Every listener pays
No ad-supported tier means the revenue pool is funded entirely by subscriptions.
Global
Get your music
on Apple Music
Apple Music has no free tier, which means every listener is a paying subscriber. For a lot of artists that makes it the highest-earning platform per stream — often well above the streaming average.
Why it matters
What Apple Music
does for your music
Spatial Audio and Lossless
Deliver a high-resolution master and Apple will serve it in lossless, with Spatial Audio where you supply a Dolby Atmos mix.
Apple Music for Artists
Free analytics showing plays, Shazams and where your listeners are — plus milestone artwork you can share.
Shazam feeds discovery
Apple owns Shazam, and Shazam data pushes tracks into Apple's editorial and radio rotations.
Apple Music Radio
Human-hosted global radio shows that genuinely break independent artists.
Motion artwork
Animated covers on supported releases make your page stand out in the app.
How to get on Apple Music
Three steps,
no gatekeeper
-
Step 01
Upload
Create a free account and drop in your audio, artwork and credits.
-
Step 02
We deliver
Our team runs QC, then sends your release to Apple Music and 120+ other stores.
-
Step 03
Get paid
Track your Apple Music streams daily and withdraw your royalties every month.
How Apple Music pays
Where the money
actually comes from
Apple pays from subscription revenue only — there is no ad-funded tier diluting the pool. Apple has publicly referenced an average around a cent per stream, though your actual rate still depends on territory and plan type. The practical takeaway: fewer streams on Apple often equal more money than the same streams elsewhere.
See how payouts workApple Music — last 12 months₹0
▲ 27.4%
Playbook
Getting the most
out of Apple Music
What actually moves the needle on this platform — from artists who release here every week.
Deliver the best master you have
Apple serves lossless. A 24-bit master is heard exactly as you mixed it.
Add a Dolby Atmos mix if you can
Spatial Audio releases get surfaced in their own editorial spaces with far less competition.
Claim Apple Music for Artists
Free, and the Shazam data alone tells you which cities to target.
Keep artist names identical
Apple matches strictly. "DJ Ray" and "Dj Ray" become two separate artists.
Before you upload
What Apple Music
needs from you
Get these right the first time and your release sails through QC. Get them wrong and it bounces back.
What we need
The specs every store expects, including Apple Music.
- Audio: WAV or FLAC, 16-bit or 24-bit, 44.1kHz or higher
- Artwork: square JPG or PNG, minimum 3000×3000px, RGB
- Credits: primary artist, featured artists, writers and producers
- Language and genre set accurately for the release
- ISRC and UPC — we issue them free, or bring your own
- Release date scheduled ahead, not backdated
What gets rejected
The most common reasons a release fails QC.
- Artwork with URLs, social handles or pricing on it
- Blurry or low-resolution covers, or non-square images
- Third-party logos or store names in the artwork
- Misleading artist names — using a famous artist to get found
- Silence, clipping or audio that cuts off abruptly
- Uncleared samples or covers without a mechanical licence
The details
What to expect
- Delivery time: 24–48 hours after QC
- Audio quality: Lossless supported, Atmos optional
- Also delivers to: iTunes Store and iTunes Radio
- Your rights: you keep 100% of your masters and compositions
- Revenue share: keep 85% on Free, 100% on Pro
Apple Music — this month₹0
Paid
| Territory | Streams | Net |
|---|---|---|
| India | 212,480 | ₹9,120 |
| United States | 96,204 | ₹6,340 |
| United Kingdom | 48,911 | ₹3,480 |
| Germany | 31,006 | ₹2,540 |
Does Apple Music pay more than Spotify?
Usually, yes. Apple has no free tier, so the pool is funded entirely by subscribers. Your actual rate still depends on territory and listening mix — your statements show the real number per store.
Do I need a Dolby Atmos mix?
No. A standard stereo master is fine and is what most releases use. If you do have an Atmos mix, Apple will serve it as Spatial Audio, which can help with placement.
Does this also put me on iTunes?
Yes. One delivery covers Apple Music streaming, the iTunes Store for downloads, and iTunes Radio.
And 120+ more
One upload reaches
all of them
Apple Music is one delivery of many. The same release goes to every store we work with, at no extra cost.
Need help getting started?
Let's grow your
music together
Upload once. Reach 120+ stores. Keep 100% of your rights.