Cloudcover vs. Rockbot vs. SoundMachine
Okay, you have finally realized that it is not cool (or legal) to play Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, or other consumer-based music services in your business. It is time to get legit and bring on a purpose-built music-for-business service. One that covers all of the required licenses from the Performing Rights Organizations (PROs, including ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR). A service that provides professional playlist curation in one package.
You may be worried about whether any low cost music-for-business options are available. The good news is that there certainly are. But, it is worth taking a minute to review the state-of-play in music for business so you can make the best decision of the offerings out there.
The Disruption of Music for Business
Just a few years ago, it was not uncommon for small businesses to pay $75, $100, $150 or more per month for a rather basic, licensed background music service. For years, big music outfits like Muzak and DMX (both now owned by industry giant Mood Media) were really the only game in town. They were able to dictate market rates and contract terms (often, five-year, auto-renewing, no-cut arrangements). There was not much competition to keep them from being unchallenged.
Startups like Custom Channels came on the scene in the early 2000s. They began to disrupt the status quo with new streaming technologies, customizable playlists, lower monthly fees, personalized service and no long-term contracts. Since then, even more competitors have sprung up, offering retail and restaurant businesses an ever-wider array of service options and price points.
The Emergence of Low Cost Music for Business Services
Music for business is a service with a lot of cost baked in. The music in your business requires a special license from the PROs. Hopefully, your music-for-business provider is paying those licensing fees on behalf of your business. These special licensing requirements are why music-for-business services cost more than consumer music services like Spotify, Apple Music, or SiriusXM.
It used to be that the cheapest business music services saved money on music licensing costs. They did it by offering limited music libraries featuring lesser-known artists and cover versions of popular songs instead of the original recordings. Some of those services still exist. Then, changes to music licensing laws swept in with the DMCA of 1998. This federal act made it possible for new competitors to get into the music-for-business market with the same or better access to major-label music that the heritage companies.
What Every Music Service Should Provide
Suffice it to say, the days of one-size-fits-all music for business services are over. But, there are a still few things even low cost music-for-business services should absolutely provide. Among those are blanket licenses from the PROs. This gives them access to millions of songs including major artists and releases across many different genres of music. Another essential is business friendly playlists with songs screened for offensive lyrics and inappropriate content. Also, full licensing of music streamed to your business. That licensing saves you from the time and expense of negotiating and complying with myriad PRO licenses on your own or risking potentially huge liability for copyright infringement for playing music without a license.
Every industry has its low cost providers designed to appeal to the budget-conscious customer. The music for business space, in spite of those baked-in costs, is no different. For this article, we offer a comparison of three low cost music for business providers: Cloudcover, Rockbot and SoundMachine.
Cloudcover – Low Prices ‘r’ Us
Pricing: Cloudcover’s basic “Music” plan starts at $17.95/month ($16.16 when paid annually).
Pros: Lowest-cost licensed option, simple setup, and plenty of niche stations.
Cons: Limited customization, smaller playlist rotations, and more manual management required.
Best For: DIY businesses prioritizing low cost over flexibility or expert curation.
Rockbot – Artificial Intelligence Comes to Background Music
Pricing: $25/month per zone for Rockbot Music.
Pros: Modern, tech-focused experience; interactive features; strong multi-location control.
Cons: AI playlists may lack human nuance; add-ons can push pricing higher.
Best For: Tech-savvy users or brands wanting interactive guest experiences.
SoundMachine – New Kid on the Block
Pricing: $29.95/month ($26.95 annual).
Pros: Flexible plans, Napster library access, no required hardware.
Cons: Less U.S. presence, sparse information, and possible content management needed.
Best For: SMBs wanting flexibility or Napster-powered playlists.
At-a-Glance Comparison (Including Custom Channels)
| Provider | Starting Price | Additional Zones | Music Library & Stations | Human Curation | Playback Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudcover | $17.95/month per zone | Full additional subscription per zone | 150+ stations; narrow genres; preset mixes | Limited | App, Web, Sonos, optional CloudBox | Lowest-cost DIY music solution |
| Rockbot | $25/month per zone | Full additional subscription per zone | Hundreds of AI-assisted playlists | Mostly algorithmic | App, Web, Player, Sonos | Tech-focused multi-location users |
| SoundMachine | $26.95/month (annual) per location | Full subscription required per location | Algorithmic + curated stations via Napster | Partial | App, Web, proprietary player, Sonos | Simple SMB setups or Napster users |
| Custom Channels | $26/month | $15 per additional zone | Expertly curated playlists; on-brand mixes | 100% Human-curated by professionals | App, Web, Player, Sonos, BlueSound, TVs, Digital Signage, Almost Any Device | Businesses that value service, music quality, and support |
Summary: Must You Find the Lowest Cost Music for Business Service?
As a business owner, you have many more choices for reliable, legal music-for-business services than most businesses did 10 years ago. All three of the companies in this comparison are examples of low cost music-for-business providers. But even the best services need not cost an arm and a leg. Depending on the number of locations and the desired level of customization, the price range for most music-for-business services in the U.S. is about $25 to $50 per month. Even at the higher end, a superior music-for-business service is hardly a budget-breaker for most companies, especially when the perfect music mix is a key part of the customer experience and brand.
Custom Channels is a premium business music streaming service that specializes in human-curated, professional playlists that are always on-brand and appropriate for businesses. This extra attention to detail can cost only a few dollars more per month than low-cost competitors, yet the payoff in customer experience and reliability is significant. Learn more by contacting us online or calling (303) 444-7700 for a free music consultation.
