SoundStack is the enterprise audio platform behind Live365, Securenet, and a long roster of public radio brands like KCRW, KUT, WBGO, and Bonneville International. It packages live streaming, podcast delivery, dynamic ad insertion, and analytics for serious broadcasters with sales contracts. CloudRadio is a self-serve, flat-priced platform for independent stations. Here is when each one fits.
Different problems. SoundStack is built for stations whose business is selling audio inventory at scale. CloudRadio is built for stations whose business is broadcasting.
| Capability | SoundStack | CloudRadio One · $39/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Talk to sales (no public pricing) | $39/mo flat, no sales call |
| Target customer | Public radio, broadcast networks, podcast networks, enterprise | Independent stations, community broadcasters, growing hobbyists |
| Live streaming | ✓ (enterprise CDN) | ✓ (HLS 64/128/256 kbps AAC + Icecast MP3) |
| Podcast hosting | ✓ (full-stack podcast delivery) | ✗ |
| Programmatic ads / DAI | ✓ (dynamic ad insertion + programmatic demand) | ✗ |
| AutoDJ / scheduling | Via partner products like Live365 | Layered priority stack: live → schedule → rotation → fallback |
| Royalty handling | Royalty reporting + DAI / Live365 royalty bundle on certain plans | ✗ (handle your own licensing) |
| Storage | Custom contract | 750 GB on CloudRadio One |
| Self-serve setup | ✗ (sales-led) | ✓ (sign up and stream within minutes) |
| Support model | Account management + dedicated humans |
Bottom line: If you sell ads at scale, run a podcast network, or you're a public radio broadcaster, SoundStack is the right call. If you run a single station and just want a clean stream, AutoDJ, monitoring, and a player at a fixed monthly price, CloudRadio is the simpler fit.
Honestly, only at the margins. SoundStack sells to public radio networks, podcast publishers, and ad-supported audio brands. The deal sizes are big. The contracts are bespoke. There is no $39/month signup button.
CloudRadio is the opposite end of the market: self-serve, flat pricing, single-station plans, no sales calls, and modern HLS delivery for stations that want a clean stream and to keep running their station without a procurement department.
Both can technically host a music station. The question is whether you want enterprise audio infrastructure with a sales rep, or independent broadcasting tools you sign up for online.
Yes. Live365 is SoundStack's royalty-included broadcaster tier for the US, UK, and Canada. If you specifically want bundled SoundExchange royalties and the Live365 broadcaster price tier, that's the right SoundStack product to ask about. CloudRadio does not bundle royalties; you handle your own licensing.
Not natively today. If your business model is selling audio ads dynamically and you need server-side ad insertion at scale, SoundStack is built for that and we are not. We focus on delivering the live stream and the on-air experience.
No. CloudRadio is a live broadcasting platform. SoundStack handles podcast hosting and broadcast-to-podcast workflows under the same umbrella. If both are core to your business, they're a one-stop shop. If only the live broadcast is, you can pair CloudRadio with a dedicated podcast host like Buzzsprout or Transistor.
Probably not for the live stream alone. Their product strength is monetization, podcast distribution, and enterprise analytics, and the contracts reflect that. CloudRadio's $39/mo plan is designed for the exact use case of running a single station at professional quality without enterprise overhead.
Self-serve. $39/month. No sales call, no quote, no contract. HLS, AutoDJ, monitoring, and a free player widget included.