The abbreviation DSP comes up in every conversation about music distribution, royalties, and analytics. But not everyone who starts publishing music knows exactly what it means. This guide explains what DSPs are, how they fit into the distribution flow, and why they matter.
What DSP means
DSP stands for Digital Service Provider. In the music industry, it refers to any digital platform that delivers music to end users — whether through streaming, digital download, or use on video/social platforms.
Put even more directly: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and TikTok are all DSPs.
The main DSPs in 2026
Audio streaming (subscription and ad-supported)
| DSP | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spotify | The DSP with the most users worldwide; strong algorithmic component |
| Apple Music | Second in subscriptions; integration with the Apple ecosystem |
| YouTube Music | Growing thanks to YouTube integration |
| Amazon Music | Strong in the US market; integrated with Alexa/Echo |
| Tidal | Focus on HiFi (high audio quality); artist community |
| Deezer | Strong in Europe, South America, Africa |
| Qobuz | Niche hi-res audio |
| Boomplay | Dominant in sub-Saharan Africa |
| Anghami | Dominant in the Middle East and North Africa |
| JioSaavn | Dominant in India |
Social/video and short-form
| DSP | Notes |
|---|---|
| TikTok / CapCut | Audio distribution for use in short-form videos |
| Instagram / Facebook Reels | Meta Music Licensing (audio for Reels and Stories) |
| YouTube | Video distribution + Content ID |
| Snapchat | Audio for Snaps |
| Triller | TikTok alternative |
Download and others
| DSP | Notes |
|---|---|
| iTunes / Apple Music (download) | Paid downloads, still active |
| Bandcamp | Indie platform with direct artist purchasing |
| Beatport | Focus on EDM and DJ music |
| Traxsource | Focus on house, soul, funk |
How the artist–distributor–DSP relationship works
The flow is simple:
Artist → Distributor → DSP → Listener
The distributor is the technical intermediary that:
- delivers audio files, artwork, and metadata to DSPs
- maintains the distribution license with each DSP
- collects royalties from the platforms
- passes them on to the artist (or label)
The artist has no direct relationship with Spotify or Apple Music: the contract is between the distributor and the DSP. The artist accesses DSP tools (Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, etc.) to monitor performance, but distribution always goes through the distributor.
How many DSPs does your distributor cover?
Not all distributors cover the same stores. The difference between "30 stores" and "100+ stores" may seem abstract, but in certain cases it makes a real difference:
- An artist with an audience in Africa benefits from presence on Boomplay and Audiomack
- A dance artist makes sense being on Beatport and Traxsource
- A mainstream artist has everything to gain from social coverage (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)
With LightSound, distribution covers 100+ stores and DSPs, including social platforms and regional markets.
Why DSPs retain a percentage
Every DSP retains a share of revenues before paying the distributor (and therefore the artist). Here's how it works in brief:
- Users pay subscriptions (or see advertising)
- The DSP aggregates all revenues for the period
- It distributes them based on the number of streams (or subscription fraction, depending on the model)
- The distributor receives the share corresponding to the catalog it represents
- The distributor passes the funds on to artists
This is why the "price per stream" is not fixed: it depends on how many total streams there are across the entire platform, which country the listen comes from, the account type (free vs premium), and the time period.
Conclusion
DSPs are where your music lives in the eyes of listeners. Understanding how they work — and which ones to cover with distribution — is a fundamental part of the strategy for any modern independent artist.