Record Union vs UnitedMasters
Record Union
recordunion.com
UnitedMasters
unitedmasters.comSide by side
| Figure | Record Union | UnitedMasters |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1.17/mo | $1.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 7 |
| Spec score · Music Distribution Platforms | 7.3 (#22) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Founded | 2008 | 2017 |
| Release workflow | Artists upload music, cover artwork, release metadata and artists, then submit the release for distribution. | Artists upload audio, artwork and metadata, choose a release date, and submit for delivery through the dashboard. |
| Support | The pricing page describes support from a human backstage crew of music lovers. | The company lists [email protected] for service questions; SELECT includes priority support and PARTNER includes personalized artist relations support. |
| What it does | Record Union distributes music to Spotify and more than 20 global music services from one dashboard. | UnitedMasters is a music technology platform combining digital distribution, artist growth tools, analytics, and brand partnerships. |
| Who it serves | Record Union describes its service as helping independent music makers distribute music to fans worldwide and also offers high-volume plans for labels. | UnitedMasters says it works with independent artists at all career stages and across genres. |
Plans
Record Union
- Top Dog (1–2 tracks)$14 a year
- Top Dog (3–5 tracks)$17 a year
- World Domination (1–2 tracks)$19 a year
- Top Dog (6–12 tracks)$20 a year
- World Domination (3–5 tracks)$24 a year
- World Domination (6–12 tracks)$29 a year
- Label MajorPriced on request
- Top Dog (13–99 tracks)Price not published
- World Domination (13–99 tracks)Price not published
UnitedMasters
- DEBUTFree
- DEBUTFree
- DEBUT+$19.99 a year
- DEBUT+$19.99 a year
- SELECT$59.99 a year
- SELECT$59.99 a year
- PARTNERPriced on request
In their own words
Record Union
Record Union is a web-based music distribution service for independent artists and labels. Artists upload music, cover artwork, release metadata, and artist information, then submit releases from one dashboard. Plans deliver to seven popular streaming and download services or more than 20 global services, including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Music, iTunes, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Pandora, and Deezer. Record Union says tracks can be available worldwide five days after submission. The service provides monthly sales reports, daily streaming data, release-date selection, a custom label name, an electronic press kit, Spotify for Artists access, and Linkfire Smart Links. Its Royalty Splits beta supports monthly collaborator splits and one-time payments with recoups. Paid upgrades include Rapid Delivery, Pitch Priority, Spotify Pre-Save, YouTube Content ID, and a 92.5% royalty option. Users retain copyright ownership and control of distribution and publishing. Listed annual plans run from $14 a year to $29 a year, depending on tracks and destinations.
UnitedMasters
UnitedMasters provides music distribution and brand partnership services for independent artists. It says releases can reach more than 150 music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and Instagram. DEBUT+ and SELECT artists retain 100% of royalties and ownership of their master recording rights. Artist tools include shareable MasterLinks, customizable ArtistPages, fan management, streaming analytics, and Split Pay for sharing royalty earnings with collaborators. SELECT artists can submit music for brand partnership and sync licensing opportunities, but selection is not guaranteed. Real-Time Royalties is a SELECT feature for eligible artists averaging at least $20 per month in streaming royalties. DEBUT is free, with a $20 minimum cash-out threshold. DEBUT+ costs $19.99 a year and SELECT costs $59.99 a year; both list unlimited releases. Review periods are up to five business days for DEBUT+ and two for SELECT. PARTNER is by invitation, with no listed price.