SoundCloud Go+ Price Increase Coming April 2026 — How to Pay Less (or Switch to Free)
SoundCloud Go+ is raising prices again in April 2026. Here's what you'll pay, whether Go+ is worth it vs the free tier and Spotify, and how to cut your costs with student discounts and plan downgrades.
SoundCloud is raising the price of Go+ again in April 2026 — the second increase in under two years, following the controversial jump from $9.99 to $10.99 in August 2024 that triggered a class action lawsuit. If you’re a Go+ subscriber paying $10.99/month ($131.88/year), now is the time to evaluate whether you actually need it. The free tier still gives you access to SoundCloud’s massive 320M-track library, and Spotify Premium costs the same while offering a significantly better listening experience for most users.
Quick Wins: Save on SoundCloud in 5 Minutes
Downgrade from Go+ ($10.99/mo) to Go ($4.99/mo) or the free tier to save $72–132/year — most listeners don’t use the premium features that justify the price difference.
| Action | Estimated Savings | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downgrade Go+ → Go | $72/yr | 2 min | Easy |
| Downgrade Go+ → Free | $131.88/yr | 2 min | Easy |
| Student discount on Go+ | $65.94/yr | 5 min | Easy |
| Switch to Spotify free tier | $131.88/yr | 10 min | Easy |
| Cancel before April 2026 price increase | $12–24/yr | 2 min | Easy |
SoundCloud Pricing (2026)
SoundCloud offers three tiers: Free, Go ($4.99/mo), and Go+ ($10.99/mo) — but Go+ is about to get more expensive in April 2026, with an expected increase of $1–2/month. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Ad-supported, 64kbps audio, full 320M-track library access, social features |
| Go | $4.99/mo | $59.88/yr | Ad-free, offline playback, higher audio quality |
| Go+ | $10.99/mo | $131.88/yr | Everything in Go + full catalog access (paywalled tracks), 256kbps AAC |
| Go+ Student | $5.49/mo | $65.88/yr | Same as Go+ with ~50% student discount via SheerID |
| Go+ (April 2026 est.) | ~$12–13/mo | ~$144–156/yr | Expected increase of $1–2/mo |
The key question: Is the Go+ premium over Go ($6/mo more) worth it just for access to paywalled tracks and slightly higher audio quality? For most listeners, the answer is no.
SoundCloud Price History: Two Increases in Two Years
SoundCloud Go+ has increased in price twice since 2024 — a pattern that suggests further increases are likely. The August 2024 increase was poorly communicated and resulted in a class action lawsuit.
| Date | Go Price | Go+ Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch (2016) | $4.99/mo | $9.99/mo | Original pricing |
| 2016–2024 | $4.99/mo | $9.99/mo | Stable for ~8 years |
| Aug 2024 | $4.99/mo | $10.99/mo | +$1/mo (+10%) — class action lawsuit filed |
| Apr 2026 (expected) | $4.99/mo | ~$12–13/mo | +$1–2/mo (+9–18%) |
Pattern: Go+ has increased twice while Go has stayed at $4.99. This suggests SoundCloud sees Go+ as the revenue driver and will continue raising its price. If you’re on Go+, expect annual increases going forward.
SoundCloud’s Retention Behavior: What Happens When You Cancel
SoundCloud is a “Hard Line” service — when you initiate cancellation, there are no retention discounts, no pause options, and no negotiation. Your subscription simply ends at the close of your current billing period.
| Retention Tactic | Does SoundCloud Do This? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| In-flow discount | No | No price reduction during cancellation |
| Pause option | No | No pause feature available |
| Win-back email | Rarely | Occasional promotional emails, not targeted |
| Phone retention | No | No phone support for subscriptions |
| Seasonal promos | Sometimes | 30% off for 3 months occasionally available |
| Student discount | Yes | 50% off Go+ via SheerID ($5.49/mo) |
What Actually Works
Since SoundCloud doesn’t negotiate:
- Downgrade to Go ($4.99/mo) if you mainly want ad-free listening. You lose access to paywalled tracks and top-tier audio quality, but keep offline playback and an ad-free experience.
- Use the student discount if eligible. Go+ at $5.49/mo is actually cheaper than Go’s regular price.
- Cancel completely and watch for promos. SoundCloud occasionally offers 30% off for 3 months to returning subscribers. Sign up for their email list after cancelling.
- Subscribe through the web, not iOS. The App Store version is more expensive due to Apple’s commission. Always subscribe directly via soundcloud.com.
SoundCloud Free vs Go vs Go+: What You Actually Get
SoundCloud’s free tier gives you access to the full 320M-track library with ads — making it one of the most generous free tiers in music streaming. Here’s exactly what changes at each level:
| Feature | Free | Go ($4.99) | Go+ ($10.99) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library access | 320M+ tracks | 320M+ tracks | 320M+ tracks + paywalled content |
| Audio quality | 64kbps (Opus) | 128kbps | 256kbps AAC |
| Ads | Yes | No | No |
| Offline playback | No | Yes | Yes |
| Social features (likes, reposts, comments) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Artist uploads | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DJ mixes and remixes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full catalog (paywalled tracks) | No | No | Yes |
| Creator analytics (for uploaders) | Basic | Basic | Advanced |
The honest assessment:
- Free tier covers 95% of casual SoundCloud use. If you’re here for indie artists, DJ mixes, and underground music — the stuff that makes SoundCloud unique — it’s all on the free tier.
- Go ($4.99) is the sweet spot if ads bother you and you want offline downloads. Skip if you can tolerate ads.
- Go+ ($10.99) is only worth it if you specifically need access to major-label tracks that are paywalled on SoundCloud. If you’re listening to mainstream music, Spotify or Apple Music at the same price gives you a vastly better experience.
SoundCloud Go+ vs Spotify Premium: The Real Comparison
If you’re paying $10.99/mo for SoundCloud Go+ to listen to mainstream music, you’re overpaying — Spotify Premium at $11.99/mo offers a better mainstream experience with superior discovery, playlists, podcasts, and audio quality. SoundCloud’s advantage is entirely in independent, underground, and remix content.
| Feature | SoundCloud Go+ ($10.99) | Spotify Premium ($11.99) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tracks | 320M+ (mostly user-uploaded) | 100M+ (licensed catalog) | SoundCloud (volume) |
| Mainstream music quality | Mixed (some paywalled) | Excellent (full catalog) | Spotify |
| Indie/underground music | Unmatched (creator uploads) | Limited | SoundCloud |
| DJ mixes and remixes | Excellent | Poor (licensing issues) | SoundCloud |
| Audio quality | 256kbps AAC | 320kbps + lossless | Spotify |
| Discovery algorithm | Basic | Best in industry | Spotify |
| Podcasts | No | Yes (extensive) | Spotify |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Family plan | No | $16.99/mo (6 accounts) | Spotify |
| Student plan | $5.49/mo | $5.99/mo (+ Hulu) | Spotify (better value) |
| Social features | Strong (comments, reposts) | Basic (collaborative playlists) | SoundCloud |
The decision: Keep SoundCloud (free tier or Go) for indie and DJ content. Use Spotify or Apple Music for mainstream listening. Don’t pay Go+ prices for mainstream music that’s better served elsewhere.
Best Alternatives to SoundCloud Go+
If you’re cancelling Go+ entirely, several platforms serve SoundCloud’s unique niches — indie artists, DJ mixes, and underground music — for free or significantly less.
| Alternative | Price | Best For | SoundCloud Coverage | Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoundCloud Free | $0 | Same indie/DJ content | 90% | Ads, lower audio quality |
| Bandcamp | Free (listener) | Supporting indie artists directly | 70% | No streaming app, purchase model |
| Audiomack | Free | Hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats | 60% | Smaller library, genre-focused |
| Audius | Free | Blockchain music, EDM | 40% | Small library, niche community |
| Mixcloud | Free | DJ sets, radio shows | 50% | Long-form only, no individual tracks |
| Spotify Free | $0 | Mainstream music with ads | 30% (mainstream) | No indie uploads, shuffle-only mobile |
| YouTube Music Free | $0 | Music videos + remixes | 50% | Ad-supported, no offline |
The Best Switch Path
SoundCloud Free + Spotify Free is the zero-cost combination that covers 90%+ of listening needs. Use SoundCloud’s free tier for indie artists, DJ mixes, and remixes (which don’t require Go or Go+). Use Spotify’s free tier for mainstream discovery and playlists. Total cost: $0.
If you need one paid service, Spotify Premium ($11.99/mo) or Apple Music ($10.99/mo) gives you a better all-around experience than SoundCloud Go+ at the same price point.
What to Do Before the April 2026 Price Increase
If you’re on Go+, you have until your next billing date after April 2026 to decide whether to absorb the increase, downgrade, or cancel. Here’s the action plan:
| If You... | Recommended Action | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Mainly listen to indie/underground | Downgrade to Free tier | $131.88/yr |
| Want ad-free + offline but not paywalled tracks | Downgrade to Go ($4.99) | $72/yr |
| Are a student | Apply student discount ($5.49/mo) | $65.94/yr |
| Listen to mainstream music on SoundCloud | Switch to Spotify Premium | $0 extra (better experience) |
| Use SoundCloud for DJ mixes only | Downgrade to Free (DJ mixes are free) | $131.88/yr |
| Genuinely need paywalled catalog access | Stay on Go+, accept increase | Accept ~$12–24/yr increase |
Total Savings Breakdown
Depending on your approach, you can save $66 to $132 per year on SoundCloud — and the April 2026 price increase makes these savings even more significant.
| Strategy | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Go+ (monthly) | $10.99 | $131.88 | Baseline |
| Go+ after April increase (est.) | ~$12.99 | ~$155.88 | -$24/yr (price increase) |
| Downgrade to Go | $4.99 | $59.88 | $72.00 |
| Student discount on Go+ | $5.49 | $65.88 | $66.00 |
| SoundCloud Free + Spotify Free | $0 | $0 | $131.88 |
| SoundCloud Free + Spotify Premium | $11.99 | $143.88 | $0 (but better experience) |
| Cancel everything (free tiers only) | $0 | $0 | $131.88 |
Bottom Line: Your SoundCloud Optimization Checklist
- Ask yourself: why am I paying for Go+? If it’s for mainstream music, switch to Spotify or Apple Music. If it’s for indie/DJ content, the free tier has it all
- Check if you qualify for the student discount — Go+ at $5.49/mo via SheerID is cheaper than regular Go
- Downgrade to Go ($4.99) if you only need ad-free listening and offline downloads
- Make your decision before April 2026 when the next price increase hits
- Subscribe through the website, not the app — iOS pricing is higher due to Apple’s commission
- Consider the SoundCloud Free + Spotify Free combo for $0/month total with 90%+ coverage
Start by running a free subscription audit to see how SoundCloud fits into your total monthly spend. Take our 30-second savings quiz for personalized recommendations, or check our SoundCloud optimization guide for more detail.