Music Distributor Comparison
Choosing the best music distribution service comes down to cost model, royalty split and payout speed. This is the same checklist used to get releases by Finn Laus Petersen onto streaming platforms worldwide.
Distributors at a glance
| Distributor | Cost model | Royalty split | Payouts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKidHyperFollow pre-save pages and fast delivery; add-ons are billed separately. | Annual subscription, unlimited releases | 100% of recording royalties kept | Monthly, as platforms report | Artists releasing singles often |
| TuneCorePublishing administration offered as a separate service. | Annual plans by catalogue size | 100% of recording royalties kept | Monthly | Larger catalogues and publishing admin |
| CD BabyPay once per release instead of a yearly subscription. | One-time fee per release | Commission taken on royalties | Ongoing after release | One-off albums with no recurring fee |
| Ditto MusicBundles playlist pitching and artist services on higher tiers. | Annual subscription, unlimited releases | 100% of recording royalties kept | Monthly | Artists wanting label-style services |
| AmuseFree tier has slower delivery and fewer release slots. | Free tier plus paid tiers | 100% on paid tiers | Monthly on paid tiers | Testing distribution with no upfront cost |
| SymphonicHands-on marketing and rights management; not open to everyone. | Application-based, revenue share | Revenue share with the distributor | Monthly | Established artists and small labels |
Plans and fees change often. Confirm current prices and terms on each distributor's own site before signing up.
Six things to compare before you sign up
Cost model
Subscriptions suit frequent releases; a one-time fee per release suits a single album you plan to leave online for years.
Royalty split
Keeping 100% of recording royalties matters most once streams grow. A commission is only worth it when real services come with it.
Payout speed and threshold
Check how quickly earnings appear and the minimum balance before withdrawal — this shapes cash flow more than headline pricing.
Stores and territories
Every major distributor covers Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. Differences show up in regional stores and social platforms.
Extras that actually help
Pre-save links, splits with collaborators, YouTube Content ID and publishing administration are the add-ons worth comparing.
Catalogue control
Confirm you keep your masters, can transfer your catalogue, and keep releases live if you ever change distributor.
How this site distributes music
Releases here are delivered through a subscription distributor that keeps 100% of recording royalties, with a single pre-save link shared across platforms. The distribution overview walks through the upload-to-payout flow, and royalties & monetization explains where the money actually comes from.
Distribution is only one income stream. Direct sales, tips and memberships pay far more per fan, which is why tracks are also sold and streamed here directly.
Explore the music
Hear the results of this distribution setup, or support the work directly.