The Free Model: Why Hankad is a Sustainable Solution for Your Music Career

In 2025, when the music industry often feels like a labyrinth of hidden fees and complex contracts, a platform offering “free music distribution” to hundreds of global stores with 80% artist royalties can sound, well, too good to be true. It’s natural for independent artists to be skeptical – how can Hankad provide such a robust service without charging upfront fees or subscriptions?

This article will pull back the curtain on Hankad’s sustainable business model, explaining exactly how they can offer high-quality, free distribution and an impressive royalty split. You’ll learn why Hankad isn’t too good to be true, but rather a strategic partner invested in your success.

The Skepticism is Understandable

Many “free” offerings in the digital world come with caveats: limited features, aggressive upsells, data mining, or a catch that eventually costs you more than a paid service. In music distribution, this often translates to:

  • “Free” Tiers with Limitations: Basic distribution might be free, but essential tools like publishing administration, YouTube Content ID, or faster release times are locked behind a paywall.
  • Hidden Annual Fees: You might pay nothing to upload, but an annual fee is required to keep your music live on platforms.
  • Lower Royalty Percentages: Some services might offer “free” distribution but take a much larger percentage of your royalties, effectively making it more expensive in the long run.

Hankad avoids these common pitfalls by embracing a truly artist-first, transparent approach.

Hankad’s Sustainable Partnership Model: Your Success Fuels Theirs

Hankad’s ability to offer free distribution and retain only a 20% commission on net royalties isn’t a magical trick; it’s a strategically designed partnership model that aligns their financial success directly with yours. Here’s how it works:

  1. Revenue Share, Not Upfront Fees: Unlike distributors that charge annual fees or per-release costs, Hankad operates on a revenue-share model. They only earn money when your music earns money. By taking a modest 20% commission on the net royalties collected from streaming platforms and digital stores, Hankad ensures that their operations are funded directly by the success of their artists.
  2. Efficiency and Scale: As a digital-first platform, Hankad leverages technology and streamlined processes to minimize overhead. Their focus on automation for core distribution tasks allows them to manage a large volume of releases efficiently. This scale means that even a small percentage from many successful artists adds up to a sustainable business.
  3. No Extensive “Free” Tier Limitations: Many “freemium” models entice users with basic features and then pressure them into paid upgrades. Hankad, however, offers a comprehensive suite of features—including Fastlane delivery, Music Publishing Administration, Social Media Monetization, and Royalty Advances—as part of its core offering. This reduces the need for constant development of paid tiers and allows them to focus on enhancing the existing service.
  4. Long-Term Investment in Artists: Hankad’s model encourages long-term relationships. By providing accessible and high-quality services without financial barriers, they attract more artists. As these artists grow their careers and generate more streams, Hankad’s revenue grows proportionally. It’s a win-win scenario where Hankad invests in your potential, knowing that your growth contributes to their own.
  5. Focus on Value-Added Services (Where Applicable): While core distribution is free, Hankad might also explore premium, optional services in the future that provide even more value (e.g., advanced promotional campaigns, specialized analytics for labels) for those artists who reach a certain level and choose to invest more in their growth. However, the core distribution remains free.

Why This Model Works for You

This sustainable revenue-share model is incredibly beneficial for independent artists, especially those just starting out or operating on a limited budget:

  • Zero Financial Risk: You don’t pay anything unless your music earns. This eliminates the financial barrier to entry and allows you to experiment and build your catalog without upfront investment.
  • Aligned Incentives: Hankad has a direct incentive to help you succeed. The more streams and sales your music generates, the more revenue you earn, and consequently, the more Hankad earns. This fosters a true partnership.
  • Focus on Music Creation: By handling the complexities of distribution and royalty collection with a transparent model, Hankad frees you up to focus on what you do best: creating great music and connecting with your fans.

The Verdict: Hankad is Genuinely Sustainable

Hankad is not “too good to be true.” It’s a modern, efficient music distribution platform built on a partnership model that prioritizes artist empowerment. By taking a fair percentage of your actual earnings rather than charging upfront fees, Hankad ensures its own sustainability while providing unparalleled access and features for independent artists globally.

Ready to distribute your music for free and be part of a truly artist-friendly platform? Sign up with Hankad today at hankad.io!