What Is SAM Cloud?

SAM Cloud is the cloud-hosted radio platform from Spacial, the company that makes SAM Broadcaster Pro — one of the most widely used desktop playout systems for internet radio. SAM Cloud takes the core capabilities of SAM Broadcaster Pro and delivers them as a fully managed cloud service.

Rather than running SAM Broadcaster Pro on a Windows PC in your home or studio, SAM Cloud runs your station on Spacial’s servers. Your music library, schedule, and playout all happen in the cloud — accessible from a browser without a dedicated broadcast machine.

Key Features

• Cloud playout — your station runs 24/7 on Spacial’s servers without a local PC
• SAM ecosystem integration — familiar tools and workflow for SAM Broadcaster Pro users
• Music scheduling — rotation-based scheduling with category and separation rules, similar to desktop SAM Broadcaster Pro
• Cart wall — instant-play jingles and station IDs
• Live broadcast input — take over the stream for live shows using SAM DJ or other software
• Cloud music library — upload and manage your track library from the dashboard
• Event scheduler — trigger shows, playlists, and actions at specific times
• Listener analytics — detailed tuning and listener data
• Now playing metadata — feeds current track information to your stream and website
• Multiple user access — invite team members with role-based permissions

Plans & Pricing

SAM Cloud is priced at the professional end of the market, reflecting its depth of scheduling and playout features. Plans are tiered by concurrent listener count and storage.

Spacial frequently bundles SAM Cloud with SAM Broadcaster Pro and SAM DJ licences — check spacial.com for current bundle deals. Annual billing reduces the effective monthly cost.

⚠️ Pricing is based on information available as of mid-2025 and may have changed. Always verify current plans and pricing directly on the provider’s website before making a decision.

Royalties

SAM Cloud does not include royalty coverage. As with most cloud platforms (Live365 being the notable exception), you are responsible for music licensing in your territory.

Pros

• Professional-grade rotation scheduling — the strongest of any cloud platform reviewed here
• Familiar to anyone already using SAM Broadcaster Pro
• Cart wall and event scheduler — features missing from lighter cloud platforms
• No dedicated broadcast PC needed
• Clean integration with SAM DJ for live shows
• Strong track record — Spacial has been serving internet radio stations for over two decades

Cons

• Steeper learning curve than Radio.co or Airtime Pro for new users
• Royalties not covered
• Higher price point than lighter cloud platforms
• Primarily Windows/SAM ecosystem focused — less appealing if you use other tools

Who Is SAM Cloud Best For?

• Stations already running SAM Broadcaster Pro that want to move to the cloud
• Professional operations that need serious rotation scheduling in the cloud
• Broadcasters who want cart wall and event scheduling — features most cloud platforms lack
• Stations with complex programming requirements that lighter platforms cannot handle

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

• New broadcasters with no SAM experience — Radio.co or Airtime Pro have gentler learning curves
• Stations that need royalties managed — consider Live365
• Budget operations — SAM Cloud’s professional features come at a professional price

Bottom Line

SAM Cloud is the most capable cloud radio platform for stations that need professional scheduling depth. If you are already in the SAM ecosystem or your programming requirements exceed what Radio.co and Airtime Pro can handle, SAM Cloud is the natural choice. For everyone else, the lighter platforms offer a better value-to-complexity ratio.