CD Baby Review: One-Time Fee Distribution Service

CD Baby has operated since 1998, making it one of the oldest independent music distributors. The service is known for its one-time fee model rather than recurring subscriptions. Understanding CD Baby’s current offerings helps musicians evaluate whether this established service fits their distribution needs.

Pricing Structure

One-time fee per release model. Single payment covers distribution indefinitely, without recurring costs.

Standard and Pro options available. Pro tier includes additional features like publishing administration.

No annual renewal required. Once paid, music stays distributed without further payment.

Commission on revenue applies. CD Baby takes small percentage of ongoing royalties.

Platform Coverage

Comprehensive platform distribution. Music reaches major streaming services and over 150 platforms.

Social media platform integration. TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook receive distributed content.

Physical distribution option available. CD Baby can also handle physical product distribution.

Key Features

YouTube monetization included. Content ID registration captures YouTube revenue.

Sync licensing program available. Inclusion in licensing opportunities for film, TV, and ads.

Cover song licensing provided. Service facilitates mechanical licensing for cover recordings.

Show.co promotional tools. Landing pages and promotional assets included.

Publishing Services (CD Baby Pro)

Publishing administration included in Pro tier. Registration and royalty collection handled.

Performance royalty collection. PRO registration and royalty collection managed.

Mechanical royalty collection. Streaming mechanical royalties collected.

Neighboring rights collection for some territories. Additional royalty types collected in certain regions.

Considerations and Limitations

Per-release pricing less cost-effective for frequent releasers. Artists releasing many singles pay more than subscription services.

Commission reduces ongoing revenue. Small percentage taken from all earnings.

Interface and experience can feel dated. Platform design reflects its long history.

Customer support experience varies. Responses to support quality differ among users.

Best Suited For

Infrequent releasers benefit from one-time fees. Those releasing rarely avoid paying for unused subscription time.

Artists wanting no recurring costs. One-time payment provides budget predictability.

Those interested in physical distribution. Combined digital and physical capabilities suit certain needs.

Potential Concerns

Higher per-release cost than subscription alternatives. For frequent releasers, subscription models may be cheaper.

Legacy systems may lack modern features. Long-established service may not have latest innovations.

Pro tier cost for publishing features. Full features require higher Pro tier pricing.

Pro Versus Standard Decision

Standard suits distribution-only needs. Basic distribution without publishing administration.

Pro suits comprehensive needs. Combined distribution and publishing in single service.

Cost comparison with separate services informs decision. Evaluating Pro versus standard plus separate publishing determines value.

Overall Assessment

CD Baby serves artists preferring one-time fee predictability. The established service with physical distribution capability suits certain use cases well. Understanding fee structure, commission rates, and feature differences between standard and Pro tiers enables informed decision-making about whether CD Baby fits specific distribution needs.