ShoutCheap is a low-cost Shoutcast and Icecast reseller priced by bitrate and listener slot, with plans from $4.95/mo. CloudRadio is a flat $39/mo HLS-first platform with unlimited listeners and big storage. Different models, different tradeoffs. Here is when each wins.
ShoutCheap's entry plans cap at 25 listeners. CloudRadio's One plan starts at $39 with no listener cap.
| Feature | ShoutCheap (entry tier) | CloudRadio One · $39/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per bitrate × per listener slot | Flat $39/mo, all-in |
| Streaming protocol | Shoutcast / Icecast | HLS (64/128/256 kbps AAC) + Icecast MP3 |
| Listeners (entry tier) | 25 listeners on starter plans | Unlimited listeners |
| Bitrate | 32 - 320 kbps depending on plan | 64 / 128 / 256 kbps adaptive ladder |
| AutoDJ | Cloud AutoDJ + Live | Layered priority stack: live → schedule → rotation → fallback |
| Storage | 1 GB base, +$5/GB (max 25 GB = $120/mo) | 750 GB |
| HTTPS stream URL | +$2.95/mo add-on | ✓ (included) |
| Embeddable player | Player Studio (separate tool, included) | Free 5-style player widget, HLS-ready |
| Stream monitoring + dead-air alerts | Auto-fallback to AutoDJ; no documented alerting | Free monitoring, 60-second checks, email alerts |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Bottom line: For a 25-listener hobby station, ShoutCheap is hard to beat at $4.95-12/mo. The math flips once your audience grows: ShoutCheap plans add cost as you bump bitrate and listener slots, while CloudRadio One stays flat at $39/mo with HLS, unlimited listeners, and 750 GB of storage.
All entry tiers cap at 25 listeners. Higher listener counts cost more per plan. ShoutCheap also sells "Freedom" plans where you pick bitrate, listeners, and storage independently.
| Bitrate | Starting price (25 listeners) |
|---|---|
| 32 kbps | $4.95/mo |
| 64 kbps | $5.95/mo |
| 96 kbps | $9.95/mo |
| 128 kbps | $11.95/mo |
| 192 kbps | $17.95/mo |
| 256 kbps | $23.95/mo |
Source: shoutcheap.com. Pricing as of early 2026, USD. Higher listener counts increase the price of each tier.
ShoutCheap is genuinely cheaper for tiny audiences. The starter plan is around $5-12/mo for 25 listeners, though an HTTPS stream URL is a $2.95/mo add-on (required for any modern embed or HTTPS website). As you climb the bitrate and listener-count ladder, the price climbs with it. By the time you need 128 kbps with several hundred concurrent listeners, you are typically paying $25-40+ a month for a Shoutcast slot.
CloudRadio One is $39/mo flat with no listener ceiling, no per-slot math, and an HLS ladder up to 256 kbps included. If you expect even a moderate audience or you don't want to think about capacity at all, the flat plan tends to win.
AutoDJ storage on ShoutCheap starts at 1 GB and scales up at $5/GB, so a 10 GB library adds $45/mo, and the maximum 25 GB pushes the monthly bill to $120 before you factor in the base stream cost. CloudRadio One includes 750 GB outright.
If you already run your own AutoDJ software (SAM, RadioDJ, mAirList), our $5/mo Classic Shoutcast/Icecast plan undercuts every ShoutCheap tier and gives you a clean stream URL. Want an AutoDJ fallback that kicks in when your encoder drops, unlimited listeners, and silence monitoring? CloudRadio One at $39/mo adds all of that without replacing your workflow.
For a 25-listener hobby station at 32 or 64 kbps, yes. ShoutCheap starts at $4.95/mo. CloudRadio's cheapest classic Shoutcast/Icecast plan is $5/mo, but that one assumes you bring your own AutoDJ software. If you want managed AutoDJ, CloudRadio One at $39/mo becomes competitive once your audience grows or you want HLS.
ShoutCheap's marketing focuses on Shoutcast and Icecast, not HLS. HLS is the right choice for mobile listeners on flaky networks because the player can step between bitrates as connection quality changes. CloudRadio runs a 3-tier HLS ladder on every plan.
ShoutCheap has automatic fallback to AutoDJ when a live source drops, which is great. CloudRadio adds a separate, free monitoring service that pings any HTTPS stream every 60 seconds, detects dead air, and emails you if something looks off. Works on third-party streams too.
ShoutCheap charges per stream. CloudRadio is single-station per plan; for multiple stations you run multiple plans, each with its own studio, monitoring, and player. The advantage is each station has its own unlimited-listener allotment.
Flat $39/month. Unlimited listeners, 750 GB storage, HLS up to 256 kbps, and free monitoring. No bitrate × slot math.