Which streaming platform pays the most in Nigeria?
No single streaming platform consistently pays the most in Nigeria, because payouts depend on listener location, subscription type, and how the platform structures its revenue share. However, generally speaking:
- Apple Music often pays higher per stream when the listener is on a paid subscription;
- YouTube Music can be lucrative because of ad revenue and Content ID;
- Spotify usually pays less per stream but can deliver more reach;
- Audiomack uses engagement-based monetization instead of per-stream rates.
So the real answer is this: the platform that pays the “most” for you depends on who your listeners are and where they live. If your audience is mainly in higher-paying countries, your payouts are much better across all services.
This topic connects with my main article on music income:
How Musicians Make Money in Nigeria.
How streaming royalties actually reach Nigerian artists
Here’s the step-by-step flow of streaming income:
- A listener streams your music on a platform
- The platform collects subscription or ad revenue
- Platforms calculate each artist’s share of total streams
- Revenue enters a royalty pool
- Your distributor collects your share
- Your distributor pays you according to their payout schedule
This means artists never get paid directly by Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube — the money goes first to the distributor who then pays you.
To upload music in the first place, Nigerian artists use distributors like TuneCore, CD Baby, and RouteNote, which I explained here:
Best music distribution platforms for Nigerian artists.
Why Apple Music generally pays higher per stream
Apple Music is subscription-based only — there’s no free tier with ads — which means most of its revenue comes from paying users. Because of this, the income pool is often stronger per stream.
For artists with international audiences, Apple Music can pay more per play than platforms that mix ad revenue with subscriptions.
This doesn’t guarantee massive income on its own, but it’s one reason Apple Music is often cited as a “higher paying platform.”
Spotify: more reach, lower per-stream payout
Spotify has both free (ad-supported) and premium users. Streams from premium users pay more than streams from free listeners, but overall the average per-stream payout tends to be lower than Apple Music.
However, Spotify’s recommendation algorithms and playlists give artists global reach, which increases total stream count — and sometimes total revenue — over time.
For a deeper look at Spotify earnings, check here:
How Much Spotify Pays Nigerian Artists.
YouTube Music monetization: ads + premium + Content ID
YouTube Music functions differently because it is tied to the larger YouTube ecosystem. Artists can earn from:
- Ads served during music streams
- Premium user plays
- Content ID — even when other users use your music
This mix of revenue streams can be very profitable for artists with strong visuals or content that gets reused frequently.
Read more about this here:
How YouTube Music Pays Nigerian Artists.
Audiomack: engagement-based payouts
Audiomack doesn’t use per-stream payouts the way Apple Music or Spotify do. Instead, it rewards artists based on engagement and listener behavior, and it can be a solid income stream for Nigerian artists building strong local audiences.
For a full breakdown of how Audiomack pays, see:
How Audiomack Pays Nigerian Artists.
Why location matters so much
The biggest reason payouts vary across platforms is listener location. Platforms pay based on the value of the listener’s market.
For example:
- Streams from the US or Europe often generate more revenue than streams from Nigeria or other African markets.
- Paid subscriptions usually pay more per stream than ad-supported streams.
This means two artists with the same stream count can earn very different amounts.
If you want a deeper explanation of this, see:
Why Nigerian artists earn differently on streaming platforms.
How Nigerian artists receive payouts
Your distributor collects streaming royalties from the platforms then pays you. Different distributors have:
- Different payout schedules
- Different fee structures
- Different payment methods (PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfer, etc.)
This means your real earnings can also differ depending on how your distributor handles payouts.
To upload music correctly so you can earn from these payments, see:
How Nigerian artists upload music to Spotify & Apple Music.
How much Nigerian artists can realistically earn
There’s no official fixed rate for streams, but industry averages generally show that:
- Apple Music pays higher per stream for premium plays
- Spotify pays moderately per stream across free and premium
- YouTube Music varies based on ad revenue and Content ID usage
- Audiomack rewards engagement rather than per-stream rates
None of these guarantees huge income alone — but combined they form the backbone of streaming revenue for Nigerian artists.
Why streams are only one part of income
Streams are important for exposure, discovery, and long-term catalog value — but they are rarely the biggest immediate income source for most Nigerian artists.
Live performances, shows, concerts, and brand deals often pay more in direct, lump-sum earnings.
I explained this comparison in detail here:
Shows vs streaming — which pays more in Nigeria?.
Final thoughts
Nigerian artists get paid from streaming platforms based on a mix of listener location, subscription type, revenue sharing, and how their distributor collects and pays royalties. There’s no one “highest paying” platform for everyone — it depends on where your fans are and how they listen.
If you want sustained income from streaming, you need a long-term strategy that includes strong distribution, audience growth, and cross-platform presence.
Need help with music distribution?
If you’re a Nigerian artist ready to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more — and you want guidance using distributors like TuneCore, CD Baby, or RouteNote — you can contact us at Taculia Records. We help artists distribute their music properly and avoid common mistakes so you can focus on your craft.
