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Comparison

Music distributors compared

What the best-known distributors charge, how much of your royalties you keep, whether YouTube Content ID costs extra, and what happens to your music if you stop paying — each taken from the company's own pages.

Last checked 16 October 2026

At a glance

Checked 16 October 2026, from each company's own pricing and help pages. TempoDigital prices from our live price list.
DistributorCheapest way to releaseUnlimited yearly planStore royalties you keepYouTube Content IDIf you stop paying
DistroKid$24.99 a year (Musician)$24.99 a year (Musician), one artist100%Extra: the Social Media Pack, billed yearly per release; DistroKid keeps 20%Releases can be removed from stores, unless Leave a Legacy was bought for each one ($29 a single, $49 an album)
TuneCore$24.99 a year (Rising Artist plan, or a single at $24.99 a year)$24.99 a year (Rising Artist)not statedIncluded, with a 20% fee on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram earningsnot stated
CD Baby$9.99 a single, $14.99 an album, paid onceNone91% (CD Baby keeps 9%)Included; CD Baby keeps 30% of social video monetisation (YouTube, TikTok, Meta)No yearly fee: each release is paid for once
Ditto Music$19 a year (Starter)$19 a year (Starter), one artist100%Pro ($59 a year) and Labels plans only; Ditto says it takes no commissionReleases at risk of removal, though not removed automatically; Release Protection (free on Pro and Labels) keeps them up; no withdrawals until you renew
Amuse$23.99 a year (Artist)$23.99 a year (Artist), one artist100%Included; 15% fee on Artist, no fee on Artist Plus ($39.99) and Professional ($59.99)Releases stay online; Amuse then takes 25% of royalties and removes YouTube monetisation
RouteNoteFree (RouteNote keeps 15%)None (Premium is $10 to $45 per release, then $9.99 a year per release)85% on Free; 100% on PremiumIncluded at no charge; RouteNote keeps 15% on Free and nothing on PremiumFree releases cost nothing; a Premium release that is not renewed moves to Free
UnitedMasters$19.99 a year (DEBUT+)$19.99 a year (DEBUT+)100%Extra: $4.99 per release; UnitedMasters keeps 20%Releases taken down from all services; one year to resubscribe and have them restored
LANDR$24 a year (Distribution Basic)$24 a year (Distribution Basic)100% of streaming revenueIncluded on all plans; LANDR keeps 20%Releases stay live; LANDR then takes 15% of royalties
TempoDigital$8.99 per release (we keep 10%)$29.99 a year, one artist100% on yearly plans, 90% per releaseIncluded on every plan; we keep 20%Releases stay in the stores

How to choose

  • Release now and then? A one-off fee per release is usually cheaper than a yearly plan.
  • Release often? An unlimited yearly plan, and check how many artists it covers.
  • Music used in YouTube videos? Check whether Content ID is included or charged per release.
  • Worried about missing a payment? Check what happens to your releases when a plan lapses.
  • Running a label? Compare roster limits, artist logins and whether you keep 100% of store royalties.

Sources

Comparisons

TempoDigital against each one

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which music distributor is best?

It depends on how you release. For occasional releases, a one-off fee per release usually costs least. For frequent releases, an unlimited yearly plan. If YouTube is where your music is used, look at whether Content ID is included. If you run several artists, compare the roster limits. The individual comparison pages set out who each service suits.

Which distributors let me keep 100% of my royalties?

Several do on their paid plans, including TempoDigital's Artist and Label plans. Free plans usually keep a share instead. The table shows what each company publishes.

What happens to my music if I stop paying?

It differs. Some services remove releases when a subscription lapses unless you buy an extra for each one. On TempoDigital releases stay in the stores; only new deliveries wait until the plan is renewed.

How often is this comparison updated?

The table was last checked on 16 October 2026. Distributors change their prices without notice, so follow the source links before you decide.

Get your next release out with TempoDigital

Tell us about your music and we will have your account ready, usually within one working day.

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