TuneCore Pricing: Complete Guide to Distribution Costs for Independent Artists in 2023
In today's digital music landscape, getting your music onto streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music is essential for any independent artist. Music distribution services like TuneCore have made this process accessible to musicians at all levels, but understanding TuneCore's price structure is crucial for making informed decisions about your music career.
This comprehensive guide will break down TuneCore's pricing plans, compare them to competitors, and help you determine if TuneCore offers the best value for your specific needs as an artist.
TuneCore Pricing at a Glance: What to Expect in 2023
TuneCore offers three primary pricing tiers, each designed for different types of artists:
New Artist Plan: $0 per year (with limitations)
Rising Artist Plan: $14.99 per year
Professional Plan: $29.99 per year
Each plan comes with different features, release allowances, and revenue-sharing models. Let's dive deeper into the specifics of each pricing tier and what you get for your investment.
TuneCore's Free Plan: The New Artist Tier
TuneCore introduced its free distribution tier in 2022, making it one of the few major distributors offering a completely free option for new artists.
What You Get with TuneCore's Free Plan
Distribution to major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, etc.)
Up to 2 song releases per year
Basic analytics
TuneCore keeps 20% of your streaming revenue
This free tier represents a significant shift from TuneCore's traditional pricing model, which previously required payment for each release. It's designed to lower the barrier to entry for first-time artists who want to test the waters before committing to more expensive plans.
The revenue split on the free plan means TuneCore takes 20% of your earnings, while you receive 80%. For many new artists with small audiences, this might be preferable to paying upfront costs when potential returns are uncertain.
TuneCore Rising Artist Plan: $14.99 Per Year
The Rising Artist plan is TuneCore's mid-tier option, designed for artists who have moved beyond their first few releases and are building a more substantial catalog.
What You Get with the Rising Artist Plan
Distribution to all major platforms
Unlimited single releases
Up to 1 album release per year
Pre-scheduling releases
More robust analytics
TuneCore keeps 8% of your streaming revenue
The $14.99 annual fee represents good value for artists who plan to release multiple singles throughout the year. The reduced revenue share (down to 8% from 20% on the free plan) means you keep more of your earnings as your audience grows.
For artists releasing more than 2 singles per year, this plan quickly pays for itself compared to the lost revenue from the free tier's higher commission rate.
TuneCore Professional Plan: $29.99 Per Year
The Professional plan is TuneCore's premium offering, designed for established independent artists with a regular release schedule and growing revenue.
What You Get with the Professional Plan
Distribution to all platforms (including some niche services)
Unlimited single and album releases
Pre-scheduling releases
Advanced analytics and reporting
100% of your streaming revenue (TuneCore takes 0%)
YouTube Content ID
Social media monetization
Higher priority customer support
At $29.99 per year, the Professional plan offers the most complete package and, crucially, allows you to keep 100% of your streaming revenue. For artists earning regular income from their music, this plan typically provides the best value due to the elimination of revenue sharing.
The unlimited album releases feature is particularly valuable, as albums on other plans (and with many competitors) typically incur additional fees.
Additional TuneCore Costs and Fees to Consider
Beyond the basic subscription costs, there are several additional services and potential fees to be aware of when using TuneCore:
Publishing Administration
TuneCore offers publishing administration services for an additional fee:
Publishing Administration: $75 per year
What it does: Collects mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and helps register your songs with collection societies worldwide
Revenue share: TuneCore takes 15% of publishing royalties collected
Physical Distribution Services
TuneCore can also help distribute physical copies of your music:
CD & Vinyl Distribution: Varies based on quantity and specifications
Store Placement Services: Custom pricing
Other Potential Fees
UPC/EAN Codes: Included in distribution fees
ISRC Codes: Included in distribution fees
Takedown/Removal fees: No charge on current plans (previously $10 per store)
Changing release information: No charge for minor corrections
How TuneCore Pricing Compares to Competitors
To understand if TuneCore offers good value, it's essential to compare its pricing with other popular music distribution services:
TuneCore vs. DistroKid
DistroKid:
Musician plan: $19.99/year for unlimited releases
Keeps 0% of your royalties
No free tier
Additional fees for services like YouTube Content ID ($4.95/year)
DistroKid's unlimited releases for a flat fee has been its main advantage, but TuneCore's Professional plan now offers similar benefits at a slightly higher price point with more included features.
TuneCore vs. CD Baby
CD Baby:
Single release: $9.95 (one-time fee)
Album release: $29.95 (one-time fee)
Keeps 9% of your royalties
No recurring annual fees
CD Baby's one-time payment model differs significantly from TuneCore's subscription approach. For artists who release music infrequently, CD Baby might be more cost-effective, but active artists will likely save money with TuneCore in the long run.
TuneCore vs. AWAL
AWAL:
No upfront fee (application required)
Keeps 15% of your royalties
Selective acceptance process
Additional marketing and funding opportunities
AWAL is more selective and targets artists with established traction. Their revenue share is higher than TuneCore's Rising Artist plan, but they offer more comprehensive artist services.
TuneCore vs. UnitedMasters
UnitedMasters:
Free plan: 10% revenue share
Select plan: $59.99/year with 0% revenue share
Marketing and brand partnership opportunities
UnitedMasters offers competitive pricing, especially with its free tier taking only 10% (compared to TuneCore's 20%). However, their paid plan is significantly more expensive than TuneCore's Professional plan.
Is TuneCore Worth the Price? Cost-Benefit Analysis
To determine if TuneCore offers good value for you, consider these scenarios:
When TuneCore Offers Good Value
For prolific artists: If you release multiple singles or albums per year, TuneCore's subscription model is more cost-effective than per-release pricing models.
For growing artists: As your streaming revenue increases, the Professional plan's 0% commission becomes increasingly valuable.
For artists who need comprehensive services: If you need publishing administration, YouTube monetization, and social media royalty collection, TuneCore's integrated offerings can save you time and possibly money compared to using multiple services.
For new artists with limited budget: The free plan allows you to get your first releases on major platforms without any upfront investment.
When Other Services Might Offer Better Value
For infrequent releasers: If you only release music occasionally (less than once per year), a pay-per-release service like CD Baby might be more economical.
For artists with very small audiences: If your music generates minimal revenue, the free plans from competitors like RouteNote or Amuse might offer better terms than TuneCore's free plan.
For established artists seeking marketing support: Services like AWAL offer more robust marketing and promotional services, which might justify their higher revenue share.
How to Calculate Your TuneCore ROI (Return on Investment)
To determine which TuneCore plan makes the most financial sense for your situation, use this simple calculation method:
Step 1: Estimate Your Annual Streaming Revenue
Based on your current streaming numbers or projections, estimate how much revenue your music might generate in a year. As a rough estimate:
Spotify pays approximately $0.003-$0.005 per stream
Apple Music pays approximately $0.007-$0.01 per stream
1,000 monthly listeners across platforms might generate $30-$70 annually
Step 2: Calculate Revenue Share Costs
Calculate how much you would pay in revenue share under each plan:
Free Plan: 20% of your estimated annual revenue
Rising Artist Plan: 8% of your estimated annual revenue + $14.99
Professional Plan: 0% of your estimated annual revenue + $29.99
Step 3: Compare Total Costs
For example, if you project $500 in annual streaming revenue:
Free Plan: $100 in revenue share (20% of $500)
Rising Artist Plan: $40 in revenue share (8% of $500) + $14.99 = $54.99
Professional Plan: $0 in revenue share + $29.99 = $29.99
In this scenario, the Professional plan would be the most cost-effective, despite having the highest subscription fee.
Hidden Value: TuneCore Features That Add to Price Justification
When evaluating TuneCore's price, consider these additional value-adding features:
TuneCore's Artist Services and Tools
Social Platforms Monetization: TuneCore automatically monetizes your music when it appears in videos on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
YouTube Content ID: Included in higher-tier plans, this service identifies when your music is used in YouTube videos and monetizes those uses
Detailed Analytics: TuneCore provides comprehensive reporting on streaming performance, listener demographics, and revenue sources
Advance Payment Options: With TuneCore's "Fast Pay" feature, you can access your earnings before scheduled payment dates
Educational Resources
TuneCore offers extensive educational content through:
TuneCore Academy tutorials
Artist webinars and virtual events
Blog posts on music industry trends and strategies
Resource guides for growing your career
These resources can provide significant value, especially for new artists still learning the business side of music.
TuneCore Pricing FAQ: Common Questions About Costs
Does TuneCore take a percentage of royalties?
Yes, on the lower-tier plans. TuneCore takes 20% on the free New Artist plan and 8% on the Rising Artist plan ($14.99/year). On the Professional plan ($29.99/year), TuneCore takes 0% of your streaming royalties.
How much does it cost to release an album on TuneCore?
Album releases vary by plan:
New Artist (free): Albums not included
Rising Artist ($14.99/year): 1 album per year included
Professional ($29.99/year): Unlimited albums included
Is there a fee to withdraw money from TuneCore?
TuneCore does not charge withdrawal fees for standard payment methods. Payment options include:
Direct deposit (ACH) - Free
PayPal - Free (PayPal may charge their own fees)
Check - Free for U.S. artists (international check fees may apply)
Can I change TuneCore plans after signing up?
Yes, you can upgrade your TuneCore plan at any time. Downgrades typically take effect at your renewal date. When upgrading, you'll pay the prorated difference for the remainder of your subscription period.
Are there any hidden fees with TuneCore?
TuneCore has eliminated most of its previously criticized fees, such as store addition fees and takedown charges. The main costs to be aware of beyond the subscription prices are:
Publishing administration fees ($75/year plus 15% commission)
Potential currency conversion fees for international artists
Maximizing Value: Tips to Get the Most from Your TuneCore Subscription
Release Strategies to Optimize Your TuneCore Costs
Consider these approaches to maximize your TuneCore subscription value:
Bundle releases strategically: If you're on the Rising Artist plan with limited album releases, consider how to group songs effectively.
Time your upgrade: Start with the free plan for your first releases, then upgrade when you have multiple songs ready to release.
Use pre-scheduling: Plan your release calendar to take full advantage of the number of releases allowed in your subscription year.
Consider seasonal upgrades: If you release music seasonally, you might upgrade to a higher tier during your active period, then downgrade during quieter periods.
By planning your release schedule around your TuneCore subscription, you can significantly reduce your per-release costs.
Leveraging TuneCore's Additional Services
To maximize value, take advantage of these included services:
Use all distribution channels: Ensure your music is delivered to all available platforms, including emerging services and international stores.
Activate social monetization: Set up your accounts to ensure TuneCore can monetize your music when used in social media content.
Study your analytics: Use TuneCore's reporting tools to identify your most promising markets and platforms, allowing you to focus your promotion efforts.
Utilize educational resources: Take advantage of TuneCore Academy and other learning materials to improve your marketing and business skills.
Building Your Online Presence Beyond TuneCore
While TuneCore handles your music distribution effectively, a complete artist presence requires more. Consider complementing your TuneCore subscription with:
A professional artist website: Create a free musician website to establish your brand, sell merchandise, and connect directly with fans.
Email marketing: Build a mailing list to announce new releases and maintain fan relationships outside streaming platforms.
Social media strategy: Develop a consistent presence on platforms where your target audience spends time.
Content creation plan: Develop a schedule for creating videos, photos, and other content to promote your releases.
These additional channels help you build a direct relationship with fans, reducing your dependence on streaming revenue and potentially increasing your overall income from music.
TuneCore Price: The Final Verdict
TuneCore's revised pricing structure in 2023 has made it more competitive and flexible for independent artists at various career stages. The introduction of the free tier and the elimination of per-release fees represent significant improvements to their value proposition.
Who Should Choose TuneCore?
New artists can benefit from the free tier to test the waters without financial risk
Regular releasers will find the subscription model more cost-effective than pay-per-release services
Growing artists with increasing revenue will benefit from the Professional plan's 0% commission
Artists seeking simplicity will appreciate the all-in-one platform for distribution, publishing, and royalty collection
Summary of TuneCore Pricing Options
New Artist: $0/year with 20% commission (2 singles per year)
Rising Artist: $14.99/year with 8% commission (unlimited singles, 1 album per year)
Professional: $29.99/year with 0% commission (unlimited singles and albums)
Publishing Administration: Additional $75/year plus 15% of publishing royalties collected
As with any business decision, the right choice depends on your specific circumstances, release schedule, and revenue projections. Using the ROI calculation method outlined above, you can determine which TuneCore plan—or competitor service—offers the best value for your unique situation.
The music distribution landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with services regularly updating their features and pricing. For the most current information, always check TuneCore's official website before making your decision.
Remember that distribution is just one piece of a successful music career. By combining effective distribution through services like TuneCore with a strong online presence and smart distribution strategies, independent artists can build sustainable careers in today's digital music ecosystem.