCloud has announced a major shift in its artist subscription model, positioning itself as the first major streaming platform to offer artists 100% of their royalties across all revenue streams.
Starting with the next payout cycle at the end of November 2025, SoundCloud will eliminate its distribution revenue share entirely. Artists using the platform’s distribution service will now keep 100% of royalties earned from Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, and over 60 other streaming and social platforms.
“SoundCloud has always been about putting artists first,” said Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud. “With this launch, we’re taking that mission further by giving artists a truly all-in-one subscription, including distribution without detours, community without barriers, and monetization without compromise.”
By bundling distribution, monetization, and direct fan engagement under one subscription, SoundCloud aims to establish itself as a comprehensive ecosystem for independent musicians.
The changes take effect globally, with the distribution royalty update rolling out at the end of November 2025.