Amuse vs CD Baby: which should an independent artist pick?
Both get your music on every major platform and both let you keep your masters — the difference is the money model: Amuse is annual subscription, CD Baby is per-release fee. Which wins depends on how often you release and how long your catalog earns.
| Amuse | CD Baby | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Annual subscription | Per-release fee |
| Pricing | Artist $23.99/yr, Artist Plus $39.99/yr, Professional from $59.99/yr (as of June 2026) | $9.99/single, $14.99/album one-time, no annual fees (as of June 2026) |
| Payout | 100% of royalties (except a 15% YouTube Content ID fee on the base plan) | 91% of digital distribution revenue (CD Baby keeps 9%) |
| You keep masters | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Budget-conscious artists who want unlimited releases and — unusually — music that stays live even after cancelling. | Artists who release infrequently and want music to stay live forever without recurring subscription fees. |
Pick Amuse if…
Budget-conscious artists who want unlimited releases and — unusually — music that stays live even after cancelling.
But watch out
- –The base Artist plan charges a 15% royalty fee on YouTube Content ID earnings and a 15% fee on royalty splits with collaborators who lack an Amuse subscription (per Amuse's plan comparison).
- –Amuse's former free distribution tier no longer exists — distribution now requires a paid plan, a notable change for a service once known for free distribution (documented in 2025–2026 reviews of its plan overhaul).
Pick CD Baby if…
Artists who release infrequently and want music to stay live forever without recurring subscription fees.
But watch out
- –Permanent 9% commission on all digital distribution revenue for the life of the release, per CD Baby's own pricing page.
- –Now owned by Universal Music Group following UMG's $775M acquisition of parent Downtown Music Holdings (completed February 2026) — a consideration for artists specifically avoiding major-label ecosystems.
The decision in one rule
Run your release pace against the models: a subscription distributor is cheapest per release if you put out music constantly (but your music typically comes down if you stop paying), while a one-time fee or commission model favors a small catalog that earns for years. Whatever you choose, confirm you can leave with your catalog and that you keep the masters — the non-negotiables covered in how to release independently. Then run your numbers in the royalty calculator.
Primary sources
- [1]Amuse: Pricing | Music Distribution Plans — Amuse
- [2]Music Distribution Tailored to You: Say Hi to Our New Plans for DIY Artists and Independent Teams — Amuse
- [3]Amuse Distribution Review 2026: An In-Depth Assessment of the Platform — Ari's Take
- [4]How Much Does CD Baby Cost? Transparent Pricing Guide — CD Baby
- [5]UMG's $775 Million Downtown Acquisition Gets Final EU Approval — Billboard
- [6]Universal Music's Downtown acquisition cleared by EU competition regulator — Music Business Worldwide
Educational comparison, not an endorsement or affiliate content. Details verified against official pages as of June 2026 — terms change, confirm before signing up.