Did you know that the amount music streaming services pay for streams can vary greatly? A lot of factors can go into how much stores end up paying you for streams, so here's a run-down on how much your music could be earning in streaming royalties as well as the different factors that affect royalty payments.

As you can see on the list below, some stores pay many times what others pay per stream. These are just estimates, however, as many stores don't have fixed pay-per-stream rates. Still, knowing the differences can help you target listeners. 



When you release music on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms, always keep in mind your overall goals. While some stores pay higher per stream, you need to consider that others may give you more exposure and visibility. It's also important to think about where most of your fans are currently listening to your music.  

There are many actors that impact how much stores pay. These include things like the country of the listener, whether the listener has a paid or free account, the artist's royalty rate, and relative pricing and currency rates. While you can't anticipate exactly what you'll make, you can learn more about where your earnings come from.

- Country of the listener 
- Whether the listener has a paid or free account
- The artist's royalty rate
- Relative pricing and currency rates

That's why it's important to spend time targeting each platform for their different benefits and audiences you will be able to reach in your release calendar. 

For instance, taking advantage of Spotify's exclusive feature like Windowing is a great way to increase your streaming royalties. Spotify Windowing is a special release feature only available to MusicDigi members. This lets you place your music exclusively on Spotify’s premium tier for two weeks ahead of your official release date, meaning paying subscribers will get to listen to the new album earlier than the free tier.

What does that mean for you as an artist? Spotify has a higher payout for premium listeners, so you will not only get to reach Spotify's favorite subscribers, you will also be racking in big bucks if your music is doing well.

Today, lots of streaming services offer different ways to maximize your music royalties, so it's important to do your research to learn how to best promote your music and get the most out of each platform.

If you want to post your music on Spotify and other streaming services, MusicDigi makes it easy. We’ll release your songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Sign up to MusicDigi to release your music today.