Bandcamp review
Buy music straight from artists and stream what you own
- Bandcamp (Songtradr)
- Free
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #8?
Is Bandcamp worth it?
For most people, yes. Bandcamp scores 8.1/10 and ranks #8 in Music & Podcasts. It's best for fans of independent music who want to support artists directly. Skip it if you want unlimited streaming of mainstream hits for one monthly price. Price: Free app; you pay per album or track, and Bandcamp takes 15% or less of digital sales.
The verdict
Bandcamp is where you buy music straight from the people who make it. Find an album, pay the artist's price, then stream it in the app or download lossless files to keep. Artists keep most of each sale, and on Bandcamp Fridays the site waives its cut entirely. A January 2026 policy bans music made mostly by AI. The app itself is basic, and Android users rate it far lower than iPhone users.
- Buy music and merch from artists
- Stream your purchases offline
- Lossless downloads
- Wishlist and artist following
- Bandcamp Fridays
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Jul 2026Discover can filter to artists you follow, plus a Subsonic API beta for other players
- Feb 2026Songwriter, publisher and ISWC credit fields so writers get credited and paid
- Jan 2026A new policy bans music made wholly or largely by AI
Privacy 7.8/10
No tracking listed on the App Store, but purchases, payment info, address, location and usage are linked to you. The policy says Bandcamp doesn't sell or rent personal data.
What we like
- Most of your money goes to the artist
- You own your music, no subscription needed
- Great for discovering independent artists
What could be better
- You pay per album instead of a flat monthly fee
- Basic app with no dark mode
- Android app rates much lower than iOS
Fans of independent music who want to support artists directly
you want unlimited streaming of mainstream hits for one monthly price
Questions about Bandcamp
Is Bandcamp worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Bandcamp scores 8.1/10 and ranks #8 in Music & Podcasts. It's best for fans of independent music who want to support artists directly. Skip it if you want unlimited streaming of mainstream hits for one monthly price. Price: Free app; you pay per album or track, and Bandcamp takes 15% or less of digital sales.
Is Bandcamp free?
The app is free. You pay per album, track or merch item, and no subscription is required.
How much does Bandcamp take from artists?
Bandcamp's fee is 15% on digital sales, dropping to 10% once an artist passes $5,000 in sales, and 10% on physical goods, plus payment processing fees.
Does Bandcamp allow AI-generated music?
No. Since January 2026 its policy bans music generated wholly or in substantial part by AI.
What are the best alternatives to Bandcamp?
The closest alternatives are SoundCloud, Qobuz and Spotify. See all of them ranked on our Bandcamp alternatives page.
Where does Bandcamp rank?
Bandcamp ranks #8 of 10 in our Music & Podcasts ranking, with an overall score of 8.1 out of 10.