Aggregator and distributor are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things depending on context. This guide clarifies the distinction and explains how it affects what you actually need for your music career.
DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby are the three distributors most independent artists start with. Their pricing and models shifted significantly in 2025-2026. Here is an honest comparison for each career stage.
To get your music on YouTube Music, use a distributor like DistroKid. YouTube Music is included in standard distribution packages alongside Spotify and Apple Music. This guide covers distribution, royalties, Shorts, Content ID, and how to maximize your presence.
SoundCloud and Bandcamp serve very different purposes for independent artists. This guide compares monetization, discovery, community, and when to use each platform as part of your release strategy.
AudioSalad is a B2B music distribution and metadata management platform based in New York and London, founded in 2010. Parent company is SESAC Performing Rights, LLC. Built for record labels, aggregators, and label services companies, not individual artists. Apple Music Preferred Partner and Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform. Distributes to 100+ DSPs with DDEX-compliant delivery. Supports WAV, FLAC, MP3, Dolby Atmos, MQA, and video formats. Offers white-label capability, multiple label and sublabel management, powerful API, bulk ingest, complex delivery scenarios, detailed royalty reporting, and physical and digital distribution. No public pricing. Best for labels with 50+ releases per year.
Random Sounds is a Colombia-based music distribution platform founded in 2014, focused on the LATAM market. Offers multiple tiers including a per-release Basic plan ($15/single, 15% commission), an Artist subscription ($59.99/year, 10% commission), and a Label plan ($179.99/year, 10% commission, 15 artists). Also provides white-label infrastructure for distributors and aggregators starting at $490. Distributes to 50+ DSPs with daily analytics, anomaly detection for artificial streaming, and built-in integrations with Slack, Intercom, Airtable, Trolley, and Zapier. Best for LATAM artists, labels, and companies looking for white-label distribution technology.
