What is the difference between a major and indie label deal?
Q&A
Jan 13, 2026
Major label deals come with massive marketing budgets, global distribution networks, and connections to the biggest playlists and media outlets, but they typically take a larger percentage of your royalties and give you less creative control over your music. Indie label deals offer more creative freedom and higher royalty splits, but with smaller budgets and more limited reach. Major labels focus on quick commercial wins and proven trends, while indie labels tend to prioritize artist development and long-term career growth. The trade-off is essentially resources and reach versus creative control and ownership.
Understanding label deals is crucial before you sign away your rights, and at Futureproof Music School, our Mentors provide real world insights on navigating the music business while Kadence (Futureproof's AI music coach) helps you develop the production skills that make you signable in the first place. Whether you're aiming for a major deal or staying independent, we'll help you build the knowledge and catalog to negotiate from a position of strength.
How do royalty splits typically differ between major and indie label contracts?
Major labels usually offer 15-20% royalties to the artist while keeping 80-85%, whereas indie labels often split closer to 50/50 or even 70/30 in your favor. The trade-off is that majors provide larger upfront advances and bigger marketing budgets, while indies give you better long-term earning potential per stream or sale.
Can I keep my master recordings if I sign with an indie label?
Many indie labels now offer licensing deals where you retain ownership of your masters and grant them distribution rights for a set period (typically 3-7 years). Major labels almost always require you to transfer master ownership to them, though some newer major label deals include reversion clauses that return masters after 10-15 years.
What happens to my creative control over artwork, singles selection, and release dates with each type of deal?
Indie labels typically give you approval rights or full control over creative decisions, letting you maintain your artistic vision and brand identity. Major labels usually have final say on singles, release timing, artwork, and even which producers you work with, as they're investing six or seven figures into your campaign and want to maximize commercial potential.
Founder of Futureproof Music School with 20+ years in music technology and education. John combines technical expertise with a passion for empowering the next generation of producers.