Formaviva vs SoundCloud
A SoundCloud alternative that sells the record too
SoundCloud gave electronic music its waveform and its comment threads. Formaviva keeps both and adds what an artist needs to earn from the people listening: sales, merch, promo campaigns and analytics, in a curated catalogue.
Facts checked · Sources
SoundCloud and Formaviva compared
| Question | SoundCloud | Formaviva |
|---|---|---|
| Fees and payouts | ||
| Cost to upload | Free up to a limit, then a paid plan | Free and unlimited |
| How artists earn | Streaming royalties, on paid plans | Sales, merch and tips: keep 90% |
| Ownership and control | ||
| Who can publish | Anyone | You, once your profile is invited |
| Private releases | Private tracks and links | Private releases with secret links |
| Listening and downloads | ||
| Streaming | Full tracks, free with ads | Full tracks, free |
| Downloads | Free, if the uploader allows | Paid or free: MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF |
| Promo and selling | ||
| Selling music | A buy link to another store | Sold on the page |
| Promotion | Reposts and paid promotion | Campaigns to DJs, press and radio |
| Community and discovery | ||
| Catalogue | Open, every genre | Curated, invite-only electronic music |
| Waveform comments | Yes | Yes |
Strengths of each
Where SoundCloud is strong
- A huge open community: upload, repost and comment
- Timed comments on the waveform
- Artist plans with distribution to other services
- Fan-powered royalties for subscribers
What Formaviva adds
- Sell releases and tracks on the page, and keep 90%
- Unlimited uploads with no subscription
- Lossless downloads, vinyl and merch
- Promo campaigns to DJs, press and radio
You don’t have to choose. SoundCloud is still a good place for sketches, edits and reach. Formaviva is where the finished release lives: the version people can buy, on vinyl and in lossless, with a promo campaign behind it.
Questions
Can listeners comment on the waveform like on SoundCloud?
Yes. Comments sit at a point in the track and show on the waveform, on tracks, releases and mixes.
Is uploading to Formaviva free?
Yes. There is no upload limit and no subscription. Formaviva takes a standard 10% share when something sells.
Can I upload DJ mixes?
Yes. Mixes have their own section and stream in the same player.
Can I keep my SoundCloud?
Yes. Nothing on Formaviva is exclusive.
Ready to hear the difference?
Artist and label profiles are invite-only, which keeps the catalogue worth browsing. Listening is free for everyone.
Sources
Details about SoundCloud come from its own published information and reporting as of November 2026, and can change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it. SoundCloud is a trademark of its owner. Formaviva is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by SoundCloud.