Which music distributor should I use?
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The 'best' distributor depends on your release frequency and budget: flat-fee subscriptions (DistroKid) favor high-volume creators, while one-time fees (CD Baby) suit occasional release cycles. Regardless of the choice, prioritize a platform that offers automated royalty splits and direct delivery to all major DSPs including TikTok and Instagram.
- 1.Choose DistroKid or TuneCore if you are a prolific artist who releases music frequently, as their annual flat-fee models allow for unlimited uploads without per-release costs.
- 2.Opt for CD Baby or Landr if you prefer a 'pay-per-release' model with no recurring annual fees, which is ideal for artists who release music less often and want their catalog to remain online indefinitely without a subscription.
- 3.Select Stem or AWAL if you are an established artist with a significant following, as these 'boutique' distributors offer higher-touch services and marketing support in exchange for a percentage of your royalties.
- ×Hidden fees for 'optional' services like YouTube Content ID or Store Automator which can quickly double your annual cost.
- ×The 'Takedown' risk: if you stop paying an annual subscription, some distributors will remove your entire catalog from streaming platforms.
- ×Delayed customer support response times, which can be critical if there is a mistake in your release metadata or a copyright claim.
Always ensure you have your own ISRC and UPC codes saved in a spreadsheet. Even if the distributor provides them for free, owning your metadata record makes switching platforms in the future much easier.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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