How Much Music Streaming Services Pay Artists in 2023

With the rise of music streaming platforms, the music industry has undergone a significant transformation. They have become one of the most popular ways for music lovers to access their favorite songs.

Wondering how much money you can expect to earn as a music artist in 2023 from popular streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Napster? Read on to find out.

What Counts as a Stream

A stream is only counted when a user listens to a song on a streaming service for at least 30 seconds. This ensures that the stream is a legitimate and intentional listening experience rather than just a quick click or accidental play.

But what happens once a stream has been counted? Well, the payment for that stream is actually based on a few different factors. Firstly, it's calculated based on the revenue earned by the streaming service during a particular period. This means that if the streaming service is doing well and generating a lot of revenue, then the payment for each stream will likely be higher.

And it's not just the streaming service's revenue that affects the payment for a stream. The number of streams that an artist's songs receive during that period also plays a role. This means that if an artist is particularly popular and their songs are being streamed a lot, then they'll earn more money for each stream.

What’s more, the country where your music is being streamed and the type of subscription plan the listener has are also taken into account. For example, a premium subscriber may generate more revenue per stream than a free user. Furthermore, the royalty rates can vary between different streaming services, with some paying more than others.

How Much Spotify Pays Per Stream in 2023

The payout for each stream on Spotify can range from $0.003 to $0.005. It's important to note that it's split between the rights holders and the platform, with a 70/30 split in favor of the former.

But before you start counting your potential earnings, it's important to understand the difference between "rights holders" and "artists." While performers do receive a share of the 70%, exactly how much they get depends on the intricacies of music production.

In many cases, royalties are divided between the songwriters, publishers, and owners of the master recording. This could include the artist themselves, but it could also be the label they're signed to. So while streaming can be a lucrative option for musicians, it's important to consider these nuances and expect to receive a little less (or a little more) than the numbers given in this article or online streaming royalty calculators.

How Much Apple Music Pays Per Stream in 2023

Compared to Spotify, Apple Music pays a higher rate per stream. The exact amount varies from $0.006 to $0.008 per stream. This means you can earn $600-$800 for every 100,000 streams.

How Much Tidal Pays Per Stream in 2023

Tidal, a high-fidelity music streaming service, pays artists one of the highest rates per stream, ranging from $0.0125 to $0.015 per stream. So you have a chance to earn $1,250-$1500 for every 100,000 streams on Tidal.

How Much YouTube Music Pays Per Stream in 2023

While Spotify is known as the streaming platform that pays artists the least, YouTube Music actually pays even less than Spotify – between $0.001 and $0.003 per stream on average. That's around $100-$300 for every 100,000 streams.

How Much Amazon Music Pays Per Stream in 2023

Amazon Music pays artists $0.004 and $0.007 per stream on average. This means you can earn $400-$700 for every 100,000 streams.

How Much Deezer Music Pays Per Stream in 2023

Deezer pays artists between $0.005 and $0.007 per stream on average, so you can earn $500-$700 for every 100,000 streams.

How Much Napster Music Pays Per Stream in 2023

Napster, one of the oldest music streaming services, pays artists between $0.019 and $0.021 per stream on average. That’s $1,900-$2,100 for every 100,000 streams – the highest rate per stream out of all other music streaming services.

Which Music Streaming Platform Is the Best for Artists

In terms of financial gain, it’s, of course, best to go with Napster and Tidal since they pay the most per stream. However, it’s important to note that the number of listeners, their location and subscription plan impact the final amount and the speed with which you will receive the desired amount.

For instance, Spotify may pay less per stream, but it has more listeners than other more high-paying streaming platforms, so it’s possible that you meet the goal faster with streams on Spotify than on Napster.

There are a lot of variables at play, so the numbers in this and other sources are approximate. Remember that the amount you earn on each streaming service is individual, and it’s always best to make your music available on as many platforms as possible.

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