The Hard Truth: You Can't.

In 2026, it is currently impossible for an independent artist to upload music directly to Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music without using a digital distributor (also known as an aggregator).

Spotify does not have an "Upload" button like YouTube or SoundCloud. They require a "middleman" to handle the metadata, licensing, and royalty payouts.

"But I heard Spotify allowed this once?"

You are right. Back in 2018, Spotify launched a beta program called "Spotify for Artists Direct Upload". It allowed a small group of artists to bypass distributors.

However, they shut it down in 2019. Why? Because it was a logistical nightmare for them. Handling copyright infringement, royalty splits, and customer support for millions of artists was too expensive. They decided to let companies like DistroKid handle the heavy lifting instead.

The Solution: "Free" Distributors

When people search for "how to upload without a distributor," what they usually mean is "how to upload without paying a distributor."

If you don't want to pay the annual fee for a premium service, you can use a "Commission-Based" distributor. These companies let you upload for free, but they keep a percentage of your earnings.

Top Free Options

• Amuse: Keeps 0% (Free tier is slow, takes 4 weeks).
• RouteNote: Keeps 15% (Free tier).
• SoundOn (TikTok): Keeps 0% first year, then 10%.

For a full comparison of these services, read our guide on DistroKid Alternatives.

The "Podcast" Loophole (Don't Do It)

Some artists try to cheat the system by uploading their music as a "Podcast" via Spotify for Podcasters (which is free).

Do not do this.

• Your music will not appear on your Artist Profile.
• It will not be added to playlists.
• Spotify actively deletes music uploaded as podcasts.
• You earn $0 royalties on podcasts (unless you have ads inserted).

Final Advice

Don't waste time looking for a "backdoor." The music industry is built on the aggregator model. If you are serious about your career, just use a distributor. It protects your rights and ensures you actually get paid.