As an independent artist, finding the right music distributor is crucial to ensure your music reaches the widest possible audience while offering fair pricing and valuable features. With so many options available, it can be challenging to navigate through the different plans, pricing models, and additional services like editorial pitches and placements on platforms like Beatport. In this article, we’ll break down the top music distributors for independent artists, focusing on pricing structures, features, and how they compare to one another.
1. DistroKid: Affordable and Fast
Best for: Quick distribution with no upfront fees, yearly subscription model.
- Pricing: DistroKid offers a $19.99/year flat fee for unlimited uploads, which is great for artists who release a lot of content. For additional services like additional artists or “Teams,” there are more pricing options available.
- Per Song / Per Album: With the annual plan, all songs and albums are included for free.
- Additional Features:
- Beatport: DistroKid includes distribution to Beatport, one of the biggest platforms for electronic music.
- Editorial Pitches: DistroKid offers a “HyperFollow” feature to help promote your music directly to followers, though editorial pitches to blogs or curated playlists may require additional outreach.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing with unlimited uploads.
- Fast delivery to digital platforms.
- Includes Beatport and other major platforms.
Cons:
- Additional fees for advanced features (e.g., YouTube Content ID, or additional artist management).
2. CD Baby: Traditional Distributor with More Features
Best for: Artists who need a wide range of services and want to distribute globally.
- Pricing: CD Baby offers two pricing models:
- Per Song: $9.95 for a single song.
- Per Album: $29 for an album (up to 12 tracks), with additional fees for more tracks.
- Additional Features:
- Beatport: CD Baby offers distribution to Beatport, which is ideal for electronic and dance music artists.
- Editorial Pitches: CD Baby provides a feature called “Sync Licensing,” which connects artists with opportunities for placements in TV, movies, and advertisements. While they don’t directly pitch to editorial playlists, they offer connections for broader opportunities.
Pros:
- Global distribution to over 150 platforms.
- Offers music publishing and sync licensing opportunities.
- One-time fee per song/album (no subscription model).
Cons:
- More expensive compared to subscription-based services like DistroKid.
- No specific editorial playlist pitching (artists must handle that themselves).
3. TuneCore: Great for Serious Artists and Labels
Best for: Artists looking to distribute globally with detailed reporting.
- Pricing:
- Per Song: $9.99 per year for singles.
- Per Album: $29.99 for the first year of album distribution.
- TuneCore requires yearly renewal, so it’s important to account for ongoing costs.
- Additional Features:
- Beatport: TuneCore includes Beatport, ensuring your music gets to the right audience, especially for electronic and dance music producers.
- Editorial Pitches: TuneCore offers a “Music Publishing Administration” service that helps get your music into editorial playlists and sync placements, giving you a better chance of being featured.
Pros:
- Global distribution with multiple platforms included.
- Advanced sales and streaming reporting tools.
- Sync licensing and editorial pitching services for additional exposure.
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost compared to subscription-based services.
- Yearly renewal fees can add up over time.
4. Amuse: Free Distribution with Premium Features
Best for: Independent artists who need a free option with room to grow.
- Pricing: Amuse offers both a free plan and a $24.99/month premium plan called “Amuse Pro” that includes additional features like faster releases, premium support, and advanced analytics.
- Per Song / Per Album:
- Free Plan: Includes unlimited song and album uploads with no upfront fees.
- Pro Plan: Offers additional features and benefits at a low monthly subscription.
- Additional Features:
- Beatport: Amuse distributes to Beatport, making it an attractive choice for electronic music artists.
- Editorial Pitches: Amuse does not offer editorial pitches directly, but they focus on data-driven distribution, giving you better control over where your music goes.
Pros:
- Free plan available, ideal for new or independent artists.
- Fast distribution with global reach.
- Affordable Pro plan with enhanced features.
Cons:
- The free plan lacks advanced tools like editorial pitching.
- Limited customer support on the free tier.
5. AWAL: The Elite Distributor with Advanced Opportunities
Best for: Serious independent artists or those signed to a label who want exclusive services.
- Pricing: AWAL doesn’t offer a traditional pricing structure, as it’s an invite-only platform. They work with select artists and take a commission on the revenue generated (typically 15-20%).
- Additional Features:
- Beatport: AWAL is known for its strong relationships with electronic music platforms like Beatport, making it ideal for DJ/producers.
- Editorial Pitches: AWAL offers top-tier editorial pitching opportunities, including pitching to curated playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as opportunities for radio and sync placements.
Pros:
- Excellent editorial pitch opportunities and playlist placements.
- Distribution to all major platforms, including Beatport.
- Advanced tools and analytics for artists.
Cons:
- Invite-only system makes it harder for new artists to join.
- High commission on revenue.