Most articles about 'free music distribution' are years out of date — the free tiers they recommend are dead. Here's what's actually true in 2026, checked against the platforms themselves.
Actually free
No upfront cost, you keep 85%, upgrade any release to 100% later. Not the only free option left: SoundOn’s Lite plan is $0 and keeps 90%. The free tiers at Amuse and UnitedMasters are gone.
Two things RouteNote asks for at upload: an ISRC and a barcode. An ISRC is a short code that tags one recording, so every play of that song gets counted to you. A barcode (also called a UPC) does the same job for the whole release, whether that is a single or an album. If you have never released anything, you do not have either yet, and that is normal. Leave those boxes blank and RouteNote gives you both for free. You only type them in if you already got codes for the same recording somewhere else.
Free direct-to-fan store — fans pay what you charge, you keep the majority, and you get their email. Every serious independent should have one.
Free hosting for demos, works-in-progress, and DJ-world discovery — not a replacement for real distribution.
Paid, and worth knowing
Roughly $25–$55 a year buys you 100% of royalties and faster support. Fair trade once music is earning.
$24.99/yr unlimited releases, keep 100% — the default paid choice; music comes down if you stop paying.
Pay per release, no annual fee, stays up forever — plus built-in publishing administration.
The tools around a release
Pitch unreleased songs to Spotify's editors free — submit at least 7 days early (3–4 weeks is better) to also land Release Radar.
The continuously-updated comparison of every distributor — read this before choosing, it's the industry's reference.
Pre-save links capture followers and emails before release day — most distributors include one free.
The honest math: free distribution costs 15% forever (10% on SoundOn Lite); paid costs about $25 a year. The moment a release earns more than pocket change, paid wins. Until then, RouteNote and Bandcamp cost nothing to start.
Step-by-step, at no cost: how to get your music on Spotify and how long a release takes.
This page is part of the No-Money Music Resource Library — free, working links for every corner of a music career, checked by hand.