YouTube Music vs. SoundCloud Go+: Which service is better? (2026)
Two services, one decision: see at a glance where YouTube Music and SoundCloud Go+ differ and who each one is right for.
Quick verdict
- SoundCloud Go+ is €2.00 a month cheaper on the individual plan.
- Sound-wise, both are on the same level.
- SoundCloud Go+ pays artists roughly 2.4 times as much per stream.
YouTube Music is the better fit for: Android users, remix and live hunters.
SoundCloud Go+ is the better fit for: Electronic scene, indie explorers.
Every difference in detail
| Criterion | The Archive YouTube Music | The Underground SoundCloud Go+ |
|---|---|---|
| Individual plan | €11.99 | €9.99 Best value |
| Family plan | €18.99 Best value | not offered |
| Students | €5.99 Best value | not offered |
| Other plans | not offered | SoundCloud Go €5.99 |
| Audio quality | 256 kbps AAC (no lossless) | 256 kbps AAC |
| Hi-res (24-bit/192 kHz) | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Synced lyrics | Yes Best value | No |
| Podcasts in the app | Yes | Yes – uploaded by creators |
| Audiobooks included | No | No |
| Upload your own music | Yes – up to 100,000 tracks | Yes – publish as a creator |
| CarPlay & Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Sonos | Yes | Yes |
| Stream to speakers & streamers | Yes – Chromecast | Yes – Chromecast |
| Artist payout per stream | $0.0007–0.002 | $0.0025–0.004 Best value |
| Payout model | Pro-rata, heavily ad-funded | Fan-Powered Royalties (user-centric) |
| Catalogue | 100M+ tracks + the YouTube archive | Hundreds of millions of uploads, patchy mainstream |
| Biggest strength | Endless live recordings, covers & remixes | DJ sets, indie & remixes |
| Best for | Android users, remix and live hunters | Electronic scene, indie explorers |
Strengths and weaknesses
YouTube Music
Strengths
- Finds songs from fragments of lyrics
Weaknesses
- No lossless, no hi-res
SoundCloud Go+
Strengths
- User-centric: your money, your artists
Weaknesses
- No lossless
More comparisons
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- Apple Music vs. YouTube Music
- TIDAL vs. YouTube Music
- Amazon Music Unlimited vs. YouTube Music
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- Spotify vs. SoundCloud Go+
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- Qobuz vs. SoundCloud Go+