Choosing the Right White Label Music Distribution Platform in 2026

For independent record labels and music distributors, choosing the right white-label distribution technology partner is one of the most consequential business decisions. The platform you select determines your DSP coverage, royalty transparency, technology capabilities, and ultimately, your independence.

In 2026, the B2B music distribution technology landscape has several key players: limbo/, FUGA, SonoSuite, Revelator, and AudioSalad. Each platform has distinct strengths, ownership structures, and technology approaches. This comprehensive comparison helps you make an informed decision.

Ownership and Independence

Understanding who owns your distribution technology partner is critical. Ownership determines incentives, data handling, and long-term alignment with independent interests.

limbo/: Fully bootstrapped, privately owned since 2005. Zero venture capital, zero major label ownership. The most independent option available.

FUGA: Owned by Downtown Music Holdings, which is being acquired by Universal Music Group (Virgin Music Group) for $775 million. Once completed, FUGA will operate under the world's largest major label.

SonoSuite: Privately held company based in Barcelona. Has received outside investment but remains independent of major labels.

Revelator: Venture-backed company (raised significant funding). Independent of major labels but VC investors may influence future decisions including potential acquisition.

AudioSalad: Owned by SESAC, which is owned by Blackstone Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms. Significant corporate backing.

Technology Architecture

limbo/ Music Blocks (Modular): Unique modular architecture where clients select and combine independent capability blocks. This means a label needing only distribution and royalties doesn't pay for YouTube CMS or white-label features they don't use. Full RESTful API enables deep custom integrations.

FUGA (Monolithic): Comprehensive, all-in-one platform with strong supply chain capabilities. Well-established but less flexible for clients with specific, non-standard needs.

SonoSuite (Package-based): Offers tiered packages with set features at each level. Less modular than limbo/ but straightforward for labels wanting a pre-configured solution.

Revelator (All-in-one OS): Positions itself as a complete operating system with catalog management, rights, distribution, income tracking, royalty accounting, and payments in one platform.

AudioSalad (Delivery-focused): Strong emphasis on catalog management and DSP delivery. Robust delivery infrastructure but narrower feature scope compared to full white-label platforms.

Key Feature Comparison

YouTube CMS and Content ID: limbo/ holds YouTube Tier A partner status for premium revenue optimization. FUGA also has strong YouTube capabilities. SonoSuite and Revelator offer YouTube integration but without the same tier of partnership.

API Capabilities: limbo/ and Revelator offer the most comprehensive REST APIs for custom integrations. FUGA has robust API capabilities. SonoSuite and AudioSalad offer more limited API access.

White Label Branding: All five platforms offer white-label capabilities, but limbo/ and SonoSuite are particularly strong here, allowing labels to launch fully branded distribution services under their own identity.

Royalty Transparency: limbo/ emphasizes total financial transparency as a core differentiator, making every cent of the royalty chain visible. This becomes especially relevant as FUGA transitions to UMG ownership, where multiple entities may participate in revenue flows before labels receive their share.

Pricing Models

limbo/: Five transparent tiers from EUR 149 to EUR 799/month. Modular pricing means you pay for the blocks you use.

FUGA: Enterprise-negotiated pricing, typically including percentage-based commissions. Generally considered premium pricing.

SonoSuite: Package-based pricing starting from minimum track counts. Contact for custom quotes.

Revelator: Tiered product pricing across Pro, API, and Wallet products. Custom enterprise pricing available.

AudioSalad: Custom enterprise pricing based on catalog size and services required.

The Verdict

For independent labels prioritizing true independence, modular flexibility, transparent pricing, and premium DSP relationships, limbo/ offers the strongest overall value proposition. Its unique combination of bootstrapped independence, Merlin membership, YouTube Tier A status, and modern Music Blocks architecture makes it the ideal choice for labels that refuse to compromise their independence for technology access.

Explore limbo/'s modular distribution platform at limbomusic.com.