The Best Music Distribution Services

The best music distribution services all do the same core job: they take your finished track and deliver it to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube Music and dozens of other stores, then collect and pay out your streaming royalties. Where they differ is the pricing model, the extras, and who they suit. This guide breaks down the major players so you can choose with confidence.

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Quick answer

For high-volume releasers who want one flat annual fee and unlimited uploads, DistroKid is the popular default. If you prefer paying per release and keeping royalties without a recurring subscription, CD Baby suits you. TuneCore sits in between with strong publishing-administration options, Amuse offers a genuine free tier, and Ditto is a clean subscription alternative. Read on for what each is known for.

What a distributor actually does

You cannot upload directly to Spotify as an unsigned artist — you go through an approved distributor. They handle delivery, assign your ISRC and UPC codes, give you a Spotify-for-Artists pitch route, and collect your money. If the concept is new, start with what a music distributor is, then come back here. For the full release workflow, see how to release a song independently.

How to choose a distribution service

• Pricing model: annual subscription (unlimited releases) vs one-time per-release fee. High output favours subscriptions; one or two releases a year can favour pay-per-release.
• Royalty split: most modern services let you keep 100% of streaming royalties; some older models take a percentage.
• What happens if you stop paying: with subscription models, lapsing can mean your music is taken down. Check the terms.
• Publishing admin: some services also collect publishing and mechanical royalties for an extra cut — useful, but understand what you are signing up for.
• Extras: pre-save tools, splits payment to collaborators, YouTube Content ID, and customer support quality.

The best music distribution services

DistroKid

DistroKid is known for an annual flat fee that allows unlimited song and album uploads, fast delivery to stores, and easy revenue splits that pay collaborators automatically. It is the go-to for artists who release frequently and want predictable costs. See our head-to-head comparisons: DistroKid vs TuneCore and DistroKid vs CD Baby.

TuneCore

TuneCore is one of the longest-running distributors and is known for its publishing-administration service, which helps collect royalties you might otherwise miss. It suits artists who want distribution and publishing collection under one roof and don’t mind a more service-led approach.

CD Baby

CD Baby pioneered independent distribution and is known for its one-time, pay-per-release model with no recurring subscription, plus optional publishing administration and physical/sync services. It appeals to artists who would rather pay once per project than subscribe.

Amuse

Amuse is known for a genuinely free, mobile-first distribution tier alongside paid plans. It is a sensible entry point for a first release when you want to test the waters without spending money, with the option to upgrade later.

Ditto Music

Ditto is a subscription-based service known for unlimited releases, keeping 100% of royalties, and add-ons like pre-save tools and artist services. It is a solid alternative for artists who like the subscription model but want a different feature mix from DistroKid.

Editor’s picks

Best for frequent releasers: DistroKid. Best pay-once option: CD Baby. Best free starting point: Amuse. Best for publishing collection: TuneCore. Pick based on how often you release and whether you prefer a subscription or a one-time fee.

Frequently asked questions

Do these services take my royalties?

Most modern distributors let you keep 100% of your streaming royalties and charge either a subscription or a per-release fee instead. Some publishing-administration add-ons take a percentage of those specific royalties — always check the plan details.

Can I switch distributors later?

Yes. You can move your catalogue to a new distributor, but it requires taking releases down from the old one and re-uploading, which can temporarily reset stream counts and playlist placements. Plan switches carefully and keep your ISRCs consistent.

Which is best for a first-time release?

If you want to release for free, Amuse is a low-risk start. If you expect to release regularly, a subscription like DistroKid or Ditto is more cost-effective. There is no single best — match the model to how often you plan to put out music.