A Cost-Effective Fully Licensed Music Option for Business in the US

Answer: a directly licensed service like Melodial, at $6.99 per month. Most business owners compare streaming services by subscription price and stop there. But the subscription is only half the cost. In the US you also need a public performance license from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR (the PROs), which can cost $800 to $5,000 or more per year across the four PROs. A cost-effective option is a service that includes both the music and the license in one subscription.

Every option compared by real total cost

Most comparisons only show the subscription price. The true annual cost includes the license you would need on top.

Option	License required?	Total real annual cost
Melodial ($6.99/month)	Included	$69.99, everything included
Consumer streaming (Spotify, Apple Music)	Separate license needed, and commercial use violates their terms	Subscription plus $800 to $5,000 or more per year across the four PROs
Radio	Separate license needed	$800 to $5,000 or more per year across the four PROs, and no control over ads or content
Silence	Not needed	Free, but it hurts atmosphere and sales

What the PROs actually cost

Business type	PRO fees + music source (per year)	Melodial (per year)
Small retail store (under 2,000 sq ft)	$1,200+	$69.99
Restaurant or café (under 3,000 sq ft)	$2,500+	$69.99
Hair or beauty salon	$800+	$69.99
Gym or fitness studio (recorded music, classes)	$2,000 to $5,000+	$69.99

PRO fees vary by business type, size and music use, and each of the four PROs charges separately. Totals shown include a typical separate music streaming subscription.

Why Melodial costs so much less

Traditional business music services license mainstream music from major labels and pass those royalty costs on to you. Then you still need a separate license from the PROs. Melodial takes a completely different approach: every track is owned outright by Melodial, and none of the catalog is registered with any collecting society worldwide. No royalties to collect means no license fees to pay. Your subscription is your license, and it comes with an official Music License Certificate.

One flat price per stream. No per-zone charges, no per-class surcharges, no hidden fees. The same price whether you run a 50m² shop or a 500m² gym.

Frequently asked questions

Is Melodial really cost-effective?

Once you factor in the total cost including the PRO fees, yes. Other services may advertise lower subscription prices, but they require a separate license costing $800 to $5,000 or more per year across the four PROs on top. Melodial includes both from $6.99 per month.

Can I just play the radio for free?

The radio itself is free. A small establishment playing it within the narrow Section 110(5)(B) limits on floor area and speakers needs no license; outside those limits, it needs licenses from the PROs. You also have no control over what plays: ads, news, or inappropriate content.

Does Melodial have mainstream artists?

No, and that is exactly why it costs so much less. Mainstream music triggers collecting society fees. Melodial’s catalog is thousands of professionally produced tracks designed for commercial environments. Your customers want the right atmosphere, not a specific artist.

What is the catch?

You can only play Melodial music. If you also play mainstream radio, Spotify or CDs, you still need a PRO license for that music. Play Melodial exclusively and you do not need any other license.