VELVETEEN vs SOUNDON

Open distribution, direct sales, pitching, royalties, and catalog operations in one stack.

$1.99/ month — that's it.

Pro-grade delivery. AI that knows your catalog. Built for serious artists.

TL;DR

Is Velveteen better than SoundOn?

Velveteen is the better SoundOn alternative for artists who want low-cost DSP distribution, direct-sale download pages, pitching, royalty reporting, API access, and catalog operations in one place. SoundOn can still be a strong choice when you mainly want its specific self-serve distribution workflow, but Velveteen connects distribution to more of the artist business stack.

Last reviewed 2026-06-12Published 2026-06-0813 comparison points
// What you get with Velveteen

Label tools.
Artist price.

Everything SoundOn charges extra for — or doesn't offer at all — comes standard. Real product, built for artists and labels running six-figure catalogs.

// AI A&R

Vee runs your catalog

A tool-aware agent that validates metadata, pushes releases to every DSP, and answers questions about your royalties in plain English.

V
Vee
● Online · Haiku 4.5
Push my new single to Spotify and pitch it editorial.
Validated metadata. Artwork 3000×3000 ✓. LUFS −14 ✓.
SpotifyApple MusicAmazonYouTube
Pitch submitted for editorial consideration →
// ROYALTIES

See every dollar, across every platform

Real-time dashboards break down earnings by DSP, track, and territory. 0% commission — you keep what you earn.

Year to date
$18,420
0% fee
Spotify$11,240
Apple Music$4,128
Amazon · YouTube · 38 more$3,052
// SPLITS

Pay collaborators automatically

Configure splits once. Producers, co-writers, and features get paid direct — no spreadsheets, no chasing.

Royalty splits — auto-paid
3 ways
You · Artist60%
Producer · Mx25%
Co-writer15%
Paid direct to every collaborator
// PITCHING

Pitch editorial on every major DSP

Submit releases for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube editorial — something most distributors don't offer.

Editorial pitch · Spotify
Draft
Reverie (Single)
Releases May 12 · 3:48
GenreAlt Indie · Dreampop
MoodLate-night · Melancholic
CultureCanadian · Vancouver
Submit pitch →

FEATURE COMPARISON

See how Velveteen stacks up against SoundOn, feature by feature.

Feature
Velveteen
SoundOn
Core purpose
Distribution + direct sales + catalog tools
Self-serve music distribution
Access model
Open signup
Open/self-serve
Starting price
$19/yr Artist
Free
Revenue model
Subscription + 0% DSP royalty commission
100% ownership; DSP royalty terms vary by program/region
Full DSP distribution
Unlimited releases to 40+ DSPs
Direct music sales and downloads
Not the core public product
DSP pitch submissions
TikTok ecosystem access
TikTok ecosystem
DSP delivery includes TikTok
Core platform advantage
Royalty analytics dashboard
Team management
Label plan
Varies by plan
API access
Not publicly positioned
Best fit
Artists who want distribution, direct sales, and catalog operations together
Artists whose growth strategy centers on TikTok discovery and SoundOn's ecosystem

THE REAL COST

Independent artist choosing a low-cost annual distribution plan

Velveteen
$19/yr Artist with 0% DSP royalty commission
SoundOn
Free

Velveteen starts at $19/year and keeps DSP royalties at 0% commission while adding direct-sale download pages, pitching, API access, and catalog workflows. SoundOn's pricing or royalty model may still fit artists who prefer its own distribution workflow, so compare both the headline cost and what happens to direct sales, support, and catalog operations.

Your music stays live — even if you cancel.
Your ISRCs and UPCs come with you.
No contracts. No lock-in. Cancel anytime.

WHAT ARTISTS SAY

It's been an absolute pleasure working with the Velveteen team, complete night and day experience. Highly recommend for artists looking to take their music to the next level!

Andy Colonico

Andy Colonico

Artist

I built Velveteen because independent artists deserve label-level tools without the label deal. Every feature exists because I needed it myself.

Babbage

Babbage

Artist

The platform makes releasing music effortless — from upload to every streaming platform. I wouldn't use anybody else.

Junyor

Junyor

Artist

FAQ

Common questions about switching from SoundOn to Velveteen.

Is SoundOn a music distributor?

Yes. SoundOn is positioned as a music distribution platform for getting releases to DSPs and other music services. Velveteen also distributes music, but adds connected direct-sale pages, pitching, royalty reporting, API access, and catalog operations.

Is Velveteen cheaper than SoundOn?

Velveteen starts at $19/year for Artist with 0% DSP royalty commission. SoundOn's current public model is Free, with 100% ownership; dsp royalty terms vary by program/region. The better choice depends on whether you only need distribution or want the connected direct-sales and catalog stack.

What does Velveteen add beyond SoundOn?

Velveteen adds direct-sale download pages, DSP pitching, API access, catalog operations, royalty reporting, team workflows, and a comparison-friendly 0% DSP royalty commission model on paid distribution.

Should I choose Velveteen or SoundOn?

Choose Velveteen if you want distribution plus direct sales and catalog operations. Choose SoundOn if its platform-specific workflow, store network, brand partnerships, or pricing model is the main thing you need right now.

Sources

YOUR MUSIC. YOUR ROYALTIES.

0% commission40+ DSPsCancel anytime

Distribute to all major DSPs. Keep 100% of your royalties. Cancel anytime.