TuneCore vs. Symphonic: Which Terms are Better for Independent Artists?

As an independent artist, choosing the right distribution and publishing platform is crucial for your career. TuneCore and Symphonic are two popular options, each offering distinct terms of service that can significantly impact your earnings, rights, and overall experience. Let's break down the key points of their terms to determine which might be more beneficial for you.

Revenue Share and Fees

TuneCore offers artists 100% of their revenue from digital sales and streams but takes 20% from social platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Their annual subscription fees range from $14.99 to $49.99 for unlimited releases. This model is straightforward and can be cost-effective for prolific artists.

Symphonic gives artists 90% of royalties for back-catalog releases and 85% for new releases and UGC monetization. They charge a $19.99 annual fee for their Starter plan, with a $50 minimum threshold for royalty payments. This could be appealing for those with a significant back catalog.

Overall, TuneCore’s higher revenue share from digital sales and streams is a strong advantage, but Symphonic’s higher percentage for back-catalog releases could be beneficial for artists with older music.

Rights and Exclusivity

Both platforms allow artists to retain ownership of their copyrights. TuneCore requires exclusive rights for the administration of compositions, meaning artists can’t work with other administrators for the same compositions during the term. Symphonic also requires exclusive distribution rights for the content delivered to them, so artists can’t redistribute this content through another distributor during the term.

Termination and Renewal

TuneCore’s agreement automatically renews for additional quarterly periods unless terminated with a 45-day notice. They retain the right to collect royalties earned during the term for up to 12 months in the US and 18 months internationally after the term ends.

Symphonic’s agreement auto-renews annually unless terminated with a 90-day notice. If advances are not recouped, the agreement renews on a month-to-month basis until recoupment. Post-termination, Symphonic continues to handle royalty payments for distributed content, but artists must request additional statements if royalties accumulate.

Additional Services

TuneCore provides publishing administration services for a one-time setup fee, including global royalty collection and sync licensing opportunities. They also offer advances to artists based on their past earnings and sales history. This can be highly attractive for artists looking for comprehensive support.

Symphonic offers publishing administration and sync licensing through its Bodega Sync brand, which is selective and evaluated by their sync team. They also provide playlist pitching, UGC monetization, and other marketing services, some of which come with additional fees. This could be beneficial for artists seeking extra promotional support.

Liability and Indemnification

TuneCore limits its liability to $100 or half of the annual fees paid by the artist, whichever is greater. Artists must indemnify TuneCore against claims related to infringement or fraud, and legal fees can be deducted from the artist's earnings.

Symphonic limits its liability for special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages. Artists must indemnify Symphonic against claims related to infringement or fraud, and Symphonic can withhold royalties and charge legal fees if they suspect improper activity.

Conclusion

TuneCore is advantageous for artists who release a high volume of music and want to retain 100% of their digital sales revenue. Its clear pricing structure, comprehensive services, and the availability of advances make it a strong contender.

Symphonic, on the other hand, could be better for artists looking for a higher revenue share on back-catalog releases and additional marketing and sync licensing opportunities. Their comprehensive distribution network and selective sync services offer unique benefits.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider carefully reviewing the terms and, if necessary, seeking legal advice to ensure you make the most informed decision for your music career.