OFFstep

OFFstep is a digital music distributor launched in 2023 by ONErpm. It offers unlimited distribution for approximately $25 per year with 100% royalty retention, positioning itself as a subscription-based alternative to ONErpm's commission-based free tier. OFFstep targets artists who want the simplicity of a DistroKid-style subscription (flat annual fee, unlimited uploads, keep 100%) without the add-on costs, while the main ONErpm platform remains the option for artists who want publishing admin, sync licensing, and YouTube monetization included at no upfront cost.

Pricing and Plans

OFFstep uses a simple subscription model:

• Approximately $25/year: Unlimited track distribution to major streaming platforms, 100% royalty retention, no commission on streaming revenue.

The pricing is competitive with DistroKid ($24.99/year) and TuneCore ($24.99/year), offering the same unlimited uploads and 100% royalty retention at a similar price point.

What OFFstep Is and Is Not

OFFstep is a stripped-down distribution service. It does not include the extras that the main ONErpm platform offers:

What OFFstep includes:

• Unlimited track uploads
• Distribution to major streaming platforms
• 100% royalty retention
• No commission on streaming revenue

What OFFstep does not include:

• No sync licensing (available on main ONErpm)
• No publishing administration (available on main ONErpm)
• No direct-to-fan store (available on main ONErpm)
• Limited or no YouTube Content ID
• Limited collaborator splitting features

OFFstep is designed for artists who want simple, cheap distribution and do not need the bundled services. If you want publishing admin and sync licensing, use the main ONErpm platform instead (which includes them for free but takes a 15% commission).

Submission and Upload Process

1. Create an OFFstep account.
2. Pay the annual subscription (~$25/year).
3. Upload audio files and cover art.
4. Enter release metadata.
5. Submit for distribution to major streaming platforms.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Very limited feature set. OFFstep is distribution only. No publishing admin, no sync licensing, no Content ID, no direct-to-fan store. If you need any of these, use the main ONErpm platform or another distributor.
• Limited public information. OFFstep does not prominently publish store count, delivery speed, or detailed feature lists. This makes it hard to compare objectively.
• Newer service. Launched in 2023, OFFstep has a shorter track record than established distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby.
• Lesser known. OFFstep has less brand recognition than its parent ONErpm or competitors like DistroKid. Fewer community reviews and tutorials exist.
• No clear advantage over DistroKid. At approximately $25/year with 100% royalties and unlimited uploads, OFFstep matches DistroKid's pricing but lacks DistroKid's larger store count (150+), faster delivery (24 to 72 hours), and add-on ecosystem. The main reason to choose OFFstep over DistroKid is if you specifically want ONErpm's infrastructure.

Who OFFstep Is Best For

OFFstep is best for artists who want simple, cheap distribution with 100% royalties and do not need publishing admin, sync licensing, or other extras. If you want the ONErpm ecosystem but prefer a subscription model over the 15% commission, OFFstep is the subscription alternative.

OFFstep is less ideal for artists who need a full-featured distribution platform (DistroKid, TuneCore, or Symphonic offer more), artists who want publishing admin and sync licensing (use the main ONErpm platform, TuneCore, or Ditto), or artists who want the cheapest possible option (Anti-Joy at $14.99/year is cheaper). If you want a free tier with included services, the main ONErpm platform or RouteNote are better options.

Royalty Retention

OFFstep offers 100% royalty retention on streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer. There is one exception: YouTube, TikTok, and Meta (Instagram, Facebook) pay 80% to the artist. OFFstep retains 20% on social platform revenue.

For comparison, DistroKid offers 100% on all platforms. TuneCore keeps 20% on social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). CD Baby takes 9% on all revenue. OFFstep's 80% on social platforms matches TuneCore's policy.

Store Count and Delivery Speed

OFFstep distributes to 45+ digital stores worldwide. This includes Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, and more. The store count is lower than DistroKid (150+) but higher than Magroove (40+).

OFFstep states a 48-hour approval process for releases. This is the time for OFFstep's quality control team to review and approve your upload. Store delivery times vary by platform but are generally 2 to 5 days after approval. For comparison, DistroKid delivers in 24 to 72 hours.

Publishing Admin and YouTube Content ID

OFFstep does not include publishing administration. Use the main ONErpm platform for publishing admin services. You need separate PRO and MLC registration to collect mechanical and performance royalties.

YouTube Content ID is available through the Content ID Tracker feature on the Advanced plan ($96/year). The Content ID Tracker shows all YouTube videos containing your songs, including view counts and creator links. YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC) setup is available on all plans. For comparison, DistroKid charges $4.95 per single or $14.95 per album per year plus 20% of Content ID revenue. ONErpm includes Content ID free with its 15% commission tier.

Sync Licensing

OFFstep does not include sync licensing. Use the main ONErpm platform for sync licensing services. If sync licensing is a priority, consider TuneCore, Songtradr, or Ditto Music. Browse our sync licensing directory for options.

Royalty Splits

OFFstep supports royalty splits through its "Share-Outs" feature. Share-Outs are available on the Intermediate ($48/year) and Advanced ($96/year) plans. You can share royalties with collaborators, bandmates, and other rights holders. The Basic plan ($18/year) does not include Share-Outs.

OFFstep also offers "Share-Ins," which allows you to receive royalty shares from other OFFstep accounts. This is available on all plans.

Release Protection

OFFstep offers a "One Click Album Takedown" feature on all plans. You can remove any release from stores with a single click if needed. OFFstep does not clearly state whether releases stay online if you cancel your subscription. Contact OFFstep to confirm release protection after cancellation.

For comparison, CD Baby keeps releases live permanently with no subscription. DistroKid requires a "Leave a Legacy" fee per release to keep music online after cancellation. Subscription-based distributors typically remove releases when you stop paying.

AI Music Policy

OFFstep has a detailed AI music policy. The platform requires self-declaration of AI usage levels when uploading tracks. There are four levels:

1. Human Created, No AI: 100% human-created content with no generative AI tools.
2. Human Created, AI-Assisted: AI used only to support human-led creation (mixing, mastering, idea suggestions). Human remains the creative decision-maker.
3. Human Created, Partially AI-Generated: AI generates parts of the musical or lyrical content, but human cultivates and integrates those parts.
4. Fully AI-Generated (Prompt-Only AI): Content created predominantly via AI prompts with minimal human creative input.

All tracks currently remain eligible for monetization regardless of AI usage level. However, OFFstep's content guidelines state that "AI generated content" is not accepted. This likely refers to fully AI-generated (prompt-only) content. Declarations may be compared against automated audio analysis tools to verify good faith. There is currently no penalty for selecting any AI usage level.

Hidden Costs

OFFstep uses a transparent subscription model with three tiers. Potential costs to consider:

• The Basic plan ($18/year) does not include royalty splits (Share-Outs), daily stats, Content ID Tracker, video distribution, or timed releases. These require the Intermediate ($48/year) or Advanced ($96/year) plan.
• The 20% commission on YouTube, TikTok, and Meta revenue is not immediately obvious from the "100% royalties" marketing language.
• The Advanced plan starts at $96/year for 4 artists. Adding more artists (up to 120) increases the price. Contact OFFstep for pricing on larger Advanced packages.
• Masterchannel mastering tool is available on the Intermediate and Advanced plans only.
• Audience Growth Suite (social media ads and playlist submissions) is available on Intermediate and Advanced plans only.

Comparison Table

Videos

Compare with Other Distributors

• ONErpm - Parent platform with free tier, 15% commission, publishing admin, and sync licensing
• DistroKid - Flat $24.99/year subscription with 100% royalties and 150+ stores
• TuneCore - Subscription with 100% royalties and publishing admin add-on
• CD Baby - One-time fee per release with permanent distribution and 9% commission
• Amuse - Mobile-first distributor with free tier and fast delivery

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings
• OFFstep Official Website - Current pricing and sign-up