Free To Use vs RouteNote

Free To Use is a web library of royalty-free background music for creators. It offers unlimited free downloads without sign-up. The Free License costs nothing and covers non-premium tracks in user-generated social-platform content when attribution is provided; commercial use is prohibited. Qualifying videos may be monetized if correct attribution is added before publication or being made unlisted. Only approved artists can upload, and every track passes review and approval. The company says its catalog is made by real artists rather than AI, that it owns the rights, and that tracks are registered with YouTube Content ID and Meta Rights Manager. Subscribers can whitelist YouTube channels to help prevent claims when using music without attribution. Paid choices include a Pro License at €50 as a one-time purchase for one track and digital product, and a Broadcast License at €450 as a one-time purchase for one track in TV, radio or film. The Commercial Plan covers one digital product and up to 10 accounts.

RouteNote distributes digital music to stores chosen by artists and labels. It reviews uploaded releases before forwarding approved music to selected partners; the company says its network includes more than 50 platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud and Deezer. Users can choose stores, pricing tiers and the countries where music is available. Releases can be submitted to its YouTube Content ID system for monetization when audio is used in videos. The Free plan has no upfront distribution fee and pays artists or labels 85% of net revenue. Premium charges by release: a single costs $10, paid once, an EP $20, paid once, an album $30, paid once, and an extended album $45, paid once. Each Premium release also has a $9.99 a year renewal fee beginning the following year. RouteNote says approved releases are delivered within 24 hours, excluding weekends; stores generally take up to 14 days to make them live, while some may take up to 28 days. Its Android and iOS apps show earnings, statistics, discography and support contacts; the iOS app also allows uploads.