How "Free" Distribution Actually Works
No distribution service operates as a charity. When a platform offers free distribution, they're making money somehow - usually by taking a percentage of your royalties instead of charging upfront.
The two dominant free-tier models:
Commission-based free tiers give you full distribution to all major platforms in exchange for a royalty cut. RouteNote takes 15%, giving you 85% of earnings. Amuse's free tier takes a similar cut. These services bet that you'll earn enough for their commission to cover costs.
Limited free tiers restrict what platforms you can access. UnitedMasters' free plan only distributes to social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) - not Spotify or Apple Music. To reach streaming services, you need their $59.99/year Select plan. SoundOn (owned by TikTok) follows a similar model with limited store access on free.
The distinction matters. RouteNote's free tier gets you on Spotify and Apple Music immediately. UnitedMasters' free tier does not.
The Math: When Free Costs More
A 15% commission sounds small until you calculate the breakeven point.
| Annual Royalties | RouteNote Free (15% cut) | DistroKid ($24.99/yr) | TuneCore ($29.99/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | You keep $85 | You keep $75.01 | You keep $70.01 |
| $200 | You keep $170 | You keep $175.01 | You keep $170.01 |
| $300 | You keep $255 | You keep $275.01 | You keep $270.01 |
| $500 | You keep $425 | You keep $475.01 | You keep $470.01 |
| $1,000 | You keep $850 | You keep $975.01 | You keep $970.01 |
Feature Gaps on Free Tiers
Beyond royalties, free tiers typically restrict features that matter for serious releases.
Release speed. Free users often sit in longer queues. RouteNote's paid tier ($10/single) promises faster processing. Some artists report 4-6 week delays on free distribution during busy periods.
Support priority. When something goes wrong - a release stuck in review, a metadata error, a payout discrepancy - free users wait longer for help. Paid users get priority tickets.
Monetization tools. YouTube Content ID, TikTok sound page claims, and social monetization features may be paid-only or limited on free tiers.
Store coverage. Some free tiers exclude smaller or regional DSPs. Verify that platforms important to your audience (Beatport for electronic music, NetEase for China, JioSaavn for India) are actually included.
Analytics depth. Basic stream counts are universal, but detailed geographic breakdowns, playlist attribution, and listener demographics may require paid plans.
The Platforms Compared
RouteNote
Free tier: 15% commission, full distribution to major DSPs, unlimited releases. Paid tier: $10/single, $20/EP, $30/album one-time + $9.99/year renewal. Keep 100%.
RouteNote's free tier is genuinely functional. You get Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and most major platforms. The 15% cut is the trade-off, not hidden restrictions. For artists testing the waters with uncertain earnings, this is a reasonable starting point.
UnitedMasters
Free tier (Debut): 10% commission, but only TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. No Spotify or Apple Music. Paid tier (Select): $59.99/year for full DSP distribution. Keep 90% of royalties.
UnitedMasters' free tier is misleading for artists who want streaming distribution. The 10% commission sounds better than RouteNote's 15%, but you're not getting the same thing. Full distribution requires the $59.99 annual subscription - and even then, they take 10%.
This makes UnitedMasters more expensive than alternatives for most artists. At $59.99/year plus 10% commission, you're paying more than TuneCore ($29.99, 100% royalties) while keeping less.
Amuse
Free tier: Commission-based (percentage varies), full distribution, limited releases per month. Paid tiers: Fast Lane ($24.99/year) and Pro ($59.99/year) with added features.
Amuse positions itself as a discovery platform - they scout artists on their free tier and offer label deals to breakout performers. If you're hoping to get noticed by a label-services company, this ecosystem might have value. For pure distribution, competitors offer cleaner terms.
SoundOn (TikTok)
When to Upgrade to Paid
Switch to paid distribution when:
- Your catalog earns more than $200/year in royalties
- You're releasing frequently enough that per-release fees would add up
- You need faster processing for time-sensitive releases
- You want priority support access
- You need features like Content ID or detailed analytics
RouteNote makes upgrading easy - you can switch individual releases from free to paid without reuploading. Other platforms may require migration through the standard ISRC-preservation process.
The Bottom Line
Free distribution serves a purpose: zero-risk entry for artists who aren't sure they'll earn anything. But the commission structure means you're paying more than subscription services once you have any meaningful revenue.
For artists serious about building a catalog and an audience, paid distribution is almost always the better investment. The $25-30/year for unlimited releases through DistroKid or TuneCore pays for itself once you're earning a few hundred dollars annually - a threshold most active artists cross quickly.
The real question isn't whether free or paid is "better." It's which model matches your current situation and your trajectory over the next year.