Amuse vs DistroKid: 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, DistroKid is annual subscription. Which wins depends on how often you release and how long your catalog earns.
| Amuse | DistroKid | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Annual subscription | Annual subscription |
| Pricing | Artist $23.99/yr, Artist Plus $39.99/yr, Professional from $59.99/yr (as of June 2026) | $24.99–$89.99/yr (as of June 2026) |
| Payout | 100% of royalties (except a 15% YouTube Content ID fee on the base plan) | 100% of royalties |
| You keep masters | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Budget-conscious artists who want unlimited releases and — unusually — music that stays live even after cancelling. | Prolific artists who release often and want unlimited uploads for one flat annual fee. |
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 DistroKid if…
Prolific artists who release often and want unlimited uploads for one flat annual fee.
But watch out
- –Music is removed from streaming services if you stop paying the annual subscription, unless you buy the per-release Leave a Legacy add-on (documented in DistroKid's Help Center).
- –Core features like YouTube Content ID and Store Maximizer are paid per-release add-ons on top of the subscription, so real costs can run well above the headline price.
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]DistroKid plans and pricing — DistroKid
- [5]If I Don't Renew My DistroKid Subscription, Will My Music Stay Live in Streaming Services? — DistroKid Help Center
- [6]The Leave a Legacy Album Extra — DistroKid Help Center
Educational comparison, not an endorsement or affiliate content. Details verified against official pages as of June 2026 — terms change, confirm before signing up.