Symphonic review: 83 out of 100
Starter is $29.99 a year for one artist, with royalty splits and 100% of ordinary royalties.
Is Symphonic a good distributor?
It depends on who you work with and whether you'll keep paying. Symphonic Starter is worth it for splits and analytics: it is $29.99 a year as of October 2026 for one primary artist, with 100% of ordinary royalties but 70% on social video. It is a weaker fit if you might stop paying, because Starter isn't refundable and your music comes down when the year ends. If you have 10,000 monthly listeners and 1,000 Spotify followers, Dynamoi distribution pays you 90% of net receipts with nothing upfront.
| Rank | #2 of 3 distribution plans we scored |
|---|---|
| Starter, per year | $29.99 |
| Social video royalties | 70% |
How Symphonic compares
Scored for an artist who will use splits and analytics but doesn't earn much in royalties yet. Symphonic Starter is 7 points behind RouteNote Free; it loses most on leaving and refunds. Not scored: Symphonic Partner, as its price is a custom deal; Dynamoi, as distribution is apply-only. These scores compare only the 3 distribution plans we scored; our best music distributors list is a separate, wider editorial list. How we score
- 1RouteNote FreeNo upfront cost, 85% of royalties90 out of 100
- 2Symphonic StarterSplits and 100% of ordinary royalties83 out of 100
- 3DistroKidSimple yearly DIY distribution71 out of 100
Where the 83 comes from
| Criterion | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cash upfront$29.99 a year; Beatport is $10 a month extra. | 25% | |
| Ordinary royalties kept100% of ordinary royalties, 70% on social video. | 25% | |
| Collaborator toolsSplitShare splits at no extra charge, plus team access. | 20% | |
| Leaving and refundsNon-refundable; music comes down after the paid year. | 20% | |
| Open to anyoneStarter is open to anyone; Partner is by application. | 10% |
Symphonic pricing as of October 2026
| Plan | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | One primary artist; unlimited releases and featured artists | $29.99 / year |
| Beatport | Extra store access; approval may apply | $10 / month |
- Partner is by application, on a custom percentage deal.
Sources: Symphonic StarterSymphonic Partner
Where it wins
- 100% of ordinary store royalties on Starter.
- Royalty splits with collaborators at no extra charge.
- Unlimited releases and featured artists for one primary artist.
Where it costs you
- You keep 70%, not 100%, of YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook earnings.
- No refunds, and your music comes down after the paid year ends.
- Starter doesn't include pitching to streaming services.
How Dynamoi distribution differs
- Nothing to pay upfrontNo upfront, yearly or per-release charge; you keep 90% of net receipts.
- Promotion in the same accountIf you distribute with Dynamoi, managed Meta and YouTube campaigns sit next to your releases.
- For artists already growingDistribution is for artists with 10,000 monthly listeners and 1,000 Spotify followers.
Payouts and leaving
| Payments | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Term | One year, non-exclusive |
| Refunds | None after joining |
| After cancelling | Live until the year ends |
Sources: Symphonic Starter
Splits, marketing and Partner
- Starter includes marketing tools such as a release campaign builder, but not pitching to streaming services.
- SplitShare pays collaborators their share without a separate splitting charge.
- Partner is by application for established artists and labels, with a custom percentage and account management under the agreement.
Sources: Symphonic StarterSymphonic pricingSymphonic Partner
Symphonic questions artists ask
Is Symphonic a good music distributor?
It fits if you want a yearly DIY plan with royalty splits and analytics, or qualify for its Partner service. Starter covers one primary artist, and its social-video share differs from ordinary store royalties. We didn't test delivery speed or support.
What percentage does Symphonic take?
On Starter you keep 100% of ordinary store royalties and 70% on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Partner is a custom percentage agreement. Say which plan and income type you mean before comparing.
Does Symphonic Starter include marketing?
Starter includes marketing tools such as a release campaign builder, but its FAQ says pitching to streaming services isn't included. Paid services and Partner consideration are separate.
What happens if I cancel Symphonic?
Starter access continues through the paid year, then your content is taken down. Joining Starter is non-refundable. Partner exit terms depend on the agreement.
Is Symphonic or DistroKid better?
It depends on artists, collaborators and expected royalties. Symphonic Starter is $29.99 a year for one primary artist with splits; DistroKid's entry plan is $24.99 a year as of October 2026. Compare the social-video share and the extras each one charges for.