DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby: Which Distributor Is Best in 2026?

DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby: Which Is Best?

DistroKid is usually best if you release often and want the lowest yearly cost ($24.99/year for unlimited uploads, keeping 100% of earnings). TuneCore suits artists who want unlimited releases plus built-in tools like YouTube Content ID starting at $24.99/year. CD Baby suits occasional releasers who hate subscriptions: you pay once per release ($9.99 single, $14.99 album) but CD Baby keeps 9% of streaming and download revenue.

All three get your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok and other stores. The real differences are how you pay (yearly subscription vs one-time fee plus commission), what happens if you stop paying, and which extra royalty services are included.

Key Takeaways

• DistroKid: Musician plan $24.99/year (1 artist), Musician Plus $44.99/year (2 artists), Ultimate from $89.99/year. Unlimited uploads, 100% of earnings. (DistroKid pricing)
• TuneCore: Rising Artist $24.99/year, Breakout Artist $44.99/year, Professional $54.99/year, or pay per release ($24.99/year single, $44.99 first year for an album). (TuneCore pricing)
• CD Baby: One-time $9.99 per single, $14.99 per album, no recurring fees, but a 9% commission on download and streaming revenue. (CD Baby Help Center)
• Subscription distributors are cheapest per release when you put out several singles a year. Per-release pricing wins when you release once and want the music to stay up without yearly bills.
• Always check prices on the official pages before you sign up. Distributors change plans often.

How much do DistroKid, TuneCore and CD Baby cost in 2026?

For one artist releasing unlimited music, DistroKid and TuneCore both start at $24.99/year. CD Baby charges per release instead, with no yearly fee. Here are the entry prices from each official pricing page, checked October 26, 2026:

Sources: DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby.

What does DistroKid include on each plan?

DistroKid's $24.99 Musician plan covers unlimited songs and lyrics, a Spotify registered artist profile, and royalty splits for one artist or band. Musician Plus ($44.99/year) adds a second artist, synced lyrics in Apple Music, daily streaming stats, a custom label name, and custom release and preorder dates. Ultimate (from $89.99/year) adds advanced analytics, the ability to replace song audio, and room for 5 to 100 artists, according to DistroKid's feature comparison.

One detail many artists miss: on the basic Musician plan you can't pick a custom release date. If you plan pre-saves and a dated rollout, budget for Musician Plus.

What does TuneCore include on each plan?

TuneCore's Rising Artist plan ($24.99/year) includes unlimited releases, your own release date, revenue splits and YouTube Content ID. Breakout Artist ($44.99/year) adds Store Automator, a cover art creator and faster support. Professional ($54.99/year) adds multiple artist profiles, a custom label name and access to TuneCore Direct Advance for eligible artists. TuneCore lists a 20% fee on revenue from social platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) on its pricing page.

What does CD Baby include?

CD Baby's one-time fee covers worldwide digital distribution plus social video monetization, and your release has no yearly renewal. CD Baby keeps 9% of download and streaming revenue (and SoundExchange royalties it collects), 15% of revenue collected through The MLC, 30% of social video revenue and 40% of sync revenue. The optional CDB Boost add-on ($39.99 per release) handles U.S. mechanical royalties through The MLC, SoundExchange registration, and sync licensing pitching.

Which distributor is cheapest for my release plan?

If you release two or more times a year, a $24.99/year subscription usually costs less than per-release fees. If you release once and then stop, CD Baby's one-time fee can be cheaper, but its 9% commission grows with your streams.

Here is a simple way to compare costs over three years. These are fee estimates only and don't include commissions:

CD Baby's 9% commission is the hidden variable. Say your catalog earns $1,000 a year from streams and downloads. CD Baby keeps $90 of that every year, which is more than three years of a DistroKid or TuneCore subscription.

Rule of thumb:

• Earning little and releasing rarely → per-release (CD Baby) can make sense.
• Releasing regularly or earning meaningful streaming income → subscription (DistroKid or TuneCore) usually wins.

What happens to my music if I stop paying?

With a subscription distributor, your music can be removed from stores if your plan lapses. CD Baby's one-time fee means your release stays up without renewal. CD Baby says this directly on its distribution page: there are no recurring fees, so your music isn't taken down for a missed payment.

If you choose DistroKid or TuneCore:

1. Turn on auto-renew and keep a valid card on file.
2. Put renewal dates in your calendar.
3. Read the distributor's help center on what happens to stream counts and playlists if you ever move to another distributor. Moving usually means re-uploading with the same ISRC codes.

Which distributor is best for collecting more of my royalties?

None of the three replaces a PRO (ASCAP, BMI or SESAC), so you'll still need to register your songs there yourself. Distribution pays your recording (master) royalties. Songwriting royalties are separate.

• Performance royalties (songwriter): Join a PRO. CD Baby discontinued its Pro Publishing service, so CD Baby artists register directly. See our royalties guide.
• U.S. streaming mechanicals: Register with The MLC yourself for free, or pay a service (like CDB Boost or TuneCore's publishing administration) to do it.
• Digital performance royalties for recordings: Register with SoundExchange yourself. It's free for artists.
• Splits: DistroKid and TuneCore both include automatic revenue splits on their plans, which helps if you collaborate often. See how to split royalties with collaborators.

How do I choose? A quick decision checklist

Pick based on release frequency, whether you need a custom release date, and how you feel about commission vs subscription.

• Releasing 3+ songs a year? → DistroKid or TuneCore.
• Need a set release date for pre-saves? → DistroKid Musician Plus, or any TuneCore plan.
• Want YouTube Content ID on the entry plan? → TuneCore Rising Artist includes it.
• Managing two or more artist names? → DistroKid Musician Plus (2 artists) or Ultimate; TuneCore Professional.
• One release, no ongoing bills? → CD Baby.
• Want sync pitching and MLC/SoundExchange handled for you? → CD Baby + CDB Boost (or do it yourself for free).

Whichever you choose, prepare assets before you upload: WAV masters, 3000×3000 artwork, correct credits, and a release date at least a few weeks out so you can pitch to Spotify editorial. Use our release checklist so nothing gets missed.

FAQ

Is DistroKid or TuneCore cheaper?

Both start at $24.99/year for unlimited releases as of October 2026. DistroKid's $24.99 plan doesn't include custom release dates. TuneCore's $24.99 plan does, and it includes YouTube Content ID.

Does CD Baby take a percentage?

Yes. CD Baby keeps 9% of download and streaming revenue, plus higher percentages on MLC (15%), social video (30%) and sync (40%) revenue.

Can I switch distributors later?

Yes. Most artists upload the release to the new distributor with the same ISRCs, wait until it's live, then take it down from the old one. Check both help centers first.

Do I keep my rights with all three?

Yes. DistroKid, TuneCore and CD Baby are distributors, not labels. They don't take ownership of your masters.

Which is best for getting on Spotify?

All three deliver to Spotify and can get you a Spotify for Artists profile. Your results depend on your release plan and promotion, not the distributor. Start with our guide to getting your music on Spotify.

Related Guides

• How to Get Your Music on Spotify
• How to Get Your Music on Apple Music
• How to Register and Collect Music Royalties
• Release Checklist