ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC vs GMR: The 4 PROs Explained
Four organizations control who gets paid when you play music in public — and you can't tell which one owns which song. Here's what each PRO does, and why most businesses end up needing all four.
If you've started looking into music licensing for your business, you've run into four acronyms: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR. They're the gatekeepers of public performance rights in the U.S., and understanding the difference between them is the key to knowing what you actually have to pay for.
What a PRO actually does
When you pay a PRO, you're not buying the recordings — you're buying the right to publicly perform the underlying songs its members wrote. That's a separate right from owning a copy or holding a streaming subscription, which is why a personal Spotify account doesn't cover you.
The four U.S. PROs at a glance
| PRO | Size & model | Notable for |
|---|---|---|
| ASCAP | ~1M+ members; non-profit, member-owned | One of the two giants; broad catalog |
| BMI | ~1.4M+ affiliates; the other giant | Huge catalog across every genre |
| SESAC | Smaller; invitation-only; for-profit | Selective roster with major names |
| GMR | Newest; invitation-only; for-profit | Several A-list songwriter catalogs |
Why you usually need all four
Here's the catch that surprises every business owner: each PRO controls a different, exclusive catalog, and there's no practical way to know which PRO represents a given song before you play it. One hit single might be ASCAP; the next, BMI. To play popular music without legal risk, you need a blanket license from all four — which is exactly why DIY licensing gets expensive and admin-heavy. See what licensing all four costs.
What happens if you only license one (or none)
Licensing just one PRO leaves you exposed for every song the other three control — which is most of them. Playing unlicensed music can trigger statutory damages of $750 to $150,000 per song. We cover enforcement in detail in the penalties for playing unlicensed music.
The shortcut: let a service hold the licenses
Instead of signing, paying, and renewing with four separate organizations, you can use a licensed business music service that already covers performance rights. Radio Creator programs original, on-brand music and handles the licensing — so the four-PRO maze simply isn't your problem. Compare the routes in licensed Spotify alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR?
They are the four U.S. performing rights organizations (PROs). ASCAP and BMI are the two large, broad-catalog organizations; SESAC and GMR are smaller, invitation-only rosters. Each represents a different, exclusive set of songwriters.
Do I need to license all four PROs?
Usually yes. Each PRO controls a different catalog and you cannot tell which one represents a given song, so covering all four is the only way to legally play any popular track without risk.
How much does it cost to license all four PROs?
A blanket license from one PRO typically runs $250 to $2,000 per year for a small business, so covering all four commonly totals roughly $1,000 to $4,000 or more per year, plus the admin of four contracts and renewals.
Is there a way to avoid dealing with the PROs directly?
Yes. A licensed business music service bundles the performance license with the music, so it holds the PRO coverage for you and you avoid signing and renewing with four separate organizations.
Skip the four-PRO maze
Radio Creator bundles the performance licensing with original, on-brand music — no ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, or GMR paperwork.
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