Feature.fm is one of the most popular music marketing platforms out there. Major distributors like The Orchard use it, and you've probably seen their smart links everywhere. But if you're an independent artist, is it actually worth the price?
Here's an honest comparison between Feature.fm and Gatefolded—two very different tools that solve different problems for musicians.
The Core Difference
Feature.fm is a music marketing platform focused on smart links, pre-saves, and advertising. It's designed to drive traffic to streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. You create links that detect the user's device and redirect them to the right store.
Gatefolded is the direct-to-fan music platform. Instead of sending fans away to Spotify, you keep them with you—and own the relationship. Give your core fans exclusive content streaming platforms can't offer, bundle digital extras with vinyl and merch, and build an audience that's actually yours. It's also built for protecting unreleased music when sharing with labels, press, and collaborators.
The key question: Do you need to send people somewhere else, or do you want them to listen right here?
Pricing: The Elephant in the Room
Let's talk numbers first, because this is where it gets interesting.
Feature.fm Free: Basic smart links with Feature.fm branding. Limited analytics. No Facebook pixel support.
Feature.fm Artist: $9.99/month billed annually ($120/year) or $14.99/month billed monthly ($180/year). Removes branding, adds better analytics.
Feature.fm Pro: $24.99/month billed annually ($300/year) or $34.99/month billed monthly ($420/year). Adds ad campaign tools, advanced analytics, and more.
Gatefolded: $49/year. That's it. All features included. No tiers, no upsells, no feature gatekeeping.
The math: Gatefolded costs 60% less than Feature.fm's cheapest paid plan and 84% less than Feature.fm Pro. For an indie artist watching every dollar, that adds up fast.
Feature Comparison
Smart Links and Pre-Saves
Feature.fm: This is their bread and butter. Create links that auto-detect platforms, run pre-save campaigns, track click-through rates. They're genuinely good at this.
Gatefolded: Includes links to all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Bandcamp, SoundCloud) on your artist page. But we don't do auto-detection or pre-save campaigns—that's not our focus.
Verdict: If smart links and pre-saves are your primary need, Feature.fm does more here. But ask yourself: how often do you actually run pre-save campaigns?
Music Hosting and Streaming
Feature.fm: Doesn't host music. All roads lead to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Gatefolded: Hosts and streams your music directly. Upload MP3, WAV, FLAC, or AAC files. Visitors play tracks right on your page without leaving.
Why it matters: When you send someone to Spotify, they're one swipe away from another artist—and you never get their contact info. Streaming on your own page means fans are there for you, not getting shuffled into algorithmic playlists. Plus you can offer exclusive content (demos, alternate mixes, bonus tracks) they can't get anywhere else.
Unreleased Music Protection
Feature.fm: No built-in access control. Smart links are public by default.
Gatefolded: Password protection, email allowlists with OTP verification, download controls, expiring links, and play count limits. Designed for sharing demos with labels and press without worrying about leaks.
Why it matters: If you've ever sent a demo to an A&R, blogger, or playlist curator, you know the anxiety of your unreleased track ending up somewhere it shouldn't. Feature.fm can't help here; Gatefolded was built for exactly this.
Album Presentation
Feature.fm: Smart links typically show a list of streaming service buttons. Your album art appears as a thumbnail.
Gatefolded: Full album pages with artwork, tracklists, lyrics, and playable tracks. Albums are presented as cohesive projects, not buttons.
Why it matters: You spent months on that album. The presentation should reflect that effort.
Analytics
Feature.fm Free: Basic click counts.
Feature.fm Paid: Click-through rates, geographic data, platform preferences. The Pro plan adds trend analysis and campaign performance metrics.
Gatefolded: Page views, track plays, downloads, and listening behavior. See which tracks people actually listen to (vs. skip), filter by time period, and know exactly who accessed your private shares. Export to CSV or JSON.
Difference: Feature.fm tracks clicks—useful for marketing. Gatefolded tracks listening—useful for understanding how people engage with your music.
Collaboration
Feature.fm: Team features available on higher-tier plans.
Gatefolded: Invite up to 4 team members per artist, included at no extra cost. Bandmates can upload tracks and manage the page. Optional approval workflow for changes.
Customization
Feature.fm: Custom backgrounds and branding on paid plans.
Gatefolded: 7 preset themes plus a custom color builder with eyedropper tool. Can automatically generate a color palette from your album artwork.
What Feature.fm Does Better
To be fair, Feature.fm has strengths:
- Pre-save campaigns: If you release music frequently and want to build hype before release day, Feature.fm's pre-save tools are solid.
- Advertising integration: The Pro plan lets you run ad campaigns directly through the platform.
- Platform detection: Their smart links automatically send users to the right streaming service based on their device.
- Industry adoption: Major labels and distributors use Feature.fm, so if you're working within that ecosystem, you might need compatibility.
What Gatefolded Does Better
- Own your audience: Build a direct channel with fans instead of renting plays from Spotify.
- Exclusive content: Give core fans demos, alternate mixes, bonus tracks they can't get on streaming.
- Bundle-friendly: Include a Gatefolded link with vinyl or merch for digital extras—no shipping costs.
- Price: $49/year vs $120-420/year. A significant difference for indie budgets.
- Music hosting: Stream directly instead of redirecting to external platforms.
- Access control: Password protection, allowlists, expiring links—none of which Feature.fm offers.
- No tiers: Every feature is included. You're not constantly hitting paywalls.
When to Choose Feature.fm
Feature.fm makes sense if:
- You run frequent pre-save campaigns and need that automation
- You want to manage ad campaigns within the same platform
- You work with a label or distributor that uses Feature.fm
- Your primary goal is driving traffic to Spotify/Apple Music
- You don't need to share unreleased music privately
When to Choose Gatefolded
Gatefolded makes sense if:
- You want to own your audience instead of renting plays on Spotify
- You want to give core fans exclusive content—demos, alternate mixes, bonus tracks
- You sell vinyl or merch and want to bundle digital extras
- You want fans to stream your music on your own page
- You share demos with labels, press, or collaborators regularly
- You need password protection or email-gated access
- You're tired of paying premium prices for features you don't use
The Bottom Line
Feature.fm drives traffic to streaming platforms. Gatefolded helps you own the fan relationship. They solve different problems.
If you're running sophisticated marketing campaigns with pre-saves and ads, Feature.fm might be worth the premium. But if you want to build a direct channel with your actual fans—giving them exclusive content, bundling with vinyl/merch, and owning your audience instead of renting it from Spotify—Gatefolded does more of what you actually need, at a fraction of the cost.
Try both and decide for yourself. Gatefolded offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.