What is the Best Digital Music Distribution Service?
As an artist, picking a music distribution company to partner with can be tough. Tunecore, DistroKid, CD Baby, and Songtradr are four of the most prominent digital music distribution platforms offering a range of services for independent artists and labels. All can distribute your music to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. However, costs per release can vary, from blanket fees that cover every release for an entire year to one-off distribution fees that are due every time you release new music. These fees can quickly add up. Therefore, it's important to do your research and choose the best music distribution company that’s right for you.
We assume you'd rather be working on new music than surfing the web, so we did the research for you. In the table below, you can compare the different services offered by each music distribution company. This includes additional benefits like non-exclusive sync licensing opportunities and catalog management, so you can see all your streaming and audience analytics in one place.
Music Distribution Company Comparison Chart
Catalog Management | |||||||||
Payment Splitting | |||||||||
Distribute to TikTok | |||||||||
Distribute to Instagram | |||||||||
YouTube Monetization | |||||||||
Shareable Artist Profile | |||||||||
In-House Sync Licensing Team | |||||||||
Non-Exclusive Sync Licensing | |||||||||
Unlimited Distribution – One Yearly Price | |||||||||
Keep 100% of Distribution Royalties | |||||||||
Monthly Royalty Payments | |||||||||
Free ISRC & UPC Codes |
*add-on required – may be subject to additional costs |
Music Distribution Company Comparison Chart
Catalog Management | |||||||||
Payment Splitting | |||||||||
Distribute to TikTok | |||||||||
Distribute to Instagram | |||||||||
YouTube Monetization | |||||||||
Shareable Artist Profile | |||||||||
In-House Sync Licensing Team | |||||||||
Non-Exclusive Sync Licensing | |||||||||
Unlimited Distribution – One Yearly Price | |||||||||
Keep 100% of Distribution Royalties | |||||||||
Monthly Royalty Payments | |||||||||
Free ISRC & UPC Codes |
*add-on required – may be subject to additional costs |
Five Reasons To Choose Songtradr's Music Distribution Service
Still not sure which music distribution company to choose from? Here are five reasons to choose Songtradr's music distribution service.
- For a flat annual feel, you can distribute all the music you want. Some music distribution companies ask you to pay each time you release music, which can add up quickly if you're putting out multiple releases per year. But with Songtradr – whether you release five singles or three albums per year – the price remains the same.
- We provide you access to real-time analytics from your music distribution dashboard. This allows you to gain unique insights into who, where, and when your music is being listened to, track what streaming platform or online store is performing best, your total stream numbers, your revenue generated from online streaming and sync placements, and more. With this data, you can build successful marketing campaigns on social media, decide where to stop on your next tour, or figure out where to focus your efforts to increase your audience.
- Need to split your earnings with multiple songwriters, performers, or rights holders? We make it easy. Have your collaborators complete a split sheet and then simply enter the information when you upload your music (here's how). Then when it's time to be paid, we can pay the correct people based on the percentage splits you selected.
- Our in-house sync licensing team works with leading film, TV, advertising, and other media brands, and selects the best music to fulfill briefs and present to our clients. Our Monthly Mixdown series is a great place to see past sync placements and gain inspiration for landing your own sync deal. We recommend creating a compelling user profile to set yourself up for success, complete with an image and short bio. It's also a good idea to create a playlist of your best tracks that can easily be shared with potential buyers and collaborators. Here are our ten best tips to get your music heard and licensed for sync.
- Need to create professional artwork for your tracks and albums? With our Advanced Artwork Editor, you can easily create professional artwork for your music. You can also preview how your release will look when it goes live. That way, you can get it right every time.
Learn more about the additional features included in Songtradr's digital music distribution offering.
Experience Songtradr Distribution!
Not a Songtradr artist yet? Sign up for free!
Nick Fulton
Before joining Songtradr, Nick spent more than a decade writing reviews, essays, criticism, and interviewing artists for i-D, Billboard, Pitchfork, and other global publications. He's spoken to hundreds of emerging and established artists, including Lenny Kravitz, Michael Stipe, Khruangbin, St. Vincent, Incubus, and Eartheater.
I Need record label
Would like to distribute and promote my music content . How can you help me?
Thanks
Arun
Hi Arun,
Here is a quick overview of what Songtradr does and how it can help your career:
Songtradr’s goal is to open up licensing opportunities to independent musicians around the world.
You can sign up and upload an unlimited amount of music for free. Songtradr does not charge for hosting your audio and provides a free content management system to all content creators. If you are a Pro member and we secure a license for you on the site, we take 20% of the all-in fee. If you have a basic account, we take 40% of the all-in fee from any licensing transaction. All licenses are non-exclusive. You can learn more about Pro membership here: https://www.songtradr.com/pro
Songtradr Pro also includes digital distribution to over 200+ outlets. We do not take any percentage of your streaming royalties or publishing. Your music. Your rights.
Also, once your music is on Songtradr our licensing team is constantly curating through our catalog and pitching from it. Our incentive is your success.
Our site provides tools to present your music professionally with a fully customizable public profile and connects all your rights owners so when an opportunity happens you are ready. Music licensing is a fast-paced industry with time frames being as short as an hour.
i didn’t want too put my single out yet and i accidently uploaded it for release how do i take i toff
Am an up coming musician from lagos state my stage name is srarfaze D Don i need a racord label 08174761471
I’m a guitarist and I wanna develop my skill trough working with professionals. I want a bright future and success. I want to do something big in the music world
Worldwide Fam
I want Worldwide Fam
Thanks so much for your encouragement,I appreciate
hello there, how can u make video for my song ? i dont understand this thing can u help me with it ??? thanks !!!
Hey Sal,
Here is a quick overview of what Songtradr does and how it can help your career:
Songtradr’s goal is to open up licensing opportunities to independent musicians around the world.
You can sign up and upload an unlimited amount of music for free. Songtradr does not charge for hosting your audio and provides a free content management system to all content creators. If you are a Pro member and we secure a license for you on the site, we take 20% of the all-in fee. If you have a basic account, we take 40% of the all-in fee from any licensing transaction. All licenses are non-exclusive. You can learn more about Pro membership here: https://www.songtradr.com/pro
Songtradr Pro also includes digital distribution to over 200+ outlets. We do not take any percentage of your streaming royalties or publishing. Your music. Your rights.
Also, once your music is on Songtradr our licensing team is constantly curating through our catalog and pitching from it. Our incentive is your success.
Our site provides tools to present your music professionally with a fully customizable public profile and connects all your rights owners so when an opportunity happens you are ready. Music licensing is a fast-paced industry with time frames being as short as an hour.
how do i send my music songtradr?
Hi,
Here are directions to upload!
https://support.songtradr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005397208-Upload-Your-Music
Hello Kyle,I see this platform as an opportunity for me to showcase my music to the next level. Looking forward to see the mobile version of songtradr App.thanks.
Hi
here is a quick overview of what songtradr does and how it can help your career:
songtradr’s goal is to open up licensing opportunities to independent musicians around the world.
I like to put my music on a website for people to buy and download
Hello,
Just curious about Spotify plugging service. How are songs selected for this service, and is there any subsequent reporting to the member regarding playlists the member’s songs have been added to?
Thanks
J. Blizzard, MBA
Moon Tone Records
Everything concerning music am inn
How can I upload my song to be distributed
Hey, here are directions!
https://support.songtradr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005397208-Upload-Your-Music
Hello! I was wondering if you guys also have options for hosting/distributing music videos as well? Thanks a bunch! ‑Tate
Do you have a solution for small labels or publishers with multiple artists? I would love to be able to use your services with all of my artists while maintaining a master dashboard of stats, payment, etc. of all of my artists.
Hi Doug, Yes, we do work with small labels and publishers with multiple artists. Can you send us an email at support@songtradr.com and we can help you get set up?
Thanks!
What about “Music Gateway.” Have you thought of adding them to this comparison list?
Thanks for your comment! There are many different distribution companies, and we are looking to revise this list with an updated overview.
Hello friends!
If we use the free version of Songtradr, that is, with 90% royalties, then with the purchase of the Pro version, will the songs that we uploaded during the 90% period now have 100% revenue? Or do 90% still apply to them?
Thanks.
Hey Joe! If you choose to sign up for Pro, any future distribution royalties will receive 100% earnings.
How do I upload my music records to the platfarm.
For details on how to upload music onto the platform, check out this article. Hope that helps!