UnitedMasters gives independent artists the tools to distribute their music globally and keep up to 100% of their royalties.
Founded by Steve Stoute in 2017, it features tiered plans and a 90/10 royalty split, providing flexibility and freedom from traditional labels. You’ll appreciate the extensive distribution services, although some users mention concerns about app efficiency and payment delays.
Their user-friendly interface allows for easy earnings tracking, and annual fees are competitive but higher than some rivals like DistroKid.
If you’re curious about how it stacks up against the competition and what more it offers, there’s plenty to explore.
Also check out our complete buyer’s guide on good digital music distribution brands.
UnitedMasters Overview
Founded by Steve Stoute in 2017, UnitedMasters offers artists an innovative platform for unlimited music distribution worldwide. If you’re an independent artist, UnitedMasters might just be the game-changer you need. It offers a tiered system with plans like DEBUT and SELECT, each tailored to fit different levels of artistic needs and goals.
With UnitedMasters, you have the freedom to distribute your music globally without having to deal with the complexities typically associated with traditional record labels. Whether you’re just starting or already have a fan base, this platform guarantees your music reaches audiences far and wide.
One of the standout features of UnitedMasters is its 90/10 royalty split, allowing you to keep 90% of your profits. This model is particularly attractive as it doesn’t involve any upfront costs, making it accessible for artists at any stage in their career.
SELECT artists also benefit from exclusive brand and sync licensing deals, providing additional revenue streams and exposure.
Pros and Cons
When evaluating UnitedMasters, it’s pivotal to weigh both its advantages and disadvantages to determine if it’s the right fit for your musical career. As an independent artist, you’ll appreciate the platform’s user-friendly setup, allowing you to upload songs via text or app effortlessly. This ease of use is particularly beneficial for hip-hop and rap artists who frequently release new tracks.
One of the biggest advantages is the ability to keep 100% of your royalties with a paid account. Even if you opt for the free version, the 10% royalty split is relatively fair. Additionally, UnitedMasters provides detailed analytics and insights, helping you track your performance across all major music streaming services.
However, there are some downsides. Users have reported delayed payments, which can be frustrating when you’re relying on timely income. There are also occasional issues with music uploads and app functionality, which could hinder your workflow.
While UnitedMasters offers many benefits, it’s essential to compare it with alternatives like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and Amuse. Each platform has its own pricing and features, so understanding these nuances will help you make the best choice for your career.
Pricing Details
To make an informed decision about UnitedMasters, you need to understand its pricing details and how they compare to other music distribution platforms.
UnitedMasters offers a yearly subscription for $59.99, which allows you to release your music while keeping 90% of your royalties. This pricing model includes a 90/10 royalty split, ensuring that you retain the lion’s share of your earnings.
If you’re looking to keep 100% of your royalties, UnitedMasters provides an option with undisclosed upfront costs. However, specific details about these costs aren’t publicly available, so you’ll need to explore this directly with UnitedMasters if it piques your interest. Additionally, there’s an exclusive, invitation-only plan that lets artists keep 100% of their royalties without specified upfront fees. This plan can be a great opportunity but requires you to be selected by UnitedMasters.
When comparing UnitedMasters Pay to competitors like DistroKid and TuneCore, note that its annual fee of $59.99 is higher. However, UnitedMasters offers extensive distribution services and resources, which might justify the higher pricing for some artists.
Ultimately, understanding these pricing details will help you decide if UnitedMasters aligns with your music distribution needs.
Making Money
When it comes to making money with UnitedMasters, you’ll collect earnings from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Depending on your plan, you can cash out anytime or once you hit a $50 balance.
Plus, you can keep a significant percentage of your royalties, or even 100% with specific plans.
Earnings Collection Process
UnitedMasters streamlines the earning process by collecting revenue from streaming services on your behalf. With UnitedMasters Pay, the platform manages the earnings collection process from popular services like Spotify and Apple Music, allowing you to focus more on creating music. This streamlined approach is particularly beneficial for independent artists who often struggle to track and collect their royalties across multiple platforms.
UnitedMasters Pay ensures you receive your earnings efficiently and transparently. As an independent artist, you don’t have to chase down payments or navigate complex financial systems. Instead, UnitedMasters consolidates your revenue, making it easy to see how much you’ve earned and from where.
The platform’s earnings collection system is designed to maximize your income potential. If you’re on the Select plan, you can release unlimited tracks and keep 100% of your royalties, enhancing your earnings significantly. This flexibility is a game-changer, providing you with more control over your financial rewards.
UnitedMasters’ user-friendly interface further simplifies the earnings collection process. You can monitor your revenue streams in real-time, giving you a clear picture of your financial progress. By managing the administrative side of music distribution, UnitedMasters helps you focus on what you do best—making music.
Cash Out Conditions
Artists using UnitedMasters can easily withdraw their earnings, with the Select plan offering flexible anytime withdrawals. If you’re on the Select plan, you have the advantage of accessing your funds whenever you need them. This flexibility can be vital for managing your finances effectively.
For those not on the Select plan, UnitedMasters Pay allows you to withdraw once your balance hits $50. This threshold guarantees that smaller amounts don’t get withdrawn prematurely, helping you accumulate a more substantial payout. However, understanding your plan’s specific withdrawal options is necessary for making the most of your earnings.
Tracking your earnings on UnitedMasters is straightforward. The platform offers robust earnings tracking tools that let you monitor your streams and royalty splits. This transparency helps you make sure that your payments are accurate and timely. By keeping an eye on your earnings tracking, you can better plan when to withdraw, optimizing your income flow.
In short, UnitedMasters provides a variety of withdrawal options tailored to different plans. Whether you’re a Select user or not, understanding these options and diligently tracking your earnings will help you maximize your financial returns from the platform.
User Reviews
When looking at user reviews, you’ll notice a mix of opinions on UnitedMasters. Some users appreciate the growth opportunities, but many express concerns about payments and royalties.
Others highlight issues with the app’s efficiency and customer support.
Positive Growth Opportunities
Many users have experienced significant growth opportunities with UnitedMasters, praising the platform for its invaluable support and resources. As artists navigate the competitive music industry, they find that UnitedMasters offers a wealth of opportunities to foster their growth. Users appreciate the platform’s dedication to providing tools and resources that empower them to pursue their passion projects and advance their independent music careers.
One standout feature frequently mentioned in reviews is the networking and collaboration opportunities. Artists have the chance to connect with industry experts and like-minded musicians, which can lead to valuable partnerships and learning experiences. Notable success stories, such as Shakim Dave’s, highlight how UnitedMasters has been instrumental in helping artists achieve substantial career advancement.
Furthermore, UnitedMasters is lauded for its educational resources, which are tailored to help artists navigate the complexities of the music business. These resources include tutorials, industry insights, and workshops that arm artists with the knowledge they need to succeed.
Payment and Royalty Concerns
Despite UnitedMasters’ positive growth opportunities, concerns about delayed payments and royalty issues have left some users dissatisfied. Many artists wonder, ‘How much does UnitedMasters pay?’ only to find that even when earnings are substantial, accessing those funds can be problematic. Complaints about unpaid royalties are common, with some users reporting noteworthy delays and blocks when trying to cash out their earnings.
User reviews frequently highlight the lack of transparency in the payment process and the distribution of royalties. Artists feel frustrated when they can’t get clear answers about their earnings. This dissatisfaction is compounded by customer service experiences where responses are slow or unhelpful, further exacerbating the issues.
These payment and royalty-related problems contribute to a negative experience for many users, impacting their overall perception of UnitedMasters. Specific feedback points to these concerns as vital factors influencing artist satisfaction on the platform.
While UnitedMasters offers promising growth opportunities, addressing these payment and royalty issues is essential. Improving transparency and efficiency in the payment process and providing better customer service support could notably enhance the user experience and restore confidence among artists.
App and Support Efficiency
UnitedMasters’ app stands out for its swift performance and user-friendly interface, making music management a breeze for artists. Users consistently praise the app’s reliable performance, which allows for easy music previews before uploading. The ability to manage payouts, release songs, and apply for exclusive brand and sync deals from any device greatly enhances the user experience.
When it comes to customer support, UnitedMasters excels with its fast response times and effective issue resolution. Reviews highlight how the support team isn’t only quick to respond but also extremely helpful and supportive, whether you reach out via email or through the app. This level of customer support ensures that any problems you encounter are dealt with promptly, allowing you to focus more on your music rather than troubleshooting technical issues.
The app’s accessibility on any device means you can handle your music distribution needs wherever you are, adding a layer of convenience that’s hard to surpass. Combined with its efficient customer support, UnitedMasters provides a seamless and supportive environment for artists looking to manage their music careers more effectively.
DistroKid Comparison
When comparing DistroKid to UnitedMasters, the final decision often hinges on your specific needs and preferences as an artist. In this comparison, DistroKid stands out with its user-friendly features and straightforward pricing model. DistroKid allows unlimited uploads for a flat annual fee, making it appealing if you release music frequently. They also offer handy features like automated splits for collaborations and cover song licensing.
On the other hand, UnitedMasters brings modern flair with its mobile app, making music distribution easy and accessible from your phone. This is ideal if you prefer managing your music on the go. Additionally, UnitedMasters offers opportunities for sync placements and brand partnerships, which can be a significant advantage if you’re looking to expand your reach beyond just streaming platforms.
It’s worth noting that both platforms provide free options to trial their services before you commit, so you can test which one aligns best with your workflow and goals.
Ultimately, your choice between DistroKid and UnitedMasters will come down to which features are most important for your career. Trying out both platforms can help you make an informed decision that best supports your artistic vision.
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