Distribution is how your music lands on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and everywhere else — and your choice of distributor shapes what you earn. DistroKid charges a low yearly fee and lets you keep 100% of royalties, which suits artists releasing frequently. TuneCore now also offers unlimited releases with 100% royalties on its higher plans, so compare pricing tiers carefully.
Look beyond the headline rate. Some distributors take a commission per release or per plan tier, and add-ons like YouTube Content ID, TikTok monetization, and store automation often cost extra. Delivery speed matters too: most distributors need one to three weeks lead time for a smooth release, so check their timeline against your release plan.
Pick the Distributor That Fits Your Pace
Release one single a year and a cheap per-release plan might beat an annual subscription. Drop music monthly and unlimited-release plans win fast. Read the contract on catalog control: make sure you can take your releases down or move distributors without penalties or losing your stream history. Losing years of stream counts and playlist placements because of a platform switch is a costly, avoidable mistake.
Also compare the extras that actually grow careers: pre-save tools, split payments for collaborators, analytics quality, and how quickly they pay out. Watch out for distributors that charge per-store fees or lock your catalog behind expensive takedown or transfer charges. A distributor is your business partner, not just an uploader. Choose the one that matches your release cadence, your budget, and your plan to scale.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.