DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby: Choosing Your Music Distributor

Navigating the Distributor Wars: Choosing the Right Partner for Your Music Career

Choosing a digital music distributor is one of the most critical decisions an independent artist will make. It’s the gatekeeper to getting your music on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and dozens of other platforms.

The “Big Three” in the indie world are often cited as DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. But which one is the right general, ally, or partner for your career stage? The answer depends entirely on your budget, release frequency, and long-term goals.

We’ve broken down the pricing, features, and royalty splits to help you find the best fit, whether you’re a beginner releasing your first single or an established indie artist managing a catalog.

💰 Pricing & Royalty Splits: The Core Comparison

The most significant difference between these platforms lies in their pricing models: Annual Subscription (DistroKid/TuneCore) versus One-Time Fee (CD Baby).

Distributor Pricing Model Annual Fee Single Price Album Price Artist Royalties Retained
DistroKid Annual Subscription Starts at $24.99/year Unlimited (Included) Unlimited (Included) 100%
TuneCore Annual Subscription Starts at $22.99/year Unlimited (Included) Unlimited (Included) 100% (Some fees/commissions on social media/Content ID)
CD Baby One-Time Fee $0 (No annual fee) Starts at $9.99 Starts at $14.99 91% (CD Baby takes a 9% commission)

🎯 The “Keep 100%” vs. “One-Time Payment” Debate

  • DistroKid & TuneCore (100% Royalties): This model is excellent for artists who release music frequently (e.g., more than one single a year). Once your subscription fee is covered, you keep all your streaming/download revenue. However, watch out for add-ons like YouTube Content ID, which may incur a small annual fee plus a commission on that specific revenue stream.

  • CD Baby (9% Commission): This model shines for artists who release music infrequently or are just starting out and are unsure of their long-term commitment. You pay a small fee once, and your music is live forever with no yearly cost. The trade-off is the 9% cut on all your digital sales and streams. If your streams are low, 9% is a small price to pay for eliminating annual fees.

🛠️ Feature Breakdown: What Else Do You Get?

Distribution is just the start. The best distributor for you also depends on the extra tools and services you need.

🚀 DistroKid: The Speed Demon for Prolific Artists

DistroKid is famous for its simplicity and speed.

  • Best For: Artists who release music often (every month or two) and prioritize a low annual cost for unlimited uploads.

  • Key Features:

    • Fastest Distribution: Often gets music on stores in 1-7 days.

    • Automatic Royalty Splits (Splits/Teams): This feature is a massive plus for bands and collaborators, automatically sending everyone their correct percentage.

    • Affordable Base Price: The Musician plan is one of the cheapest entry points for unlimited releases.

    • Caveat: Customer support is often cited as being slower or less comprehensive, and many useful features (like Content ID) require extra paid add-ons.

📈 TuneCore: The Professional-Grade Powerhouse

TuneCore has evolved to focus on a more professional and feature-rich experience with competitive, unlimited plans.

  • Best For: Mid-level, established indie artists who value robust analytics, publishing, and customer support.

  • Key Features:

    • Publishing Administration: TuneCore offers a top-tier service to help you collect mechanical and performance royalties worldwide, a critical step for serious artists.

    • Superior Support: Generally recognized for offering more comprehensive and responsive customer service, especially on higher-tier plans.

    • TuneCore Splits: Like DistroKid, they offer free collaborator splits on their Rising/Breakout/Professional plans.

    • Unlimited Plans: Their shift to unlimited plans starting at a low price point makes them highly competitive with DistroKid for frequent releases.

💎 CD Baby: The Comprehensive Catalog Builder

CD Baby is the veteran, offering a one-stop-shop that extends beyond digital streaming.

  • Best For: Artists who focus on sync licensing, want a physical presence (CD/Vinyl), or only release music a couple of times per year.

  • Key Features:

    • Sync Licensing: A powerful tool for getting your music placed in TV, films, and video games.

    • Physical Distribution: The only major distributor on this list that offers distribution for physical CDs and Vinyl to retailers.

    • No Annual Fees: Your music stays online forever without an annual subscription.

    • Publishing Administration (CDB Boost): Available for an extra one-time fee, this is an excellent service for passive royalty collection.

👑 The Final Verdict: Choosing Your Partner

The best distributor is the one that aligns perfectly with your current music career stage.

Artist Stage Best Distributor Why?
The Beginner (1-2 releases/year, low streams) CD Baby The one-time fee structure means you have zero ongoing costs if you stop releasing music. The 9% commission is negligible on low stream counts, and your music stays up forever.
The Prolific Indie (3+ releases/year, budget-conscious) DistroKid The $24.99/year for unlimited uploads is unbeatable for testing a high volume of new music. The royalty split feature is perfect for collaborators.
The Established Professional (Regular releases, earning revenue) TuneCore Their robust Publishing Administration and superior customer support provide the professional-level services needed to maximize worldwide royalty collection and manage a growing business.

💡 Your Next Step

Before you commit, calculate the break-even point: How many streams/downloads would you need on CD Baby (9% cut) before the annual subscription of DistroKid or TuneCore becomes the cheaper option?

The Distributor Wars are a win for the artist. All three are fantastic, industry-standard options that get your music everywhere it needs to be. Now, choose the one that fits your current hustle, and get back to making music!