Demystifying music distribution costs. Learn how flat subscription fees, commission splits, and per-release models work, what hidden fees to avoid, and how to maximize your royalty profits.
Before choosing a partner, it is critical to calculate how each pricing structure impacts your earnings as your stream counts grow from thousands to millions.
You pay an upfront annual fee and keep 100% of the royalties generated by your tracks. Best for active musicians and labels releasing multiple singles and albums per year.
You pay a one-time fee per single (e.g. ₹499 or $9.99) or album (e.g. ₹1,499 or $29.99) without recurring annual subscriptions. Ideal for infrequent releasers who want catalog permanence.
The distributor charges ₹0 upfront, but takes 15% to 20% of every rupee or dollar earned. While risk-free for beginners, this model becomes extremely expensive as streams rise.
Distributors that delete your catalog if you miss an annual payment or charge an extra "leave a legacy" fee per single to prevent takedowns.
Charging extra fees ($5–$20) for standard digital barcodes or track ISRCs during checkout. At Harmonet Music, all standard codes are 100% free.
Claiming 100% royalties on streaming, but stealthily taking a 20%–30% commission on YouTube Content ID ad revenues.
Substantial deductions when converting USD/EUR to INR through international wire transfers or non-transparent conversion fees.
No hidden surprises, 100% royalty retention, and direct payouts to Indian bank accounts via UPI.