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DistroKid vs TuneCore: A Comparison of Features and Pricing for Independent Artists


DistroKid and TuneCore are two popular digital distribution services that help musicians and independent artists distribute their music on various online platforms. Here are some of the unique differences between DistroKid and TuneCore:


DistroKid


Pros:

  • Affordable pricing with unlimited uploads for a yearly fee, starting at $19.99 for basic membership.

  • Faster turnaround time for distribution to music platforms compared to TuneCore.

  • Offers more tools for artists, including free cover song licensing and integration with social media platforms.

  • Provides detailed analytics and reporting on streaming and sales data.


Cons:

  • DistroKid takes a 20% commission on revenue earned from streams and sales.

  • They do not offer a publishing service, so artists need to handle their publishing separately.

  • The support system can be slow to respond.


Successful case studies:

  • The song "Roses" by Saint Jhn, which was released through DistroKid in 2016, became a hit in 2019 after it was remixed by Imanbek and went viral on TikTok.

  • Independent artist NLE Choppa used DistroKid to distribute his debut album, "Top Shotta," which reached #10 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2020.


TuneCore


Pros:

  • Offers publishing services to help artists collect royalties from their compositions.

  • No commission is taken from the revenue earned from streams and sales.

  • Offers a free version of their service with a one-time fee per release.

  • Provides sync licensing opportunities for TV, film, and other media placements.


Cons:

  • Pricing can be more expensive than DistroKid, with a yearly fee and additional charges for certain services.

  • Can take longer to distribute music to platforms than DistroKid.

  • Does not offer as many tools and integrations with social media platforms as DistroKid.


Successful case studies:

  • Singer-songwriter Jaymes Young used TuneCore to distribute his album "Feel Something," which reached #10 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart in 2017.

  • Independent artist Lizzo used TuneCore to distribute her single "Truth Hurts," which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2019.


In summary, both DistroKid and TuneCore offer unique advantages and disadvantages to artists looking to distribute their music digitally. Artists should consider factors such as pricing, distribution turnaround time, available tools and services, and successful case studies when choosing between the two services.


 

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