If you're planning to distribute your music through LANDR, one question matters more than most: Does LANDR take a cut of your royalties? Whether you’re releasing your first single or managing multiple collaborations, knowing how LANDR handles royalty payments can directly affect your earnings and career decisions.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down exactly how LANDR's royalty system works in 2025, when they take a cut (and when they don’t), and how to make the most of your revenue with their platform. You’ll also get insider context on alternative distribution options and common royalty myths that many new artists fall for.
LANDR’s Royalty Policy: The Basics
Let’s get straight to the answer.
No, LANDR does not take a cut of royalties—as long as you’re an active subscriber.
When you have an active LANDR distribution plan (either through a standalone Distribution plan or a Studio plan), you retain 100% of the royalties earned from streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more.
But here’s the catch: If you cancel your subscription, LANDR will start taking 15% of your streaming royalties.
Active Subscription = 100% Royalties
LANDR has structured its pricing to reward active users. As long as you're paying for one of the following, you’ll receive all your revenue:
LANDR Distribution Basic ($23.99/year)
LANDR Distribution Pro ($44.99/year)
LANDR Studio Essentials ($99/year)
LANDR Studio Pro ($179/year)
Each of these options allows you to upload unlimited releases, track your earnings, and receive full payouts without LANDR deducting a commission from your streaming or download income.
This puts LANDR in line with competitors like DistroKid, which also allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties on paid plans.
Canceled or Inactive Subscription = 15% Royalty Commission
Now here’s the part most artists don’t know until it’s too late:
If you cancel your subscription—whether intentionally or by letting it lapse—your music remains live on all platforms. However, LANDR begins taking a 15% commission on your royalties.
This applies to all future streaming and download income from your existing releases.
LANDR justifies this cut as a maintenance fee for keeping your content live, even after you’re no longer paying.
Quick Breakdown:
| Subscription Status | Royalty Commission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Active Plan (Basic, Studio, Pro) | 0% | You keep 100% of royalties |
| Subscription Canceled | 15% | Your music stays live, but LANDR takes a cut |
What Happens to Collaborators' Royalties?
LANDR’s automated royalty split feature allows you to assign collaborators (producers, co-writers, vocalists, etc.) and divide income among them.
But here’s something crucial: If any collaborator on your release doesn’t have an active LANDR account, the 15% commission applies to their portion, even if you yourself have a paid plan.
To avoid this, all collaborators must either:
Have an active subscription, or
Accept the 15% royalty deduction
Why LANDR’s Model Can Still Make Sense
Even with the 15% post-cancelation royalty cut, LANDR’s system can still benefit some artists.
For example, if you:
Are releasing music infrequently
Don’t mind the royalty share after one or two drops
Want your music to stay live without renewing annually
Then the flexibility LANDR offers may be more convenient than other distributors that remove your content after cancellation (e.g., Amuse free plan).
But for most artists who want to maximize earnings long-term, maintaining an active LANDR subscription is essential.
Real-World Scenario: Is LANDR Worth It?
Let’s say you’re an independent artist releasing one album a year:
LANDR Distribution Basic: $23.99/year
Let’s say you earn $500/year in Spotify and Apple Music royalties
If you cancel your subscription, you lose $75/year in commissions
That means keeping your subscription saves you 3x what it costs. In simple terms:
LANDR's paid plan pays for itself multiple times over—if you’re generating any real revenue.
How LANDR Compares to Other Distributors on Royalties
| Platform | Annual Fee | Royalty Commission (Active) | Royalty Commission (After Cancelation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LANDR | $23.99 and up | 0% | 15% |
| DistroKid | $22.99 and up | 0% | 0% (removes music if canceled) |
| TuneCore | $14.99/single or $49.99/year | 0% | 0% (removes music if canceled) |
| CD Baby | $9.95/single | Takes 9% from sales | Music stays live |
LANDR strikes a balance between ease of use and income retention. While its post-cancelation fee is a drawback, its advantage is keeping your catalog live without needing to re-upload.
FAQ: Does LANDR Take a Cut of Royalties?
Q: Does LANDR take a percentage of my streaming revenue?
A: Not if your subscription is active. They only take a 15% cut after cancelation.
Q: What if I cancel LANDR and switch distributors?
A: You’ll need to remove your tracks from LANDR first, then re-distribute with the new service to avoid duplicate listings.
Q: Do all collaborators need LANDR subscriptions?
A: No, but those without active accounts will have a 15% fee applied to their share.
Q: Will my music be taken down if I cancel?
A: No. LANDR will keep your releases live unless you request removal, but will take a royalty cut.
Q: Is LANDR’s royalty system transparent?
A: Yes, you can track income through your artist dashboard with full reporting on splits and streaming platforms.
Final Thoughts: Does LANDR Take a Cut of Royalties?
To wrap it up:
LANDR does not take a cut of royalties while your subscription is active. You earn 100% from your music.
Once your plan is canceled, they deduct 15% of all future royalties—but your music stays live.
This model is ideal for artists who want flexibility but rewards those who commit to an active subscription.
For artists earning consistent streaming revenue, keeping your plan active isn’t just smart—it’s financially necessary.
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