RouteNote

RouteNote is a UK-based digital music distributor founded in 2007 in Falmouth, England. It is one of the few distributors offering genuinely free unlimited distribution with no upfront cost. The free tier keeps 85% of royalties (RouteNote takes 15%), while the Premium tier charges a one-time fee per release ($10 per single, $30 per album) and lets you keep 100%. Artists can switch individual releases between Free and Premium at any time, making it possible to start free and upgrade once a track starts earning. RouteNote distributes to 80+ platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and YouTube.

Pricing and Plans

RouteNote offers two distribution plans. Both distribute to the same stores, include the same features, and let you keep full ownership of your rights:

• Free: $0 upfront, no annual renewal fees. Keep 85% of all streaming and download revenue (RouteNote keeps 15%). Unlimited releases. YouTube Content ID included.
• Premium: $10 per single or $30 per album (one-time). Keep 100% of streaming and download revenue. $9.99 annual renewal per release after the first year. Same stores and features as Free.

The key difference is how you pay. Free shares a percentage of future revenue. Premium pays upfront and keeps 100%. You can switch eligible releases between plans later if your needs change.

The Free Tier Strategy

RouteNote's free tier is the most legitimate free distribution option on the market. Unlike UnitedMasters' Debut tier (which does not actually distribute), RouteNote Free puts your music on 80+ platforms with no upfront cost. The 15% commission is the price.

The smart strategy is to start on Free, test how a release performs, and upgrade to Premium once the track earns enough that the 15% commission exceeds the $10 Premium fee. The break-even for a single is at approximately $67 in annual revenue (15% of $67 = $10). Below that, Free costs less. Above that, Premium is cheaper.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Create a free RouteNote account.
2. Choose Free or Premium for each release.
3. Upload audio files and cover art.
4. Enter release metadata. RouteNote generates ISRC and UPC codes.
5. Select partner stores and territories (all 80+ available on both plans).
6. Submit for distribution. Delivery typically takes 3 to 7 business days.

RouteNote provides access to RouteNote Trends for deeper Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes performance insights, including listener demographics and engagement data.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• 15% commission is permanent on Free. Successful tracks carry a growing long-term cost. An artist earning $100/month on a free-tier release loses $180/year in commission. Over 5 years, that is $900 on a single release.
• Slower than DistroKid. 3 to 7 business days versus DistroKid's 24 to 72 hours. If you need a fast turnaround for a time-sensitive release, plan ahead.
• Fewer stores than competitors. 80+ platforms versus 150+ for DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. RouteNote covers all major DSPs but has less reach on niche and regional platforms.
• Limited support on Free tier. Support is basic on the free plan. Priority support is not prominently offered.
• Premium renewal fees. Premium releases renew at $9.99 per release per year. A large catalog on Premium accumulates annual renewal costs similar to a subscription.
• No publishing admin. RouteNote does not collect publishing royalties. You need separate PRO and MLC registration.
• No automated royalty splits. RouteNote does not prominently offer collaborator splitting like DistroKid, Stem, or Amuse.

Who RouteNote Is Best For

RouteNote is best for artists with zero budget who want to get music on streaming platforms without upfront cost. The free tier is the most legitimate free distribution option available, putting music on 80+ platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok. It is also good for testing releases: start on Free, and upgrade to Premium once a track proves it can earn.

RouteNote is less ideal for artists with established audiences whose releases generate consistent revenue (the 15% commission adds up), artists who need fast delivery (DistroKid is faster), or artists who need publishing admin, sync licensing, or automated splits. If your releases earn more than $67/year each, Premium or a subscription distributor like DistroKid becomes more cost-effective.

Pros and Cons Comparison

Notable Artists Who Use RouteNote

RouteNote works with over 800,000 musicians across 193 countries. Several notable artists have used or currently use RouteNote for distribution:

• Enrique Iglesias: The Latin pop superstar is one of RouteNote's most prominent named artists. He has used RouteNote's demographic data to adjust his touring strategy in markets like Mexico, where his music performs differently than in Spain.
• Ski Mask The Slump God: The Florida rapper has distributed music through RouteNote. He is known for tracks like "Catch Me Outside" and "Faucet Failure."
• Chingiz: The Azerbaijani producer represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 finals with his track "Truth," distributed through RouteNote. The song amassed millions of listens internationally before the competition.
• Culture Code: The electronic music producer signed to RouteNote for distribution of his catalog, including releases with Regoton and Jonny Rose.
• Tobu: The Latvian electronic producer, known for tracks like "Candyland" and "Hope" (each with tens of millions of streams), has distributed through RouteNote.
• Axero: The French electronic producer has built a substantial streaming following with music distributed through RouteNote.
• Eden: The Irish electronic artist, who later signed to a major label, used RouteNote in his early career.
• Midsplit: The EDM producer reached Spotify's mint Canada playlist with the track "Good Dream" (featuring BLEM and A-SHO) through RouteNote distribution.
• Koni and Devan: The duo reached over 1.5 million listeners on Spotify's Girls' Night playlist through RouteNote.

RouteNote also works with independent labels including Strange Fruits, USP Studios, Hinky, Chill Your Mind, and Toneville.

Video Gallery

The following videos provide additional context about RouteNote, how free music distribution works, and how YouTube Content ID functions.

How to Make Money Through YouTube Content ID with RouteNote

This short guide from the RouteNote YouTube channel explains how YouTube Content ID works, why RouteNote claims videos using your music, and how to monetize unauthorized use of your tracks across YouTube. Content ID is included on both Free and Premium plans at no extra cost.

RouteNote YouTube Network and Content ID: Collecting Your Video and Music Royalties

This video from the RouteNote official channel covers the RouteNote YouTube Network, an official YouTube Partner MCN. It explains how to submit your channel, qualify for the network, and collect US micro sync royalties that might otherwise go unclaimed.

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Why Music Distributors Don't Offer Free Music Distribution - Understanding free tier economics
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings
• RouteNote Official Website - Current pricing and sign-up

Similar Music Distributors

• DistroKid - Flat annual subscription at $24.99/year with unlimited uploads and 100% royalties. Faster delivery (24 to 72 hours) but no free tier. Direct competitor for paid distribution.
• Ditto Music - Annual subscription starting at $19/year. Includes sync licensing and publishing admin on the Pro plan. No free tier but cheaper than DistroKid.
• CD Baby - One-time fee per release with 9% commission. Music stays live forever. Good for infrequent releasers who want permanence without subscriptions.
• TuneCore - Annual subscription with unlimited uploads. Includes publishing administration on higher tiers. No free tier.
• Amuse - Mobile-first distributor with a free tier (15% commission) and paid Pro plans. Owned by Sony Music. Similar free model.
• UnitedMasters - Free distribution with brand partnership opportunities. Select tier at $59.99/year. Free tier distributes to fewer platforms than RouteNote.
• FreshTunes - Advertises free unlimited distribution with 100% royalties. Slower upload times (up to 30 days on Basic) and $25 payout threshold.
• Soundrop - $4.99 per track with 15% commission. Includes cover song licensing and royalty splits. Good for cover artists.