DistroKid Services: The Complete Guide to Music Distribution for Independent Artists
In today's digital music landscape, independent artists have more opportunities than ever to share their music with the world. Among the various music distribution platforms available, DistroKid has emerged as one of the most popular services for indie musicians looking to get their tracks on major streaming platforms. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about DistroKid services, from its core features to pricing plans and how it compares to competitors.
What is DistroKid?
DistroKid is a music distribution service founded in 2013 by Philip Kaplan. The platform allows independent artists to upload unlimited music to major streaming services and digital stores like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Music, Amazon, Pandora, and over 150 other platforms worldwide. Unlike traditional record labels or some competing distribution services, DistroKid lets artists keep 100% of their royalties while charging a simple annual fee.
The company has gained significant popularity among independent musicians due to its straightforward pricing model, fast distribution times, and artist-friendly policies. With over 2 million artists using the platform, DistroKid has established itself as a leading player in the digital music distribution space.
Core DistroKid Services and Features
DistroKid offers a range of services designed to help independent artists distribute and monetize their music effectively. Here's a breakdown of the core features:
Unlimited Music Distribution
One of DistroKid's most attractive features is unlimited music uploads for a flat annual fee. Unlike some competitors that charge per release or take a percentage of royalties, DistroKid allows artists to upload as many singles, EPs, or albums as they want throughout the year without additional costs. This model is particularly beneficial for prolific artists who release music frequently.
The distribution process is remarkably efficient, with most releases appearing on major platforms within 1-2 days, though it can sometimes take up to a week for all stores to display your music. This quick turnaround is significantly faster than many traditional distribution methods.
Royalty Splitting
For collaborative projects, DistroKid offers a feature called "Teams" that allows for automatic royalty splitting between collaborators. Artists can specify what percentage of earnings each contributor should receive, and DistroKid handles the distribution of payments accordingly. This streamlines the often complicated process of dividing earnings from collaborative works.
The platform allows you to add team members at any time, even after a release has been published, making it flexible for evolving collaborative relationships. Each team member will need their own DistroKid account to receive their share of the royalties.
Streaming Analytics and Reporting
DistroKid provides comprehensive analytics through its dashboard, allowing artists to track streams, downloads, and earnings across all platforms. The reporting features include:
Daily and monthly stream counts
Geographic data showing where your music is being played
Platform-specific performance metrics
Revenue tracking and payment history
These analytics help artists understand their audience better and make informed decisions about marketing strategies, tour locations, and future releases.
HyperFollow and Other Marketing Tools
DistroKid offers several marketing tools to help artists promote their music effectively:
HyperFollow: Creates customizable landing pages for releases that direct fans to all platforms where the music is available
DistroLock: Allows artists to offer free downloads in exchange for email addresses or social follows
Pre-save campaigns: Enables fans to save upcoming releases to their streaming libraries before the official release date
These tools help artists build their fanbase and maximize the impact of new releases. Having a strong online presence is crucial for independent artists, and you might want to consider building a musician website to complement your distribution strategy.
Cover Song Licensing
For artists who want to release cover songs, DistroKid offers a streamlined licensing service. For a fee of $12 per cover song (in addition to the annual subscription), DistroKid will secure the necessary mechanical licenses required to legally distribute cover songs on streaming platforms. This saves artists the hassle of navigating complex licensing procedures independently.
The service handles all the paperwork and ensures that original songwriters receive their due royalties, protecting cover artists from potential copyright issues.
YouTube Content ID
DistroKid's YouTube Money service helps artists monetize their music when it's used in YouTube videos. For an additional fee, this service:
Identifies when your music is used in YouTube videos
Claims those videos on your behalf
Collects advertising revenue generated from them
This can be a significant source of income, especially if your music becomes popular in user-generated content, vlogs, or other YouTube videos.
DistroKid Pricing Plans
DistroKid offers three main subscription tiers, each with different features and capabilities:
Musician ($19.99/year)
The basic plan includes:
Unlimited music distribution to all platforms
Keep 100% of your royalties
Basic analytics and reporting
Distribution for a single artist name
Musician Plus ($35.99/year)
This mid-tier plan includes everything in the Musician plan, plus:
Distribution for up to 2 artist names
Custom release dates
Daily sales stats
Leave a Legacy option (music stays on platforms even if you cancel subscription)
Label ($79.99/year)
Designed for small labels or artists managing multiple projects:
Distribution for up to 5 artist names (with options to add more)
All features from Musician Plus
Dedicated support
Team management tools
In addition to these base subscription costs, DistroKid offers several add-on services:
Leave a Legacy: $29 per release (one-time fee) to keep music on platforms permanently
Cover song licensing: $12 per cover song
YouTube Content ID: $4.95 per release per year
Shazam & iPhone Siri: Free with all plans
Store Maximizer: $7.95 per release to distribute to additional niche platforms
When considering independent music distribution options, DistroKid's pricing structure is competitive, especially for artists who release music frequently.
How to Use DistroKid Services
Getting started with DistroKid is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to using their services:
Setting Up Your Account
Visit DistroKid.com and select a subscription plan
Create an account with your email address and payment information
Complete your artist profile with your name, bio, and social media links
Set up your payment details for receiving royalties (PayPal or bank account)
Uploading Music
From your dashboard, click "Upload" to start a new release
Choose whether you're uploading a single or an album
Upload your audio files (WAV format is recommended for best quality)
Add your release information, including:
Title
Release date
Genre
Album artwork (3000x3000 pixels, JPG or PNG)
Songwriter and producer credits
Lyrics (optional)
Select which stores and platforms you want to distribute to
Choose any add-on services you want (cover licensing, YouTube Content ID, etc.)
Review all information and submit your release
Managing Your Music
After uploading, you can manage your releases through the DistroKid dashboard:
Track the status of pending releases
View analytics and earnings for published music
Edit certain metadata (though major changes may require removing and re-uploading)
Create HyperFollow links and marketing materials
Set up teams for royalty splitting
Collecting Royalties
DistroKid pays out royalties as they're received from streaming platforms:
Earnings are typically updated monthly in your dashboard
You can withdraw your earnings at any time with no minimum threshold
Payments are processed via PayPal or direct bank transfer
For team splits, each member receives their share directly
Advanced DistroKid Features
Beyond the core services, DistroKid offers several advanced features that can help artists maximize their music career:
Splits 2.0
This enhanced version of DistroKid's royalty splitting feature allows for more complex arrangements:
Split royalties with non-DistroKid users (they'll need to create a free account to receive payments)
Set up different split percentages for different stores or territories
Create templates for frequently used split arrangements
Fixer
DistroKid's Fixer service helps correct issues with your releases after they've been distributed:
Fix spelling errors or metadata problems
Update artwork
Change release dates
Add or remove stores from your distribution
While some changes require removing and re-uploading releases, Fixer can handle many corrections without losing your play counts or playlist placements.
DistroVid
A relatively new service, DistroVid allows artists to distribute music videos to platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, and TIDAL for an additional fee. This extends DistroKid's distribution capabilities beyond audio-only formats.
Upstream
DistroKid's Upstream program connects independent artists with record labels and publishing companies. If your music is performing well, you might receive offers through this program, potentially opening doors to new opportunities in the industry.
DistroKid vs. Competitors
To understand DistroKid's position in the market, it's helpful to compare it with other popular music distribution services:
DistroKid vs. TuneCore
TuneCore charges per release rather than offering unlimited uploads. While TuneCore's pricing starts at $9.99 per single and $29.99 per album annually, costs can add up quickly for prolific artists. TuneCore does offer publishing administration services that DistroKid doesn't, which might be valuable for some artists.
DistroKid vs. CD Baby
CD Baby uses a one-time payment model ($9.95 for singles, $29 for albums) rather than annual subscriptions. Your music stays on platforms forever without additional fees, but you pay 9% of your royalties to CD Baby. They also offer physical distribution services and publishing administration, which DistroKid doesn't provide.
DistroKid vs. Amuse
Amuse offers a free tier with limited features and a Pro plan ($24.99/year) with more capabilities. Their free tier takes a longer time to distribute and lacks some advanced features, but it's an option for artists on a tight budget. Amuse also functions as a record label, potentially signing artists whose music performs well through their platform.
DistroKid vs. United Masters
United Masters offers a free tier that takes 10% of royalties and a premium plan ($59.99/year) that lets artists keep 100% of royalties. They focus heavily on marketing opportunities and brand partnerships, which might appeal to artists looking to monetize beyond streaming.
Pros and Cons of DistroKid Services
To help you decide if DistroKid is right for your music career, here's a balanced look at its advantages and limitations:
Pros
Unlimited uploads for a flat annual fee
Keep 100% of your royalties with no hidden fees
Fast distribution (typically 1-2 days to major platforms)
User-friendly interface that's easy to navigate
Effective royalty splitting for collaborations
Comprehensive analytics to track performance
Wide distribution network covering all major platforms
Cons
Annual subscription model means music is removed if you don't renew (unless you pay for Legacy)
Add-on costs can accumulate for services like cover licensing and YouTube Content ID
Limited customer support, especially for users on the basic plan
No physical distribution options for CDs or vinyl
No publishing administration services to help collect mechanical royalties
Tips for Maximizing DistroKid Services
To get the most out of your DistroKid subscription, consider these strategies:
Release Strategy
Plan releases strategically - Since you have unlimited uploads, consider releasing singles consistently rather than saving everything for album releases
Use pre-save campaigns to build momentum before release day
Schedule releases at least 2-3 weeks in advance to allow time for playlist pitching
Consider timing - Fridays are traditional release days when most listeners are discovering new music
Metadata Optimization
Use accurate genre tags to help your music reach the right audience
Include detailed songwriter and producer information to ensure proper credit and royalty collection
Add lyrics to improve discoverability and user experience
Use consistent artist name formatting across all releases
Marketing Integration
Create HyperFollow links for all releases to simplify promotion
Connect your DistroKid releases to your Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists accounts
Use DistroLock to build your email list while giving away downloads
Share streaming milestones from your DistroKid stats to engage fans
Common Questions About DistroKid Services
How long does it take for music to appear on streaming platforms?
DistroKid typically delivers your music to major platforms within 1-2 business days after submission. However, it can take the platforms themselves anywhere from a few hours to a week to make your music available to listeners. For important releases, it's best to schedule at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
What happens to my music if I cancel my DistroKid subscription?
If you cancel your DistroKid subscription, your music will be removed from all streaming platforms and stores. To keep your music available permanently, you'll need to purchase the "Leave a Legacy" option for each release you want to maintain, which is a one-time fee of $29 per release.
Does DistroKid collect publishing royalties?
DistroKid collects and distributes mechanical royalties from digital sales and streams, but it doesn't offer full publishing administration services. For comprehensive publishing royalty collection (including performance royalties from radio plays, live performances, etc.), you'll need to work with a publishing administrator like Songtrust or join a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
Can I change or update my music after it's been distributed?
Yes, but with limitations. Through DistroKid's Fixer service, you can update certain metadata, artwork, and store selections. However, for major changes like replacing audio files, you'll typically need to remove the original release and upload a new version, which means losing any streams, saves, and playlist placements the original version had accumulated.
How does DistroKid pay artists?
DistroKid pays artists via PayPal or direct bank transfer. There's no minimum threshold for withdrawals, and you can request payment at any time. Royalties are typically updated in your dashboard monthly, reflecting what DistroKid has received from the various platforms (which usually operate on a 2-3 month delay).
The Future of DistroKid Services
DistroKid continues to evolve its service offerings to meet the changing needs of independent artists. Recent developments and potential future directions include:
Expanding Beyond Music Distribution
With the introduction of DistroVid for music video distribution, DistroKid is clearly looking to expand its services beyond audio-only content. This trend will likely continue with more tools for artists to distribute and monetize various forms of content.
Enhanced Analytics and Marketing Tools
As data becomes increasingly valuable in the music industry, DistroKid is likely to enhance its analytics capabilities, potentially offering more detailed insights and marketing recommendations based on streaming performance.
Integration with Other Music Services
DistroKid has already partnered with platforms like Spotify (through their Direct Upload program, which was later discontinued) and continues to seek integrations that streamline the artist experience. Future partnerships could create a more seamless ecosystem for independent musicians.
Conclusion: Is DistroKid Right for You?
DistroKid services offer a compelling package for independent artists who want to maintain control of their music while reaching global audiences. The platform's unlimited upload model, quick distribution times, and 100% royalty payments make it particularly attractive for prolific artists who release music frequently.
DistroKid is likely a good fit if you:
Release music regularly throughout the year
Want to maintain full ownership and control of your music
Prefer a straightforward, user-friendly distribution process
Collaborate with other artists and need royalty splitting features
Are comfortable with digital-only distribution
However, you might want to explore alternatives if you:
Release music very infrequently (less than once per year)
Need physical distribution for CDs or vinyl
Require comprehensive publishing administration services
Want more hands-on support and guidance
Ultimately, DistroKid has established itself as one of the leading music distribution services by focusing on what matters most to independent artists: affordability, speed, and simplicity. As the digital music landscape continues to evolve, DistroKid's services are likely to remain a valuable resource for artists looking to share their music with the world on their own terms.
Whether you're just starting your music career or looking to switch from another distributor, understanding the full range of DistroKid services can help you make an informed decision about the best path forward for your music.