Free guide for artists

DistroKid and every alternative.

Every way to get your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok and the rest, side by side in plain English, so you can pick the one that fits you and get back to making music.

Side by side

Pick how you get on the stores.

These all deliver your songs to the big streaming services. The difference is how you pay and how much of your royalties you keep. Prices and plans change often, so check each one before you sign up.

Ours, and we say so

DistroKing

Pay
$48 a year
Keep
Everything DistroKid pays you

An AI release agent that fills in and sends your release on DistroKid for you, with cover art included. For artists who hate the upload forms.

See DistroKing →

DistroKid

Pay
One yearly fee
Keep
100% of royalties

Fast, unlimited releases for one yearly price. Some extras cost more.

Visit DistroKid →

TuneCore

Pay
Yearly plans, plus a free plan for social platforms
Keep
100% of royalties

Artists who want a long-standing name and publishing add-ons.

Visit TuneCore →

CD Baby

Pay
One fee per release, no yearly fee
Keep
About 91% (they keep 9%)

Releases you want to stay up without paying every year.

Visit CD Baby →

UnitedMasters

Pay
Free plan, or a paid plan
Keep
90% on free, 100% on paid

Brand deal opportunities and a slick app.

Visit UnitedMasters →

RouteNote

Pay
Free plan, or a paid plan
Keep
85% on free, 100% on paid

Getting started with nothing up front.

Visit RouteNote →

Amuse

Pay
Free plan, or paid plans
Keep
Depends on the plan

Releasing from your phone.

Visit Amuse →

Ditto Music

Pay
One yearly fee
Keep
100% of royalties

Unlimited releases with label-style extras.

Visit Ditto Music →

LANDR

Pay
Yearly plans
Keep
100% of royalties

Mastering and distribution in one place.

Visit LANDR →

Too Lost

Pay
Free plan, or paid plans
Keep
Depends on the plan

Independent artists and small labels on a budget.

Visit Too Lost →

Symphonic

Pay
By application, takes a percentage
Keep
Depends on your deal

Artists who want marketing help and label services.

Visit Symphonic →

AWAL

Pay
By application, takes a percentage
Keep
Depends on your deal

Growing artists who may want an advance.

Visit AWAL →
Then what?

Streaming gets you heard. Your fans can pay you.

Every service above gets your song onto the streaming platforms, and they pay a fraction of a cent a play. Bandwagon is where the people who already love your music back you directly, every month, with no ads and no algorithm standing between you and them.

$10 a month per fanYou keep 50% to 80%Free for artistsFans keep every downloadYour fan list is yoursNo ads, ever
1

Release anywhere

Use any service on this page to get on the streaming stores. Bandwagon never asks you to leave them.

2

Put your link in every bio

Your Bandwagon page goes on Spotify, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, so listeners have somewhere to go.

3

Turn listeners into members

Fans back you for $10 a month or $100 a year and get every song you make. People who share you get paid too.

Questions

The short answers.

Did anyone pay to be on this list?

No. DistroKing is the only one that's ours, and it's marked that way.

Which one should I pick?

If you release often, a yearly plan that keeps 100% of royalties usually works out best. If you release once in a while, pay-per-release or a free plan can cost less. Read each plan before you sign up, because they change.

Does Bandwagon replace these?

No. You still use one of them to get on the streaming platforms. Bandwagon is where your fans pay you directly, and it works alongside whichever one you choose.

What does it cost artists?

Nothing. Joining, uploading and sharing are free. You keep 50% to 80% of what your fans pay.