Record Union

Record Union is a Sweden-based digital music distributor founded in 2008 in Stockholm. It uses a per-release subscription model where you pay an annual fee for each release you distribute, with pricing varying by track count, store selection, and royalty rate. Record Union distributes to 150+ platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Amazon, Pandora, and Instagram. The company serves over a hundred thousand artists and labels globally and has positioned itself as a migration destination for artists leaving Spinnup (Universal Music Group's curated distribution platform).

Pricing and Plans

Record Union uses a per-release subscription model. Each release has its own annual subscription that auto-renews:

• Single: Starting at $14/year
• EP (3-5 tracks): Pricing varies by package
• Album (up to 12 tracks): Starting at $29/year (World Domination package, largest store selection)
• Additional tracks over 12: $1.50 per track per year

Pricing depends on three factors:

1. How many tracks are on the release
2. How many music services you distribute to (different package tiers)
3. The royalty rate you choose

Record Union offers custom pricing for large catalogs or high-volume release schedules. Contact their customer success team for bulk arrangements.

What Sets Record Union Apart

1. Per-release model with 100% royalties: Unlike CD Baby's per-release model (which takes 9% commission), Record Union charges 0% commission on streaming revenue. You pay the annual subscription per release and keep everything you earn.
2. Flexible package selection: You choose how many stores to distribute to, which affects pricing. This lets budget-conscious artists select smaller packages for less important releases and bigger packages for flagship drops.
3. Spinnup migration support: Record Union has built tools and support specifically for artists migrating from Spinnup, helping preserve streams and playlists during the transfer.
4. Smart links through Linkfire: Record Union integrates with Linkfire for smart link creation and promotion.
5. Royalty splits: Collaborator splitting is available, though less prominently featured than DistroKid or Stem.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Create a Record Union account.
2. Choose a package based on track count and store selection.
3. Upload audio files and cover art.
4. Enter release metadata. Record Union generates ISRC and UPC codes.
5. Set up royalty splits for collaborators.
6. Create smart links through Linkfire integration.
7. Submit for distribution to 150+ platforms.

Record Union has a simplified release flow that gives flexibility and introduces new features in beta.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Per-release costs accumulate with catalog growth. Each release has its own annual subscription. A 20-release catalog costs $280+/year in renewals. This is more expensive than an unlimited subscription like DistroKid ($24.99 for unlimited releases).
• No unlimited plan. Record Union does not offer an unlimited subscription. If you release frequently, the per-release model becomes expensive compared to DistroKid, TuneCore, or Ditto.
• Releases removed if not renewed. Unlike CD Baby (where music stays live permanently after a one-time fee), Record Union removes releases if the annual subscription is not renewed.
• Limited public information on delivery speed. Record Union does not prominently publish delivery timeframes.
• No publishing admin. Record Union does not prominently offer publishing administration.
• Smaller company. With 53 employees and $3.6M annual revenue, Record Union is smaller than DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. Support and infrastructure may be more limited.

Who Record Union Is Best For

Record Union is best for artists who release infrequently and want 100% royalty retention without a subscription. The per-release model at $14/year for a single is competitive for low-volume releasers. It is also a good option for artists migrating from Spinnup who need transfer support.

Record Union is less ideal for high-volume releasers (the per-release model becomes expensive fast), artists who want an unlimited subscription (DistroKid, TuneCore, or Ditto are better), or artists who need publishing admin, sync licensing, or advanced analytics. If you want permanence without annual fees, CD Baby's one-time model is a better fit despite the 9% commission.

Related Resources

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