Songtradr

Songtradr is a US/Australia-based music licensing and distribution platform founded in 2014. It combines digital distribution with a sync licensing marketplace, allowing artists to both get their music on streaming platforms and license it for film, TV, advertising, and other media. Songtradr offers three tiers: Starter ($0/year with 90% royalties), Lite ($19/year with 100% royalties), and Pro ($49/year with 100% royalties and 80% sync fees). Unlike many sync libraries, Songtradr does not retitle your works. The platform is best for artists who want both distribution and sync licensing opportunities in one place.

Pricing and Plans

Songtradr offers three tiers with a hybrid pricing model:

• Starter ($0/year): Unlimited distribution, 90% distribution royalties, manage and share your music, music licensing and monetization access, 60% sync and licensing fees, basic statistics, 2 Music Wanted submissions.
• Lite ($19/year): Unlimited distribution for 1 artist, 100% distribution royalties, ISRC/UPC codes included, manage and share your music, music licensing and monetization, 60% sync and licensing fees, analytics and trends, 2 Music Wanted submissions.
• Pro ($49/year per artist): Everything in Lite plus 80% sync and licensing fees (up from 60%), 80% monetization revenue, 5 Music Wanted submissions (up from 2).

The sync fee split is the main reason to upgrade from Lite to Pro. On Starter and Lite, you keep 60% of sync fees. On Pro, you keep 80%. If you land a $1,000 sync placement, that is $200 more in your pocket on Pro versus Lite.

What Sets Songtradr Apart

1. Sync licensing marketplace built in: Songtradr is primarily a music licensing company that also offers distribution. This is the reverse of most distributors, which offer distribution first and sync as an add-on or not at all. You can license your music into TV, film, ads, and other media directly through the platform.
2. No retiling of works: Some sync libraries retitle your tracks to claim exclusive rights, which creates problems with PRO registration and royalty collection. Songtradr does not retitle. Your works stay under your original titles.
3. 100% of performance royalties: On all plans, you keep 100% of performance royalties from sync placements. Songtradr only participates in the upfront sync fee, not the ongoing performance royalties.
4. Music Wanted submissions: Songtradr has a "Music Wanted" feature where clients post specific music needs. You can submit your tracks for these opportunities. Starter and Lite get 2 submissions per period; Pro gets 5.
5. Free tier with 90% royalties: The Starter plan at $0/year gives you unlimited distribution with 90% royalties. This is better than RouteNote's free tier (85%) or ONErpm's free tier (85%).
6. 5 to 7 day delivery: Songtradr delivers releases to streaming platforms in 5 to 7 days, which is slower than DistroKid (24 to 72 hours) but comparable to CD Baby.
7. Monetization beyond streaming: Songtradr offers monetization through business radio, apps, social media, YouTube, and other platforms beyond standard streaming distribution.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Create a free Songtradr Starter account, or upgrade to Lite ($19/year) or Pro ($49/year).
2. Upload your music and enter metadata.
3. Songtradr distributes to all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, Amazon, and more).
4. For sync licensing: Submit your tracks to the sync licensing marketplace. Clients searching for music can find and license your tracks.
5. For Music Wanted: Browse client briefs and submit your tracks for specific opportunities.
6. Track performance with analytics and statistics.
7. Receive your share of sync fees and distribution royalties.

Track Requirements

Songtradr has specific requirements for distributed tracks:

• Tracks shorter than 30 seconds will not receive payouts from streaming platforms.
• The average track length on an album cannot be less than 1 minute.
• The maximum track length on a release is around 12 minutes.
• No maximum amount of tracks on an album, but Songtradr recommends capping at 25 tracks.
• Some platforms do not accept Explicit content.
• Genre-specific platforms only accept music that fits the platform's genre (e.g., some only accept Electronic music, some do not accept Classical music).
• Facebook/Instagram currently does not accept Electronica/New Age music.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Sync licensing is not guaranteed. Having your music in a sync marketplace does not mean it will be licensed. Sync placements depend on client demand, music quality, and competition. Treat sync revenue as a bonus, not a guaranteed income stream.
• 60% sync fee split on Starter and Lite. Songtradr keeps 40% of sync fees on the lower tiers. This is standard for sync libraries, but it means you lose $400 on a $1,000 placement. Pro reduces this to 20%.
• 90% royalties on the free tier. The Starter plan takes 10% of your distribution royalties. Compare this to DistroKid ($24.99/year, 100% royalties) or Magroove DIY ($9.99/year, 100% royalties). If you earn more than $190/year from streaming, the Lite plan at $19/year with 100% royalties is cheaper than the free tier.
• 5 to 7 day delivery. Songtradr is slower than DistroKid (24 to 72 hours), Too Lost, or DistroVibe. If you need fast delivery for time-sensitive releases, this is a drawback.
• No publishing administration. Songtradr handles sync fees and distribution but does not provide full publishing administration. You still need separate PRO and MLC registration.
• No YouTube Content ID. Not prominently featured as a standalone service.
• No royalty splits. Not prominently featured. If you need automated collaborator splitting, use DistroKid, Too Lost, or Stem.
• No release protection. Not clearly stated. Check current terms before relying on music staying live if you cancel.
• Pro plan is per artist. The Pro plan at $49/year is charged per artist. If you manage multiple artists, the costs add up quickly.
• Track length limitations. Maximum track length of around 12 minutes. If you produce long-form music (classical, ambient, live sets), this is a restriction.

Who Songtradr Is Best For

Songtradr is best for artists who want both distribution and sync licensing opportunities in one platform. If you produce music that works well in visual media (instrumental tracks, cinematic pieces, upbeat pop, electronic), Songtradr gives you a sync marketplace alongside your distribution. The free Starter tier with 90% royalties is a reasonable starting point for new artists. The Pro plan at $49/year with 80% sync fees is the best choice for artists actively pursuing sync placements.

Songtradr is less ideal for artists who want the fastest possible delivery (use DistroKid or DistroVibe), artists who need 100% royalties on a free tier (use SoundOn), artists who need publishing administration (use TuneCore or Symphonic), or artists who release very long tracks. If you only want distribution without sync, DistroKid, Too Lost, or Magroove DIY are cheaper and faster.

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Sync Licensing Fee Calculator - Estimate fair sync fees
• Songtradr Official Website - Current pricing and sign-up