Quick verdict
SPACE reviews catalog interests directly, across genres, without an auction listing. Royalty Exchange connects royalty owners with investors; its public guides describe auctions and its 2020 Direct Listings announcement describes a non-auction format. Confirm which formats are available for your asset today. Compare written terms for the same rights and income, not a promise that either route always pays more or closes faster.
SPACE
SPACE considers revenue-generating catalog rights from artists, producers, labels and catalog owners across genres. The application and initial review are free. An offer is subject to review; payment follows the agreement and transfer requirements. A proposal can concern selected tracks or a defined share, rather than all of your music.
Strengths
- +Direct purchase review without a marketplace listing
- +Free application and initial review; no listing fee or auction commission
- +Selected tracks or a defined share can be proposed
- +No obligation to accept an offer
Limitations
- −Not every catalog receives an offer
- −A purchase review is not an independent seller appraisal
- −Price, retained rights and timing depend on the actual proposal and agreement
Royalty Exchange
Royalty Exchange describes a marketplace connecting royalty sellers and investors. Its seller guide covers auction preparation and transfer. Its 2020 Direct Listings announcement also describes offers at a seller-set price without an auction. Ask which format and current terms apply to your specific asset.
Strengths
- +Marketplace access to competing investors
- +Public guidance on the listing and transfer process
- +Different royalty interests can be proposed, subject to eligibility
- +Seller materials cover auction and non-auction approaches
Limitations
- −Eligibility and current listing options need confirmation
- −Confirm fees, commitments and withdrawal rules before listing
- −Neither listing nor investor interest guarantees a completed sale
- −Documentation and transfer requirements extend beyond a bidding period
Feature comparison
| Feature | SPACE | Royalty Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Deal type | Direct purchase proposal after review | Investor marketplace; confirm available listing format |
| Genre focus | Revenue-generating catalogs across genres; individual review | Confirm eligibility for the specific royalty interest |
| Commission / fees | Free application and initial review; no listing fee or auction commission | Request current fees and their calculation in the listing agreement |
| Payout speed | Payment follows agreement and satisfied transfer conditions | Preparation, bidding where applicable, agreement and transfer are separate stages |
| Partial rights sales | Propose selected tracks or a defined share, subject to review | The seller guide describes the ability to specify the royalty interest offered |
| Minimum catalog size | No fixed earnings floor in the cited policy; individual review | Confirm current eligibility and evidence requirements |
| Creative control | Define retained rights and approvals in writing | Define retained rights and approvals in writing |
| Process complexity | Application, evidence review, proposal, agreement and transfer | Evidence review, listing agreement, sale process and transfer |
| Valuation approach | Individual assessment of the defined rights and earnings | Investor offers under the applicable listing terms |
| Track record | No acquisition-volume claim made in this comparison | Assess relevant completed listings, not headline platform totals alone |
Our verdict
Choose which process to explore based on the rights you can offer and the commitments you accept. A direct review avoids listing your asset at auction; a marketplace exposes an eligible interest to investor offers. Neither model proves a higher net price. Compare the retained income, net proceeds, legal term and closing conditions, and obtain independent advice before accepting.
Compare the same deal before comparing the price
Request two proposals for the same track list, rights, share, territory, term and reporting period. A price for all masters cannot be compared directly with a price for a limited publishing-income interest.
- Confirm the purchaser and exactly what you are committing to before listing or accepting.
- Reconcile the headline amount to the cash payable after fees, balances and closing conditions.
- Write down the income, approvals and future works you retain.
- Confirm accounting duties, transition receipts and what happens if closing is delayed.
Common questions
Does Royalty Exchange buy music catalogs directly?
Royalty Exchange describes itself as a marketplace connecting sellers and investors. Its Direct Listings announcement describes a non-auction listing format, not a promise that the platform itself buys your catalog. Confirm the purchaser and current sale format in the documents.
Can I sell only part of my royalties on SPACE?
You can propose a defined share of the rights you control or selected tracks for individual review. Specify what transfers, what stays with you, and any required consents. A partial sale is not a guarantee of unchanged creative control or a particular offer.
How long does a Royalty Exchange auction take?
Its seller guide describes a bidding phase of usually less than one week after an opening bid triggers the auction. Preparation and transfer are separate stages. Ask for the timetable and conditions for your transaction; an auction duration is not a payment deadline.
Is SPACE only for ambient and lo-fi music?
No. SPACE reviews revenue-generating catalogs across genres, including ambient, lo-fi, meditation, and wellness music. Genre alone does not guarantee or exclude an offer; each catalog is reviewed individually.
Ready to sell your catalog?
Explore a hypothetical scenario, or request a free purchase review. No obligation.