Music Distribution Services Compared: DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby

Choosing the right music distributor is one of the most important decisions for independent artists. Your choice affects royalty payments, release timelines, store access, and additional features like sync licensing and publishing administration. With so many options available, it’s essential to understand the differences before committing.

This guide compares three of the most popular distribution services—DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby—so you can make an informed decision for your releases.

Top Music Distributors Compared

Each platform offers unique advantages depending on your goals, release frequency, and revenue priorities.

DistroKid

Best for: Prolific artists releasing music frequently

Pros:

Cons:

Affiliate Deals for DistroKid:

DistroKid is ideal for artists who release often and want to maximize royalty retention without paying per release.

TuneCore

Best for: Artists seeking publishing administration and monetization services

Pros:

Cons:

TuneCore is well-suited for songwriters and artists who want detailed reporting and robust publishing support.

CD Baby

Best for: Artists preferring one-time payments and sync licensing

Pros:

Cons:

CD Baby is ideal for artists who want a traditional, long-term approach with added services like sync licensing and physical distribution.

Choosing the Right Distributor

When deciding which distributor to use, consider:

Release Frequency: DistroKid is unbeatable for unlimited releases.

Royalties: Both DistroKid and TuneCore give 100% to the artist; CD Baby takes 9%.

Additional Features: Sync licensing, publishing administration, YouTube monetization.

Cost Structure: Subscription-based vs per-release vs one-time payment.

Regardless of your choice, all three platforms provide essential tools for independent artists to maximize revenue and exposure.

Estimate Your Earnings

Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to project potential income across platforms, helping you compare distributors based on actual streaming revenue potential.

Key Takeaways for 2026

By understanding your needs and the strengths of each distributor, you can select the service that maximizes your revenue, simplifies your workflow, and helps your music reach the right audience.