Music Distribution Comparison – The 10 Most Important Services in 2026
Which pricing model is actually cheaper, what really sets the services apart – and which model is still sustainable in ten years.
Anyone who wants to release their music on Spotify, Apple Music and similar platforms needs a music distributor. The choice is wide – and the pricing models differ fundamentally. This comparison brings clarity.
Note: Prices and terms can change. This comparison reflects the situation in 2025 – always check current prices directly with the provider.
The Three Pricing Models
Model 1: Annual subscription, 0% commission
Fixed annual fee, keep 100% of earnings. Cost-effective as long as earnings exceed the annual fee. Releases go offline if you cancel.
Model 2: One-time fee + commission
Pay once at upload, then give up a percentage of earnings permanently. The release stays online indefinitely – even if earnings decline in later years. Ideal for catalogue releases.
Model 3: Annual subscription + commission
A combination of both. Becomes more expensive than pure annual subscriptions without commission once earnings grow.
The rule of thumb: Anyone earning more than €200–300 per year from streaming is usually better off with an annual subscription without commission. Anyone thinking long-term chooses a model with permanent online presence – more on that in the next section.
The Underestimated Long-Term Consideration
A release can stay online for ten or twenty years. What generates a lot in year one may generate almost nothing in year five. With an annual subscription, you have to decide every year: is the fee still worth it? Anyone who cancels loses the release – and with it the algorithmic and playlist ranking that has built up over years. Switching providers is possible, but carries the real risk of losing those rankings.
A model with a one-time fee and permanent online presence eliminates this problem entirely.
The 10 Most Important Distributors Compared
Annual subscription, unlimited releases, USA
DistroKid
Country
USA
Model
Annual subscription, 0% commission
Price
from $24.99 / year – 1 artist, unlimited releases (Musician) | Musician Plus $44.99 | Ultimate $89.99
Releases stay online
No
Strengths
cheapest entry for unlimited releases, fast delivery, TikTok integration
Weaknesses
Best for
prolific releasers who do not need personal support
Annual subscription with tiered analytics plans, USA
TuneCore
Country
USA
Model
Annual subscription, 0% commission
Price
Rising Artist $24.99 / year – 1 artist, unlimited releases | Breakout Artist $44.99 | Professional $54.99
Releases stay online
No
Strengths
detailed analytics, tiered support response time per plan (1–3 business days), sync licensing in Pro plan
Weaknesses
Best for
artists who want precise streaming data and tiered features
German provider with one-time or annual model
Recordjet
Country
Germany (Berlin, founded 2008)
Model
Two models: one-time fee + 10% commission or annual subscription + 0% commission
Price
Model Basic: one-time €39 + 10% commission – release stays online permanently
Model Premium: annual subscription + 0% commission – release goes offline on cancellation
Releases stay online
Basic: Yes | Premium: No
Strengths
established DACH provider, strong personal support, promotion services, physical distribution available, First Class programme for established artists
Weaknesses
Best for
German-speaking artists who think long-term and value personal support
Swiss provider with application process
iGroove
Country
Switzerland
Model
per release + 8% commission (or iGroove Plus: annual subscription + reduced commission)
Price
€19 / single | €29 / EP | €49 / album + 8% commission
Releases stay online
Yes
Strengths
strong DACH support, application process ensures catalogue quality, advances available
Weaknesses
Best for
artists in the DACH region who want personal support at eye level
No annual subscription, commission instead of fixed costs
Feiyr
Country
Germany
Model
one-time fee + 20% commission (no annual subscription)
Price
one-time activation fee €9.90 + small release fee – 80% of earnings to the artist
Releases stay online
Yes
Strengths
no ongoing costs, release stays online permanently, 300+ platforms including Beatport, daily payouts possible
Weaknesses
Best for
artists who want to start without an annual fee and keep releases online permanently
Affordable annual subscription from Germany
Artistfy
Country
Germany
Model
Annual subscription, 0% commission
Price
€19 / year – 1 artist, unlimited releases | each additional artist +€10 / year | Artistfy Anchor (permanent online): single €29 / EP €39 / album €49 one-time
Releases stay online
Optional via Artistfy Anchor
Strengths
cheapest German annual subscription provider, phone + email support, fast delivery including weekends
Weaknesses
Best for
German artists who want affordable releases – with the option to secure individual releases permanently
Annual subscription with GEMA integration
MusicHub
Country
Germany
Model
Annual subscription + 10% commission
Price
€48 / year – unlimited releases, unlimited artists | 90% of earnings to the artist
Releases stay online
No
Strengths
GEMA integration in the tool (work registration and repertoire search directly usable for GEMA members), personal support, upload certificate for every track
Weaknesses
Best for
GEMA members who want to combine work management and distribution in one tool
Swiss provider with forever online guarantee
iMusician
Country
Switzerland
Model
pay-per-release (Starter: 10% commission / Rockstar: 0% commission) or annual subscription – all plans with Forever Online guarantee
Price
AMPLIFY €29 / year – 1 artist, unlimited releases, 0% commission | AMPLIFY+ €59 / year – 2–20 artists, revenue splits, editorial playlist pitching | AMPLIFY Pro €299 / year – unlimited artists
Releases stay online
Yes
Strengths
Forever Online guarantee on all plans, Beatport and Traxsource included, modular scaling for labels, publishing registration possible
Weaknesses
Best for
artists who prioritise long-term security; electronic music artists (Beatport included)
Annual subscription with extensive feature set, UK
Ditto Music
Country
United Kingdom
Model
Annual subscription, 0% commission
Price
Starter $19 / year – 1 artist, unlimited releases | Pro (2 artists, incl. Release Protection) | Labels (3+ artists)
Releases stay online
Pro plan only (Release Protection)
Strengths
extensive feature set, sync pitching, music publishing, YouTube Content ID, chart registration
Weaknesses
Best for
internationally active artists who want many features in one package
integrated sheet music distribution
Soundtribution
Country
Germany / DACH
Model
commission
Price
20% commission
Releases stay online
Yes
Strengths
German-language platform, direct support, free link bundles to all platforms per release (ideal for promotion), shared database with Soundnotation – set up artists and works once, immediately available in both systems with no duplicate data entry
Special feature
Best for
music creators who want to publish both recordings and sheet music editions
Comparison Table
| Provider | Price from | Releases | Artists | Commission | Permanent online | Country | |
| DistroKid | $24.99 / year | Unlimited | 1 | 0% | No | USA | |
| TuneCore | $24.99 / year | Unlimited | 1 | 0% | No | USA | |
| Recordjet | €39 one-time | Unlimited | 1 | 10% (Basic) | Basic: Yes | Germany | |
| iGroove | €19 / release | Per release | 1 | 8% | Yes | Switzerland | |
| Feiyr | €9.90 activation | Unlimited | 1 | 20% | Yes | Germany | |
| Artistfy | €19 / year | Unlimited | 1 | 0% | Optional | Germany | |
| MusicHub | €48 / year | Unlimited | 1 | 10% | No | Germany | |
| iMusician | €29 / year | Unlimited | 1–∞ | 0% (sub.) | Yes | Switzerland | |
| Ditto Music | $19 / year | Unlimited | 1 | 0% | Pro plan | UK | |
| Soundtribution | 0 € | Unlimited | 1–∞ | 20% | Yes | Germany |
What Else to Watch Out For
Release protection on cancellation: With most annual subscription providers, releases go offline when you cancel. Releases that stay online permanently: Recordjet Basic, iGroove, Feiyr, iMusician (Forever Online guarantee). Ditto Pro and Artistfy Anchor offer it for an additional fee.
Number of platforms: Not all providers deliver to the same shops. Beatport – relevant for electronic music – costs extra at MusicHub, while it is included at Feiyr and iMusician. Check which platforms matter for your music before deciding.
Revenue splitting with collaborators: Anyone wanting to share earnings with band members or producers should read the terms carefully. At DistroKid, invited collaborators need either their own subscription or the main account pays $10 / year extra per person.
Payout speed: Most providers pay out monthly – some only above a minimum threshold. Feiyr offers daily payouts.
Conclusion
The right model depends on your own situation. Anyone releasing a lot and generating streaming income is often best served by a cheap annual subscription without commission (DistroKid from $24.99 / year, Artistfy from €19 / year). Anyone who wants releases to stay online permanently chooses Recordjet Basic, Feiyr or iMusician. Anyone who values personal support in German is well served by Recordjet or iGroove. GEMA members who want work registration integrated into the distribution tool should look at MusicHub.
Anyone who wants to publish both recordings and sheet music will find a smart combination in Soundtribution and Soundnotation – set up once, available in both systems.
More on the topic: soundnotation.com/en/music-business/release-music-independently
Soundnotation supports you in the creation and utilization of musical works in sheet music form with a modern, platform-oriented approach. This allows you to tap into new markets and target groups without any effort, saving you time and money.
Start now and discover the possibilities of sound notation!
Blogartikel
Dienstleistungen
Sprachen
English coming soon
© 2023 Sonovative GmbH | Rechtliches | Impressum | Kontakt
MADE IN EUROPE WITH ♥
TO SUPPORT MUSIC CREATORS
THE BEST MUSIC SERVICES
BY SONOVATIVE MUSIC GROUP
© 2026 Sonovative GmbH | Impressum | Datenschutz | AGB | Versand & Lieferung | Rückgabe & Widerruf | Kontakt