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A browser-based freemium digital audio workstation for collaborative music production, podcast creation, and education.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Nov 4, 2026
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Nov 4, 2026

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Overview

Soundtrap is an online, cross-platform digital audio workstation developed for creating music and spoken-audio content in a web browser. Its service combines recording, editing, software instruments, loops, effects, MIDI support, external audio inputs, and collaborative production tools. The platform is designed to lower the technical barrier to music making and podcast production by allowing users to work in a shared online studio rather than relying on a locally installed professional audio application. The business was founded in Stockholm on April 1, 2012, by Björn Melinder, Fredrik Posse, Gabriel Sjöberg, and Per Emanuelsson. The founders identified the complexity of conventional music-production software as a barrier and pursued a web-based environment that could support professional-sounding music and podcasts while enabling people to work together remotely. Soundtrap Studio entered beta in 2013 and gained visibility through its appearance at Google I/O in 2014. The company raised a reported $6 million Series A round in 2016. Soundtrap's product scope expanded beyond music production. Soundtrap for Education was introduced in 2015 for teachers and students, with a focus on accessible creative work, classroom collaboration, and controlled school use. The education product supports integrations and compliance features associated with educational environments, including Google Classroom compatibility and stated COPPA, GDPR, and FERPA compliance. It has also been recognized by education and instructional-technology organizations. In 2017, Soundtrap added Patterns BeatMaker and expanded its language support. Spotify acquired Soundtrap AB in November of that year. Under Spotify ownership, the service continued to develop as a browser-based creative platform. In 2018, Soundtrap received an EdTech Award in the arts, music, and creative-solutions category. In 2019, the free tier was expanded to permit unlimited projects without requiring an upgrade. Soundtrap entered podcast production with Soundtrap for Storytellers, introduced in May 2019. The offering provided tools for recording, transcript-based editing, remote interviews, show and episode management, sound effects, and jingles. Its automatic transcription capabilities were expanded to additional European and Portuguese-language variants later in 2019. The product was subsequently renamed Soundtrap for Podcasters in 2024. Soundtrap for Music Makers was introduced in 2020, organizing paid capabilities around music-production, vocal, songwriting, instrument, effects, and sample-library needs. Soundtrap also became associated with remote and digitally mediated learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, Soundtrap for Education was made available at no cost for the fall semester, and the education product was named Music Education Solution of the Year by EdTech that year. Spotify sold Soundtrap back to its founders in 2023, ending the company's period as a Spotify-owned operation. Soundtrap now presents itself through three principal use cases: Music Makers, Podcasters, and Education. Its positioning centers on simplicity, collaboration, browser accessibility, and a freemium model with paid tiers for expanded production capabilities.

History

Soundtrap and Soundtrap AB were established in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 1, 2012, by Björn Melinder, Fredrik Posse, Gabriel Sjöberg, and Per Emanuelsson. The founders sought to make music creation less complex and to provide an online environment in which users could collaborate on complete music and podcast productions. Their approach contrasted with traditional digital audio workstations that were typically installed locally, required specialized hardware or software knowledge, and were less naturally suited to simultaneous remote collaboration. Soundtrap Studio entered beta in 2013. Its web-based model allowed users to record through external inputs, use software instruments, arrange loops and effects, work with MIDI, and share projects with collaborators. The service received broader industry attention after being featured at Google I/O in 2014. In 2015, the company introduced Soundtrap for Education, adapting its creative tools for schools and other learning environments. The education edition emphasized safe, guided collaboration and access for students of different ages and abilities. It was later promoted through education technology channels and made compatible with Google Classroom. Soundtrap raised $6 million in Series A financing in 2016. In 2017, the platform added Patterns BeatMaker and broadened its language availability. Spotify acquired Soundtrap AB in November 2017. The acquisition gave Soundtrap access to the resources of a major global audio company while allowing it to continue developing a distinct product focused on creation rather than music streaming. Soundtrap's education work received an EdTech Award in 2018, and the company subsequently widened access to the service by allowing unlimited projects on its free tier in 2019. Podcasting became a major area of development in 2019. Soundtrap for Storytellers launched on May 24 of that year with recording, editing, transcription, remote-interview, show-management, and sound-design capabilities. Its transcription system was expanded to French, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese, and Swedish in October 2019. The product addressed both independent podcasters and educational users who needed a simple way to record and edit spoken projects collaboratively. In 2024, it was renamed Soundtrap for Podcasters. Soundtrap for Music Makers was introduced in 2020. The offering organized premium functionality into subscription plans covering music production, vocals, songwriting, instruments, effects, loops, one-shots, and sound effects. The same year, Soundtrap for Education was made free for the fall semester in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, and the education product received an EdTech award for music education. Spotify sold Soundtrap back to its founders in 2023. The transaction returned the company to founder ownership after roughly six years within Spotify. Soundtrap's current product structure is organized around Music Makers, Podcasters, and Education. Across these programs, the brand continues to emphasize browser access, collaboration, approachable workflows, and a freemium model that allows initial use without payment while reserving broader libraries and advanced capabilities for paid plans.

  • 2023

    Returned to founder ownership

    [1]

    Spotify sold Soundtrap back to its founders.

  • 2019

    Podcasting program launched

    [1]

    Soundtrap for Storytellers launched as a podcast creation and editing environment.

  • 2017

    Spotify acquisition

    [1]

    Spotify acquired Soundtrap AB in November.

  • 2016

    Series A financing

    [1]

    Soundtrap raised a reported $6 million Series A round.

  • 2015

    Soundtrap for Education introduced

    [1]

    The company launched an education-focused program for teachers and students.

  • 2014

    Featured at Google I/O

    [1]

    Soundtrap received prominent product exposure through Google I/O.

  • 2013

    Soundtrap Studio enters beta

    [1]

    The browser-based online studio began beta operation.

  • 2012

    Soundtrap founded in Stockholm

    [1]

    Björn Melinder, Fredrik Posse, Gabriel Sjöberg, and Per Emanuelsson founded Soundtrap and Soundtrap AB in Stockholm, Sweden.

Products and positioning

Freemium, browser-based, collaborative audio production for musicians, podcasters, teachers, and students.

  • Music production software · 2020

    Soundtrap for Music Makers

    Introduced in 2020, Soundtrap for Music Makers provides browser-based tools for recording, arranging, and producing music. Paid plans add instruments, effects, loops, one-shots, sound effects, and broader sound libraries. The program is structured around several subscription options, including plans oriented toward music production, vocals, songwriting, and combined production and vocal work.

  • Podcast production software · 2019

    Soundtrap for Podcasters

    Originally launched in 2019 as Soundtrap for Storytellers, this program supports podcast recording, editing, automatic transcription, transcript-based changes, remote guest interviews, show and episode management, jingles, and sound effects. It also supports direct podcast publishing workflows associated with Spotify. The product was renamed Soundtrap for Podcasters in 2024.

  • Educational audio software · 2015

    Soundtrap for Education

    Soundtrap for Education adapts the platform for classroom and home learning. It gives teachers and students tools for collaborative music, audio, and podcast projects, with support for Google Classroom and stated COPPA, GDPR, and FERPA compliance. The product has been promoted as a way to support differentiated instruction and creative communication across age groups and ability levels.

  • Digital audio workstation · 2013

    Soundtrap Studio

    Soundtrap Studio is the core browser-based digital audio workstation. It supports external instrument inputs, software instrument playback, MIDI import and export, collaborative projects, effects, loops, and audio editing. Additional capabilities introduced over time include Patterns BeatMaker and a real-time Vocal Tuner.

Marketing campaigns

  • 2020Free access for the fall semester

    Education markets

    Soundtrap made Soundtrap for Education free for the fall semester during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting schools and students affected by remote and disrupted learning.

    Outcome. The initiative increased short-term access to the education product; a longer-term quantitative outcome is not specified in the available source material.

    Source

Brand decisions

  • 2023

    Soundtrap returned to founder ownershipM&A

    Background

    Soundtrap had operated within Spotify since Spotify's 2017 acquisition.

    Action taken

    Spotify sold Soundtrap back to its founders.

    Aftermath

    The sale marked a transition from Spotify ownership to an independent founder-owned phase.

    Source

  • 2019

    Unlimited projects added to the free tierOther

    Background

    Soundtrap used a freemium model in which users could access a free plan and upgrade for additional capabilities.

    Action taken

    The free tier was changed to permit unlimited projects without requiring an upgrade.

    Aftermath

    The change lowered a usage restriction for free users, although no subsequent user or revenue figures are specified.

    Source

  • 2017

    Spotify acquires SoundtrapM&A

    Background

    Soundtrap had developed a collaborative browser-based audio workstation and had raised Series A financing the previous year.

    Action taken

    Spotify acquired Soundtrap AB in November 2017.

    Aftermath

    Soundtrap continued operating as a Spotify-owned audio-creation product and expanded its music, podcasting, and education offerings.

    Soundtrap revenue cited around the acquisition. 900,000 Swedish kronor (2017)

    Source

Recent events

  • Soundtrap launches Soundtrap Capture[3]

    Soundtrap launched Soundtrap Capture, a free mobile app for collaborative music recording and creation, available globally on the iOS App Store.

  • Reported

    Soundtrap for Storytellers expands transcription language support[4]

    Soundtrap announced that its Soundtrap for Storytellers transcription service would support French, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese and Swedish. French, Spanish, German and Swedish were available immediately; Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese were planned for December.

Read more

Sources5 sources

  1. 1Soundtrapen.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Soundtrap official websitesoundtrap.com
  3. 3Soundtrap推出Soundtrap Capturebusinessghana.com
  4. 4Soundtrap for Storytellers扩展转录语言支持finanznachrichten.de
  5. 5Soundtrap for Storytellers, Podcast Creation Tool Now Launches Transcription Service in French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese, and Swedishdigitalmedianet.com

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