. 

Choosing the right music distribution service is key for indie artists. It helps them reach more fans and make more money online. Now, there are many options like DistroKid, TuneCore, Too Lost, and LANDR. These tools let artists share their music on big platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and TikTok.

What’s great about these services is their clear pay and how they help artists take control of their music. For example, DistroKid and TuneCore have affordable plans that let artists put out all the music they want. On the other hand, Too Lost is known for stopping scams and helps artists send their music directly to platforms.

Each service has its own benefits. DistroKid stands out by offering a yearly fee for distributing music to 150+ places while keeping all earnings². CD Baby is different because it charges for each music release but includes digital and physical sales. This makes it good for many types of artists. Plus, services now also help with promoting music and getting it on playlists to help artists grow their careers.

Key Takeaways

• Independent music distributors help artists get their songs on big platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• DistroKid and TuneCore allow unlimited music releases at low costs.
• Too Lost works hard to prevent scams and offers direct distribution to 450+ places.
• CD Baby’s model combines digital and physical music sales in one package.
• These services are known for being clear about money and offering good ways to collect earned royalties.

Introduction to Music Distribution Services

Music distribution services are key in today’s digital music world. They help artists reach top online music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. This means artists can share their music worldwide without the old hassles.

The way music gets to fans has changed a lot. Independent artists now have a better shot at finding listeners and making a living. They can put their music on digital stores, keeping all their rights.

Too Lost is making a big impact, having shared over 7 million songs. They add about 150,000 new tracks every month. And with about 85 team members in two places, they’re clearly growing big.

Now, artists can get all their music royalties worldwide. They get 100% of what they’re owed. This change means fairer pay for their creative work.

For artists to grow, Asian markets are a big deal. Services like NetEase in China are crucial because more people there are starting to pay for streaming. This trend is likely to continue growing for the next ten years.

Distributors now offer clear reports on how much money artists make. This kind of detail is vital for managing money well. It makes it easier for artists to control their finances.

There are new helpful tools for artists, like sharing payments with others they work with. And to fight fraud, services like Too Lost use strict checks to make sure everything is fair.

Now, let’s look at how different services charge artists:

This change in music distribution helps artists a lot. It gives them direct control over where their music is. They can keep their freedom, earn more, and steer their careers better.

What is Music Distribution?

Music distribution gets music out to people through digital service providers (DSPs). These include big names like Spotify and Apple Music. It aims to find new listeners and make money for artists.

For any indie artist, picking the right distributor is key. It helps them share their music widely and understand why they need a distributor.

The Basics of Music Distribution

Artists can reach listeners worldwide with digital stores and streaming services. These services let fans listen or download music. Popular examples are Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. Using these platforms helps artists grow their audience.

There are also services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. They help upload music to many platforms and offer clear reports on streams and earnings.

Why You Need a Music Distributor?

For independent artists, a distributor is vital for reaching lots of listeners. Companies like Too Lost have connected over 7 million songs with fans. They manage about 150,000 new songs every month.

Choosing the best distributor can also affect how much money you make. For example, Level lets artists keep all their earnings and rights when their music is on Spotify and Apple Music. Ditto offers unlimited music releases, starting at $25 a year, which is a great deal.

Too Lost also includes direct distribution to over 450 outlets without extra costs. This helps artists earn more and understand their royalties better¹.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Distributor

When picking a music distributor, artists must look at several important factors. These help them share their music well and earn more money.

Pricing Models

The first thing independent musicians notice is distributor pricing. There are different models, including yearly fees, costs per release, and how much of the revenue the artist keeps. For instance, CD Baby has a starting cost of $9.95 per song or $29 per album, and artists get to keep 91% of the earnings. In comparison, DistroKid’s price is $19.99 per year for unlimited distribution, with artists keeping 100% of their earnings.

Some distributors, like recordJet, have more flexible options. Their “Business Class Basic” has a single fee and offers 90% revenue to the artist. Their “Business Class Premium” has an annual fee but gives 100% earnings back to the artist. The best pricing model differs for each artist, based on how much they release and their budget.

Additional Features

Besides cost, the tools a distributor offers are key to its value. Things like social media help, stats, and pre-landing pages can boost an artist’s online presence. For example, Repost by SoundCloud has marketing tools for $30 annually and a 20% commission.

Getting accurate music royalty information helps artists manage their income better and ensures they get paid fairly. Most platforms offer payment through PayPal and bank transfer, but these options can differ in when and how they pay you.

Good customer support is also very important. Quick and helpful support over the phone and via email can solve problems fast. This lets artists spend more time making music and less on distribution troubles.

Choosing a distributor means finding the right balance between what it costs, how your earnings are calculated, and the tools for musicians. By carefully considering these aspects, artists can choose a distributor that fits their needs and goals.

DistroKid Overview: Features and Pricing

DistroKid is known for being cheap and fast. Artists pay $20 a year and can upload as much music as they want. This makes it perfect for those who release a lot of songs. Others might charge about $10 per song. So, DistroKid’s yearly price is a big win for indie artists. Plus, DistroKid lets artists keep all their music money, while other platforms take a cut.

What sets DistroKid apart is its speed. Your tracks will be on Spotify in just 1-3 days, beating CD Baby and others. It also throws in free UPC codes and hooks up with TikTok. These help artists reach more fans easily.

DistroKid’s extras include special plans like Musician Plus. For $12.99 a month, you get a Social Phone Number to connect with fans. Then, there’s YouTube Content ID. Pay $4.95 a year and DistroKid will look out for your music on YouTube. You also get 20% of the ad money from your songs played there. All this can boost your music’s reach and bring in extra cash.

In the end, DistroKid’s mix of low prices and useful tools is a win-win. It’s great for indie artists who want their music everywhere without losing money. The music world loves DistroKid’s openness and easy payments. They are key for artists today.

TuneCore: Pros and Cons

TuneCore stands out by helping independent musicians launch their music. It’s a popular choice for artists who want to keep full control. Still, it has both good and bad points to consider.

TuneCore Pricing

At TuneCore, you pay $19.99 a year for as many song uploads as you like. This is less than what DistroKid charges, which is $22.99 every year. Plus, TuneCore’s basic plan includes YouTube Content ID. This means more ways for artists to make money from their music. Yet, keep in mind that extra features might cost more.

TuneCore’s Special Features

TuneCore’s publishing service is a big help, making sure artists get all their music download money. It covers everything related to music licenses and royalties. This helps artists protect their earnings well. Besides, it opens up chances to earn more money through sync deals and royalties from performances.

When it comes to speed, TuneCore isn’t the fastest. Your music might take 6-8 days to go live, while DistroKid does it in 48 hours¹⁰. But, TuneCore’s direct support stands out. You’ll talk to a real person to sort out any issues. This is a big win over DistroKid’s hard-to-reach support.

In conclusion, TuneCore is a great balance. It gives you good value, strong money collection options, and helpful support. Even though it’s not the quickest and costs extra for some things, it offers a lot. This makes it an excellent platform for musicians setting out on their own.

CD Baby: A Comprehensive Review

CD Baby is a front-runner in sharing music around the world. It lets artists share their work on over 150 platforms for just $9.99. There are no hidden costs, so music stays available without time limits. It’s also fast to get music on Apple Music through CD Baby.

This service doesn’t just help with online music. It’s a place where artists can also sell CDs and records. CD Baby makes this easy and cost-effective by helping with making CDs and records. Artists can make only what they need.

CD Baby offers many ways for artists to make money. This includes streaming, digital downloads, and more. It has services like Show.co and HearNow to help artists reach more fans and make their music easy to find. Its support for artists, along with so many features, shows why CD Baby is a great choice.

The platform is really supportive. It offers many tools for promotion and lets artists add things like lyrics to songs. Artists like Aloe Blacc and SHEARS have had great experiences with CD Baby’s help. Everything together makes CD Baby stand out as a top service for independent musicians.

New Player Spotlight: Too Lost

Too Lost shakes up the music scene by backing indie artists. Using top-tier tech, they spread music to 450+ online spots. This boosts chances for success and broadens your reach.

Too Lost Features

Too Lost is all about bringing sweet features to indie creators. They offer an easy-to-use platform for music sharing. They also have a way to protect you from fake streaming, making sure your play counts and earnings are legit.

• Distributes to over 450 digital outlets
• Unique ID verification system for fraud prevention
• User-friendly interface for easier content management

Too Lost Pricing

With its cost-friendly plans, Too Lost is a top pick for indies. They flex with your budget, fitting various money situations. It’s smart to weigh Too Lost against similar choices to see the best move for your music career.

Too Lost is your go-to for fighting streaming fraud and getting broad visibility. Their features and prices are a hit in the indie music world. They help artists make their way through the online music game smoothly.

Best Music Distribution Service for Artists

Artists must carefully compare music distribution services to find the best. A review compares over 16 services, showing the many options for independent artists.

Digital distribution companies function as one-stop royalty services. They offer detailed financial reports, exceeding those of major labels. For example, DistroKid asks for a yearly fee of $22.99 for unlimited uploads, with 100% royalty and rights for the artist.

Amuse provides flexible funding starting at $19.99, making it an affordable option. TuneCore charges $19.99 for singles or $34.99 for albums, still keeping 100% profit for the artist. CD Baby distributes to 150 services for $9.99/single or $49/album, taking a 15% royalty cut.

Too Lost stands out by distributing over 7 million songs, including150,000 new songs monthly. It has 85 employees in two offices and a strong fraud prevention system. This includes ID verification and a selfie to prevent fraud. Plus, they don’t use middlemen, making distribution more direct and efficient.

Too Lost uses AudioSalad for distributor support. Record Union starts at $14, and United Masters offers a free option and a $59.99/year plan. They keep only 10% of stream and download profits.

Choosing the best service depends on the artist’s needs and goals. They should consider factors like distribution reach, pricing, features, and support. This will help find the right platform for their career.

UnitedMasters: Full Review

UnitedMasters is changing the game for artists. It gives both free and paid ways to share music. The platform helps artists everywhere boost their music career.

What Sets UnitedMasters Apart?

UnitedMasters lets artists put their music on over 50 top services for $59.99. This means your music can reach Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and more. Artists like Alina Baraz have seen big success, with 3 billion streams worldwide, thanks to UnitedMasters.

UnitedMasters is unique in letting artists keep a lot of their earnings. You can choose to keep either 90% or 100% of what you make. It also helps artists work with big names like NBA, ESPN, and American Eagle. The platform offers tools, support, and insights to help artists improve and show their music to the world¹⁵.

UnitedMasters Pricing Breakdown

UnitedMasters has two pricing options: free and a $59.99 paid option. The free plan takes a 10% cut from your earnings. But, the paid plan lets you keep all your royalties. Users like this setup, giving the platform a 3.9 average rating and 58% 5-star reviews from 2,506 people.

On top of fair pricing, UnitedMasters offers unique deals. These deals give some artists access to top resources without being tied to a traditional label. While not big on music marketing, the platform encourages artists to lead their marketing efforts.

UnitedMasters is key for artists who want to go from indie to pro. It offers affordable ways to share music and strong support for musicians’ careers.

Amuse: Is It Worth It?

Amuse has become popular with its Pro package. It offers unlimited releases and features like royalty splits. This makes it a great choice for independent music distribution. It gives 100% royalties to artists on the Pro tier. It also has a quick turnaround time of 10 days, as opposed to 28 days on the free tier.

The free tier of Amuse, however, is quite limited. It only distributes to 13 major streaming platforms and allows 12 releases per year. DistroKid, on the other hand, lets you upload as many albums and songs as you want for $22.99 a year. Artists keep 100% of their rights and royalties. This is important for maximizing what an artist earns.

Moreover, Amuse takes a 15% cut for royalty splits on its free tier. Other services like RouteNote charge the same. Yet, RouteNote also distributes to 25 platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, in just 3 days. Deciding on the best service involves looking at such details closely.

When it comes to prices, Amuse’s Pro package competes well. But Tunecore, for instance, asks for $19.99 for a single and $34.99 for an album. It distributes to over 150 digital stores, with artists keeping their full profits. Ditto, on the other hand, offers unlimited releases for about $25 a year. It distributes to over 200 stores and lets artists keep all rights and royalties.

Deciding if Amuse is right for you means considering your specific needs. Think about what each service offers, its cost, and the limitations in distribution. It’s these details that will affect your choice as an artist.

LANDR: Distribution and Mastering

LANDR is special in the digital music world. It offers both distribution and mastering in one. The AI mastering engine is its key feature. It quickly makes tracks better. LANDR lets artists keep full control of their music online, including their copyrights. And it connects with over 150 streaming platforms. This makes it easy for artists to share their music widely.

LANDR’s Unique Offerings

LANDR goes beyond just reaching out. It has features for partners to manage and share music earnings easily. This is a big step in working together in music. Also, it has more than 100 lessons on making and promoting music. These lessons are for beginners to experts. Pascal Pilon, the head of the company, has helped put LANDR at the top in using AI for making music better.

LANDR Pricing and Plans

Starting at $11.99 per month, LANDR is budget-friendly for musicians. It also has the Studio Standard package for $11.99 a month or $143.88 a year. This package offers unlimited music sharing, 2 million royalty-free samples, and more. LANDR’s flexible plans with its mastering services make it a good choice in music distribution.

LANDR even deals with YouTube Content IDs for music. This means artists can earn money from their YouTube plays. LANDR’s system mixes good distribution with great sound quality. It also gives artists detailed stats and quick responses. These features help artists a lot.

Ditto Music: A Cost-Effective Option

Ditto Music is known for being affordable and simple. For just £19 a year, it lets artists upload unlimited music. This deal is great for independent artists wanting to spread their music widely without paying a lot. Unlike other services that take a cut of the royalties, musicians keep all their rights and earnings with Ditto.

Ditto Music’s pricing is clear, unlike DistroKid that has hidden fees. It also offers helpful tools like splitting earnings with collaborators and SmartLinks for releases. Yet, it’s important to note that releases may take up to two weeks to process
unless you pay extra to speed it up.

Ditto Music stands out with its easy-to-understand features, making it a top choice for music distribution.

Ditto Music also has a publishing service, making it easier for artists to control their music and earn more. Despite slow customer support, Ditto’s benefits are significant, especially when compared to similar services.

For unlimited music uploads without high costs, Ditto Music is a great pick. It gives artists all they need to grow in the music world. Many artists prefer Ditto because it’s all about offering a lot without charging too much.

Choosing the Right Service for Your Needs

Artists need to know their music distribution goals and preferences. This knowledge helps pick a service that fits their vision. It ensures they choose a service that supports them and reaches their audience well.

Identify Your Objectives

Setting music distribution goals is key. Think about if you want a flat fee or to share revenue. Also, consider how much control you need. Some places let artists have more say and keep their rights, which is great for flexibility with your music.

Compare and Contrast

Comparing music services is vital. There are many like DistroKid, TuneCore, and others, each with their own special features. For example, DistroKid lets you release unlimited music for a yearly fee. On the other hand, Too Lost can handle a large amount of songs every month and checks for fraud. Too Lost also can send your music straight to many outlets, making the process faster.

Looking at how pricing works is also important. Some places charge a flat fee, while others take a cut of your music sales. It’s good for artists to look at what they get for the price, like help with playlists, promotions, or video distribution. Reading what other artists say about these services can really help you understand their trustworthiness.

This table gives a quick look at different services and what they offer:

When choosing a service, think about all these factors. Choose the one that best helps your unique music needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the best music distribution service is key for indie artists. In other hand choosing a best music promotion company also crucial. In Soundonheat we provide organic soundcloud promotion services and organic Spotify playlist placement to maximize your royalties. You can go ahead and check the packages.

Platforms like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby offer different but great services. DistroKid stands out with fast distribution and unlimited uploads for a set yearly price. This is perfect for many artists. TuneCore, on the other hand, shines with its detailed analytics and services that handle your music rights and royalties. CD Baby is known for its physical music distribution. It also offers a wide range of services for artists who sell both digital and physical music.

It’s important to look closely at what each service offers. Consider things like price, extra features, and how many platforms your music will go to. The free model of Unchained Music is a standout in terms of price. It’s a good choice for those on a tight budget. CD Baby’s impressive number of monthly visitors, from places like the US, Brazil, and the UK, shows its strong market position. This could be important for your music’s visibility. It’s also essential to compare yearly fees with those that take a cut from your music sales. Think about which platforms are important to reach too. All these factors are crucial in choosing the right service for you.

Connecting with other artists and industry experts can give you the inside track on different services. Some artists might value fast digital distribution, while others might need support with marketing or analytics. Keeping on top of music industry trends is also very helpful. This ensures you are informed when choosing a distribution service that fits your goals. By carefully looking at the benefits and drawbacks of each service, and making sure they meet your specific needs, you’ll be able to pick the best service for your music.

FAQ