TL;DR
Is Velveteen better than UnitedMasters?
Velveteen is the better UnitedMasters alternative for artists who want low-cost DSP distribution, direct-sale download pages, pitching, royalty reporting, API access, and catalog operations in one place. UnitedMasters 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.
Label tools.
Artist price.
Everything UnitedMasters charges extra for — or doesn't offer at all — comes standard. Real product, built for artists and labels running six-figure catalogs.
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.
See every dollar, across every platform
Real-time dashboards break down earnings by DSP, track, and territory. 0% commission — you keep what you earn.
Pay collaborators automatically
Configure splits once. Producers, co-writers, and features get paid direct — no spreadsheets, no chasing.
Pitch editorial on every major DSP
Submit releases for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube editorial — something most distributors don't offer.
FEATURE COMPARISON
See how Velveteen stacks up against UnitedMasters, feature by feature.
THE REAL COST
Independent artist choosing a low-cost annual distribution plan
Velveteen starts at $19/year and keeps DSP royalties at 0% commission while adding direct-sale download pages, pitching, API access, and catalog workflows. UnitedMasters'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.
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!”
“I built Velveteen because independent artists deserve label-level tools without the label deal. Every feature exists because I needed it myself.”
FAQ
Common questions about switching from UnitedMasters to Velveteen.
Is UnitedMasters a music distributor?
Yes. UnitedMasters 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 UnitedMasters?
Velveteen starts at $19/year for Artist with 0% DSP royalty commission. UnitedMasters's current public model is DEBUT+ $19.99/yr / SELECT $59.99/yr, with 100% royalties on paid debut+ and select plans. The better choice depends on whether you only need distribution or want the connected direct-sales and catalog stack.
What does Velveteen add beyond UnitedMasters?
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 UnitedMasters?
Choose Velveteen if you want distribution plus direct sales and catalog operations. Choose UnitedMasters if its platform-specific workflow, store network, brand partnerships, or pricing model is the main thing you need right now.