About OneSync
Built by artists, for artists. We're on a mission to democratize the music industry and give every creator a fair shot.
Our Story
OneSync was born from frustration. Our founding teamβGrammy-nominated producers, multi-platinum songwriters, and industry executives with over 50 combined years of experienceβwatched as countless talented artists got lost in the shuffle of an industry designed to favor the few.
We've worked with legends. We've seen the inside of major labels, publishing companies, and sync agencies. We know how the game is playedβand we knew it was time to change the rules.
In 2023, we asked ourselves a simple question: What if every artist had access to the same tools, services, and opportunities that only major label artists get? OneSync is our answer.
The Team Behind OneSync
We're not suits in a boardroom. We're producers, musicians, and industry veterans who've been in the trenches.
Miles Gaines
Founder & CEO
Grammy-Nominated Producer
Multi-platinum producer who's worked with some of hip-hop's biggest names. After 20+ years in the industry, he's dedicated to giving independent artists a real chance.
Lance Bentley
CFO
Financial Strategist
A finance expert with deep experience in the music industry. Ensuring OneSync remains sustainable while keeping distribution free for artists.
Shaquille Townsend
Head of A&R
Former Major Label Executive
15 years at major labels discovering and developing talent. Now using that experience to scout and support the next generation of independent stars.
Leilani Shiu
Head of Radio
Radio Promoter & Music Supervisor
Placed music in major films, TV shows, and commercials. Now helping independent artists get the placements and radio spins that change careers.
Damion "Damizza" Young
Advisor
Legendary Producer & Industry Veteran
Multi-platinum producer who shaped West Coast hip-hop. Bringing decades of industry relationships and expertise to guide OneSync's strategic vision.
Our Mission
Distribution is free. You keep 100%. Every independent artist gets the same tools as the majors. No games. No fine print.
What We Stand For
- Transparency β No hidden fees, no surprises. Ever.
- Artist Ownership β You keep 100% of your rights and royalties.
- Equal Opportunity β Major-label tools available to everyone.
- Real Support β 24/7 help from people who actually understand music.
- Innovation β Constantly building new ways to help you succeed.
Why We Hit Different
Not another distributor. Real infrastructure for artists who move independent.
Free Forever
Other distributors charge per release or yearly fees. That's backwards. Distribution is freeβyou keep everything you earn.
Royalty Advances
Qualifying artists can access advances up to $750,000. This isn't a loanβit's your future royalties, today. No interest, no debt collectors.
Sync Licensing
Our team actively pitches your music for film, TV, commercials, and video games. These placements can change your career overnight.
Radio Campaigns
Radio still matters. We have relationships with stations worldwide and can help get your music on the air where it belongs.
Publishing Admin
We collect your publishing royalties worldwideβmoney most artists don't even know they're owed. No extra fees, it's included.
AI Mastering
Professional-quality mastering powered by AI, included free. Your tracks will sound radio-ready before they hit the platforms.
We've sat in the boardrooms. We've seen how the majors operate. We've watched brilliant artists get taken advantage of. OneSync exists because we know there's a better wayβand we're building it.
β The OneSync Founding Team
How We Compare to Other Distributors
We believe in transparency. Here's an honest comparison of how OneSync stacks up against the competition.
| Feature | OneSync | DistroKid | TuneCore | CD Baby | LANDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | FREE Forever | $22.99/year | $9.99/single, $29.99/album | $9.95/single, $29/album | $12/year basic |
| Royalty Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% | 91% | 100% |
| Stores/Platforms | 150+ | 85+ | 150+ | 150+ | 40+ |
| Unlimited Releases | β | β | β | β | Limited |
| Royalty Advances | Up to $750K | Limited | Available | β | β |
| AI Mastering | β Included | $3.95/track | β | β | β |
| Publishing Admin | β Included | β | Extra $ | Extra $ | β |
| Sync Licensing | β Available | β | β | Extra $ | β |
| Radio Campaigns | β Available | β | β | Extra $ | β |
| Playlist Pitching | β Included | β | β | Extra $ | β |
| Release Speed | 24-48 hrs | 24-48 hrs | 2-3 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| YouTube Content ID | β Free | Extra $ | Extra $ | β Included | β |
| Cover Song Licensing | β Handled | Extra $ | Extra $ | Extra $ | β |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Priority | Email only | Email + Chat | Phone + Email | Email only |
Detailed Platform Reviews
Get an in-depth look at each music distribution platform, including their strengths, weaknesses, and who they're best for.
- β 150+ streaming platforms
- β 100% royalties to artist
- β Royalty advances up to $750K
- β AI mastering included
- β Publishing administration
- β Sync licensing opportunities
- β Radio campaign support
- β 24/7 priority support
Pros
- Completely free distribution
- All-in-one platform
- Industry-leading advances
- Fast release times
- White-label services
Cons
- Newer platform (est. 2023)
- Advances require qualification
Best for: Independent artists who want comprehensive services without paying fees. Ideal for artists seeking advances and promotional support.
- β 85+ streaming platforms
- β 100% royalties to artist
- β Fast upload process
- β Unlimited releases
- ~ YouTube Content ID (extra $)
- β No sync licensing
- β No publishing admin
- ~ Limited support
Pros
- Simple interface
- Fast delivery
- Affordable yearly fee
- Popular among indie artists
Cons
- Everything extra costs more
- Music removed if you stop paying
- No phone support
- Limited promotional tools
Best for: Artists who release frequently and want a simple, no-frills distribution service.
- β 150+ streaming platforms
- β 100% royalties to artist
- β Established reputation
- ~ Publishing admin (extra $)
- ~ Advances available
- β No sync licensing
- β No AI mastering
- β Good analytics
Pros
- Industry veteran
- Good reporting tools
- Wide store coverage
- Social Unlimited plan
Cons
- Per-release pricing adds up
- Annual renewal fees
- Slow release times
- Extra services cost extra
Best for: Established artists who release infrequently and value brand recognition.
- β 150+ streaming platforms
- ~ 91% royalties (9% fee)
- β One-time payment
- β YouTube Content ID included
- ~ Sync licensing (extra $)
- β Phone support
- β No AI mastering
- β No advances
Pros
- One-time fee model
- Music stays forever
- Good customer support
- Physical distribution
Cons
- Takes 9% of royalties
- Slow delivery times
- Outdated interface
- Expensive for multiple releases
Best for: Artists who want to pay once and keep their music up forever, and don't mind the royalty cut.
- ~ 40+ streaming platforms
- β 100% royalties to artist
- β AI mastering included
- β Sample packs library
- β No sync licensing
- β No publishing admin
- β No advances
- ~ Limited support
Pros
- Great AI mastering
- All-in-one music tools
- Sample library access
- Plugin marketplace
Cons
- Limited store coverage
- Distribution is secondary
- No promotional tools
- Focused on production, not distribution
Best for: Producers and artists who want mastering and sample tools bundled with basic distribution.
True Cost Comparison (5-Year Analysis)
Let's look at the real cost of using each distributor over 5 years, assuming you release 2 albums and 10 singles per year.
| Cost Category | OneSync | DistroKid | TuneCore | CD Baby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution Fees (5 years) | $0 | $114.95 | $1,149.70 | $647.50 |
| YouTube Content ID | $0 (included) | $99.95 | $99.95 | $0 (included) |
| Publishing Admin | $0 (included) | N/A | $375 | $375 |
| AI Mastering (60 tracks) | $0 (included) | $237 | N/A | N/A |
| Royalty Loss (9% fee) | $0 | $0 | $0 | ~$900* |
| TOTAL 5-YEAR COST | $0 | $451.90 | $1,624.65 | $1,922.50+ |
*CD Baby royalty loss estimate based on $10,000 total royalties over 5 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing the right music distributor.
OneSync is the best free music distribution service in 2026. Unlike other "free" services that take a percentage of your royalties or have hidden fees, OneSync offers truly free distribution with no annual fees, no per-release fees, and you keep 100% of your royalties. Plus, you get access to premium features like AI mastering, publishing administration, and sync licensing opportunities at no extra cost.
DistroKid can be worth it if you only need basic distribution and release music frequently. However, at $22.99/year, the costs add up over time. More importantly, if you stop paying, your music gets removed from stores. Additionally, many features that are free with OneSync (like YouTube Content ID, mastering, and cover song licensing) cost extra with DistroKid. For most artists, a free service like OneSync offers better value.
TuneCore charges per release ($9.99/single, $29.99/album) while DistroKid charges a flat yearly fee ($22.99) for unlimited releases. TuneCore has been around longer and offers more stores, but their per-release model makes it expensive for artists who release frequently. DistroKid is more affordable for prolific artists but has fewer features. However, both pale in comparison to OneSync, which offers free distribution with more features than either platform.
Yes! OneSync offers royalty advances up to $750,000 for qualifying artists. This is significantly more than competitors like TuneCore's advance program. To qualify, you typically need a track record of consistent streaming numbers and releases. Advances allow you to fund recording, touring, marketing, and other career investments while OneSync recoups from your future royalties.
With OneSync and DistroKid, your music can be live on Spotify within 24-48 hours. TuneCore and CD Baby typically take 2-4 weeks. However, we recommend submitting your release at least 2-3 weeks before your release date to ensure time for playlist pitching and editorial consideration. OneSync's playlist pitching team can help maximize your chances of getting featured.
Publishing administration helps you collect all the royalties you're owed from your songwriting, including mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and sync fees. If you write your own music, you're leaving money on the table without it. Most distributors charge extra for this service ($50-100/year), but OneSync includes it free. This can be worth thousands of dollars in uncollected royalties.
Sync licensing is when your music is used in TV shows, films, commercials, video games, and other visual media. A single sync placement can pay anywhere from $1,000 to $500,000+. OneSync offers sync licensing opportunities through our network of music supervisorsβa feature most distributors don't offer or charge significant fees for. This can be a game-changing revenue stream for artists.
When switching distributors, you'll need to request a takedown from your old distributor and re-upload through your new one. This can cause a brief gap in availability. The good news is your streaming counts, saves, and playlist placements on Spotify are typically preserved if you use the same ISRC codes. OneSync makes switching easy with our migration support team who can help ensure a smooth transition.
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