Distribution
Music distribution cost calculator
The cheapest distributor depends on how often you release. Yearly plans cost the same however many songs you put out; per-release fees add up with every single and album. Enter your pattern to see the math, from each company’s own pricing page.
Key takeaways
Your release pattern decides
Yearly plans cost the same however many songs you release; per-release fees grow with every single and album.
Check commission, not just fees
CD Baby keeps 9% of digital distribution revenue. DistroKid says it keeps none. TuneCore’s pricing page lists none.
AI policies differ
One company accepts AI-assisted music under rules, one only licensed-data models, and one says it cannot accept any AI-generated content.
Compare the facts
Every number below comes from the company’s own pricing or policy page and shows the day we checked it. We list them in a fixed order and do not rank them.
| Distributor | Prices as listed | Model | Commission | Accepts AI music? | Sources, checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Musician $24.99/yr Musician Plus $44.99/yr Ultimate $89.99/yr | Yearly plan, unlimited uploads | None. DistroKid’s page says all plans “keep 100% of earnings”. | Accepted with rulesDistroKid says it accepts music created with AI tools, but you must own 100% of the rights (including to any AI tools, samples or lyrics used), it cannot mimic someone else’s voice, likeness or identity without permission, it cannot be mass-generated spam, and it cannot infringe anyone’s rights. | Pricing page, AI policychecked October 20, 2026 |
| TuneCore | Rising Artist $24.99/yr Breakout Artist $44.99/yr Professional $54.99/yr pay-per-release: single $24.99/yr, album $44.99/yr then $56.49 | Yearly plan, unlimited releases; or pay per release, charged yearly | None stated on the pricing page. | Licensed-data AI models onlyTuneCore says it only distributes music created using GenAI models trained on fully licensed datasets, and that this applies if GenAI is used at any point in making a track. | Pricing page, AI policychecked October 20, 2026 |
| CD Baby | $9.99 per single $14.99 per album | One-time fee per release, no annual fees | 9% of download and streaming revenue (you get 91%). Other income carries other rates: 15% of MLC revenue, 30% of social video monetization, 40% of sync placements. | Not acceptedCD Baby says it cannot accept any AI-generated content, even if commercially licensed, and not if only part of a recording is AI. It says it will remove such content if found. | Pricing page, AI policychecked October 20, 2026 |
Re-checked October 20, 2026: none of the three pricing pages lists a free plan. CD Baby’s page is its help-center price list.
What to check before you sign up
- Read the price for your release pattern. At the default four singles a year over five years, DistroKid Musician comes to $124.95, TuneCore Rising Artist $124.95, and CD Baby $649.80 including its 9% on $1,000 a year.
- Check what is included. Each plan page lists its features and limits.
- Check the AI-music policy if any of your music uses AI tools, and re-check it before each release.
- Look at the company’s own page. DistroKid, TuneCore and CD Baby may change prices at any time.
Five-year cost at a glance
This chart uses the default pattern above: four singles a year, no albums, $1,000 a year in earnings.
- DistroKid Musician $124.95
- TuneCore Rising Artist $124.95
- CD Baby (pay per release) $649.80
| Plan | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid Musician | $24.99 | $49.98 | $74.97 | $99.96 | $124.95 |
| TuneCore Rising Artist | $24.99 | $49.98 | $74.97 | $99.96 | $124.95 |
| CD Baby (pay per release) | $129.96 | $259.92 | $389.88 | $519.84 | $649.80 |
Prices checked on October 20, 2026. This is not financial advice.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest way to distribute music?
It depends on how often you release. Yearly plans charge the same however many songs you put out, while per-release companies charge for each single or album and may take a commission. Enter your pattern in the calculator to see the totals.
Does DistroKid take a cut of my royalties?
DistroKid’s pricing page says all plans “keep 100% of earnings”. You pay the yearly plan fee instead.
How much does CD Baby cost?
CD Baby’s page says $9.99 for a single or $14.99 for an album, as a one-time fee per release with no annual fees. It keeps 9% of digital distribution revenue and you get 91%.
Does TuneCore take a commission?
TuneCore’s pricing page lists yearly plans and no per-sale commission. It does not say either way, so check its terms before you rely on that.
Can I distribute AI-generated music?
It depends on the company. DistroKid accepts music made with AI tools under rules, TuneCore only accepts music made with GenAI models trained on fully licensed datasets, and CD Baby says it cannot accept any AI-generated content. Policies change, so read the linked page before you upload.
Is the cheapest option the best one?
Not necessarily. This page compares cost only. Plans differ in features, limits and policies, and we do not rank them.