SoundCloud has launched a new feature allowing fans to buy and download music directly from artist profiles, with the platform taking no commission from sales.
The feature launched in beta on August 26 and is initially available to around 200 US-based Artist Pro creators with Fan Support enabled. Participating artists can choose which eligible tracks to sell, set their own prices and make downloads available in formats including MP3 and WAV.
For fans, it means discovering, listening to and buying a track can now happen in the same place rather than being redirected to an external download store. Artists receive the proceeds from each purchase, minus standard payment processing fees and applicable taxes.
For independent electronic artists, DJs and producers, the bigger draw is the ability to sell music at a price they control while keeping the full proceeds. It also gives SoundCloud a more direct role in music sales, rather than simply sending listeners elsewhere to buy tracks.
Check out our exclusive range of DJ tees and support The DJ Revolution while you’re at it! Get 15% off your first order and free worldwide shipping.
There already appears to be an appetite for it. SoundCloud says more than 250,000 artists have linked over 2.4 million tracks on the platform to external music marketplaces, while more than 500,000 users leave SoundCloud each year to purchase music elsewhere. Its own research found that 28% of surveyed artists either already sell downloadable music or want to.
SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton said the new feature is part of the company’s wider push to give artists more ways to grow and earn on the platform:
The zero-commission model also gives SoundCloud a notable point of difference from established direct-to-fan platforms such as Bandcamp, which takes a revenue share from digital music sales.
The move follows SoundCloud’s acquisition of independent music platform Nina Protocol in July, as the company continues to expand its tools for artists beyond uploads and streaming. Existing options include Fan-Powered Royalties, Fan Support, ticketing and on-demand vinyl.
SoundCloud says access to direct music purchases will expand gradually during the beta, with the feature expected to become available to all eligible creators in November 2026.
ADD AS PREFERRED SOURCE ON GOOGLE
