Music Gateway
Music Gateway is a UK-based B2B platform founded in 2011 that provides independent artists, songwriters, and labels with self-serve music distribution to 200+ streaming platforms, A&R-driven promotional campaigns, and sync licensing representation, operated via tiered annual subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersReigate, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Music Gateway does
Music Gateway Limited is a UK-based B2B platform, founded in 2011 by Jon Skinner, that consolidates digital music distribution, promotional campaign services, and synchronization (sync) licensing representation into a single subscription offering for independent artists, songwriters, labels, and catalogue owners. The platform distributes music to over 200 digital streaming platforms and stores — including Spotify (where Music Gateway holds preferred partner status for faster processing and editorial playlist pitching), Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, TikTok, and Instagram/Facebook — while registering releases with YouTube Content ID for automated monetization of user-generated content. Supporting modules include AI-powered and human audio mastering, publishing administration with international performance royalty collection (via PRS for Music), Spotify Pre-Save functionality, and a free toolkit of utility tools (royalty calculator, ISRC finder, BPM tapper, file converters).
The company operates a tiered subscription model with two published plans: Pro at $89/year (one artist, capped distribution and sync submissions, 100% distribution / 90% publishing / 70% sync royalty share) and Unlimited at $199/year (unlimited submissions, daily analytics refresh, 95% distribution / 80% publishing / 80% sync royalty share). On top of the self-serve platform, Music Gateway runs an A&R-driven promotion service for tailored campaigns across Spotify playlisting, TikTok influencer marketing, YouTube promotion, digital advertising, radio, and press/PR, with custom enterprise packages and white-label distribution available for labels and large catalogues. Sync representation is delivered by in-house creative teams in London and Los Angeles pitching directly to music supervisors at media clients including Netflix, Disney, and SKY. The company is privately held, founder-owned, and does not appear to have raised institutional funding; offices are located in Reigate (head office), Leigh-on-Sea (registered office), London, and Los Angeles, with a reported 11-50 employees.
Music Gateway firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Music Gateway
- Legal name
- Music Gateway Limited
- Website
- https://musicgateway.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Music Gateway is a UK-based B2B platform founded in 2011 that provides independent artists, songwriters, and labels with self-serve music distribution to 200+ streaming platforms, A&R-driven promotional campaigns, and sync licensing representation, operated via tiered annual subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Music Gateway industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Distribution and Licensing Platform
- NAICS
- Music Publishers (512230), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sync Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms (MPAIALAG)
Keywords
Where Music Gateway is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reigate
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Music Gateway business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription Fees: Annual subscription revenue from tiered plans (Pro at $89/yr and Unlimited at $199/yr) providing access to distribution, publishing, sync submissions, and AI mastering features.
- Sync Licensing Commission: Commission of 25-50% on sync licensing fees depending on plan tier (70% artist share on Pro, 80% on Unlimited). Artists keep 100% of their rights and backend royalties.
- Distribution Royalties: Artists retain 95-100% of sales royalties from streaming distribution. Music Gateway takes 0-5% commission on distribution revenues depending on subscription tier.
- Publishing Administration: Publishing royalties administration with 80-90% artist share depending on plan. Services include registration with performance rights organizations and collection of performance/ mechanical royalties.
- Professional Services Commission: 25% commission on fees from project services including promotions, radio, press, and other campaigns where revenue is generated (excluding distribution and publishing).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Essential toolkit for single artists with up to 12 releases/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Full access for active artists and labels with higher royalties |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Music Gateway product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Music Gateway provides a unified platform for music professionals offering distribution to major streaming services and digital stores, a music promotion toolkit (playlist pitching, PR, blog and radio outreach), and a sync licensing service that connects rights holders with media, brand, and advertising clients. It serves independent artists, songwriters, composers, publishers, and music labels through both self-serve subscription tiers and dedicated label/catalogue services.
Product overview
Music Gateway is a unified music industry platform providing independent artists with distribution, promotion, and sync licensing services. The core offering consists of three main product lines: Music Distribution (releasing music to 200+ DSPs), Music Promotion (tailored campaigns across Spotify, TikTok, radio, press, and digital advertising), and Sync Licensing (representation for TV, film, games, and advertising placements). Supporting modules include AI Mastering for audio enhancement, Publishing Administration for royalty collection, YouTube Content ID for monetisation, Spotify Playlist Submissions, and a suite of free Music Tools (royalty calculator, file converters, generators). The platform operates on two subscription tiers: Pro ($89/year) for emerging artists and Unlimited ($199/year) for active artists and labels seeking higher royalties and unlimited submissions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Music Distribution Subscription-based distribution service delivering artists' releases to 200+ digital streaming platforms and stores (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) with royalty collection, analytics, and release management for independent musicians and labels.
- Music Promotion Toolkit Self-serve promotional toolkit providing playlist pitching, blog and radio outreach, PR campaign management, and AI-assisted audio mastering for independent artists releasing new music.
- Sync Licensing Service B2B marketplace service connecting music rights holders (artists, labels, publishers) with media, advertising, film, TV, and brand clients seeking music for synchronization licensing. The service operates on a commission basis for placements.
- Label and Catalogue Services Dedicated, white-glove distribution, promotion, and sync service for music labels, catalogue owners, and publishers, including custom enterprise packages with account management and consolidated catalogue reporting.
- Pro Subscription Tier Annual self-serve subscription plan (priced at $89/year) giving independent artists access to distribution, promotion tools, and sync licensing opportunities on the platform.
- Unlimited Subscription Tier Annual self-serve subscription plan (priced at $199/year) offering expanded access to distribution, promotion tools, and sync licensing opportunities on the platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Artists can retain up to 100% of sales royalties from streaming distribution
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Music Gateway
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Music Gateway technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
Music Gateway partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SpotifycoreMusic Gateway is a preferred partner with Spotify, providing faster processing times and direct access to Spotify for Artists playlist pitching tools. This partnership enables preferred status submissions for editorial playlist consideration.
- YouTubecoreYouTube Content ID integration for automatic monetization of music when used in YouTube videos. Protects artists from unauthorized use and captures revenue from covers, remixes, and background usage.
- Apple MusiccoreDistribution partner for Apple Music streaming platform with stricter quality standards. Artists benefit from higher per-stream royalties compared to other platforms.
- PRS for MusiccorePartnership with UK performance rights organization for collecting and administering performance royalties from streaming and public performance.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Music Gateway competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AWAL: AWAL (Artists Without A Label), owned by Sony Music, offers distribution, label services, and sync representation to independent artists. It is a direct competitor to Music Gateway's enterprise/label services motion and competes for the same artists seeking hands-on A&R support and sync opportunities.
- Songtradr: Songtradr operates a B2B music licensing marketplace connecting artists and rights holders with brands, agencies, and content creators for sync placements. It directly competes with Music Gateway's sync representation product and music library offering for film, TV, and advertising clients.
- CD Baby: CD Baby is a long-standing indie music distributor offering digital distribution, publishing administration, and sync licensing to independent artists. It targets the same SMB persona as Music Gateway and competes directly on bundled distribution-plus-publishing economics.
- UnitedMasters: UnitedMasters is a venture-backed distribution and music services platform that bundles distribution, promotion, and sync opportunities for independent artists, with deep ties to major brand advertisers. It directly competes with Music Gateway's promotion and sync offerings, particularly for emerging and professional-tier indie artists.
- Ditto Music: Ditto Music is an indie music distribution and label services company offering digital distribution, sync licensing, and promotional services to independent artists and labels. It overlaps heavily with Music Gateway's bundled distribution-plus-sync-plus-promotion value proposition.
- DistroKid: DistroKid is the largest independent music distributor, offering distribution to 200+ DSPs at low subscription prices with high royalty retention. It is the closest direct competitor to Music Gateway's distribution core product, serving the same indie-artist persona at the same price points.
- TuneCore: TuneCore is a major indie music distribution platform owned by Believe, distributing to 150+ DSPs and offering publishing administration and sync opportunities. It directly competes with Music Gateway across distribution and publishing, and overlaps on the sync pitch workflow.
- Amuse: Amuse is a mobile-first indie music distribution platform offering free and paid distribution to 40+ DSPs, with label services for high-potential artists. It targets the same independent artist persona as Music Gateway and competes on price and simplicity.
Broad incumbents
- Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound is a large subscription music licensing platform providing cleared music for content creators, brands, and production houses. It overlaps with Music Gateway's sync and music library offerings for commercial use cases, particularly on the demand-side (brands and content creators) rather than supply-side (artists).
Emerging players
- LANDR: LANDR is an AI-powered audio mastering and music production platform that has expanded into distribution and sample licensing. It competes with Music Gateway's AI Mastering product as a best-of-breed specialist and increasingly overlaps on distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Music Gateway social profiles
Digital presenceMusic Gateway financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Music Gateway leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Music Gateway funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Music Gateway M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Music Gateway
What does Music Gateway do?
Music Gateway provides a unified platform for music professionals offering distribution to major streaming services and digital stores, a music promotion toolkit (playlist pitching, PR, blog and radio outreach), and a sync licensing service that connects rights holders with media, brand, and advertising clients. It serves independent artists, songwriters, composers, publishers, and music labels through both self-serve subscription tiers and dedicated label/catalogue services.
Is Music Gateway a public or private company?
Music Gateway is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Music Gateway founded?
Music Gateway was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Music Gateway based?
Music Gateway is headquartered in Reigate, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Music Gateway make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Subscription Fees are the primary driver. The others are sync Licensing Commission, distribution Royalties, publishing Administration and professional Services Commission.
Who are Music Gateway's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AWAL, Songtradr, CD Baby, UnitedMasters, Ditto Music, DistroKid, TuneCore and Amuse. Epidemic Sound is listed as a broad incumbent. LANDR is listed as an emerging player.
Does Music Gateway have an API?
No public API is recorded for Music Gateway.
What industry is Music Gateway in?
Music Gateway's product category is Music Distribution and Licensing Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIALAG, Sync Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 512230 and its SIC code is 7370.