By Jose E. McKenna
Hi, I’m Jose E. McKenna, and I’ve spent over four years writing about cryptocurrency, blockchain, and finance in a way that’s easy to understand. My goal is to break down complex ideas so anyone can make smart choices. I’ve covered Bitcoin, DeFi, and now emerging tech like AI, helping thousands stay informed. Today, we’re talking about SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN), a company making voice technology that could be huge in 2025. Is SOUN stock a buy, hold, or sell? Let’s explore in simple terms, using the latest data as of October 9, 2025.
What Is SoundHound AI, and Why Is It a Big Deal?
Imagine talking to your car or a restaurant’s order screen, and it gets you right away—no repeating yourself. That’s what SoundHound AI does. Based in Santa Clara, California, and started in 2005, SoundHound builds voice technology that lets businesses create smart assistants. Their tools, like Houndify and Smart Answering, make devices understand you fast, whether it’s your phone, car, or a bank’s chatbot.
SoundHound is special because it’s independent. Unlike Google or Amazon, it doesn’t tie businesses to one system. Companies like restaurants or car makers can use SoundHound’s tech to make their own voice assistants. It’s like a plug-and-play tool for voice AI—simple but powerful.
Why care about 2025? Voice AI is growing fast. Experts say the voice tech market could reach $15 billion by 2030, growing 25% every year. People love using voice commands on phones and smart speakers, and SoundHound is a leader with patents that make their tech faster and smarter than others. As someone who’s watched crypto grow from small to huge, I see the same potential here—early players in big trends often win big.
How Has SOUN Stock Been Doing?
Let’s look at the numbers, plain and simple. On October 8, 2025, SOUN closed at $18.20, down a tiny 0.27% that day but up 280% in the last year. That’s a huge jump! It traded between $17.30 and $18.79 recently, with lots of investors paying attention.
Back in early 2025, SOUN was around $5–$6, ignored by many. Now it’s up 144% in six months. Why? Big revenue growth, new deals, and excitement about AI. The company’s worth about $4.31 billion now—big enough to matter but small enough to keep growing fast.
Stocks like SOUN can be up and down, though. It dropped 1.37% in September when the market got shaky. Think of it like crypto: exciting but not always smooth. The trick is to focus on the company’s strength, not daily price changes.
Why Is SoundHound Growing So Fast?
SoundHound isn’t just talk—it’s making money. In Q2 2025, they earned $42.7 million, up 217% from last year. They also raised their 2025 revenue goal to $160–$178 million, more than analysts expected ($159.6 million). That’s almost double their 2024 estimate of $82–$85 million.
Here’s what’s driving this growth:
Cars That Talk Back
Cars are getting smarter, and SoundHound is helping. Their tech powers voice assistants in cars from brands like Kia and a big Chinese car maker. You can say, “Find me a coffee shop,” or even order food while driving. At CES 2025, they showed off a new way to order food from your car, like saying, “Get me tacos from Chipotle.” It’s fast and safe, working with NVIDIA to run AI right in the car, no internet needed.
Big banks use SoundHound’s tech for in-car banking, too. Seven of the top 10 banks are clients. This is a huge chunk of their revenue, and it’s growing.
Restaurants Love Voice Tech
Fast food is faster with SoundHound. Their Smart Ordering system is used at places like Red Lobster, Chipotle, and Casey’s General Stores. You talk at the drive-thru, and the system gets your order right in seconds—no mistakes, no long waits. They just added it to every Red Lobster in the U.S., and it’s a hit in the $900 billion fast-food world.
A new deal with Acrelec, a global restaurant tech company, is spreading SoundHound’s AI worldwide. Chains like White Castle and pizza brands are using it too, doubling customer interactions. This means steady money from subscriptions, like a Netflix for voice AI.
Big Companies and Healthcare Join In
SoundHound’s Amelia 7 platform helps big businesses answer customer questions. A French insurance company, Apivia Courtage, uses it to handle over 100,000 calls a year. Experts at IDC called Amelia 7 a “Leader” in AI for 2025 because it can handle complex questions, like understanding multiple things at once.
In healthcare, Primary Health Solutions uses SoundHound to let patients book appointments by voice or text—no more annoying phone menus. Banks like Transamerica use it too, with seven of the top 10 as clients. These deals bring in reliable money as more companies sign up.
Plus, SoundHound has $230 million in cash and no debt. That’s a strong position to keep building without financial stress.
A Game-Changing Buy: The Interactions Deal
In September 2025, SoundHound bought Interactions, a company that makes smart AI for customer service, for $60 million. This is a big deal. Interactions’ tech lets AI “think” and act, like booking a flight and handling a refund in one go. This is called “agentic AI,” and it’s the future of smart systems.
This buy is already boosting profits and opening new doors, like selling to more big companies. Analysts, like those at DA Davidson, raised their price target to $17 because of this deal. In my four years covering crypto mergers, I’ve seen deals like this push stocks up 20–50% if they work out well.
What Do Experts Think About SOUN?
Wall Street loves SOUN. Six analysts say “Buy,” with an average price target of $14.50, which is lower than today’s $18.20. But some targets go as high as $18–$26. Wedbush’s Daniel Ives is super excited, saying AI deals like Interactions make SOUN a winner.
Looking ahead, CoinCodex predicts $15.35–$20.82 by year-end. LongForecast sees $29.50 by December, a 62% jump. Motley Fool thinks it could rise 50% by 2026 if car and restaurant deals keep growing. Technical charts show a “Strong Buy” signal, with $18.05 as a key support level.
On X, people are hyped. They’re talking about Red Lobster’s rollout and 217% growth, with some betting on $21–$30 soon. Even Jim Cramer says to hold some shares for potential gains.
What Could Go Wrong?
No stock is perfect, and SOUN has risks. They’re not making a profit yet, losing $0.19 per share in Q2 and $36.5 million in the first half of 2025. Growing fast costs money, just like early crypto startups.
Big competitors like Google’s Gemini and Amazon’s Alexa are a threat. SoundHound’s advantage is being independent, but if giants cut prices, it could hurt. The stock’s also pricey, trading at 45 times 2025 sales—high expectations mean little room for mistakes.
Other risks include high interest rates or a cooling AI market, which could pull the stock down. Some X users mentioned insider stock sales, which can worry investors. And the Interactions deal? It has to go smoothly, or delays could hurt.
It’s like investing in a hot altcoin—big potential, but expect some ups and downs.
Buy, Hold, or Sell? My Expert View
Here’s my take, based on years of analyzing tech and finance trends:
- Buy if you’re ready for a long-term bet (1–2 years). With 217% revenue growth, a $1 billion backlog, and agentic AI, SOUN could hit $25–$30 by mid-2026. Buy on dips below $18. It’s like catching Ethereum early—risky but rewarding.
- Hold if you already own it. Don’t sell yet; earnings on November 6 could push it higher.
- Sell if you’re nervous about ups and downs or need cash now. At $18.20, it’s not cheap, but losses are limited if the company keeps delivering.
| Decision | Why? | Target Price | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | Huge growth, big deals | $25–$30 (2026) | High (ups and downs) |
| Hold | Earnings coming, strong backlog | N/A | Medium |
| Sell | High price, competition | N/A | Low (take profits) |
This isn’t financial advice—always do your own research or talk to an advisor. But from my experience, SOUN feels like a 2025 breakout star.
Final Thoughts: Ready for the Voice AI Boom?
SoundHound AI is more than a stock—it’s a bet on how we’ll talk to tech in the future. From cars to fast food to hospitals, their voice AI makes life easier and business better. With revenue soaring, a smart acquisition, and analysts on board, 2025 could be their year. But stay smart: markets reward those who plan, not panic.
Also Read: BKKT: Why Bakkt’s 2025 Restructuring Could Spark a Massive Rally
Disclaimer: This article is for education and information only. It is not financial advice, and I am not promoting or affiliated with SoundHound AI or any company mentioned. Always do your own research or talk to a licensed financial advisor before investing. Stock prices can go up or down, and you should only invest what you can afford to lose.
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