When it comes to getting paid for your music, one of the biggest decisions every songwriter, composer, or publisher must make is which performance rights organization (PRO) to join. In the United States, the three major players are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. While they all handle public performance royalties, the differences in how they operate, who can join, and how they pay out can have a real impact on your career.
This deep-dive will break down the entire ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC conversation in plain language while staying SEO-rich for creators searching for answers. We’ll cover what PROs do, how each of these three organizations differs, pros and cons of membership, and tips for choosing the right one.
By the end, you’ll have the framework to make an informed decision about your music rights.
What Is a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)?
A performance rights organization exists to make sure music creators get paid when their work is performed publicly. That means whenever your song is played on the radio, in a bar, streamed online, performed at a concert, or broadcast on TV, you’re entitled to a public performance royalty.
Because no artist can realistically track every play of their music worldwide, PROs step in. They issue licenses to businesses and broadcasters, monitor music usage through data reporting and digital tracking, collect fees, and then distribute royalties back to their members.
In short: if you’re not signed up with a PRO, you’re almost certainly leaving money on the table.
Meet the Big Three: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
- Founded: 1914
- Business model: Non-profit, member-owned
- Membership: Open to all songwriters and publishers (free)
- Size: ~1 million members, ~20 million works in its catalog
- Reputation: One of the most established PROs, known for stability, international reach, and democratic member input.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
- Founded: 1939
- Business model: for-profit
- Membership: Open to all songwriters (free for writers, fee for publishers)
- Size: Very large catalog and membership, with a reputation for being genre-inclusive and beginner-friendly
- Reputation: Long-time rival to ASCAP, BMI is known for broad coverage, extensive industry relationships, and reliable payouts.
SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)
- Founded: 1930
- Business model: For-profit, privately held
- Membership: By invitation only
- Size: Smaller, more curated roster compared to ASCAP and BMI
- Reputation: Boutique, premium feel, with more personalized deals and sometimes quicker payouts. Exclusive and harder to access unless you’re already gaining traction.
Joining Process
ASCAP
Apply online. One-year contracts that renew annually. Works must be registered in their database for royalties to flow.
BMI
- Free for writers, publishers pay ~$150.
- Two-year contracts for writers; publishers may have longer terms.
- Song registration is required.
- Great entry point for beginners who want no upfront costs.
SESAC
- Invitation only—you can’t simply sign up.
- Often requires industry traction, catalog size, or connections.
- Contracts are negotiated, sometimes offering tailored royalty structures.
- Typically better suited to artists with momentum rather than beginners.
How Royalties Are Collected and Paid
Licensing: PROs sell blanket licenses to TV stations, venues, streaming services, and other businesses.
Monitoring: They track performances using digital fingerprinting, data sampling, radio logs, setlists, and cue sheets.
Collection: License fees are pooled and distributed after admin costs are deducted (around 10–15%).
Split: Royalties are split 50/50 between the songwriter and the publisher. If you’re both, you keep both shares.
Payment cycle: Usually quarterly, though some organizations are faster than others.
- ASCAP: Stable but sometimes slower, payments may lag.
- BMI: Around a 5–6 month lag between performance and payout.
- SESAC: Depends on negotiated contract; can be quicker in some cases.
Pros and Cons of Each PRO
ASCAP Pros
- Open to everyone
- One-year contracts = flexibility
- Member-owned, democratic governance
- Large international reach
- Free to join
Cons:
- Payment cycles not always the fastest
- Large size means more competition for attention
BMI Pros
- Free for writers
- Industry-trusted with huge catalog
- Wide coverage and international partnerships
- Workshops, networking events, and educational resources
Cons:
- Two-year lock-in
- Similar transparency issues as ASCAP
- Very large membership means your songs are one of millions
- Fee for
SESAC Pros
- Personalized treatment and negotiation
- Smaller roster, potentially more attention
- Possible quicker payouts depending on deal
Cons:
- Invitation only, not open to all
- Terms vary widely—hard to know what you’ll get
- Less scale compared to ASCAP/BMI
Which PRO Is Right for You?
New Songwriters: Start with ASCAP or BMI. ASCAP offers flexibility with a one-year contract; BMI costs nothing to join as a writer.
Collaborative Songwriters: Choose the same PRO as your co-writers for smoother royalty splits.
Established Artists: If SESAC reaches out, it may be worth exploring the personalized deal.
International Focus: Check each PRO’s foreign society agreements; ASCAP and BMI have strong global reach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not registering songs correctly – If your work isn’t in the database, you won’t get paid.
- Assuming fast payouts – All PROs have lag time; plan your cash flow accordingly.
- Forgetting contract terms – Lock-in periods matter if you ever want to switch.
- Ignoring perks – Many PROs offer discounts, workshops, and networking opportunities you should actually use.
ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC FAQs
Q: Can I join more than one PRO at the same time?
A: No, not for your writer share. You must choose one.
Q: What if my co-writer uses a different PRO?
A: That’s fine—each PRO will collect and pay out their member’s share.
Q: Do PROs collect mechanical royalties?
A: No. Mechanical royalties are handled by organizations like The MLC or publishers.
Q: What about sync royalties (TV, film, ads)?
A: PROs collect only the performance portion, not the upfront sync license fee.
Q: How often do they pay out?
A: Typically quarterly, but SESAC can sometimes negotiate different structures.
Q: Which PRO pays more?
A: There’s no universal answer. It depends on where your songs are played and how each PRO’s formula weighs those performances.
Q: Can I switch later?
A: Yes, but only at the end of your contract term. Pay attention to cancellation windows.
Real-World Scenarios
Indie artist with no catalog yet: ASCAP’s one-year deal gives flexibility, or BMI for no cost.
Songwriter with growing radio spins: BMI’s scale may help maximize reach.
Artist with label interest: SESAC might offer a premium deal with faster turnaround if invited.
At the end of the day, ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC isn’t about which is “best” overall—it’s about which is best for you right now.
- If you’re new: ASCAP or BMI are your best entry points.
- If you’re growing: BMI’s free model and strong infrastructure give you reach.
- If you’re established: SESAC might provide boutique attention and faster cash flow.
The most important part? Don’t wait.
Register with a PRO as soon as you start releasing music publicly.
Every day you delay, you risk losing royalties you’ve rightfully earned
