TuneFreq vs Apple Music
Sell and own vs stream-only. Artist revenue, listener ownership. Web checkout, no 30% cut.
Section 01
Apple Music is a streaming service; TuneFreq is a marketplace where artists sell and fans own. If you're an artist wondering how to earn from sales as well as streams, or a listener who wants to own music and support artists directly (without a subscription), here's how we compare.
Section 02
TuneFreq: You keep 95% of every sale. We take 5%. On your first $5,000 in revenue, we take 0% (launch incentive). Payment processing is separate—typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. We're web-first: no 30% Apple app-store cut. Fans buy once and own the music forever.
Apple Music: Artists are paid per stream—roughly $0.007–$0.01 per play (rates vary by region and deal). There is no direct sale; listeners subscribe. No ownership for the listener. Revenue flows through Apple's licensing model.
Why both? Use Apple Music for reach and discovery. Use TuneFreq to sell downloads and physicals to fans who want to own. Many artists do both. And on TuneFreq, fans pay on the web—no 30% IAP cut.
Section 03
| Feature | TuneFreq | Apple Music |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership (listener) | Yes—buy once, keep forever | No—streaming only, no ownership |
| Revenue model (artist) | Per sale: you keep 95% (0% first $5k) | Per stream: ~$0.007–$0.01 per play |
| Audio quality | FLAC, WAV, MP3 320—your choice | Lossless / Hi-Res streaming |
| Listener cost | One-time purchase or free demo | Subscription |
| Direct artist support | Yes—fans buy from you, leave notes | No—revenue flows via licensing |
| App-store / web | Web checkout—no 30% cut | Native app, subscription billing |
Section 04
Adding TuneFreq alongside Apple Music gives you a place to sell. You don't migrate from Apple Music—you add TuneFreq as a storefront. Fans who want to own your music can buy here, on the web, with no app-store fee. Sign up as an artist, upload your music (bulk upload supported), set your prices, and share your artist page. See For Artists and Compare for more.