SoundCloud to launch direct music sales for artists
The platform will allow musicians to sell tracks directly to fans without taking a commission, a move that intensifies competition in the digital music market.
SoundCloud has announced that musicians will soon be able to sell music directly through its platform, a significant shift for a service that has historically focused on discovery rather than direct commerce. The feature is currently in beta testing with 200 US-based Artist Pro subscribers, with the company planning to expand availability to a wider creator base this autumn.
Under the new arrangement, fans will be able to purchase tracks directly via artist profile pages. SoundCloud will not take a percentage of the sales, although artists will remain responsible for covering processing fees and remitting local taxes. This structure aims to provide a more transparent revenue stream for creators compared to traditional streaming models.
Musicians will be able to track their sales through SoundCloud’s Artist Studio and Fan Support dashboards. They will also have the flexibility to select which digital formats they wish to offer to their audience. The company noted that starting with a smaller creator group provides a direct feedback loop to identify friction points and determine what artists want built next.
This development addresses a long-standing gap in SoundCloud’s ecosystem, which previously lacked a direct sales mechanism, often forcing users to rely on external platforms. SoundCloud already offers other monetisation avenues, including ticket sales and on-demand vinyl pressings, but the direct sales feature represents a core addition to its artist tools.
The timing of the launch is notable given recent turbulence at competitor Bandcamp. In June, Bandcamp laid off most of its engineering team, sparking renewed concerns about the platform’s longevity. This follows a 50% staff cut by its owner, Songtradr, in 2023.
While SoundCloud has not provided specific statistics on consumer behaviour, the company suggests that the move is well timed as young people are increasingly buying music to own. The long-term viability of the feature will depend on the feedback gathered during the ongoing beta phase before the broader rollout.
