Tips for artists
Free Download or Streaming Release? How to Choose for Each Track
Not every track has the same job. Give each one the release that fits.
Every track you finish raises the same question: do you distribute it to Spotify and co., or give it away as a free download? The answer depends on what you want that track to do for you.
What each release type is good at
A simple decision framework
Ask three questions:
- Can I legally distribute this track on streaming? If it uses uncleared samples or is an unofficial edit, the answer is usually no — and even a free release needs care.
- Is this track a “calling card” or a “club tool”? Calling cards (your signature originals) belong on streaming. Club tools (edits, DJ versions) shine as free downloads.
- What do I need most right now? If you need followers and emails, give it away. If you need catalogue and playlist potential, stream it.
The best of both: combine them
- Release the original on streaming, with a pre-save and a fanlink.
- Give away an extended or DJ version through a download gate that asks for a Spotify follow or save.
- Share a free edit of someone else’s track (with care) to reach their fans, and use the gate to grow your SoundCloud and mailing list before your next streaming single.
Timing tips
- Free download before a streaming single: grow your audience first, so there are more people to pre-save.
- Free bonus after a streaming single: reward the fans who streamed, and keep momentum going.
Tools for both routes
Fangate covers the growth side of both paths for free: gates for free downloads, pre-saves and fanlinks for streaming releases, plus analytics and email capture across all of them.
Plan your next release with free tools at fangate.eu.
