SoundCloud will now let artists keep 100% of their royalties in new all-in-one creator plan

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SoundCloud is doubling down on its “artist-first” promise, and this time, it’s putting its money where its mouth is. The platform has rolled out a major update that lets artists keep 100% of their royalties while giving fans a new way to support their favorite musicians directly.

Starting October 30, SoundCloud’s new All-in-One Artist Subscription brings every tool a creator needs under one roof, from distribution and monetization to fan engagement, without forcing them to juggle multiple platforms. The biggest shift arrives at the end of November, when SoundCloud will remove its revenue share entirely, allowing artists to take home the full amount from their streams and distribution payouts.

To make that ecosystem even more personal, SoundCloud is introducing a Support button on artist pages. It’s a simple way for fans to tip, donate, or show love directly to artists, with SoundCloud taking no commission (at least for now, in the U.S.). CEO Eliah Seton described the update as a natural evolution of the company’s mission: “We’re giving artists a truly all-in-one subscription, distribution without detours, community without barriers, and monetization without compromise, including direct support from their fans.”

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The overhaul also folds in some fresh perks for creators. Artists can now press and ship vinyl to more than 90 countries straight from the platform, with no upfront costs or bulk orders. They can also showcase merch and storefronts right beside their music, letting fans stream a song and buy a T-shirt in the same space.

For independent musicians, that kind of integration could be a game changer. It takes the pressure off managing scattered tools and gives them the kind of control once reserved for label-backed acts. As artist DXRKNOVA put it, “I can release music, talk to fans, and turn their support into real movement. It’s wild that I can handle everything from releases to merch without leaving the platform,” according to SoundCloud.

The company says this is only the beginning, with plans to keep expanding ways for artists to earn more, own more, and connect deeper with their audiences, without sacrificing independence.

The takeaway

In an industry where streaming platforms often take the lion’s share, SoundCloud’s decision to hand artists full control of their earnings feels bold, even revolutionary. It’s not just about royalties but rewriting the rules of how creators build sustainable careers. And if this model takes off, other streaming giants like Spotify and Apple Music may have to rethink what “artist-friendly” really means.

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