Comparison
ARS vs UnitedMasters
Both platforms serve independent artists. UnitedMasters is a music distributor. ARS is the business behind the music — the place where the fans, the money, and the merch actually live. If Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shut down tomorrow, where do your fans go?
The short answer
Pick UnitedMasters if all you need is music on Spotify and Apple Music. Pick ARS if you want to own the fans, keep the merch revenue, and run one command center for every dollar an independent artist earns.
| Feature | ARS | UnitedMasters |
|---|---|---|
| Own your fan list (name, email, phone) | Yes | No |
| Direct-to-fan store with your own checkout | Yes | No |
| Print-on-demand merch fulfillment built in | Yes | No |
| Revenue tracking across every source | Streaming, merch, live, tips, sponsorship, licensing | Streaming only |
| Two-way fan wall (post + fan replies) | Yes | No |
| QR ticketing for shows | Yes | No |
| Music distribution to DSPs | Coming — bring your own distributor today | Yes |
| Cross-post to Instagram / TikTok / YouTube | Yes | No |
| Independent artist marketing platform | Yes | Yes |
| Sponsorship deal tracking | Yes | No |
Own the fans
On streaming platforms the fan belongs to the platform. On ARS every signup gives you the fan's name, email, and phone — so you can text a new drop straight to the people who care, no algorithm required.
Own the revenue
Streaming royalties are a small slice of an independent artist's income. ARS tracks merch, live shows, sponsorship, tips, licensing and streaming in one ledger so you actually know where the money comes from.
Ready to run your own show?
Free to start. No cut of your fan revenue.