The LabelGrid Alternative to Horus Music
Horus Music gives independent artists and labels a solid annual-subscription distributor. But its dedicated label tier is invitation-only and tied to a multi-year revenue split, and its delivery sits outside the DDEX standard. LabelGrid is the open, standards-based alternative: a Spotify Preferred Provider and Merlin Network member with DDEX 4.3.2 delivery, self-serve label onboarding you can start today, and 100% retention on your own SOBO and direct deals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
How They Compare
| Feature | LabelGrid | Horus Music |
|---|---|---|
| DDEX-standard delivery (ERN 4.3.2) | ✓ DDEX 3.8.2–4.3.2 | ✗ Not a DDEX member; no DDEX support claim |
| Self-serve label onboarding (no invitation) | ✓ Sign up and start | ✗ Label Services tier is invite-only |
| 100% retention with no multi-year revenue-share lock | ✓ Via SOBO, direct & Merlin deals | ✗ Label Services is 80/20 on a 2-year commitment |
WHY LABELS SWITCH
Why Labels Move Beyond Horus Music
Horus Music works well for the artist who wants to upload, pay a flat annual fee, and keep 100% on the self-serve Unlimited plan. The friction appears once you grow into a label that needs more than a subscription.
The dedicated Artist & Label Services tier, the one built for managed label relationships, is invitation-only. You apply and wait, rather than signing up and starting. And it runs on a revenue split: you keep 80% under a two-year initial commitment, so the professional path costs both a wait and a long-term share of your income.
Delivery is the other gap. Horus Music is not listed in the DDEX member directory and makes no DDEX support claim, so a label that wants standards-based delivery and a clean migration path has nothing published to plan against. If you are running a roster rather than a single project, those are the moments you feel the limits of a tool built first for individual artists.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Run Your Label on Open, Standards-Based Infrastructure
LabelGrid is built for labels and serious artists from the first plan, not behind an invitation. You sign up, see published pricing, and deliver to all major DSPs over DDEX 3.8.2 through 4.3.2. As a Merlin Network member with SOBO (Sent On Behalf Of) support, LabelGrid lets you keep your own Merlin and direct DSP contracts and retain 100% on those deals, with no two-year revenue-share commitment standing between you and the professional tier.
NO INVITATION, NO LOCK-IN
The Professional Tier, Without the Wait
On Horus Music, the route built for managed label relationships, the Artist & Label Services tier, is invitation-only and runs on an 80/20 revenue split with a two-year initial commitment. To reach it, you apply and wait, then sign up to a multi-year share of your earnings.
LabelGrid’s label and API plans are self-serve and published. You can read the plans and terms, sign up, and start delivering, without an application gate in front of the professional features.
You decide how you keep your royalties. Distribute on LabelGrid’s deals, or bring your own Merlin and direct DSP contracts through SOBO and keep 100% on those deals, with no two-year commitment attached.
Spotify
Preferred Provider
Merlin
Network Member
DDEX 4.3.2
Standard Support
Transparent
Published Pricing
What You Get with LabelGrid
INDEPENDENCE
Standards-Based, On Your Terms
LabelGrid is a Spotify Preferred Provider and a Merlin Network member, delivering over DDEX 3.8.2, 4.3.0, 4.3.1, and 4.3.2. Your Merlin membership and direct DSP relationships stay in your name through SOBO, and your label identity carries through to the stores. With published pricing and self-serve access, you keep control of how your catalog grows, without an application gate or a multi-year revenue-share commitment.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to upgrade your distribution?
Start your 7-day free trial, or read the API docs to build your own branded platform on LabelGrid.