A music distributor is the service that delivers your finished songs to Spotify, Apple Music and every major store, then collects and pays you the streaming royalties. You keep ownership of your music. Here's exactly how it works — and how to do it free.
Streaming platforms don't take uploads directly from most artists — they receive music through approved distributors. You upload your track, artwork and details to the distributor once; it delivers your release to supported digital services worldwide, assigns your ISRC and UPC codes, then collects the royalties each platform pays and passes them to you. Unlike a label, a distributor doesn't take ownership of your music — you keep ownership subject to your agreement.
| Typical paid distributor | Mazufa | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Yearly fee or commission | Free — commission according to current plan terms |
| Your royalties | Sometimes a cut is kept | You keep Ownership and royalties follow the applicable agreement |
| Ownership of masters | You keep | You keep Ownership and royalties follow the applicable agreement |
| Stores reached | Varies | Availability varies by service territory eligibility and current terms in available territories |
| ISRC & UPC codes | Sometimes extra | Included free |
The best distributor for most independent artists is the one that reaches every store, hands you royalties under the applicable plan and agreement, and doesn't cost anything to start. See the full free vs paid comparison.
A music distributor is a service that delivers your songs to streaming platforms and stores like Spotify and Apple Music, and collects the royalties they pay so you get paid. You keep ownership of your music.
You upload your finished track, artwork and metadata once. The distributor sends it to supported digital services, assigns ISRC and UPC codes, and forwards the royalties each platform pays back to you.
No. A label typically funds and owns recordings for a share of your rights. A distributor just delivers music you already own — you keep royalties under the applicable plan and agreement.
Not necessarily. Some charge a yearly fee or commission, but free distributors like Mazufa deliver to every store at commission according to current plan terms.
For most independent artists, a free distributor that reaches all major stores and lets you receive royalties under the applicable plan and agreement and rights — like Mazufa — is the best choice.
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Reach supported digital services in available territories with Mazufa. commission according to current plan terms, retain ownership of your work subject to your agreement.