SHOUTcast
Internet radio platform offering hosted station streaming, ad monetisation and a free self-hosted server.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About SHOUTcast
SHOUTcast is one of the oldest names in internet radio. Today it has two sides for broadcasters. Shoutcast Basic is the free server software (formerly called DNAS) that you install on your own machine to stream a station. Shoutcast Easy is a hosted plan, billed yearly per station, where SHOUTcast runs the servers and gives you a web-based radio manager, SSL streams, live audience stats, listener details and royalties reports. Its main selling point is monetisation: through its sister company Targetspot it can stitch pre-roll and mid-roll audio ads into your stream and share the revenue. A larger Pro tier is reserved for very big stations. SHOUTcast also runs a public directory where listeners can browse stations. It suits small and mid-sized stations that want hosting and ad income in one package. Note that the hosted plan's ads are mandatory pre-roll, and prices are listed in euros.
Best for: Small and mid-sized internet radio stations that want hosting plus ad revenue.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free server software for self-hosting a station
- Built-in ad insertion and revenue sharing via Targetspot
- Hosted plan includes audience stats and royalties reports
Why people leave
- Hosted plan forces pre-roll ads on your listeners
- Server software is closed source, unlike Icecast
- Pro tier is limited to very large stations
Top SHOUTcast alternatives
See all 3- 1
Icecast66.5Fully open-source streaming server with no forced ads, if you're happy to run it yourself.
- 2
AzuraCast62.6Free self-hosted suite that bundles a stream server, AutoDJ and web station manager in one install.
- 3
Live36559.6Hosted stations with US, Canada and Mexico music licensing included and distribution to TuneIn.
Why people left SHOUTcast
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SHOUTcast: common questions
Is SHOUTcast free?
SHOUTcast has a free plan and paid plans.
Is SHOUTcast open source?
No, SHOUTcast is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Icecast and AzuraCast.
What platforms does SHOUTcast run on?
SHOUTcast is available for Web and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to SHOUTcast?
The highest-ranked SHOUTcast alternatives right now are Icecast, AzuraCast and Live365. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.