DistroKid 

You have probably already come across DistroKid. It is one of the best-known independent music distributors out there, and almost everyone in the music industry has heard of it. But somehow, not everyone recommends it.

There are many mixed reviews online. DistroKid is an established company used by millions of artists, but some users complain about automated replies to their questions, difficulty reaching human support or releases being removed without enough warning or explanation.

It is important to mention that online complaints do not always tell the full story. Releases can also be removed because of copyright problems, artificial streaming, incorrect information or other violations of a distributor’s Terms of Service.

Pros

• Easy to sign up: Almost anyone can create an account and start submitting releases.
• Fast and simple upload process: The submission process is mostly automated, which means releases that meet the requirements can often be approved and delivered quickly.
• Affordable for an independent artist: DistroKid’s Musician plan currently starts at $24.99 per year for one artist. It includes unlimited uploads, and DistroKid states that artists keep 100% of their earnings.
• Unlimited releases: You do not have to pay a separate distribution fee every time you upload a new single, EP or album.
• Delivery to many platforms: DistroKid delivers music to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL and many other streaming platforms.

Cons

• Human support can be difficult to reach: DistroKid does offer human support, but some users say they first receive automated answers or have to wait longer than expected for help.
• Reports of releases or accounts being removed: Some users online claim that their releases or complete catalogs were removed without enough warning or a clear explanation. However, removals may be connected to copyright claims, artificial streaming or other violations, so every case can be different.
• Royalties may be held during investigations: If DistroKid or a streaming platform detects suspicious activity, royalties may be delayed or withheld while the activity is investigated. Artists should read the Terms of Service and avoid any service that promises guaranteed streams.
• Extra costs for add-ons: Some useful services are not included in the basic subscription. You may need to pay extra for features such as YouTube Content ID, cover-song licensing, the Leave a Legacy option and certain promotional tools.
• The cheapest plan is limited: The basic Musician plan does not include every feature. For example, artists who want more control over their release date or label name may need a more expensive plan.

Ditto Music

Ditto Music is a music distribution company based in the United Kingdom.

When I used to distribute my own music to digital streaming platforms, I personally used Ditto Music, and honestly, I loved using them. Credit where credit is due 😉.

Pros

• Quick release approval: Ditto Music reviews releases manually, but they still usually approve them quickly. Props to them!
• Quick payouts: Royalty payouts are processed through Tipalti, and you can request to receive the money in your local currency.
• Live chat and customer support: They offer live chat, and their customer service is usually fast. However, since the company started growing, replies can sometimes take one or two days.
• They listen before taking action: If something happens to your music, they have a team that is willing to listen to your side of the story before penalizing your account. This is better than distributors that handle everything automatically without first giving the artist a chance to explain.

Cons

• Several paid add-ons: Some useful options cost extra. For example, if you want your release delivered in less than two weeks, you may need to pay an additional fee.
• AI in the live chat: Ditto Music has integrated AI into its live chat. I understand why AI can be helpful, especially when answering common questions, but some people still prefer speaking to a real person instead of a robot following a script.

Too Lost

Too Lost was founded in 2020 by Gregory Hirschhorn, Bjarki Larusson and Alex Silverstein. The company has grown quickly and is becoming one of the biggest names in independent music distribution.

Too Lost has been taking over the market with the insane number of features it offers for a very low price. Its plans currently cost $19.99 per year for one artist or $35.99 per year for unlimited artists and releases.

Pros

• An insane number of features: For the price you pay, the number of features you receive is honestly impressive. You get access to a detailed dashboard filled with tools that you may not find at many other music distributors.
• Very attractive pricing: Its pricing is perfect for new independent artists and upcoming labels that want access to professional tools without paying hundreds of dollars per year.
• Unlimited releases and artists: The Label plan includes unlimited artists and unlimited releases. This makes it a very attractive choice for labels and companies managing large catalogs.
• They are always expanding: Too Lost regularly works with other companies and platforms to create new opportunities for its artists and labels. One recent example is its partnership with Roblox, which allows selected music distributed by Too Lost to become available for use in Roblox games and virtual spaces. This does not automatically mean artists will earn more royalties, but it can create more exposure and new ways for people to discover their music.
• Detailed analytics: Too Lost provides detailed information about where your streams come from. Depending on the data provided by each streaming platform, you may be able to see information such as where your listeners are located, which devices they use and around what time they usually listen to your music.

Cons

• Some reports of royalties being held: You can find some users on Reddit reporting that their royalties were temporarily held. These cases often appear to get resolved, but the process can take time. Even if there is a valid reason for checking the account, waiting for your royalties without knowing exactly how long it will take is still a con. Nevertheless, we still love Too Lost here!
• Customer service can sometimes be slow: Support replies may take longer during busy periods. Keep in mind that Too Lost manages a large number of artists, labels and support tickets, but slow support is still something to consider when you need help with an important release or royalty issue.

TuneCore

TuneCore is owned by Believe, a French music company that acquired it in 2015.

Its Unlimited plans currently start at $24.99 per year for one artist, with unlimited releases and distribution to more than 150 digital stores and social media platforms.

Pros

• Open to everyone: Any independent artist or label can create an account and start distributing music through TuneCore.
• Clear royalty reports: TuneCore provides detailed sales reports that make it easy to see where your royalties came from, including the platform, release and country.
• TikTok distribution: TuneCore can deliver your music to TikTok, allowing people to use your songs in their videos. This can be a big plus for artists who want to follow current TikTok trends and reach more listeners.
• YouTube Content ID: Eligible artists can use YouTube Content ID to find videos that use their music and collect revenue from them.
• Unlimited releases: The Unlimited plans allow artists to distribute as many singles, EPs and albums as they want without paying separately for every release.

Cons

• Customer service can sometimes be slow: Some artists report having to wait longer than expected to receive help, which can be frustrating when there is an urgent problem with a release or payment.
• Commissions on social-platform revenue: TuneCore states that artists keep 80% of the revenue generated through platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Content ID, YouTube Music and Facebook or Instagram. This means TuneCore takes a 20% commission from this income, even if your distribution plan says you keep 100% of your royalties from regular digital stores.
• Your music can be removed if you stop paying: TuneCore’s Unlimited plans renew every year. If you cancel your subscription, your music will be removed from streaming platforms when the plan expires. If a payment fails and you do not renew, TuneCore provides a limited grace period before taking the releases down.
• Removed releases cannot simply be restored: If your release is taken down, TuneCore says you may need to upload and distribute it again as a new release. This can create extra work and may require a new UPC.

Want to read more about different music distributors? That’s fine, but check out All Humans Cry first. We’re pretty sure you won’t want to read about the others afterwards 😎

We offer unlimited releases, and our yearly plan for one artist starts at only $18.99. You also receive human customer support through email, while existing users can contact us directly through our ticket system. And that’s only a small part of what we offer!

Done reading? Go back to News