SPACE vs Royalty Exchange: Which Is Better for Selling Your Music Catalog?

If you're considering selling your music catalog or a portion of your royalties, two names you'll likely encounter are Royalty Exchange and SPACE. While both help music creators monetize their work, they operate in fundamentally different ways. Royalty Exchange is an established auction marketplace founded in 2011 with over 2,300 completed transactions, connecting creators with investors who bid on royalty streams. SPACE, on the other hand, is a direct buyer that specializes in ambient, lo-fi, and wellness music — offering creators a straightforward sale without the uncertainty of an auction. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can decide which platform better fits your needs.

Quick verdict

Royalty Exchange runs an auction-style marketplace where investors bid on your royalties, typically charging around 15% commission. SPACE buys catalogs directly with no auction or commission, specializing in ambient, lo-fi, and wellness music. Choose Royalty Exchange if you want competitive bidding on a mainstream catalog; choose SPACE for a fast, direct sale of ambient or meditation music.

SPACE

SPACE (spacemusic.io) is a music rights buyer that focuses exclusively on ambient, lo-fi, meditation, and wellness genres. Rather than listing your catalog on a marketplace, SPACE evaluates your music and makes a direct offer. The process is designed to be fast and transparent, with payouts typically arriving within days of accepting an offer. SPACE also supports partial rights sales, allowing creators to sell a share of their royalties while retaining ownership and creative control.

Strengths

  • +Direct offers with no auction uncertainty
  • +No commission or listing fees
  • +Deep expertise in ambient, lo-fi, and wellness music valuation
  • +Partial rights sales available — sell a percentage without giving up full ownership
  • +Fast turnaround from submission to payout
  • +Creators retain creative control over their music

Limitations

  • −Focused on ambient, lo-fi, and wellness genres — not suitable for all music styles
  • −Smaller operation compared to large-scale marketplace platforms
  • −Offer price is fixed rather than determined by competitive bidding
Best for: Indie creators in the ambient, lo-fi, and wellness space who want a quick, direct sale with no commission and the option to retain partial ownership.

Royalty Exchange

Royalty Exchange is an online marketplace founded in 2011 where music creators list their royalty streams for auction. Investors browse available listings and place competitive bids, with the highest bidder winning the rights. The platform has facilitated over 2,300 transactions across all genres and royalty types. Royalty Exchange charges a commission (typically around 15%) on completed sales.

Strengths

  • +Established marketplace with a large pool of active investors
  • +Competitive bidding can drive up the final sale price
  • +Accepts all genres and royalty types (publishing, master, sync, etc.)
  • +Transparent auction process with visible bid history
  • +Over a decade of operational track record

Limitations

  • −Commission of approximately 15% reduces the seller's net proceeds
  • −Auction outcomes are uncertain — listings may not attract sufficient bids
  • −The auction process typically takes several weeks to complete
  • −Less personalized evaluation for niche genres like ambient or meditation
  • −Requires sellers to provide detailed financial documentation upfront
Best for: Creators with established, genre-diverse catalogs generating consistent royalties who want competitive market-driven pricing.

Feature comparison

FeatureSPACERoyalty Exchange
Deal typeDirect purchase — fixed offerAuction marketplace — investor bidding
Genre focusAmbient, lo-fi, meditation, wellnessAll genres and royalty types
Commission / feesNo commission or listing fees~15% commission on completed sales
Payout speedTypically within days of acceptanceWeeks (auction duration + settlement)
Partial rights salesYes — sell a percentage of your royaltiesLimited — most deals transfer full royalty streams
Minimum catalog sizeNo strict minimum; welcomes smaller catalogsListings generally need consistent royalty income to attract bidders
Creative controlRetained by the creatorVaries by deal structure
Process complexitySimple: submit, receive offer, accept or declineMore involved: documentation, listing setup, auction management
Valuation approachHuman evaluation with mood-music expertiseMarket-driven pricing through investor bids
Track recordNewer entrant focused on niche market2,300+ transactions since 2011

Our verdict

Both platforms serve real needs, but they're built for different situations. Royalty Exchange is a strong choice if you have a catalog with broad appeal and consistent earnings — competitive bidding from multiple investors can maximize your sale price, though you'll pay a commission and wait longer for the process to complete. SPACE is the better fit if you create ambient, lo-fi, or wellness music and want a fast, straightforward sale with no fees. The direct-offer model removes auction uncertainty, and partial rights options give you flexibility that's harder to find on marketplace platforms. Neither is objectively "better" — it depends on your genre, catalog size, and how much control and speed matter to you.

Common questions

Sources

  1. Royalty Exchange — How It Works
  2. Music Business Worldwide — The Rise of Music Royalty Marketplaces
  3. Billboard — Music Catalog Sales Explained
  4. RIAA — U.S. Recorded Music Revenues

More comparisons

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