Songtradr
Songtradr is a B2B music technology company operating the world's largest music licensing marketplace, offering sync licensing, rights management, custom composition, sonic branding, and music delivery APIs to brands, agencies, labels, platforms, and independent artists across 11 global cities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Songtradr does
Songtradr is a B2B music technology company that operates the world's largest music licensing marketplace, offering end-to-end solutions spanning sync licensing, rights management, custom composition, sonic branding, and music delivery APIs. Founded in 2014 in Santa Monica and now headquartered in Los Angeles with operations across 11 cities, the company serves five primary customer segments: global brands, agencies, studios and music supervisors; labels, publishers, catalogs and production libraries; games, apps and digital platforms; independent artists; and live streamers. Its core product, Songtradr Studio, combines AI-powered search across a 190M-track catalog with a 60,000+ pre-cleared catalog, compliance tooling, and MusicIQ analytics, while proprietary AI methodology (MusicIQ's 415-variable brand-impact score) anchors its differentiation against pure-licensing rivals.
The company has built its footprint largely through acquisitions: MassiveMusic and Big Sync Music (creative and licensing agencies, 2019-2021), Tunefind, Pretzel, Song Zu, Musicube (AI search), 7digital (API infrastructure), and Bandcamp (acquired from Epic Games in October 2023 for the 5M+ artist community). These were consolidated under the MassiveMusic B2B brand in June 2025. The technology stack combines Musicube's NLP search, 29+-category automated metadata tagging, ACR platform integrations for UGC accuracy, real-time Spotify demographic data for audience matching, and stream-safe licensing via Pretzel for Twitch/YouTube.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across seven streams: one-time sync licensing fees, recurring music catalog subscriptions, managed services for rights/Content ID, project-based custom composition and music supervision, long-term sonic branding engagements, Bandcamp marketplace commissions (10% take rate, 0% on merchandise), and API/platform fees from 7digital. Go-to-market runs four parallel motions — enterprise field sales for global brands, self-serve PLG via Songtradr Studio, API-first distribution for platforms, and Bandcamp's marketplace for independent artists — supported by content marketing, industry events, and SEO. Total disclosed funding exceeds $120M, with a $300M+ post-money valuation as of the June 2021 Series D.
Songtradr firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Songtradr
- Legal name
- SONGTRADR, INC
- Website
- https://songtradr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Songtradr is a B2B music technology company operating the world's largest music licensing marketplace, offering sync licensing, rights management, custom composition, sonic branding, and music delivery APIs to brands, agencies, labels, platforms, and independent artists across 11 global cities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Songtradr industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Licensing Technology
- NAICS
- Music Publishers (512230), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Sound Recording Industries (5122)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- White-Label DSP Platforms & Streaming-as-a-Service (MPAIACAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise/B2B Music Streaming (Business Background Music) (MPAIACAJ), Music Recognition, Lyrics & Metadata Platforms (MPAIADAK), AI Music Creation & Assistive Tools (Generation, Separation, Mastering) (MPAIAIAG)
Keywords
Where Songtradr is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Monica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Songtradr business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Sync Licensing: Synchronization licenses for pairing music with moving images in TV, film, advertising, social media, and video content. Both blanket and needle-drop licenses available. Revenue from license fees negotiated based on usage, territory, and duration.
- Music Catalog Subscription: Subscription access to pre-cleared music catalogs for social media, digital ads, and podcasts. Provides blanket licensing for unlimited use within subscription tier, ideal for brands with ongoing content needs.
- Rights Management Services: Platform services for labels, publishers, and catalogs to monitor content ID, manage claims, track usage, and automate royalty reporting. Revenue from platform fees and percentage of managed royalties.
- Custom Composition: Custom music creation services for brands including jingles, pop anthems, sonic logos, and bespoke compositions. Project-based fees from global network of composers, songwriters, and musicians.
- Music Supervision and Curation: Expert music selection and supervision services for campaigns and projects. Includes curated playlists and custom music selection by music experts for ad campaigns, games, and brand activations.
- Sonic Branding: Brand sonic identity development including sonic logos, sonic DNA, and comprehensive music strategy. Long-term brand partnerships for audio identity development.
- Bandcamp Marketplace: Artist-first marketplace for independent music and merchandise sales. Bandcamp takes commission on sales (10% for artists on music, 0% on merchandise) and hosts Bandcamp Fridays where artists receive 100% of proceeds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Music Catalog Subscription - Social media and digital advertising licensing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Sync License (Needle-drop/Individual) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Composition Services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Bandcamp Artist Revenue Share |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Songtradr product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Songtradr operates a B2B music technology platform providing end-to-end music licensing, rights management, and direct-to-fan solutions. Its core Songtradr Studio product combines AI-powered music search, a pre-cleared catalog of 60,000+ tracks, analytics, and compliance tools. The company also delivers custom composition, sonic branding, and music supervision services through its MassiveMusic subsidiary, and runs the Bandcamp marketplace for independent artists and fans.
Product overview
Songtradr is a comprehensive B2B music technology platform offering end-to-end music licensing, rights management, and artist-facing solutions. The platform operates as a unified ecosystem built around its core Songtradr Studio product and powered by a portfolio of acquired brands. The portfolio includes MassiveMusic (unified B2B services brand covering sonic branding, custom composition, and music strategy), Big Sync Music (song licensing and custom composition), 7digital (B2B music API and delivery platform), Musicube (AI music search and metadata), Tunefind (TV/film/video game sync database), Bandcamp (artist-first marketplace with 5M+ artists), and Pretzel (stream-safe music for Twitch and YouTube). Key modules include MusicIQ (AI-powered brand music scoring), SoundCheck (sonic audit service), and an extensive pre-cleared music catalog (60,000+ tracks) alongside access to 190M+ tracks via API. Songtradr serves brands, agencies, studios, music supervisors, labels, publishers, catalogs, games/apps/platforms, independent artists, and live streamers across global markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MassiveMusic: Full-service sonic agency working with the world's leading brands and agencies to design sound for TV commercials, sonic logos, and more.
- Big Sync Music
- Bandcamp
- Pretzel
- 7digital
- Tunefind
Products and services
- Songtradr Studio
- Music Catalog Licensing
- MassiveMusic
Quantifiable outcome
- Brands with higher MusicIQ scores are 50% more likely to be the preferred brand in their category
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Songtradr
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Songtradr technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Songtradr partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SpotifycoreSongtradr partnered with Spotify in April 2025 as part of the music licensing ecosystem, expanding distribution capabilities and licensing opportunities for rights holders within the Spotify platform.
- Vinyl GroupminorVinyl Group partnered with Songtradr on global advertising in October 2024. The partnership aims to unlock significant value through combined advertising capabilities across the independent music ecosystem.
- Epic GamescoreEpic Games sold Bandcamp to Songtradr in September 2023. Epic is exploring ways to partner with Songtradr to build music inventory where artists can opt in for Epic ecosystem licensing. Epic continues collaborating with Bandcamp on projects like Fortnite Radio and is investing in Songtradr to support Bandcamp's integration.
- TwitchcoreSongtradr partnered with Twitch to bring licensed music from Pretzel to Twitch streamers. Pretzel provides stream-safe music for Twitch and YouTube that directly rewards artists, integrated natively into the Twitch ecosystem.
- TikTokcoreMassiveMusic (Songtradr subsidiary) designed and created TikTok's sonic identity. The sonic brand is among the fastest-growing brand identities, recognized by 81% of TikTok users worldwide. MassiveMusic is also a TikTok Certified Sound Partner for marketing partners program.
- Cleopatra RecordsminorSongtradr signed global sync partnership with Cleopatra Records, enabling licensing of Cleopatra's catalog across Songtradr's global network of brands, agencies, and media clients.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Songtradr competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Epidemic Sound: Subscription-based music licensing platform providing pre-cleared tracks for content creators, brands, and agencies. Directly competes with Songtradr's music catalog subscription and pre-cleared offerings for digital and social media use cases.
- Artlist: Music and sound effects licensing platform serving video creators, brands, and agencies with subscription and per-project licensing models. Competes head-to-head with Songtradr's catalog licensing and needle-drop sync offerings.
- Musicbed: Sync licensing platform specializing in premium music for filmmakers, brands, and advertising agencies. Directly comparable to Songtradr's hit music licensing and music supervision services for high-end brand and video campaigns.
- Audio Network: Production music library providing licensed tracks for film, television, advertising, and digital media. Overlaps with Songtradr's catalog licensing, sync licensing, and custom composition services for media and brand clients.
- Pond5: Stock media marketplace offering royalty-free music, sound effects, and video footage for content creators and brands. Competes with Songtradr's pre-cleared catalog for creators and agencies seeking licensed music at scale.
- Slip.stream: Stream-safe music catalog for content creators on Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. Directly comparable to Songtradr's Pretzel offering for live streamers needing copyright-safe music that compensates artists.
Broad incumbents
- BMG: Major music publisher and label with significant B2B sync licensing, custom composition, and rights management operations. Overlaps with Songtradr's rights management, sync licensing, and creative services for brands.
- Universal Music Group: World's largest music company with growing B2B licensing capabilities across sync, brands, and platforms. Owns the most commercially valuable catalogs Songtradr licenses from and competes for high-value brand music partnerships.
- Kobalt Music Group: Independent music publisher and rights management technology provider serving labels, publishers, and platforms. Overlaps with Songtradr's rights management and catalog monetization services for rights holders.
Emerging players
- Soundtrack Your Brand: B2B music streaming and curation platform for retail, hospitality, and commercial spaces. Adjacent competitor in the enterprise music delivery space, sharing overlap with Songtradr's brand music solutions and API infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Songtradr social profiles
Digital presenceSongtradr financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Songtradr leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Songtradr subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Songtradr funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Songtradr M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A8 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Songtradr
What does Songtradr do?
Songtradr operates a B2B music technology platform providing end-to-end music licensing, rights management, and direct-to-fan solutions. Its core Songtradr Studio product combines AI-powered music search, a pre-cleared catalog of 60,000+ tracks, analytics, and compliance tools. The company also delivers custom composition, sonic branding, and music supervision services through its MassiveMusic subsidiary, and runs the Bandcamp marketplace for independent artists and fans.
Is Songtradr a public or private company?
Songtradr is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Songtradr founded?
Songtradr was founded in 2014. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Songtradr based?
Songtradr is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.
How does Songtradr make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Sync Licensing is the primary driver. The others are music Catalog Subscription, rights Management Services, custom Composition, music Supervision and Curation, sonic Branding and bandcamp Marketplace.
Who are Songtradr's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Musicbed, Audio Network, Pond5 and Slip.stream. Broad incumbents are BMG, Universal Music Group and Kobalt Music Group. Soundtrack Your Brand is listed as an emerging player.
Does Songtradr have an API?
Yes. Songtradr offers a music API service for developers and platforms, enabling music delivery, search, recommendations, metadata delivery, and royalty reporting at scale. The API supports music streaming (Streaming Radio to Streaming On-Demand), downloads with pass-through licenses, music delivery to DSPs (over 200 million tracks), search across 190 million tracks with 40+ metadata filters including predicted audience performance by demographic, AI song recommendations using natural language processing (NLP) search based on desired use case and audience criteria, fingerprinting and data services, usage and royalty reporting, and pre-built integrations. Clients can choose end-to-end support or modular components. The API platform is described as flexible and cloud-based. Developer documentation is at www.songtradr.com/games-apps-platforms.
What industry is Songtradr in?
Songtradr's product category is Music Licensing Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIACAN, White-Label DSP Platforms & Streaming-as-a-Service, with a secondary code of MPAIACAJ, Enterprise/B2B Music Streaming (Business Background Music). Its NAICS code is 512230 and its SIC code is 7370.