Every independent artist needs a distributor to get music onto Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other streaming platforms. But not all distributors are equal — and the wrong choice can cost you money or rights over the long term.
What a Distributor Does
A music distributor delivers your tracks to streaming platforms and digital stores, collects royalties on your behalf, and pays you. They typically keep either a percentage of your earnings or charge a flat annual or per-release fee.
The Main Options Compared
DistroKid
Price: ~$22/year for unlimited releases.
Royalties: 100% to you.
Best for: Artists releasing frequently who want simplicity and low cost.
Watch out for: Subscription must stay active or your music gets taken down. Publishing admin is a paid add-on.
TuneCore
Price: ~$14.99 per single, ~$29.99 per album per year.
Royalties: 100% to you.
Best for: Artists releasing less frequently who want more customer support.
Watch out for: Costs add up quickly with back catalogue.
CD Baby
Price: One-time fee (~$9.95 per single, ~$29 per album) + 9% commission.
Royalties: 91% to you after commission.
Best for: Artists who want permanent distribution without ongoing fees.
Watch out for: The 9% cut adds up over time for high-streaming artists.
Amuse
Price: Free tier available; Pro tier ~$60/year.
Royalties: 100% on Pro; free tier has slower payouts.
Best for: Beginners wanting to test distribution for free.
Bandcamp
Price: Free to list; 15% fee on sales (10% after $5,000 threshold).
Best for: Direct-to-fan sales, vinyl, merch, and digital downloads — not streaming distribution.
Note: Use alongside a distributor, not instead of one. Bandcamp doesn't submit to Spotify.
Key Things to Check Before Signing Up
- Rights retention — you should always keep 100% of your master rights
- Publishing admin — does the distributor also collect publishing royalties?
- ISRC codes — they should be assigned automatically per track
- Payout thresholds and timelines — how fast do you get paid?
- Store coverage — does it submit to all major platforms including TikTok, YouTube Music, and Deezer?
Our Recommendation
For most independent artists: DistroKid for unlimited low-cost distribution, combined with Bandcamp for direct fan sales and physical merch. Add your national PRO for performance and mechanical royalties. This three-pronged setup covers the vast majority of your potential earnings.
Don't Leave Money on the Table
Once you're distributed, claim your artist profiles everywhere: Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists, Tidal for Artists, and YouTube Studio. These dashboards give you analytics, playlist pitching tools, and direct links to unclaimed royalties.