If you want to get your music onto streaming services and you aren’t a signed artist you need a distributor. That’s not all they do however. They often have a wide range of services including physical releases, statistics and marketing tools. Some services offer marketing help for artists who start to catch on – like adding tracks to Spotify playlists. Here’s the top five compared.
Distrokid
Upload as many tracks as you want for a yearly membership fee. They take no commission so you get all the money your music makes. They don’t offer marketing help or playlist plugging possibilities.
+ No commission (you get all the money you earn)
+ You can upload as many songs as you wish for one yearly price
+ They’re about to introduce SMS message marketing tools for artists
– No additional marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: $20 per year membership fee
Tunecore
Tunecore offer proper revenue and analytics reports. It’s easy to use and detailed. You pay a slightly higher price in comparison to Distrokid.
+ No commission
+ Good revenue and analytics reports
Pricing: $30 first year, $50 next years
AWAL (Artists Without A Label)
AWAL may help you get your music on Spotify playlists. Instead of an upfront fee they charge a 15% commission. They also have really good analytics tools.
+ Possibilities to get your music on playlists
+ No additional fees
– Must be accepted to get in
Pricing: 15% commission
Ditto
Ditto is a similar to Distrokid – a yearly fee to upload as many songs as you want with no commission. They do seem to have better analytics reports however.
+ No commission
+ You can upload as many songs as you wish for one yearly price
+ Very good revenue and analytics reports
– No additional marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: 19$ per year
LANDR
LANDR offers an automated mastering service. If you’re already using their services you can distribute your music to all streaming services for free.
+ No commission
+ Possibilities to get your music on playlists
+ Free for LANDR Mastering subscribers
– Does not provide mechanisms for you to release a cover song
Pricing: $1/month ($12/year) minimum. $3/month ($36/year) gives you access to all streaming services