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Websites to Upload Music for Free and Get Discovered

Key Takeaway

Summary:
This article highlights a variety of websites where you can upload music for free to gain exposure and get discovered. It includes platforms like SoundCloud, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Audiomack, and BandLab, providing an overview of their features and how they can help musicians build an audience.

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Websites to Upload Music for Free and Get Discovered

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Get Your Music Heard: The Best Websites to Upload Music for Free

You want to share your music and gain recognition as an aspiring musician. 

Websites that allow you to upload music for free offer a fantastic opportunity to reach a wider audience. These platforms help you showcase your talent without costing you a dime.

This article will explore five essential free music upload sites that can jumpstart your music career. You’ll discover popular platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube and hidden gems like Audiomack and BandLab. 

We’ll also introduce you to Melody Rights, a newcomer in music distribution that’s shaking up the industry.

By the end, you’ll know precisely where to upload your music and how to make the most of these platforms. Get ready to take your music to the next level!

SoundCloud

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Image Source: SoundCloud Help Centre

SoundCloud Features

Musicians showcase their talent on SoundCloud, a powerful platform that increases exposure. With its user-friendly interface, artists can easily upload and share tracks. 

Pros:

  • Easy to use.
  • Free plan includes 3 hours of audio uploads.
  • Access to a large audience with over 200 million registered users.
  • The algorithm recommends your tracks to potential listeners.
  • First Fans feature boosts new uploads to a targeted audience.

Cons:

  • Monetisation is unavailable on the free plan.
  • Limited to 3 hours of audio on the free plan.
  • Fewer promotional tools compared to paid plans.

SoundCloud Pricing

SoundCloud offers different plans to meet various artist needs. The free plan, SoundCloud Next, allows up to 3 hours of music uploads. This is great for beginners, though it doesn’t allow monetisation.

For committed artists, the Next Pro plan offers excellent value at $8.25 per month (billed annually). It provides unlimited uploads and distribution to over 150 streaming platforms. 

You can also upload music on Spotify, manage your music from one central location, and reach a broader audience.

SoundCloud Audience Reach

Audience Demographics: 

SoundCloud’s user base skews young, with 63.5% aged 18-34, making it ideal for emerging artists targeting this demographic.

Promotional Features:

  • First Fans: This feature is available with Next Pro. It promotes new uploads to a targeted audience segment, often resulting in increased engagement.
  • Algorithmic Recommendations: SoundCloud’s recommendation system suggests tracks based on listener behaviour, helping artists reach new fans organically.

Advanced Promotional Tools:

  • The Next Pro plan includes valuable tools like audience insights, custom listening reports, and fan-powered royalties. These analytics and revenue features allow artists to understand and engage listeners more effectively. They provide insights that can guide future promotions.

YouTube

YouTube Features

YouTube is not just a video-sharing site. It’s a powerful platform for musicians to showcase talent and engage with a global audience. It’s a popular, free platform for artists to share music, offering several standout features.

Pros:

  • Free to upload music videos, live performances, and promotional content.
  • YouTube Shorts offer a way to attract new listeners with short, engaging clips.
  • The official artist channel (OAC) consolidates all content to improve brand management.
  • Global reach with over 2 billion monthly active users.
  • Built-in analytics tools provide insight into audience behaviour and performance.

Cons:

  • Monetisation requires meeting specific criteria (e.g., 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours).
  • High competition on the platform can make it challenging to stand out.
  • Requires consistent content creation to maintain audience interest and channel growth.
  • Ad revenue can be variable and depends heavily on viewer engagement and ad clicks.

YouTube Pricing

YouTube is free for artists, making it ideal for beginners to share music at no cost. You can upload music videos, live performances, and even behind-the-scenes content to build a fan base.

For those looking to earn income, channel monetisation is possible but requires specific eligibility:

  • 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year (or 10 million views on Shorts in the last 90 days).
  • A YouTube AdSense account for ad revenue.
  • Compliance with YouTube’s policies and community guidelines.

Once eligible, artists can earn revenue through ads on their videos. While these milestones take time, they’re valuable for those aiming to generate income from their music on YouTube.

YouTube Audience Reach

YouTube has 2 billion monthly users, enabling global artist connections. Its targeted ads and music features help brands reach specific audiences. As of early 2024, YouTube Music has over 100 million paid subscribers, allowing artists to earn from streams.

Apple Music 

Apple Music Features

Apple Music is a powerful platform for musicians aiming to reach a global audience. With over 100 million songs, artists can share their work alongside established musicians, enhancing their visibility.

How to Upload Music to Apple Music as an Artist

The process is more complex if you’re wondering how to upload music to apple music on iphone. 

Artists need a distributor to get music on Apple Music. These distributors handle the technical aspects, including uploading and distribution across streaming services.

Popular distributors include Melody Rights, TuneCore, DistroKid, or CD Baby. 

Artist Profile Management: 

Apple Music offers basic tools for artists to manage their profiles, though customisation is limited compared to other platforms.

Analytics: 

Apple Music provides analytics, but they may lack the depth and detail of those on platforms like Spotify.

Exclusive Releases: 

While Apple Music offers occasional exclusive releases, this is a secondary focus for only some artists.

Apple Music is valuable for artists needing wide reach, but working through a distributor is essential.

Pros:

  • Extensive music library of over 100 million songs.
  • Allows artists to reach a global audience and showcase their work alongside major artists.
  • Curated playlists provide emerging artists with exposure.
  • Basic analytics are available to track listener engagement.

Cons:

  • Requires a third-party distributor to upload music.
  • Limited profile customisation for artists.
  • Analytics are less detailed than on some other platforms.
  • Earnings depend on streaming royalties, with no direct revenue stream.

Apple Music Pricing

Apple Music requires artists to use a distributor to upload their music, which can involve various fees. Artists do not pay any direct fees to Apple Music. However, they do make money from streaming royalties, which depend on how many times people listen to their songs. 

Although there’s a free trial for listeners, it does not enhance artist exposure or earnings. Artists should consider the implications of distributor fees and the revenue generation potential through streaming on this platform.

Apple Music Audience Reach

With over 93 million subscribers, Apple Music offers artists a vast and engaged audience. The platform’s user base is young adults and music enthusiasts eager to discover new sounds.

Apple Music’s curation process emphasises streaming numbers and listener engagement, helping lesser-known artists gain visibility. This makes it a valuable platform for musicians to grow their fan base and reach a global audience.

Audiomack

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Image Source: Audiomack.com

Audiomack Features

Audiomack is an exceptional platform for musicians looking to showcase their work and build a fanbase. One of its standout features is unlimited free uploads, allowing artists to share their entire catalogues without storage concerns. The platform’s mobile-friendly interface ensures fans can stream music anytime, anywhere. Additionally, detailed analytics offer valuable insights into listener engagement and track performance.

A unique aspect is the Supporters program, which allows fans to contribute directly to releases. This initiative creates an additional revenue stream and helps artists connect with their top supporters.

Pros:

  • Unlimited free uploads.
  • Mobile-optimised for easy access.
  • Comprehensive analytics for tracking engagement.
  • Supporters program enables direct fan contributions.

Cons:

  • Income from the Supporters program varies with popularity.
  • Revenue does not come with a guarantee.

Audiomack Pricing

Audiomack is free for artists, making it ideal for independent musicians. Listeners can choose between a free, ad-supported experience or a premium, ad-free subscription.

Audiomack Audience Reach

With 30 million monthly active users, Audiomack boasts a significant audience, particularly among younger listeners—85% are under 34. This demographic is eager to discover new music. Audiomack’s unique chart algorithm prioritises songs that users share or favourite.

BandLab

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Image Source: BandLab

BandLab Features

BandLab is a dynamic platform for musicians to create, collaborate, and share music. Its standout feature is unlimited free uploads, allowing artists to showcase their entire catalogue without storage limits. 

The user-friendly interface makes it simple for users to manage their profiles, ensuring a seamless experience. Optimised for mobile, fans can enjoy their favourite tunes on the go.

Comprehensive analytics provide valuable insights into listener engagement and track performance.

A unique aspect is the Supporters program, which allows fans to contribute directly to releases. This initiative creates additional revenue streams and facilitates engagement with top supporters.

BandLab Pricing

BandLab is free, making it perfect for artists just starting, with no upfront costs for uploading music.

BandLab Audience Reach

With over 30 million monthly active users globally as of May 2024, BandLab has a vast audience. The user base is predominantly young, with 85% of users under 34, making it ideal for emerging artists. BandLab’s chart algorithm favors shared and liked songs. Lesser-known artists gain visibility and get discovered through this initiative.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Unlimited free uploads.
  • User-friendly and mobile-optimised interface.
  • Comprehensive analytics for listener engagement.
  • Supporters program for direct fan contributions.

Cons:

  • Revenue from the Supporters program can be inconsistent.
  • Limited monetisation options compared to some other platforms.

To maximise your impact on BandLab, utilise its collaborative features to connect with other musicians. Regularly engaging with your audience will enhance your visibility on this platform.

Melody Rights– Music Distribution

Melody Rights is transforming music distribution with its all-in-one solution for artists and labels. The platform streamlines the complex process of distribution and rights management. This makes it easier for musicians to share their work and earn from it.

A standout feature is its comprehensive distribution service, which manages everything from royalty registration with global rights agencies to stock sites, gaming asset marketplaces, social music sites, and much more – allowing artists to focus on creating music.

Additionally, Melody Rights expands distribution to alternative revenue streams, including sync libraries, stock music sites, and gaming asset marketplaces. This diverse approach gives artists more opportunities to monetise their music beyond traditional streaming platforms.

Sit back and let Melody Rights do all of the work so you can focus on creating your music. 

Conclusion

The world of music distribution has undergone a significant transformation. This change offers artists more opportunities to showcase their talent and reach wider audiences. 

Each site provides unique advantages for musicians. They have levelled the playing field, allowing independent artists to compete alongside established names in the industry.

As you embark on your musical journey, consider exploring these platforms to find the best fit for your goals. Remember, consistency and engagement are crucial to building a loyal fanbase. 

Streamline music distribution and maximise earnings with Melody Rights, a solution for simplified rights management and additional revenue streams. Whichever path you choose, stay true to your artistic vision and keep creating music that resonates with your audience.

FAQs

  1. How can I upload my music for free and get paid?

You can upload your music for free on several platforms, including SoundCloud, YouTube, and BandLab. 

To earn revenue, you usually need to monetise your content through ads or listener support, depending on the platform. Additionally, consider using distributors that allow free uploads and enable you to earn streaming royalties from significant services. Each platform has its own policies, so it’s essential to review their guidelines on monetisation. Check out our list of the best free music distributors for independent artists. 

2. How can I make my music stand out and get noticed without spending money?

To make your music stand out without spending money, focus on these strategies:

  • Create Unique Projects: Develop a distinctive sound or concept that captures attention.
  • Leverage YouTube: Share music videos or performances to reach a wider audience.
  • Get on Playlists: Aim for features on curated playlists to enhance visibility.
  • Engage with Fans: Use social media to build a connection with your audience.
  • Contact Media Outlets: Reach out to blogs and radio stations for features.
  • Perform Live: Look for open mic nights or local gigs to showcase your talent.
  • Build a Supportive Team: Collaborate with other artists and friends to amplify your reach.

These approaches can help you gain traction and recognition without financial investment.

3. Where can I upload my music for free


To gain exposure, you can submit your music to various platforms. Consider music blogs, Hype Machine blogs, Spotify playlist submission forms, playlist curators, record labels, A&R representatives, and SubmitHub.

4. What are the top free music websites?

To upload music for free, consider these platforms:

  • SoundCloud: A popular choice for artists to share their tracks and connect with fans.
  • Audiomack: Allows unlimited uploads and offers tools for artists to promote their music.
  • Bandcamp: Lets musicians share their music and set their own pricing while offering free streaming.
  • YouTube: Ideal for music videos and performances, enabling wide audience reach.
  • Free Music Archive: Focuses on independent artists with a range of genres available.

These platforms can help you showcase your music effectively.

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