FREE TOOL · RUNS IN YOUR BROWSER

What it costs over five years

The first-year price is not the price. Put in your own numbers and see what each charging model actually takes from a catalogue over five years.

GUIDE RELEASING LAST UPDATED — CONTENT SLOT

How much does it cost to release a song?

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
Full listen-through on two devices
No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

3000×3000 px, RGB
Readable at thumbnail size
No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Human decision”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

PAGE CONTENT
Home Cost to Release a Song

It can cost as little as See current plan. The only unavoidable step — getting your finished song onto stores — is current with the right distributor. Everything else (mixing, artwork, promo) is optional spend you control. Here's an honest breakdown.

The breakdown

What actually costs money — and what doesn't

StepTypical costMinimum
Recording / productionSee current plan–$1000+See current plan (home setup)
Mixing & masteringSee current plan–$300See current plan (current tools)
Cover artworkSee current plan–$150See current plan (current maker)
Distribution to supported digital servicesSee current plan–$50/yrSee current plan with Mazufa
PromotionOptionalSee current plan (organic)

Many distributors charge a yearly fee or take a commission. Mazufa pricing, fees and deductions follow the current plan and applicable agreement; review the required preparation step before submission.

Review current plan terms

How to prepare and submit your song

You can master your track with a browser-based mastering tool, design store-ready cover art with a cover art maker, check your file against store specs with the audio checker, then review Mazufa's current plan and applicable agreement for eligible distribution services. Ownership and royalty treatment follow the applicable agreement.

Questions

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to release a song in 2026?

Distribution, production, mastering and artwork costs vary. Review the current plan and the terms of any tools or providers you use.

Is it current to put a song on Spotify?

Review the current plan and applicable agreement.

Why do some distributors charge a fee?

Providers may use annual subscriptions, per-release fees or percentage models; check each provider's current terms. Mazufa pricing, fees and deductions follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Do I have to pay for mastering and artwork?

Review the current plan and applicable agreement for the relevant feature, pricing and eligibility terms.

Are there hidden costs to releasing music?

With Mazufa there are no hidden costs — Pricing follows the current plan, there's, and you retain ownership of your work subject to your agreement and royalties.

Start now

Review current plan terms for your release.

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪