Head-to-head · Music Distribution Platforms
RouteNote vs Horus Music
RouteNote leads on 1 check, Horus Music on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreRouteNote · 9.1/10
- Free planonly RouteNote
RouteNote scores higher on our rubric for music distribution platforms: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
RouteNote offers free plan; Horus Music doesn't. On release limit, Horus Music gives you Unlimited where RouteNote offers Per_release. On royalty model, RouteNote gives you Mixed where Horus Music offers Full.
RouteNote is the better fit for budget-conscious artists testing distribution. Horus Music is the better fit for artists and small labels wanting full royalties.
- RouteNote fits best
Budget-conscious artists testing distribution
- Horus Music fits best
Artists and small labels wanting full royalties
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Side by side
| Feature | RouteNote 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Horus Music 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #3 in Music Distribution Platforms | #5 in Music Distribution Platforms |
| Best for | Budget-conscious artists testing distribution | Artists and small labels wanting full royalties |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | £20/yr |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs | Email, Phone |
| Integrations | 17 integrations | 7 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features RouteNote 2/2 · Horus Music 2/2 | ||
| Publishing administration | ✓ | ✓ |
| YouTube Content ID | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Artist limit | Not checked yet | One |
| Release limit | Per_release | Unlimited |
| Royalty model | Mixed | Full |
| Store count | Not checked yet | 100 stores |
| Payout schedule | Monthly | Monthly |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | RouteNote is a digital music distribution service for independent artists and labels. It lets users upload releases, select stores and territories, and distribute music to streaming services, download stores, social platforms, and YouTube.… Read the review → |
Horus Music is a paid music distribution, publishing and label-services company for independent artists, bands, DJs, producers, songwriters and record labels. Its distribution offering covers unlimited singles, EPs and albums, with… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
RouteNote — where it wins
- Free plan with no upfront distribution fee
- Distributes to stores, social platforms, and YouTube
- Content ID, publishing administration, and monthly payouts
Where it doesn't
- Free plan keeps 15% of net revenue
- Premium releases have annual renewal fees from the following year
- Access is limited to the web
Horus Music — where it wins
- 100% royalties on the artist distribution package
- Unlimited releases with delivery to more than 150 platforms
- Royalty splits, label profiles, publishing and sync licensing
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; annual and one-time paid options only
- Artist & Label Services is invite-only with bespoke revenue sharing
- The service is available through the web platform
- RouteNote9.1/10 · Free plan
A flexible release-based distributor with free access and broad platform coverage.
Visit RouteNoteFull verdict → - Horus Music8.9/10 · Paid
A paid distribution service with full royalties, label tools and publishing options.
Visit Horus MusicFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Ditto Music vs RouteNote
- Ditto Music vs Horus Music
- DistroKid vs RouteNote
- DistroKid vs Horus Music
- RouteNote vs TuneCore
- RouteNote vs UnitedMasters
- RouteNote vs LANDR Distribution
- RouteNote vs CD Baby
All music distribution platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







