There are several options if you're looking for free digital music distributors (those that don’t charge upfront fees). While most free distributors take a percentage of your royalties, they can still be a great way to get your music onto platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music without an upfront investment. Here are some of the best free options:
1. Amuse
- Cost: Free (with an option to upgrade).
- Royalty split: You keep 100% of your royalties on the free plan.
- Pros:
- Free to upload and distribute music.
- Keep 100% of your royalties.
- Option to upgrade to a paid plan (Amuse Pro) for faster releases, more features, and additional platforms.
- Mobile app for easy music uploads and tracking.
- Cons:
- Slower release times (up to 4 weeks for your music to go live on platforms).
- Limited customer support on the free plan.
Ideal for: Independent artists who want a simple, free service with no royalty cuts and don’t mind waiting for music to be released.
2. RouteNote (Free Tier)
- Cost: Free, but offers a paid “Premium” plan.
- Royalty split: 85% royalties to you, 15% to RouteNote on the free plan.
- Pros:
- Free to use, no upfront costs.
- Access to most major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.).
- Flexible payout options (upgrade to Premium for a one-time fee and keep 100% royalties).
- Cons:
- 15% cut of your earnings on the free tier.
- Some users report slow support and delays in releases.
Ideal for: Artists who want flexibility and don’t mind sacrificing 15% of royalties for a no-cost option.
3. Level Music
- Cost: Free (was recently acquired by Warner Music Group).
- Royalty split: You keep 100% of your royalties.
- Pros:
- Free to upload and distribute music.
- Artists keep all their royalties.
- Allows for unlimited uploads.
- Cons:
- Some limitations on track releases (free users might face restrictions like lower priority support or certain features behind paywalls).
- Less visibility compared to larger distributors.
Ideal for: Independent artists who want to keep 100% of their royalties and are looking for an easy-to-use platform.
4. Soundrop
- Cost: Free to sign up, but charges $9.99 per release.
- Royalty split: You keep 100% of your royalties.
- Pros:
- Focused on cover songs as well as original music, with an easy licensing process for cover songs.
- No annual fees; you pay a one-time fee per release.
- Great for creators of covers and niche artists.
- Cons:
- You pay a small fee per release, so it’s not entirely free.
- Fewer platform options than larger distributors.
Ideal for: Artists who release covers and want a simple, affordable way to handle licensing and distribution.
5. Fresh Tunes
- Cost: Free.
- Royalty split: You keep 100% of your royalties.
- Pros:
- Completely free to distribute.
- Keep all of your royalties.
- Option for promotion and radio services (for a fee).
- Cons:
- Limited customer support.
- Some users have reported slow response times and distribution delays.
Ideal for: Artists who want a free service and don’t require a lot of extra features or immediate support.
6. YouTube Content ID Distributors (for YouTube Monetization)
If you’re primarily distributing on YouTube and want to monetize your content through YouTube’s Content ID system, there are some free options:
- RouteNote (Content ID for free with an 85/15 split).
- Amuse (Content ID on paid plans).
These distributors will help you claim your content on YouTube and collect ad revenue for you.
Summary Comparison:
| Distributor | Cost | Royalty Split | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amuse | Free | 100% (free plan) | No royalty cut, slower release times |
| RouteNote | Free | 85% (free plan) | Free tier with flexible payout options |
| Level Music | Free | 100% | Simple, free distribution, unlimited uploads |
| Soundrop | $9.99 per release | 100% | Focus on cover songs with licensing support |
| Fresh Tunes | Free | 100% | Free, but slow support |
Key Points to Consider:
- Royalty splits: Most free distributors will take a small percentage of your earnings unless you opt for a paid plan.
- Support and features: Free distributors often need more support and more features compared to paid options.
- Release speed: Free plans often have slower release times. If you need faster release scheduling or premium features, upgrading might be necessary.
Choosing the right distributor depends on your specific needs (e.g., keeping 100% of royalties, speed, support). For most independent artists, a platform like Amuse or RouteNote is a great starting point.