Which music distributor should I use?
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Ask a question →DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby — what's actually different?
Also searched as: best music distributor; DistroKid vs TuneCore; music distribution services
AI starter answer — please verify with real-world experience. Awaiting trusted contributor review.
The 'best' distributor depends on your release frequency and long-term budget. Generally, high-volume artists benefit from subscription models, while occasional releasers benefit from per-release payment structures.
- 1.Choose DistroKid or UnitedMasters if you plan to release music frequently (weekly or monthly) and want a flat annual subscription fee.
- 2.Opt for CD Baby or TuneCore if you prefer to pay a one-time fee per release without worrying about annual renewals to keep your music online.
- 3.Use specialized services like Symphonic or AWAL if you are an established artist looking for hands-on marketing support and are willing to share a percentage of your royalties.
- ×Subscription-based services may remove your music from stores if you stop paying your annual fee.
- ×Hidden fees for 'extras' like Shazam registration, Store Power, or YouTube Content ID can quickly double your costs.
- ×Check the customer support reputation; some budget distributors are notoriously slow to respond during emergency takedown or copyright issues.
Always ensure your distributor offers 'Mechanical Licenses' for cover songs and 'YouTube Content ID' if you plan to monetize your music across social platforms.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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