Music Distribution Services Comparison: Which One is Right for You?

For independent musicians, choosing the right music distribution service is crucial for ensuring that your music reaches the widest possible audience. These services help you get your tracks onto major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and many others. However, not all distribution platforms are the same—each has different pricing models, features, and perks tailored to various needs.

In this guide, we’ll compare some of the most popular music distribution services, highlighting their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about which one suits your career.

1. DistroKid

DistroKid is one of the most popular distribution services among independent musicians, known for its simplicity and affordability.

Key Features:

• Unlimited Releases: For a flat yearly fee, DistroKid allows you to upload and distribute an unlimited number of songs or albums.
• Streaming Platforms: DistroKid distributes your music to over 150 platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music, and more.
• Revenue Split: Artists keep 100% of their royalties, and DistroKid doesn’t take any cuts from your earnings.
• Additional Features: Tools like Spotify Canvas, YouTube Content ID, and Instagram Stories integration, along with automated royalty splits for collaborators.

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: $19.99/year for unlimited uploads.
• Musician Plus: $35.99/year with additional features like customizable label names, release dates, and ISRC codes.

Pros:

• Affordable for musicians with frequent releases.
• No additional costs for each release.
• User-friendly interface.
• Fast distribution.

Cons:

• Subscription-based model, meaning you lose access if you stop paying.
• No customer support via phone, only email.

2. TuneCore

TuneCore is a widely respected distribution service that offers a balance between features and control for independent musicians, especially those with a growing fanbase.

Key Features:

• Pay-Per-Release: TuneCore charges per release (album or single), allowing you to pay once for lifetime distribution of that project.
• Revenue: Artists keep 100% of their revenue.
• Additional Platforms: Like DistroKid, TuneCore distributes to all major platforms. They also offer the opportunity to sell music on TikTok and Facebook.
• Detailed Analytics: TuneCore provides robust sales reports and analytics to help artists track their streams and income.

Pricing:

• Single Release: $9.99 per year.
• Album Release: $29.99/year for the first year, $49.99 for renewal.
• Social Platforms: Free distribution to social platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram).

Pros:

• Lifetime distribution for individual releases.
• Strong data analytics tools.
• Access to music publishing services, allowing artists to collect worldwide publishing royalties.

Cons:

• More expensive upfront compared to subscription services.
• Fees for each release can add up for artists with frequent new content.

3. CD Baby

CD Baby is one of the most well-established names in music distribution, offering a combination of distribution, publishing, and physical distribution services for independent musicians.

Key Features:

• One-Time Fee: Unlike TuneCore or DistroKid’s subscription model, CD Baby charges a one-time fee per release, which covers distribution for the lifetime of the song or album.
• Physical Distribution: In addition to digital distribution, CD Baby offers physical distribution options (CDs, vinyl) through retail partners like Amazon.
• Revenue Split: CD Baby takes a 9% commission on your digital sales but offers additional services such as publishing administration, where you can collect royalties from worldwide streams.
• Monetization Features: Includes YouTube monetization, sync licensing, and global royalty collection services.

Pricing:

• Single Release: $9.95 for the Standard plan; $29.95 for Pro Publishing plan.
• Album Release: $29 for Standard; $69 for Pro Publishing.

Pros:

• One-time payment per release (no yearly fees).
• Includes publishing royalty collection with the Pro plan.
• Physical distribution options.
• Strong sync licensing opportunities.

Cons:

• 9% commission on all digital revenue.
• Higher upfront cost compared to subscription models.

4. Amuse

Amuse is a free distribution service, offering a unique model where artists can distribute their music globally without any upfront costs.

Key Features:

• Free Distribution: Amuse offers 100% free distribution to major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
• Artist Investment: While the free model is available to all artists, Amuse also offers a Pro Plan, which includes features like fast releases, royalty splits, and the potential for artist investment from Amuse’s record label.
• Mobile App: Amuse is highly mobile-focused, allowing artists to upload tracks, manage releases, and check stats all from a smartphone app.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: 100% free for basic distribution.
• Pro Plan: $59.99/year, which includes faster payouts, instant uploads, and premium support.

Pros:

• Free option for artists on a budget.
• Potential for label support through artist investment.
• Mobile-friendly interface and workflow.

Cons:

• The free plan lacks advanced features like fast payouts or royalty splits.
• Fewer tools for in-depth analytics compared to other platforms.

5. LANDR

LANDR is not just a distribution service; it also offers mastering services and AI-driven tools to help musicians optimize their tracks for release.

Key Features:

• Mastering Tools: LANDR allows you to master your tracks before distribution, offering a streamlined process to improve sound quality.
• Streaming Distribution: Distribute your tracks to all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.
• Revenue Split: Artists keep 100% of their streaming revenue.
• Additional Features: Includes tools for track promotion, album art generation, and analytics.

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: $12/month or $89/year for unlimited distribution.
• Pro Plan: $25/month or $299/year with additional mastering services and distribution to YouTube Content ID.

Pros:

• Includes high-quality mastering services.
• Great for artists who want a seamless production and distribution workflow.
• Allows unlimited releases with a subscription.

Cons:

• More expensive than other platforms.
• Focuses more on production tools, so it may not suit artists who only need distribution.

Comparison Summary
(prices from 2024)

Conclusion: Which Music Distribution Service is Right for You?

Choosing the best distribution service depends on your goals, release frequency, and budget. DistroKid is ideal for artists who release music frequently, while CD Baby is great for artists who prefer one-time payments and physical distribution. TuneCore offers excellent analytics for data-driven musicians, while Amuse provides a solid free option for those on a tight budget. Finally, LANDR is perfect for artists who want mastering and distribution all in one platform.

By using a platform like Muibas to collaborate with other artists, you can create high-quality music that is ready for distribution on any of these platforms, helping you reach your audience and maximize your income potential.