iGroove

iGroove is a Swiss music distributor based in Pfaeffikon, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The company serves 1000+ labels and artists and is self-funded, profitable, and free of external venture capital. iGroove uses a pay-per-release pricing model with no recurring costs or yearly fees, and releases stay online permanently. The platform offers worldwide distribution, detailed analytics, personalized support, monthly payouts, an all-in-one mobile app, promotion tools, flexible advances, worldwide playlist pitching, a personal product manager, strategy and release planning, social media verification help, and chart performance analysis. iGroove also offers Label OS, an AI-driven infrastructure platform for indie labels that automates distribution, royalty accounting, payments, splits, contracts, and recoupment. The platform is distribution-agnostic, meaning labels can use Label OS alongside other distributors. iGroove requires an application process and does not accept everyone, with a particular focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

Pricing and Plans

iGroove uses a transparent pay-per-release model with an 8% commission on all releases. There are no recurring costs, no yearly fees, and releases stay online permanently.

Pay-Per-Release Pricing

• Single: CHF 25 / EUR 19 / USD 20 per release
• EP: CHF 35 / EUR 29 / USD 30 per release
• Album: CHF 55 / EUR 49 / USD 50 per release

All plans include 8% commission on revenue, worldwide distribution, permanent online availability, detailed analytics, monthly payouts, and access to promotion tools.

Included Features

• Worldwide distribution to major and niche platforms
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• Personalized support with a personal product manager
• Monthly payouts
• All-in-one mobile app
• Promotion tools
• Flexible advances
• Worldwide playlist pitching
• Strategy and release planning
• Social media verification help
• Chart performance analysis

Label OS (AI-Driven Label Infrastructure)

iGroove's Label OS is an AI-driven infrastructure platform for indie labels that automates distribution, royalty accounting, payments, splits, contracts, and recoupment. AI-powered agents handle routine tasks such as modeling deals, generating financial reports, and identifying breaking tracks. Label OS is distribution-agnostic, meaning it can be used alongside other distributors.

What Sets iGroove Apart

1. Pay-per-release with no recurring fees: iGroove charges per release rather than a subscription. There are no yearly fees and no recurring costs. This benefits labels and artists with irregular release schedules who do not want to pay for months when they release nothing.
2. Permanent online availability: Releases stay online permanently regardless of activity level. Unlike subscription-based distributors that remove music when you stop paying, iGroove keeps your catalog live.
3. Self-funded and profitable: iGroove has never taken external venture capital. This means the company is not pressured by investor expectations and can focus on long-term sustainability rather than growth at all costs.
4. Label OS with AI automation: The AI-driven Label OS automates royalty accounting, payments, splits, contracts, and recoupment. AI agents handle routine tasks like deal modeling, financial report generation, and identifying breaking tracks. This is a differentiator few distributors offer.
5. Distribution-agnostic platform: Label OS works alongside other distributors, so labels are not locked into using iGroove for distribution to benefit from its label management tools.
6. Personal product manager: Each client gets a personal product manager for strategy and release planning. This level of personalized support is rare among distributors.
7. Application process: iGroove does not accept everyone. The application process ensures a curated client base, which means more attention per client but also a barrier to entry.
8. DACH region focus: iGroove has a strong presence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, making it a natural choice for labels and artists in the DACH region who want local support and expertise.
9. Flexible advances: iGroove offers flexible advances to qualifying labels and artists, providing upfront funding for releases.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Apply through iGroove's website. The application process is required and not everyone is accepted.
2. Once accepted, choose your release type (single, EP, or album) and pay the per-release fee.
3. Upload audio files, artwork, and metadata.
4. iGroove distributes your release worldwide to major and niche platforms.
5. Track performance through detailed analytics and the all-in-one mobile app.
6. Receive monthly payouts with 8% commission deducted.
7. Your release stays online permanently with no recurring fees.
8. Use Label OS for royalty accounting, splits, contracts, and recoupment automation if you are a label.

Use our streaming royalty calculator to project your earnings and compare total costs across distributors.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• 8% commission on all releases. iGroove takes 8% of your revenue on every release. Compare this to subscription-based distributors like DistroKid (0% commission, $24.99/year) or iMusician AMPLIFY (0% commission, $29/year). If you generate significant revenue, the 8% commission can exceed the cost of an annual subscription.
• Application process is a barrier. Not everyone is accepted. If you want instant distribution without review, iGroove is not the right choice. DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby accept everyone.
• Per-release fees add up for frequent releasers. An artist releasing 12 singles per year pays USD 240 in release fees plus 8% commission. A subscription plan at $29-30/year with 0% commission would be significantly cheaper for high-volume releasers.
• DACH region focus. While iGroove distributes worldwide, its support, product management, and market expertise are centered on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Artists outside the DACH region may find less localized support.
• No publishing administration. iGroove does not offer publishing admin. You need separate PRO and MLC registration. Read our guide to mechanical royalties to understand what you are missing.
• No sync licensing. There is no built-in sync placement service. Browse our sync licensing directory for alternatives.
• Store count not prominently stated. iGroove does not prominently advertise its store count, making it harder to compare directly with competitors who list 150+ or 200+ stores.
• Small company. iGroove is a self-funded company without the scale of DistroKid or TuneCore. Support capacity may be limited during busy periods.

Who iGroove Is Best For

iGroove is best for indie labels and artists in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) who want a pay-per-release model with no recurring fees, permanent online availability, and personalized support. The personal product manager and strategy planning make it attractive for artists who want hands-on guidance. Labels benefit from Label OS and its AI-driven automation of royalty accounting, contracts, and recoupment. The distribution-agnostic nature of Label OS means labels can use it alongside other distributors.

iGroove is less ideal for high-volume releasers who would pay more in per-release fees than a subscription (use DistroKid or iMusician AMPLIFY instead), artists who want instant signup without an application process (use DistroKid or CD Baby), or artists who need publishing administration or sync licensing (use TuneCore or Songtradr). For a broader comparison, see our music distribution services comparison.

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings across platforms
• iGroove Official Website - Current pricing and application