DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby

Choosing a music distributor is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an independent artist. These three platforms are the most popular, but they're built for different types of musicians. Here's what you need to know.

DistroKid: Speed and Volume

DistroKid is designed for prolific artists. You can upload a song and have it live on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and 150+ stores within hours. Their interface is fast, their support is responsive, and they've built features specifically for independent artists.

Cost: Free to upload, but they take 12% of your revenue. That's steep compared to alternatives, but many artists accept it for the speed and convenience. Monthly subscription plans ($2.99-$8.99) let you get your full 100% of royalties.

Best for: Artists releasing frequently (albums, EPs, singles every month), artists who value speed, music makers who want a simple dashboard.

Downside: The percentage cut stings if you're a high-volume earner. Some features like promotion tools cost extra.

TuneCore: Flexible and Affordable

TuneCore is owned by Believe and offers a middle ground. You keep 100% of your royalties—they charge flat fees per album or single, not percentages. Prices are reasonable: around $10-$30 one-time per upload depending on distribution scope.

Cost: Flat fees mean predictability. Pay once, earn everything. No recurring subscriptions unless you add optional services.

Best for: Artists with fewer releases who want to keep all their money, artists who see distribution as a utility service, anyone uncomfortable with revenue sharing.

Downside: Slower approval than DistroKid (3-7 days typical). The interface is less polished. You'll need to upload again if you want to re-release an old song to new stores.

CD Baby: The Veteran

CD Baby started as a physical CD distributor in 1998 and evolved into a full distribution platform. They're known for trustworthiness and artist-friendly approach. They keep 9% of your royalties (better than DistroKid) and offer additional services like sync licensing support and music publishing administration.

Cost: 9% revenue split. They also pay out faster than most (weekly, not quarterly).

Best for: Artists who care about sync licensing opportunities, musicians building a long-term career, anyone with an existing fanbase who can benefit from their artist community.

Downside: Their interface is dated. Processing is slower (5-14 days). Less hype around features compared to newer competitors.

The Real Decision

All three get your music to the same stores. The choice comes down to:

• Release frequency: Frequent releasers often choose DistroKid for speed.
• Revenue focus: Money-conscious artists with few releases prefer TuneCore's flat fees.
• Long-term vision: Artists thinking about sync deals and publishing often choose CD Baby.

Test your numbers: If you release 1-2 songs a year, TuneCore saves you money. If you release monthly, DistroKid's subscription might be worth it. If sync licensing sounds important, CD Baby has the infrastructure.

Most successful independent artists use one of these three. The difference in reach is negligible—they access the same stores and the same audiences. Pick the business model that matches your release strategy.