Symphonic Distribution Review 2025: Pricing, Features & Everything You Need to Know

Top Reason to Choose Symphonic Music Distribution 

Symphonic specializes in EDM and related genres. It's the best choice if you make that style of music because it has the most extensive library of stores for genres in that wheelhouse. 

 Things of note

Take Downs

Symphonic charges a $20 fee per song it has to remove due to accusations of streaming fraud, copyright infringement, or any other violation. Their Distribution Terms state: 

In the event that Symphonic takes down any Client Content for any reason, the following will apply: in the event Symphonic receives a takedown request from a DSP or other third party due to a copyright or trademark infringement notice, Symphonic will charge a US $20 processing fee per release.

Exclusive Agreement

Releases you distribute using Symphonic are subject to an exclusive agreement that restricts you from any direct licensing with other platforms without their consent. For example, technically, you'd have to get their consent to upload your music to SoundCloud or Bandcamp, or you'd be in breach of their terms. If you want your music on a platform that Symphonic doesn't distribute to, you have to wait until it's added to their inventory of stores because you can't distribute the same release anywhere else. Their Terms state:  

Client shall not, during the Term, license or attempt to license Client Content to DSP's without prior written approval from Symphonic. All pre-existing relationships with outside DSP’s related to Client Content, if any, are to be disclosed to Symphonic at the time of entering into this Agreement. During the Term, Client shall not itself make Client Content available via any electronic, digital or mobile platform or channel.

Lack of Transparency 

Symphonic's Distribution Terms aren't available to artists unless they subscribe to the service. In effect, you have to pay to find out what you're paying for. 

Music Fights Fraud Member 

Music Fights Fraud is an alliance of distributors and DSPs that have come together to form a database to ban artists that have been flagged for streaming fraud. The ban would extend to every distributor and platform in the network. Many artists are victims of streaming fraud. Scam companies feed them false promises and take their money. The methods of Music Fights Fraud add insult to injury by punishing the artist for being scammed. It exists to protect the interests of major record companies and not indie artists. No major label artist is likely to be flagged for streaming fraud, and there's no way they would be added to any database. Additionally, Music Fights Fraud members are adopting a new policy called KYA(Know Your Artist)/KYC (Know Your Customer), which requires artists to upload their state IDs so bans can extend to their identity. 

The Rundown 

Model: Mixed 

Unlimited Distribution for an annual fee. 

Revenue split - Exclusively for Partners 

Price: 

$19.99 

Transaction Fees: 

ACH (US only) USD $1.00
PayPal USD $1.00 +2% per $9,500 transaction
$2 max for US accounts $21 max for non-US accounts
Foreign Exchange Rate (Under $5k) 2.50%
Foreign Exchange Rate (Over $5k) 1.90%

Stores: 

Unlimited inventory - specializes in EDM 

Distribution to New Stores: 

Undisclosed 

Artists: 

Each additional artist needs a separate subscription. 

Split Pay: 

Included - No fee

Keeps Music Live: 

Music gets removed from all stores if you cancel or can no longer afford to pay. 

Exclusivity:

Yes, releases you distribute through Symphonic are exclusive to Symphonic. You are restricted from distributing your music anywhere online without Symphonic's explicit consent. 

Customer Support:

Ok

Content ID:

Keep 70% of revenue. 

AI Licensing Policy

Opt-in/Opt-out

Partners with Musical AI, which compensates artists based on attribution-driven usage, meaning it analyzes how much of your tracks contributed to the songs generated using the dataset. 

This partnership was announced in a press release, but we couldn't find any more details on the matter. 

Streaming Fraud 

Removal, Fines, Bans. 

Music Fights Fraud Member 

Yes - If another distributor has banned you, you may automatically be banned by SoundCloud. Music Fights Fraud is a database of artists that have been flagged. 

KYA (Know-Your-Artist) / KYC (Know-Your-Customer)

This is promoted as a protective tool and requires you to upload your State ID to verify your identity. The Music Fights Fraud alliance and its members have plans to use this information for their database, which will likely be used for global bans and work as a No-Fly list for music distribution. 

Yes - Symphonic does require KYA/KYC. You must submit a photo of your ID and a Selfie. 

UPC Codes:

Included + You can bring your own

Check the Comparison Charts for the most updated and comprehensive information 

Rating

Transparency: Poor - The artist agreement is hidden until after the service is paid for. Customer support: Ok. Payment: Good. Stores: Great - extensive library of stores. Features: Great. Longevity: Great. Fees: Great. Red Flags: Exclusivity clause. Track Record: Good. 

Final  Assessment

Symphonic distribution offers a lot. You'll find music video distribution, publishing administration, marketing support, graphic design, advances, and more. The problem is that none of the extras come with the service you pay for because they're all separate services. Starter and Partner are the two plan types offered by Symphonic. Partner is a distribution deal. Symphonic takes equity in your catalog and benefits from its success. There is an incentive to extend marketing support. Starter carries no incentive for extending marketing support. It's like a development league you play in with the hopes of being called up to the majors. What's offered by Symphonic with the Starter plan, you can get with almost any other distributor. Using another distributor, you'd be able to avoid exclusivity, which is something you're bonded to with Symphonic's Starter plan. 

Take a tour of Symphonic's Website: Symphonic