How to Get Your Songs On iTunes and Spotify for Free (2024)

One of the best ways to get your songs on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon is to use a music distributor that can upload them to all the big sites in one go. You don’t have to be signed to a record label to get your songs on the bigger music stores and streaming services online.

This definitely has its benefits. You don’t have to be tied up in the nest of confusion and license disputes that can occur from being part of a record label. Also, if you are good at getting many streams for your music, you get to keep the vast majority of your royalties from it!

Some of these services do not require an upfront fee. Most platforms will take a small percentage of the money you make by selling and streaming your tunes, particularly if you are on a ‘free’ plan. On the other hand, some platforms have membership rates that are so cheap that we can practically put them along with those that are free.

Free Music Distribution Services At a Glance

  • Music distributors simplify getting songs on major platforms like Spotify and iTunes without the need for a record label.
  • These services often offer free song uploads and take a percentage of earnings.
  • Notable options include RouteNote, Amuse, Stem, Soundrop, Music Gateway, TuneCore, and LANDR.
  • RouteNote is beginner-friendly, with straightforward distribution to Spotify and iTunes.
  • Amuse offers free distribution and potential label offers based on streaming performance.
  • Stem is free upfront with a low 5% commission fee, benefiting all contributors.
  • Soundrop specializes in licensing cover songs and offers distribution with a standard fee.

RouteNote

Screenshot of www.routenote.com
RouteNote

When someone mentions free music distribution, RouteNote usually comes first to my mind. If you are a beginner, this is the right place for you. The best thing about this platform is its simplicity of use. With just a few clicks, you can start with uploading. It can’t go simpler than that. Distribution isn’t spectacular, but it’s definitely good enough for beginners.

RouteNote distributes your music to a lot of online stores and platforms, which should be more than enough for you as a starter. Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and other global services are included as well.

RouteNote is perfect for those with a tight budget. Uploading songs are completely free, as well as distribution. However, once your music starts selling, you can count on 15% of a commission fee. If this sounds too high for you, you can pay an upfront fee and keep every cent after you’ve paid.

Unless you already have a large following, our advice would be to start with the first option and then later switch to the premium distribution once you start getting more and more streams. However, if you have a lot of releases with large streaming numbers, it might be better to go for distribution with a flat monthly fee.

Amuse

Screenshot of www.amuse.io
amuse

Amuse is the company that definitely stands out from the crowd, thanks to its interesting business model. This platform is free for everyone who wants to start with the distribution of his music. More importantly, there are no fees once you start to earn money.

So, what’s the catch with Amuse? In some way, Amuse is actually a label company. Once you upload music on this platform, you will be tracked by Amuse’s, let’s say, scouts. It all starts with nothing more than a computer that counts the number of your streams. Once you reach certain numbers, people from the company will start with scouting. If they find you interesting, you will probably get some kind of an offer.

Once you sign the deal, the company enters the game. You can count on various kinds of promotions, list pitching, financing future projects, etc. While non-signed artists take all the money, in this case, you can count on a 50/50 split. It might sound like too much, but it’s pretty much the way every label does. Also, keep in mind that Amuse signed partnerships with several major labels and that many big names from the music industry started to invest in this company.

Stem

Screenshot of stem.is
stem

Just like many other services, Stem is also completely free upfront. Uploading songs won’t cost you anything, which is great. However, the thing that makes this platform even better is the low commission fee, which is just 5%.

From the financial side, there are some practical benefits that you can count on. The biggest one is that all the parties involved in the song-making process can earn directly from the platform.

This means not just songwriters but also producers, performers, etc. The whole process is very simple. Everyone involved in your music signs up to the platform, and then you must determine who gets what. Once the share is determined, everyone gets his percentage once the money starts to come. Sounds pretty convenient, for sure.

Soundrop

Screenshot of soundrop.com
Soundrop-logo

Compared to the services listed above, this one is slightly different. Soundrop is a company that has been specialized in licensing cover songs.

Making a cover of some popular song is definitely a great way to start your career. We have seen so many artists that have been launched into orbit thanks to their amazing covers. However, covering a song is a little bit more complicated these days. In most cases, the original artist will demand to take the song down. Others will be more pragmatic and demand a share of the money made from a song.

Thanks to the Soundrop, you don’t have to worry about these things anymore. Just pay 10 dollars per song, and you can cover anything you want.

This platform also allows you to distribute your own music. Uploads are free, but the service will later cost 15% of everything you earn, which seems like an average fee.

Music Gateway

Screenshot of www.musicgateway.com
MusicGateway-logo

Music Gateway offers a multifaceted approach to music distribution that extends beyond the basics of online distribution. While it can efficiently distribute your music to various platforms, including Spotify and iTunes, what sets it apart is its comprehensive suite of services.

In addition to distribution, Music Gateway provides solutions for music publishing, licensing, promotion, and mastering, making it an appealing option for artists seeking an all-in-one platform to manage their music career.

It’s essential to consider your specific needs and budget when choosing Music Gateway. While the first five track uploads are free, the company takes a 20% share of revenues, which can be a cost-effective choice for those with a limited number of releases.

However, for prolific artists who wish to upload more than five tracks in a month, the pricing increases to $22 per month but provides artists with a more significant share of revenue from all activities.

In summary, if you’re seeking a comprehensive platform to handle multiple aspects of your music career beyond distribution, Music Gateway offers a compelling solution. However, pricing considerations should be taken into account.

Notable Mentions

TuneCore

Tunecore is a user-friendly music distribution platform that empowers independent artists to release their music globally while retaining 100% of their royalties. It offers a comprehensive suite of distribution and publishing services, with various pricing options available.

Freshtunes

Freshtunes is a straightforward music distribution platform designed for artists looking to release their music hassle-free. It provides essential distribution services, along with customization options and pricing plans to suit different needs.

AWAL

AWAL, or Artists Without A Label, offers an artist-centric approach to music distribution. Beyond distribution, it provides data-driven insights, marketing support, and tailored pricing options to help independent artists make informed decisions and grow their careers.

LANDR

LANDR, originally known for its AI-driven mastering, now offers cost-effective music distribution services. With their platform, artists can easily distribute their music to popular streaming platforms and online stores, expanding their reach. Although LANDR is not totally free like other choices on the list, LANDR’s competitive pricing structure makes it an attractive choice for independent musicians seeking a seamless and budget-friendly way to share their music with a global audience.

Summary

Using a music distributor that may upload your songs to all of the major sites at once is one of the most effective methods to get them on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and others. To be featured on the most popular music stores and streaming services online, you don’t need to be signed to a record label.

These are some of the platforms that offer the easiest and cheapest music distribution. As you can see, most of them offer free uploads, while later fees are on a relatively acceptable level. Which one to choose, it’s up to you.

Still, I’m pretty sure that you won’t go wrong with any of these. Of course, you can try to distribute the music on your own, but it will require a lot of effort, and it will definitely take a lot of time, which can be spent on something much more creative.

Brian Clark

Brian Clark

I’ve been a writer with Musician Wave for six years, turning my 17-year journey as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer into insightful news, tutorials, reviews, and features.

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