You're one minute away from the best business decision you'll make this week.
Fully licensed background music from £4.99/month, licence included.
No PPL PRS fees, no TheMusicLicence.
Venues like yours keep £445 to £2,070 a year.
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Cancel anytime
✓ Check your email
We have sent a link to . Click it to set your name and password, it takes 30 seconds.
14-day free trial · No credit card · Signup takes about a minute
PPL PRS vs Melodial: what you actually pay
PPL and PRS for Music jointly offer TheMusicLicence - a combined annual fee based on your business type, size, and how you use music. But TheMusicLicence only covers the licence - you still need to pay separately for a music source like Spotify or a streaming service on top. Melodial includes both.
| Business Type | TheMusicLicence + Music Source | Melodial | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small retail shop(up to 100m²) | £571+ per year (licence + streaming) | £49.99 per year (music + licence) | £521+ per year |
| Café or restaurant(30 seats, background music) | £656–£820+ per year (licence + streaming) | £49.99 per year (music + licence) | £606–£770+ per year |
| Hair or beauty salon(up to 10 chairs) | £495+ per year (licence + streaming) | £49.99 per year (music + licence) | £445+ per year |
| Gym or fitness studio(recorded music, classes) | £720–£2,120+ per year (licence + streaming) | £49.99 per year (music + licence) | £670–£2,070+ per year |
TheMusicLicence fees based on published PPL and PRS for Music tariff schedules (2026, excl. VAT). TheMusicLicence fees do not include a music streaming service. Melodial includes both the music and the licence in one subscription.
The music is the point
Cheap licensed music has a reputation: bland stock audio nobody would choose. Melodial is not that. Every track is picked by ear, the way a resident DJ reads a room, and it has to earn its place in the catalogue.
Real artists
Our artists have millions of streams of their own. This is not generic stock audio.
Made for venues
Cafe acoustic, jazz, lo-fi, chill pop, upbeat dance, ambient and more. No explicit lyrics, ever.
Always fresh
New tracks added regularly, curated for commercial spaces.
Nobody has to play DJ
Tired of hearing the same playlist loop every shift? Tired of being the one who has to choose the music? Press play once and the streams read the room all day.
Hear it for yourself
Pick the business type closest to yours and hear how Melodial actually sounds in it.
Bright, easy listening for the morning rush and the counter.
Relaxed tempos for the between-services lull.
Chart-friendly energy that keeps the salon buzzing.
Softer pop to ease into the evening.
Easy-listening favourites that settle almost any room.
Soft jazz, piano, and acoustic ballads for your hotel restaurant.
Low-key lo-fi beats that keep the room relaxed.
Reflective solo piano for a serene space.
Chart-friendly energy that keeps the salon buzzing.
Softer pop to ease into the evening.
Modern dance-pop for a lively floor.
Warm, lively tracks for a welcoming floor.
Big, high-energy tracks to power the main floor.
Steady, motivating energy for strength and circuits.
Interval-ready beats that push through every round.
Modern dance-pop for a lively floor.
Softer pop to ease into the evening.
Low-key lo-fi beats that keep the room relaxed.
Weightless, still soundscapes for deep relaxation.
Soul and groove to lift the dinner service.
Easy-listening favourites that settle almost any room.
Low-key lo-fi beats that keep the room relaxed.
Weightless, still soundscapes for deep relaxation.
Reflective solo piano for a serene space.
Easy-listening favourites that settle almost any room.
Reflective solo piano for a serene space.
Weightless, still soundscapes for deep relaxation.
Smoky, sophisticated jazz for the last hours of the evening.
Soft jazz, piano, and acoustic ballads for your hotel restaurant.
Soul and groove to lift the dinner service.
Modern dance-pop for a lively floor.
Uplifting, easy listening from open to close.
How can Melodial skip PPL PRS?
PPL and PRS for Music collect royalties on behalf of record labels, performers, songwriters, and publishers. If you play music from their catalogues - which includes virtually all mainstream music - you pay their fees.
Melodial is a completely different model. We own or directly licence every track in our catalogue. None of our music is registered with PPL or PRS for Music. No royalties to collect means no licence fees to pay.
Your Melodial subscription is your licence. It covers the music and the right to play it commercially - all in one payment.
Certificate of Compliance included. Download a PDF from your account that proves your music is fully licensed. If PPL PRS or any licensing inspector contacts you, show them the certificate. You're covered. And if they push further, forward us their email - we'll draft the response.
The three rights you need to play music commercially
Recording rights
The right to stream a specific sound recording of a song. Normally controlled by PPL on behalf of record labels.
✓ Covered by Melodial
Publishing rights
The right to use the underlying composition and lyrics. Normally controlled by PRS for Music on behalf of songwriters.
✓ Covered by Melodial
Public performance rights
The right to play music in a commercial environment where customers or staff can hear it.
✓ Covered by Melodial
Melodial owns or directly licences every track in our catalogue. None of our music is registered with PPL or PRS for Music, so no collecting society fees apply.
Two ways to legally play music in your business
| TheMusicLicence | Melodial | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A licence from PPL PRS that covers almost all commercial music - songs you hear on the radio. Music not included. | An all-in-one subscription. Music and commercial licence in one payment. |
| You need this if | You play chart hits, radio, TV, or host live cover bands. | You want curated atmosphere music at a fixed price - and believe your venue deserves better than random radio. |
| How it works | Annual fee that varies by business type, size, and music use. Music source not included. | £4.99/month flat. No forms, no audits. Certificate of Compliance included instantly. |
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Melodial | TheMusicLicence |
|---|---|---|
| Music included | ✓ | ✗ licence only |
| Commercial licence included | ✓ | ✓ |
| PPL fees | £0 | Included in fee |
| PRS fees | £0 | Included in fee |
| Pricing | £4.99/month flat | Varies by size, type, use |
| Annual audits or reporting | None | May be required |
| Certificate of Compliance | ✓ instant download | ✗ |
| Mobile app (iOS & Android) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Voice announcements | ✓ AI-powered | ✗ |
| No explicit lyrics | ✓ guaranteed | Depends on your music source |
| Cancel anytime | ✓ | Annual contract |
What happens if you play unlicensed music?
PPL PRS actively visits and contacts businesses across the UK. They send letters, make phone calls, and employ field agents to check whether venues are licensed.
The penalties are real. According to PPL PRS's own website: they can apply back charges for up to six years of prior unlicensed music use, and a 50% "Higher Royalty Rate" surcharge on your first year if you were playing music without a licence before being contacted. These penalties are on top of the standard licence fee.
With Melodial, you're fully compliant from the moment you subscribe. No risk, no paperwork, no surprises.
Already received a letter from PPL PRS?
If PPL PRS has contacted your business, don't panic - but don't ignore it either. Here's what to do right now:
Important: PPL PRS can only charge you for music that was registered in their catalogues. If you switch to Melodial going forward, you may still owe fees for the period you were playing unlicensed mainstream music - but you stop the clock immediately. The sooner you switch, the less you owe.
Already paying for Spotify or Apple Music? It doesn't cover commercial use. Their terms of service explicitly prohibit playing music in a business. Even with a paid subscription, you still need TheMusicLicence - and that's hundreds or thousands of pounds per year on top of your streaming subscription. Melodial replaces both.
What's included for £4.99/month?
Curated Music Streams
Radio-style stations for every mood and venue - café acoustic, jazz lounge, chill pop, upbeat dance, and more. New tracks added regularly.
Full Commercial Licence
Play music legally in any business premises. No PPL. No PRS. No TheMusicLicence. Your subscription is your licence.
Mobile App (iOS & Android)
Browse genres, create playlists, download tracks for offline playback. Control your music from your phone.
No Explicit Content
Every track is family-friendly. No swearing, no awkward moments with customers. Safe for all venues and all ages.
Voice Announcements
Create AI-powered voice ads that play between tracks - promote daily specials, welcome messages, or events. No recording equipment needed.
Certificate of Compliance
Download your official licence certificate instantly from your account. Show it to any licensing inspector that contacts you.
Switch from PPL PRS in 3 minutes
Frequently asked questions
Is Melodial a legitimate alternative to PPL PRS?
Can I really cancel TheMusicLicence?
What if PPL PRS contacts my business after I switch?
What kind of music do you have?
Does Melodial have mainstream artists like Ed Sheeran or Adele?
What if I still play some radio or Spotify alongside Melodial?
Is there a small business exemption from PPL PRS?
Can I use Spotify instead of getting TheMusicLicence?
Can I cancel anytime?
The decision takes a minute. The trial costs nothing.
Hundreds of venues have already switched. 14 days free, full catalogue, no card, cancel in two clicks.
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Cancel anytime
✓ Check your email
We have sent a link to . Click it to set your name and password, it takes 30 seconds.
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Cancel anytime