Autohype vs UnitedMasters — hired promotion vs distribution and brand sync
UnitedMasters is a distribution platform backed by major brands that also offers sync licensing deals and brand partnerships. Autohype is a marketplace where verified creators, curators and DJs promote your released music for a set price per order. They serve different goals at different career stages.
What is UnitedMasters?
UnitedMasters is a music distribution and brand partnership platform. They distribute music to all major DSPs and offer a unique angle: connecting independent artists with brand sync deals (Nike, NBA, TikTok, and others). Their Select plan ($5/month) keeps 100% of royalties; their free plan takes 10%. They've paid out hundreds of millions to artists and have direct relationships with major brands.
Side-by-side comparison
| 🎵 Autohype | UnitedMasters | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary value | Real promoters you hire to put your music in front of listeners | Distribution + brand sync deal opportunities |
| Cost | From $10 per order, no subscription | Free (10% royalty share) or $5/mo (100% royalties) |
| Brand deals | No — Autohype sells promotion services, not brand introductions | Direct — UnitedMasters connects artists with Nike, NBA, etc. |
| Promotion | Active — creators post, curators pitch, DJs play, bloggers write | Limited — some playlist pitching, TikTok algorithm support |
| Content creation | The creator you hire films and posts the video themselves | No content creation |
| Royalty collection | No | Yes — 100% royalties on Select plan |
| TikTok relationship | Verified TikTok creators post from their own accounts | UnitedMasters has direct TikTok partnership — featured sounds |
| Cost to try | Browsing and comparing sellers is free — you only pay when you order | Free tier available |
Information verified June 2026. Competitor pricing and features may change, check their official site for current details.
Autohype may not be right for you if…
- You want guaranteed streams, followers or virality — no Autohype seller guarantees results, only real promotional work with a defined deliverable.
- You're looking for label deals, radio plugging or A&R introductions — Autohype sells promotion services, not industry access.
- You want a fully managed, hands-off campaign — on a marketplace, you choose the sellers and place the orders yourself.
- You haven't distributed your music yet — you need a distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.) so listeners can find your track before promoting it.
Which is right for you?
Artists who need active promotion to grow an audience from scratch and want to choose each promoter themselves. Best when your primary goal is simply getting the music heard, order by order.
Explore the marketplace →Artists who want brand sync licensing opportunities alongside distribution, especially hip-hop and R&B artists where brand partnerships are culturally relevant.
Find the right promotion service
Compare real sellers, clear deliverables, prices and delivery times before you order.
Browse services →Frequently asked questions
Can I distribute with UnitedMasters and promote with Autohype simultaneously?
Yes — UnitedMasters handles distribution (getting your music on Spotify), Autohype is where you hire the people who promote it: creators, curators, DJs, bloggers. They're complementary, not competing.
Does UnitedMasters' TikTok partnership help my music get discovered?
UnitedMasters has a direct partnership with TikTok that can feature selected tracks as 'TikTok Sounds' and provide algorithmic support. That's the passive half: your sound exists and can be used. Hiring a creator on Autohype is the active half — someone actually posting with it to an audience that follows them.
What kind of brand deals does UnitedMasters offer?
UnitedMasters has worked with Nike, NBA, ESPN, TikTok, and many others. They offer placement of independent artists' music in brand campaigns, commercials, and social content. These deals typically pay $500–10,000+ per placement and are only available to artists on their platform.
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