ORB Entertainment vs LANDR
LANDR is known for AI mastering bundled with distribution. But if your priority is reaching African listeners and getting paid in your own currency, the comparison looks very different. Here's an honest breakdown.
ORB Starter — Free: 1 release, distribution to 150+ platforms, 100% royalties
ORB Artist — ₦5,000/month (~$3): Unlimited releases, 100% royalties, smart links, analytics, promo assets, YouTube monetization, Spotify for Artists verification
ORB Label & Team — ₦8,000/month (~$5): Everything in Artist + unlimited roster artists, royalty splits, team collaboration
LANDR Distribution — ~$48/year: Unlimited distribution, 100% royalties, mastering credits
LANDR Studio — from ~$144/year: Distribution plus mastering, samples, and plugins bundle
Starting price: ORB — Free (1 release) → ~$3/month unlimited; LANDR — ~$48/year — no free tier
Royalty cut: ORB — 0% — keep 100%; LANDR — 0% — keep 100%
Pay in local currency: ORB — ✓ Naira, Cedis, Rand, KES, CFA + 30 more; LANDR — ✗ USD/CAD billing
Get paid in local currency: ORB — ✓ Direct to local bank / mobile money; LANDR — ✗ Foreign currency — conversion fees apply
AI mastering: ORB — ✗ Not a focus; LANDR — ✓ Built-in (its specialty)
Boomplay & Audiomack delivery: ORB — ✓ First-class platforms; LANDR — ✓ Included
Smart pre-save & release links: ORB — ✓ Included on Artist plan; LANDR — Limited
Royalty splits: ORB — ✓ Included on Label & Team plan; LANDR — Limited
Free catalog transfer in: ORB — ✓ Done for you; LANDR — ✗ Self-serve
Never blocked from releasing: ORB — ✓ Submit on credit, pay later; LANDR — ✗ Subscription must be active
Support in your timezone: ORB — ✓ Africa-based team; LANDR — ✗ North America-based
Get paid in your local currency: ORB pays royalties directly in Naira, Cedis, Rand, Shillings, CFA Francs and 30+ African currencies — no USD conversion fees, no waiting on PayPal exchange rates. Withdraw to your local bank or mobile money the same day.
Pay in your local currency: Subscribe in your own currency through Paystack or Flutterwave. No need for an international card, no failed transactions because of FX limits.
Built for African artists: Boomplay and Audiomack are first-class platforms. Afrobeats, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Mbalax, Coupé-Décalé, Highlife, Kwaito — ORB understands the genres, the markets, and the artists.
Never blocked from releasing: If you run out of track credits on a paid plan, you can keep submitting. The cost is added to your next bill. Your creative flow never stops because of billing — something no other distributor offers.
If AI mastering and a producer toolkit are your priority, LANDR is excellent. If your priority is reaching African audiences and getting paid in your own currency without FX losses, ORB is the better distributor — free to start, first-class Boomplay and Audiomack, and local payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ORB cheaper than LANDR?
- ORB has a free plan with 1 release; LANDR does not. ORB's Artist plan is ~$3/month for unlimited releases, while LANDR's distribution starts around $48/year. Once FX fees on foreign-currency payouts are factored in, ORB is cheaper in real terms for African artists — though LANDR includes AI mastering that ORB doesn't focus on.
- Can I transfer my music from LANDR to ORB?
- Yes. Sign up for ORB, open Catalog Transfer in your dashboard, and submit your LANDR release list. ORB's team coordinates the migration with no downtime. Transfer is free on every plan.
- Does LANDR pay in local African currency?
- No. LANDR pays in foreign currency, so African artists lose money converting. ORB pays directly in Naira, Cedis, Rand, Shillings, CFA Francs and 30+ other currencies to your local bank or mobile money.
- Do I need LANDR for mastering if I use ORB?
- Not necessarily. Many artists master with their producer or a dedicated service, then distribute through ORB. If you specifically want bundled AI mastering, LANDR is strong there — but for distribution and African reach, ORB is the better fit.