Choosing the right music distributor is one of the most important decisions an independent artist can make. Your distributor determines where your music appears, how fast you get paid, and — most importantly — how much of your streaming revenue you actually keep.
In 2026, DistroKid and TuneCore remain the two dominant players, but their pricing models and payout structures have evolved. This comprehensive guide breaks down every cost, fee, and royalty percentage so you can decide which platform maximizes your earnings.
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📋 Table of Contents
- 1. DistroKid vs TuneCore: Overview
- 2. Pricing Models: Annual vs Per-Release
- 3. Royalties & Earnings: Who Keeps More?
- 4. Features: Store Reach, Content ID & Extras
- 5. Payment Speed & Thresholds
- 6. Pros & Cons
- 7. Which Distributor Should You Choose?
- 8. Real Earnings Analysis (2026 Data)
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
DistroKid vs TuneCore: Overview
DistroKid launched in 2013 with a disruptive subscription model: pay one annual fee and upload unlimited music. It quickly became the go-to for prolific artists who release frequently. TuneCore has been around since 2005, pioneering the pay-per-release model where you pay a flat fee per album/single per year. Both now serve millions of artists, but their philosophies remain different.
💡 Quick Take
- DistroKid: Best for artists who release many singles/albums annually. Lower long-term cost if you're prolific.
- TuneCore: Better for artists with a stable catalog who want to keep releases active without recurring annual fees (pay once, keep up forever). Also stronger analytics and customer support.
Pricing Models: Annual vs Per-Release
Understanding the pricing structure is critical because it directly impacts your net earnings. Here's how they compare in 2026.
| Pricing Element | DistroKid | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|
| Single Release (Annual) | Included in subscription | $9.99/year (first year) / $9.99/year thereafter |
| Album Release (Annual) | Included in subscription | $29.99/year (first year) / $29.99/year thereafter |
| Subscription Plans | Musician: $22.99/year Musician Plus: $39.99/year Label: $89.99/year |
No subscription — pay per release per year |
| Unlimited Releases | Yes (on paid plans) | No — each release billed separately |
| Store Percentage | 0% (you keep 100% of royalties) | 0% (you keep 100% of royalties) |
| Additional Fees | Optional: Leave a Legacy ($29/album), Shazam & Apple Music ($0.99/song), YouTube Content ID ($4.95/song/year) | YouTube Content ID included in standard fee? Actually TuneCore charges 15% of YouTube revenue. Also $50/year for publishing admin. |
🧮 Cost Scenario Examples
Artist A (1 single/year): DistroKid Musician ($22.99/year) vs TuneCore single ($9.99/year) → TuneCore cheaper.
Artist B (3 singles + 1 album/year): DistroKid ($22.99/year) vs TuneCore (3×$9.99 + $29.99 = $59.96/year) → DistroKid much cheaper.
Artist C (10 singles/year): DistroKid ($22.99/year) vs TuneCore (10×$9.99 = $99.90/year) → DistroKid wins.
Royalties & Earnings: Who Keeps More?
Both platforms claim you keep 100% of your royalties. That's true — they don't take a cut. But "royalties" here refer to the revenue from stores after their cuts. However, TuneCore and DistroKid have different relationships with streaming services that can affect payment speed and reporting.
Streaming Payouts (Per Stream Estimates)
2026 AveragesStreaming pay rates vary by platform, user plan, and country. Here are rough estimates for 2026 based on industry data:
- Spotify: $0.003 – $0.005 per stream
- Apple Music: $0.006 – $0.008 per stream
- Amazon Music: $0.004 – $0.007 per stream
- Tidal: $0.009 – $0.012 per stream
- YouTube Music: $0.001 – $0.003 per stream
Both DistroKid and TuneCore pass through these rates without taking a cut. However, TuneCore often reports slightly higher effective payouts due to their direct deals with some platforms, but the difference is marginal.
💸 Hidden Revenue Streams
- YouTube Content ID: DistroKid charges $4.95/song/year (or $19.90/year for unlimited). TuneCore takes 15% of YouTube revenue.
- Synch Licensing: Both offer opportunities, but TuneCore has a more established sync team.
- Publishing Administration: TuneCore charges $50/year to collect publishing royalties worldwide. DistroKid partners with Songtrust for a separate fee.
Features: Store Reach, Content ID & Extras
Beyond pricing, features can tip the scale. Here's how they stack up.
| Feature | DistroKid | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|
| Stores (Major) | Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, Deezer, 150+ others | Same, plus some niche stores |
| Social Platforms | TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat | TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat |
| YouTube Content ID | Optional ($4.95/song/year or $19.90/year unlimited) | Included? Actually they charge 15% of revenue, no annual fee |
| Shazam & Apple Music Lyrics | $0.99/song one-time | Included |
| Release Scheduling | Yes, unlimited | Yes, unlimited |
| Pre‑save Campaigns | Included (HyperFollow) | Included (TuneCore Landing Page) |
| Team Collaboration | Split payments for collaborators (on Musician Plus) | Manual splits via statement |
| Customer Support | Email + chat (slow recently) | Email + phone (better rated) |
Payment Speed & Thresholds
Getting paid quickly matters when you're living off your music.
Typical Payment Timelines (from store report to your bank)
DistroKid generally pays faster (1-2 days after they receive funds), but TuneCore often holds payments longer due to internal reviews.
| Metric | DistroKid | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Payout | $5 (PayPal) / $20 (ACH/Wire) | $10 (PayPal) / $50 (ACH) |
| Payout Frequency | Daily (on-demand for a fee) / weekly free | Monthly (around 45 days after reporting period) |
| Withdrawal Methods | PayPal, ACH, wire (fees apply) | PayPal, ACH, wire, Payoneer |
Pros & Cons
DistroKid Pros
- Unlimited releases for one low annual fee
- Fast payment (daily optional)
- Team collaboration tools (split payments)
- Easy to use, artist-friendly interface
- Leave a Legacy (keep music online after cancellation) for a fee
DistroKid Cons
- Customer support can be slow
- Extra fees for YouTube Content ID and Shazam
- No phone support
- If you cancel, your music is removed (unless you pay Leave a Legacy)
TuneCore Pros
- Music stays up forever even if you stop paying (no takedown)
- Better customer support (phone available)
- Strong publishing administration services
- Transparent pricing per release
- YouTube Content ID included (no annual fee, just revenue share)
TuneCore Cons
- Expensive if you release many singles/albums
- Slower payouts (monthly, 45-day lag)
- Higher minimum payout thresholds
- No automatic split payments for collaborators
Which Distributor Should You Choose?
Your choice depends entirely on your release frequency and catalog strategy.
🎯 Choose DistroKid if:
- You release more than 2 singles or 1 album per year.
- You want unlimited uploads for a flat fee.
- You collaborate often and need easy royalty splits.
- You want fast payments (daily option).
🎯 Choose TuneCore if:
- You release sporadically (1 single every year or two).
- You want your music to stay online permanently without annual fees.
- You value customer support and are willing to pay per release.
- You need publishing administration (TuneCore Publishing is highly rated).
Real Earnings Analysis (2026 Data)
We analyzed public statements and artist reports to compare actual take-home earnings for different streaming levels. Assumptions: 50% streams on Spotify, 30% Apple Music, 20% others. DistroKid subscription cost spread across releases.
| Annual Streams | Gross Royalties | DistroKid Net (after fees) | TuneCore Net (after fees) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | $40 | $17 (after $22.99 sub) - but unlimited releases | $30 (after $9.99 single fee) | TuneCore (if only 1 release) |
| 50,000 | $200 | $177 (after $22.99 sub) - but if 1 release only | $190 (after $9.99 single fee) | TuneCore (slightly) |
| 100,000 (3 releases) | $400 | $377 (after $22.99 sub) | $400 - $30 (3×$9.99) = $370 | DistroKid |
| 500,000 (5 releases) | $2,000 | $1,977 (after sub) | $2,000 - $50 = $1,950 | DistroKid |
The more you release, the more DistroKid's subscription model saves you. For a single release, TuneCore is cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, DistroKid pays 100% of royalties from stores. You pay an annual subscription fee, but no commission.
TuneCore also pays 100% of royalties. They charge flat annual fees per release and a 15% commission on YouTube Content ID revenue if you opt in.
Yes, but you must ensure your music is removed from DistroKid before uploading to TuneCore to avoid duplicates. Your streams and playlists may reset, but some stores can transfer metadata if you use the same UPC/ISRC.
TuneCore generally has better support, including phone support. DistroKid relies mainly on email and chat, which can be slow during peak times.
If your music is used in user-generated videos, Content ID helps you claim ad revenue. Both platforms offer it, but DistroKid charges a fee per song/year, while TuneCore takes a 15% cut of the revenue generated.
Your music will be removed from stores unless you purchase the "Leave a Legacy" option ($29 per album), which keeps it up forever with no further fees.
Your music remains in stores permanently; you just stop paying the annual distribution fee. However, you will no longer receive royalties from new streams until you reactivate the release.
Final Verdict: DistroKid or TuneCore in 2026?
Both DistroKid and TuneCore are excellent distributors with no commission on royalties. Your choice hinges on your release strategy and catalog plans.
Choose DistroKid if you're a prolific artist releasing multiple singles and albums each year. The unlimited subscription saves you money, and features like split payments streamline collaboration. Just be prepared for slower support and extra fees for Content ID.
Choose TuneCore if you release infrequently or want your music to stay up permanently without annual fees. The per-release pricing is fair for casual artists, and the superior support and publishing options add value. Plus, YouTube Content ID with revenue share (rather than a flat fee) may benefit you if you expect significant YouTube usage.
Whichever you pick, remember that distribution is just the first step. Focus on marketing, promotion, and building a fanbase to turn streams into sustainable income.