The Smart PPL PRS Alternative for £4.99/month

Same result — fully licensed background music for your business. But without PPL PRS or TheMusicLicence fees. Save hundreds (or thousands) every year.

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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) £49.99per year (music + licence) £521+per year
Café or restaurant
(30 seats, background music) 		£656–£820+per year (licence + streaming) £49.99per year (music + licence) £606–£770+per year
Hair or beauty salon
(up to 10 chairs) 		£495+per year (licence + streaming) £49.99per year (music + licence) £445+per year
Gym or fitness studio
(recorded music, classes) 		£720–£2,120+per year (licence + streaming) £49.99per 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.

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:

1
Don't reply to the letter yet. You have time. PPL PRS letters typically give you a deadline to respond — use that window to switch.
2
Subscribe to Melodial now — £4.99/month, takes 30 seconds. Switch off Spotify, radio, and CDs immediately.
3
Download your Certificate of Compliance — it's available instantly in your account.
4
Reply to PPL PRS — tell them you now use a directly licensed music provider and attach your certificate. If you need help, forward their letter to hello@melodial.com and we'll draft the response for you.

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

1
Subscribe to Melodial — £4.99/month or £49.99/year. No contracts, cancel anytime.
2
Play Melodial exclusively — switch off Spotify, radio, or CDs. Use our streams, playlists, or mobile app instead.
3
Cancel TheMusicLicence — download your Melodial Certificate of Compliance. You're now fully licensed without paying PPL or PRS.

Frequently asked questions

Is Melodial a legitimate alternative to PPL PRS?
Yes. PPL and PRS for Music collect fees for music registered in their catalogues. Melodial's music is not registered with either organisation — we own or directly licence every track. If you play only Melodial music, you don't owe PPL or PRS anything. Your Melodial subscription is your licence.
Can I really cancel TheMusicLicence?
Yes — as long as you play Melodial exclusively and don't play any other commercially released music (radio, CDs, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.). Your Melodial Certificate of Compliance proves your music is fully licensed. Contact PPL PRS in writing, giving at least one month's notice before your renewal date.
What if PPL PRS contacts my business after I switch?
Show them your Melodial Certificate of Compliance. It proves the music you play is fully licensed through Melodial and not part of the PPL or PRS for Music repertoire. If they continue to press, forward us their email at hello@melodial.com and we'll draft the response for you.
What kind of music do you have?
Thousands of tracks across a wide range of genres — café acoustic, jazz, chill pop, lo-fi beats, upbeat dance, ambient, and more. All curated for commercial environments. No explicit lyrics, no awkward content. New tracks are added regularly.
Does Melodial have mainstream artists like Ed Sheeran or Adele?
No — and that's exactly why you don't need TheMusicLicence. Those artists are registered with PPL and PRS for Music. Our catalogue is made up of independent tracks specifically designed for commercial environments. Great background music that doesn't trigger licensing fees. Most of your customers won't know the difference — they just want the right atmosphere.
What if I still play some radio or Spotify alongside Melodial?
If you play any commercially released music — even occasionally — you still need TheMusicLicence for that music. Your Melodial certificate only covers Melodial music. To fully replace PPL PRS, you need to play Melodial exclusively.
Is there a small business exemption from PPL PRS?
No. There is no exemption based on business size, number of employees, or floor space. A sole trader running a one-room salon has the same legal obligation as a large hotel chain. PPL PRS offer tiered pricing based on size, but the requirement to be licensed applies to everyone.
Can I use Spotify instead of getting TheMusicLicence?
No. Spotify's terms of service explicitly prohibit use in a commercial environment. A paid Spotify account — personal or business — does not replace TheMusicLicence. You would still need to pay PPL PRS on top. Melodial replaces both your music subscription and your licence in one payment.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Go to your account page and click Manage Subscriptions. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Get compliant without paying PPL PRS

Join thousands of UK businesses playing fully licensed music for a fraction of the cost. Start your free trial today — no card required.

14-day free trial · No credit card required · Cancel anytime

 

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