What Is ReverbNation? Services, Distribution, and Industry Access Explained

Updated

ReverbNation is a platform for musicians that combines music distribution, promotional tools, and industry access in one place. According to its own description, it helps artists "grow lasting careers by introducing them to music industry partners, exposing them to fans, and building innovative tools to promote their success." If you're an independent artist trying to get your music onto streaming platforms while also looking for label, sync, or festival opportunities, ReverbNation is built around that combination. It is not just a distributor and not just a promotional tool — it bundles several career functions together.

What ReverbNation Offers

The platform's homepage groups its offering into three main areas:

  • Music distribution — releasing your music to major streaming platforms
  • Industry access — connections to A&R, publishing, sync, and label opportunities
  • Promo tools — tools aimed at growing your audience and getting more gigs

The stated goal is to help artists "get more fans, more gigs, and more money."

Music Distribution

ReverbNation describes its distribution as "the most dependable way to get your music released on all major streaming platforms." Specific claims from the site include:

  • Your music on every major platform
  • Your songs on social video apps
  • 100% of your earnings
  • Email responses within 24 hours
  • Custom credits, release date, and more
  • On-ramps to powerful A&R, publishing, and sync

The "100% of your earnings" point is worth noting if you're comparing distributors — it means ReverbNation states you keep all revenue from your music rather than splitting it. The site also emphasizes catalog-wide support: "We're here to help you establish AND grow your career — because we care about the success of your entire catalog."

Industry Access and Opportunities

This is the area ReverbNation positions as its main differentiator. The site states: "From sync offers to label deals to festival slots, nobody has the industry relationships we do."

Key elements:

  • Exclusive opportunities — sync offers, label deals, and festival slots
  • Innovative A&R — a dedicated team that "listens and curates thousands of songs every week, connecting the right artists to the right opportunities"
  • ReverbNation Levels — described as "cash advances for your career"
  • ReverbNation Publishing — a publishing service the site has announced

If your goal is to be discovered rather than just distributed, this industry-access layer is the part that distinguishes ReverbNation from a plain distribution service.

Who It's For

ReverbNation fits independent artists who want distribution and industry exposure from a single platform. The site frames its audience directly: "Your music career is serious business." It suits musicians who:

  • Want their catalog on all major streaming platforms
  • Are looking for sync, label, or festival opportunities
  • Want promotional tools alongside distribution
  • Prefer a platform with an A&R curation team reviewing new music weekly

If you only need bare-bones distribution and nothing else, the industry-access and promo layers may be more than you need — but they don't prevent you from using the distribution alone.

Pricing

ReverbNation has a dedicated pricing page at reverbnation.com/pricing, with an "Explore All Features" link pointing to reverbnation.com/pricing#all-features. The homepage includes a "Join For Free" call to action alongside "Explore All Features." The available information does not specify what the free tier includes versus paid tiers, so check the pricing page directly for current plan details and feature limits before committing.

How to Get Started

  1. Go to reverbnation.com and select Join For Free (or Start Today).
  2. Create your artist account.
  3. To release music, use the Release Music option and follow the distribution flow — you'll provide your tracks, credits, and release date.
  4. Explore the promo tools and industry opportunity listings to apply for relevant openings.
  5. Review the pricing page to understand which features require a paid plan.

The expected result after distribution is your music appearing on major streaming platforms and social video apps, with earnings credited to you.

Common Questions

Is ReverbNation free? The homepage offers a "Join For Free" option, and a separate pricing page exists. The free tier's exact limits aren't stated in the available information — verify on the pricing page.

Does ReverbNation take a cut of my streaming revenue? The site states you get "100% of your earnings," which suggests no revenue split on distribution earnings. Confirm current terms on the pricing page, since plan structures can change.

How is it different from other distributors? ReverbNation emphasizes industry relationships and A&R curation — sync offers, label deals, and festival slots — as what sets it apart, rather than distribution alone.

How fast do they respond? The site states email responses within 24 hours.