Music Distribution Comparison: DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby vs Ditto

Picking a distributor is one of those decisions that feels bigger than it should be. They all get your music onto streaming platforms. The differences come down to pricing structure, features, and how they treat your catalog over time.

Here’s a breakdown of four popular options based on what actually matters.

DistroKid

DistroKid{rel=“nofollow sponsored”} pioneered the unlimited uploads model. Pay an annual fee, release as much music as you want.

Pricing: Starts around $22.99/year for the basic tier. Higher tiers ($39.99 and up) add features like customization options and faster support.

What you get:

• Unlimited uploads to 150+ platforms
• Fast delivery (often 2-3 days to major platforms)
• Spotify for Artists verification
• YouTube Content ID
• HyperFollow pre-save links included
• Daily streaming stats

The catch: Your music only stays on platforms while your subscription is active. Stop paying and your catalog gets pulled. There’s an add-on called “Leave a Legacy” ($29 one-time per release) that keeps music live permanently, but that cost adds up.

Best for: Artists releasing multiple singles or albums per year. If you’re putting out 4+ releases annually, the math makes DistroKid the cheapest option per release.

TuneCore

TuneCore is one of the oldest distribution services. They’ve been around since 2006 and distribute for some major independent artists.

Pricing: $9.99/year for a single, $29.99/year for an album. These are annual fees per release, not one-time.

What you get:

• Distribution to major platforms
• Publishing administration available
• Social media monetization
• Sync licensing opportunities
• YouTube monetization
• Detailed analytics

The catch: Annual fees per release get expensive fast. Your third album means you’re paying ~$90/year just to keep everything online. After a few years with a decent catalog, costs stack up significantly.

Best for: Artists with one or two releases who want solid analytics and aren’t planning an extensive catalog. Also good if you value their publishing admin services.

CD Baby

CD Baby has been around since 1998. They offer a one-time fee model, meaning you pay once and your music stays up forever.

Pricing: $9.95 for a single, $29 for an album. One-time fees. CD Baby takes a 9% commission on streaming royalties (15% if you opt into their Pro tier for publishing).

What you get:

• Permanent distribution (no recurring fees)
• Physical distribution if you make CDs
• Sync licensing through their network
• Publishing registration with Pro tier
• YouTube Content ID
• Cover song licensing built in

The catch: That 9% cut of royalties adds up over time. If your music streams significantly, you end up paying more than you would with a flat-fee service. Also, their interface feels dated compared to newer competitors.

Best for: Artists who release infrequently but want their catalog available long-term without thinking about renewals. Good choice if you’re also doing physical releases.

Ditto Music

Ditto is a UK-based distributor that’s grown significantly in recent years. They position themselves between budget and premium tiers.

Pricing: Plans range from around $19/year for basic to higher tiers with more features. They occasionally run promotions.

What you get:

• Unlimited distribution on paid plans
• Record label services available
• Playlist pitching tools
• Social media distribution
• Analytics dashboard
• Keep 100% of royalties

The catch: Platform coverage isn’t as extensive as some competitors. Customer service responses can be slow during busy periods. Some features advertised prominently require higher-tier plans.

Best for: Artists who want unlimited releases with 100% royalty retention and don’t need every possible store. Good middle-ground option.

Side-by-Side Comparison

*Unless you pay extra for Leave a Legacy

What Actually Matters

Most distribution decisions come down to three questions:

How often do you release music? If you’re putting out 6 singles this year, DistroKid or Ditto makes sense. If you’re releasing one album and nothing else for two years, CD Baby’s one-time fee wins.

How important is permanent catalog access? If the idea of your music disappearing because you forgot to renew gives you anxiety, go with CD Baby. Yes, you lose 9% on royalties. For many independent artists, that 9% of modest streams is worth the peace of mind.

What features do you actually need? Publishing administration, sync licensing, physical distribution. If these matter to you, narrow your options to services that offer them. Most artists just need to get music on Spotify and Apple Music. Don’t pay for features you won’t use.

My Take

For most new artists, I’d suggest starting with DistroKid{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}. The annual fee is cheap, you can release freely while you’re finding your sound, and the interface is straightforward.

If a track takes off and you want it protected long-term, add Leave a Legacy to that specific release. Or migrate your catalog to CD Baby later when you have music worth preserving permanently.

None of these choices are irreversible. You can switch distributors. It’s annoying but doable. Don’t let the decision paralyze you. Pick something reasonable and start releasing music. That matters more than which service delivers it.