Why we don't charge buyers a fee
Every other major beat marketplace charges buyers a "service fee" of 10-15% on top of the list price. A $30 beat costs the buyer $33.60 at checkout. The producer gets $30. The marketplace pockets the $3.60.
We think that's deceptive. You see a price, you pay a different price.
What we do instead
- Producers on the Free tier pay 9% commission on sales — we take our cut from the seller who chose the tier.
- Producers on the PRO tier ($14.99/mo) pay 0% commission — we make money on the subscription.
- Buyers pay exactly the list price. No hidden markup. Ever.
Why this is sustainable
The math works because:
- PRO subscriptions are recurring and predictable.
- Free-tier commissions are proportional to volume.
- We don't need to hide fees — producer psychology is "I'll pay 9% to be listed" or "I'll pay a subscription to keep 100%." Both are conscious choices.
What this means for buyers
The sticker price IS the price. When you see $30, you pay $30. You can compare prices across platforms honestly — a $30 beat here is actually cheaper than a $28 beat elsewhere once you add the buyer fee.
What this means for producers
You aren't splitting with an invisible partner. If you price at $30, the buyer paid $30 — you know exactly what your rate is. Forecasting revenue is trivial.