specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: SoundCloud
providerId: soundcloud
created: '2026-05-08'
# Provenance stamped 2026-08-11: this artifact was written by the API Evangelist
# bulk sweep dated 2026-05-08, not harvested from the provider. See roadmap#35.
method: generated
modified: '2026-05-08'
reconciled: true
tags:
- Music
- Streaming
- Audio
- OAuth
- Tracks
- Playlists
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FOCUS-aligned FinOps profile for SoundCloud. The API itself has no per-call charge for approved
  partners; cost concentration is on the consumer subscription side (Go, Go+, Artist Pro, Pro
  Unlimited) and on creator tooling. Treat the API as a free dependency once approved.
notes: API is free; consumer/creator subscriptions are billed separately by SoundCloud.
sources:
- https://developers.soundcloud.com/
- https://soundcloud.com/pricing
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: SoundCloud
serviceCategory: Music Streaming
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Free / Subscription
  billingFrequency: Monthly (consumer)
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Subscription
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: SoundCloud API
  ServiceCategory: Music Streaming
  ProviderName: SoundCloud
  PublisherName: SoundCloud
  InvoiceIssuerName: SoundCloud
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Subscription
meters:
- name: api_requests
  description: API request count (free; observability only).
  unit: request
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - app
  - endpoint
- name: consumer_subscription
  description: Consumer (listener/creator) subscription tier billing.
  unit: month
  aggregation: count
  dimensions:
  - tier
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track API usage via internal logs; consumer subscriptions are billed separately.
- name: Allocation
  description: Allocate creator tooling subscriptions (Artist Pro, Pro Unlimited) to the team or artist that owns the SoundCloud account.
- name: Optimization
  description: Cache stream URLs and metadata; avoid burning play-count quota on duplicate requests.
- name: Accountability
  description: Single team owns the SoundCloud app credentials and any creator subscriptions.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com