ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC
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ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC — Songwriter PRO Comparison
|
Feature |
ASCAP |
BMI |
SESAC |
|
Full Name |
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers |
Broadcast Music, Inc. |
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers |
|
Type of Organization |
Nonprofit |
Nonprofit |
For-profit |
|
Membership Access |
Open to all |
Open to all |
Invite-only |
|
Sign-Up Fee (Writer) |
$50 (one-time) |
Free |
N/A (invitation required) |
|
Sign-Up Fee (Publisher) |
$50 (one-time) |
$150 (individual) / $250 (company) |
N/A |
|
Payout Frequency |
Quarterly |
Quarterly |
Quarterly |
|
Known For |
Long-standing tradition, transparency |
Large catalog, free membership |
Personalized service, fast payouts |
|
International Reach |
Strong global partnerships |
Strong global partnerships |
Limited but growing |
|
Live Performance Reporting |
Yes (via ASCAP OnStage) |
Yes (via BMI Live) |
Yes (via SESAC performance forms) |
|
Mobile App |
Yes |
Yes |
No public app |
|
Publisher Required to Get Full Royalties? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
PRO Type |
Performance rights only |
Performance rights only |
Performance rights only |
Which PRO Is Best for You?
Choose ASCAP if:
- You want a well-respected, transparent PRO.
- You're comfortable paying a modest fee for access.
- You like using their mobile tools (ASCAP OnStage).
Choose BMI if:
- You're a beginner or indie songwriter looking for a free option.
- You want access to a large performance network.
- You’re looking to test the waters with minimal upfront investment.
Choose SESAC if:
- You have existing industry traction or referrals.
- You want a hands-on, boutique experience.
- You’ve had placements on TV, film, or with major artists and want more personalized service.
Important: You can only be affiliated with one U.S. PRO at a time for your songs.
You also still need to register with the MLC (for mechanical royalties) and SoundExchange (for digital performance royalties of your master recordings).
