Introduction: Cutting Through the Noise on Symphonic’s Pricing

In the age of independent music, platforms like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby dominate conversations—but Symphonic Distribution has quietly built a strong reputation among serious musicians and labels. If you’ve searched “is Symphonic Distribution free?” in 2025, chances are you’re comparing costs and features to choose the best route for your next release.

Here’s the truth: Symphonic is not completely free, but their pricing model is unique and tailored toward different types of creators—whether you're an indie bedroom producer or an established label. In this article, we’ll unpack exactly what it costs to use Symphonic, which features are included, and whether it’s worth your money in today’s crowded digital landscape.

What Is Symphonic Distribution?

Before diving into pricing, it’s helpful to understand what Symphonic actually does.

Founded in 2006, Symphonic Distribution is a full-service music distribution and marketing company. It helps artists, labels, and content creators distribute music to major platforms like:

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• Amazon Music

• YouTube Music

• TikTok

• Beatport

• Tidal

• Deezer

Unlike more automated, DIY-focused services, Symphonic offers hands-on support, sync licensing opportunities, monetization tools, and streaming analytics designed for long-term career growth. Their distribution network covers over 200 DSPs worldwide.

So, Is Symphonic Distribution Free?

Let’s answer the core question: No, Symphonic Distribution is not free.

However, they offer two main pricing tiers to accommodate different levels of experience and need:

1. Starter Plan – $19.99/year per artist

This is the most accessible option for independent artists.

What you get with this plan:

• Unlimited music uploads to all major platforms

• Keep 100% of your royalties (no cuts taken from streams or sales)

• Free UPC and ISRC codes (required for releasing music)

• SplitShare? – built-in royalty splitting with collaborators

• Access to YouTube Content ID, TikTok monetization, and other revenue channels

• Real-time sales and analytics dashboard

• Release scheduling tools and pre-save links for Spotify and Apple Music

This plan is ideal for self-managed artists who want professional tools without giving up royalties.

?? Fact: As of 2025, over 80,000 artists have joined Symphonic’s Starter plan globally, according to company data.

2. Partner Plan – Custom (Application Required)

This plan is for established artists, managers, or labels.

What’s included:

• No upfront fee, but Symphonic takes a revenue share (typically ~15% from DSPs)

• Priority support with a dedicated account manager

• DSP playlist pitching and curation strategy

• Sync licensing opportunities (TV, film, games, ads)

• Custom analytics dashboards

• Exclusive features like publishing administration, neighboring rights management, and custom release strategies

To qualify, artists typically need:

• A proven streaming history

• A catalog with at least 100,000+ total streams

• Regular release schedules and active promotion

How Does Symphonic Compare to Free Distribution Services?

If your budget is tight, you might be considering free distributors like:

• RouteNote (free tier with 15% royalty cut)

• Amuse (free with limited features)

• SoundOn (TikTok-backed, no upfront fee, takes share from royalties)

While technically free, these platforms usually have trade-offs:

Why Symphonic Isn’t Free—and Why That’s a Good Thing

Symphonic’s low annual fee supports:

• Human review of releases

• Rights verification

• Professional support staff

• Platform compliance (avoiding takedowns)

• Security of royalties and metadata accuracy

Unlike “free” platforms that rely on automation, Symphonic gives creators a cleaner, safer, and more professional experience, which can be especially important in 2025’s AI-influenced and copyright-sensitive ecosystem.

?? Example: Artists using AI tools like Udio or Suno are welcome to distribute music on Symphonic—as long as they own the rights and disclose their use of AI during submission.

FAQ: Is Symphonic Distribution Free?

Q1: Can I use Symphonic without paying anything?
No. The Starter plan is $19.99/year per primary artist. The Partner plan has no fee but takes a royalty percentage and requires approval.

Q2: Does Symphonic take royalties from my streams?
Not with the Starter plan—you keep 100% of DSP revenue. The Partner plan involves revenue-sharing (approx. 15%).

Q3: Can I try Symphonic before paying?
There’s no free trial, but the annual Starter fee is low-risk for unlimited releases and full monetization tools.

Q4: Is Symphonic better than RouteNote or Amuse?
If you prioritize professional features, artist support, and complete royalty ownership, Symphonic is better. Free distributors cut features or royalties in exchange for zero fees.

Q5: Is AI music allowed on Symphonic?
Yes—with full disclosure and rights ownership. You must not upload AI music that mimics other artists or contains unlicensed material.

Conclusion: You Get What You Pay For

So, is Symphonic Distribution free? No—but that’s exactly why it works well for serious artists. In a crowded music ecosystem, paying a modest annual fee in exchange for full royalty retention, professional tools, and ethical support for AI and human creators is a smart investment.

If you're focused on building a sustainable music career—especially in an era of AI-assisted production—Symphonic’s Starter plan gives you everything you need without the compromises that come with “free” platforms.

Learn more about AI MUSIC