DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby: Which One Do Musicians Actually Prefer?

As an independent artist, choosing the right music distribution platform is a critical step toward getting your music heard. With so many options—like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby – how do you know which one suits your music career best?

In this article, we explore what these platforms have to offer, how they differ, and – most importantly – what actual musicians think of them.

What Do Music Distribution Services Actually Do?

Music distribution services help independent musicians get their music onto platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more. They manage the delivery, updates, royalty collection, and in some cases, even licensing and monetization opportunities.

DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby are three of the most widely used distribution services in the indie music world. Let’s break down how each one performs.

DistroKid Review

Pros:

• Flat annual fee for unlimited releases
• Fast distribution speed
• Keep 100% of your royalties

Cons:

• No per-release payment option
• Basic customer support

Ideal for: Independent musicians who release music frequently throughout the year.

“I release a new single every month, and DistroKid’s unlimited uploads make it affordable and easy.” — Indie hip-hop artist, Reddit

TuneCore Review

Pros:

• Artists keep 100% of their royalties
• Includes robust analytics and publishing options
• Optional social media monetization features

Cons:

• Annual pricing per release can get expensive over time
• Less appealing for artists with large discographies

Ideal for: Artists who release less often but want deep insights and full control over publishing.

“TuneCore’s publishing dashboard is excellent, especially for managing global rights.” — Singer-songwriter, Twitter

CD Baby Review

Pros:

• One-time payment per release (no annual fees)
• Sync licensing and monetization available
• Offers physical distribution (CDs, vinyl, etc.)

Cons:

• CD Baby takes 9% of digital distribution royalties
• Slower distribution process reported by users

Ideal for: Musicians who release fewer projects or want physical distribution options.

“CD Baby helped me land a sync deal through their licensing program—it paid off big time.” — Indie pop artist, Facebook

DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby: Feature Comparison

Feature	DistroKid	TuneCore	CD Baby
Payment Model	Annual (unlimited releases)	Annual per release	One-time per release
Royalty Cut	0%	0%	9% (digital)
Sync Licensing	No	Optional	Included
Distribution Speed	Fast	Moderate	Slower
Customer Support	Basic	Extensive	Mixed reviews

What Are Real Musicians Saying?

Here’s what musicians are saying across platforms:

• Reddit: Users often praise DistroKid for its simplicity but caution about add-on costs like YouTube monetization.
• YouTube: Reviewers like TuneCore’s reporting tools and recommend it for artists serious about royalty tracking.
• Twitter: CD Baby fans highlight the extra features like sync licensing and barcode generation, especially for album releases.

So, Which One Do Musicians Actually Prefer?

It depends on your release strategy:

• Choose DistroKid if you’re releasing music frequently and want low annual costs.
• Choose TuneCore if you want detailed analytics and control over rights and publishing.
• Choose CD Baby if you’re releasing fewer tracks, want physical products, or are pursuing sync licensing deals.

💬 What Do You Use?

Have you used DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby? Drop your experiences in the comments below — your feedback helps fellow artists make smarter choices.

FAQs

Is DistroKid better than TuneCore?

DistroKid is better for artists who release a lot of music throughout the year. TuneCore offers better publishing and analytics tools but charges per release.

Can I switch distributors later?

Yes! You can transfer your music to another platform at any time. Most services now allow ISRC retention, so your stream counts stay intact.

Which platform pays royalties the fastest?

DistroKid is often praised for quick payouts, while CD Baby may take longer due to batch processing and added services.