SHOUTcast
SHOUTcast: A flexible SHOUTcast option for cloud-hosted or self-hosted internet radio stations. Ranked #22 of 32 in Streaming Audio Hosting by our editors (7.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for stations wanting cloud or self-hosted SHOUTcast options.
At a glance
- Editor score7.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forStations wanting cloud or self-hosted SHOUTcast options
- Free planYes
- Paid from€50/unit/yr
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Cloud hosting and free self-hosted server software
- Analytics, audience reports, and fallback stream support
- Ad injection, TargetSpot monetization, and API access
Where it doesn't
- Basic requires stations to manage their own hosting
- Pro pricing requires contacting sales
- It is proprietary rather than open source
Our verdict on SHOUTcast
SHOUTcast provides software and services for broadcasting internet radio stations. It supports live streaming through cloud-hosted stations or self-hosted server software, with Linux and Windows support for the self-hosted option. Broadcasters can manage stations through Radio Manager, monitor live audiences, review listener and royalty reports, and access the SHOUTcast API. The product is suited to stations that want a choice between managed infrastructure and running their own server, as well as broadcasters that need monetization or audience reporting alongside streaming.
Pricing is split across three plans. Basic is free and provides self-hosted server software, live broadcasting, listener analytics, fallback files and backup stream support, and TargetSpot monetization. Easy costs €50 per station annually and adds cloud hosting, Radio Manager, unlimited radio creation, ad injection, live audience monitoring, and audience and royalty reports. Pro is a customizable cloud-hosted solution for high-volume radio publishers, with pricing handled through contact with sales. This structure makes Basic a practical fit for stations comfortable managing infrastructure, while Easy is the clearer choice for stations seeking cloud hosting and centralized administration.
SHOUTcast’s feature set extends beyond basic live broadcasting: fallback files and stream URLs help support continuity, while ad injection and TargetSpot address monetization. Integrations with TargetSpot and Winamp, plus web, Windows, Linux, and API availability, give it a broad operating footprint. Its focus remains internet radio rather than a general-purpose audio publishing toolkit. Stations wanting cloud hosting at a published annual price should consider Easy; stations needing a customizable setup for high-volume publishing can evaluate Pro. Broadcasters seeking free managed cloud hosting, open-source software, or a simpler narrowly focused streaming tool should look elsewhere.
Your product? Our editors can test SHOUTcast in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
SHOUTcast pricing
All 3 SHOUTcast plans and prices →
SHOUTcast fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | €50/unit/yr |
| Listener limit | Not verified |
| Live streaming | Yes |
| Scheduled automation | Not verified |
| Audio quality | High |
| Stream protocols | Icecast |
| Listener analytics | Yes |
| Recording archive | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Linux |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: TargetSpot, Winamp |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | shoutcast.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
SHOUTcast integrations
SHOUTcast lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- TargetSpot
- Winamp
Alternatives to SHOUTcast
- AzuraCastA capable open-source radio suite for technical teams comfortable managing their own hosting.9.4
- Caster.fmA broad radio platform with a free tier and paid tools for growing stations.9.2
- RadioBOSS CloudAffordable hosted radio automation with scheduling, streaming, storage, and analytics.9.0
See all SHOUTcast alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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