DistroKid vs TuneCore: which should an independent artist pick?
Both get your music on every major platform and both let you keep your masters - and both use the same money model (annual subscription), so the decision comes down to the fine print: fees, add-ons, and what happens to your catalog if you leave.
| DistroKid | TuneCore | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Annual subscription | Annual subscription |
| Pricing | $24.99–$89.99/yr (as of June 2026) | $24.99–$54.99/yr unlimited plans; pay-per-release singles $24.99/yr, albums $44.99/yr (as of June 2026) |
| Payout | 100% of royalties | 100% of royalties from digital stores (20% fee on social platform earnings) |
| You keep masters | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Prolific artists who release often and want unlimited uploads for one flat annual fee. | Artists who want either unlimited annual distribution or a per-release option, plus optional publishing administration under one roof. |
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.
Pick TuneCore if…
Artists who want either unlimited annual distribution or a per-release option, plus optional publishing administration under one roof.
But watch out
- –Earnings from social platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) carry a 20% fee, disclosed on TuneCore's own pricing page.
- –Key features are gated by tier: YouTube Content ID, custom label name, your own UPC, and country restrictions require the Professional plan; additional artist profiles cost $14.99 each.
The decision in one rule
Both are subscriptions, so the price-model question is a wash - the tie-breakers are the fine print: per-release add-on costs, what happens to your music if you let the subscription lapse, payout extras like publishing administration, and platform fees on social/Content ID income. Compare the “watch out” lists above line by line. 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]DistroKid plans and pricing, DistroKid
- [2]If I Don't Renew My DistroKid Subscription, Will My Music Stay Live in Streaming Services?, DistroKid Help Center [archived]
- [3]The Leave a Legacy Album Extra, DistroKid Help Center [archived]
- [4]Our Pricing & Plans, TuneCore [archived]
- [5]How much does TuneCore cost?, TuneCore Support [archived]
- [6]TuneCore vs DistroKid in 2026 (What Changed?), Soundcamps [archived]
Educational comparison, not an endorsement or affiliate content. Details verified against official pages as of June 2026, terms change, confirm before signing up.