TuneFreq vs Spotify
Sell and own vs stream-only. Artist revenue, listener ownership.
Section 01
Spotify is where millions stream music; TuneFreq is where artists sell and fans own. They solve different problems: streaming for discovery and convenience, direct sales for revenue and ownership. If you're an artist wondering how to earn more, or a listener who wants to own music and support artists directly, 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. Fans buy once; you get paid once, and they own the music forever.
Spotify: Artists are paid per stream—roughly $0.003–$0.005 per play (rates vary by region and deal). There is no direct sale; listeners subscribe or use the free tier. No ownership for the listener; revenue is a fraction of a cent per play for the artist.
Why both? Use Spotify for discovery and reach. Use TuneFreq to sell downloads and physicals to fans who want to own. Many artists do both: stream on Spotify, sell on TuneFreq.
Section 03
| Feature | TuneFreq | Spotify |
|---|---|---|
| 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: ~$0.003–$0.005 per play |
| Audio quality | FLAC, WAV, MP3 320—your choice | Compressed streaming (up to 320kbps) |
| Listener cost | One-time purchase or free demo | Subscription or ad-supported |
| Direct artist support | Yes—fans buy from you, leave notes | No—revenue flows via licensing |
| Discovery | Community radio, stories, liner notes | Algorithmic playlists, search |
Section 04
Adding TuneFreq alongside Spotify gives you a place to sell. You don't migrate your catalog from Spotify—you add TuneFreq as a storefront. Fans who want to own your music can buy here; everyone else can keep streaming. 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.