Choosing The Best Music Distributor (2023)

Intro to Music Distributors

Choosing a music distributor has never been easier. Gone are the days when musicians had to rely on record labels to get their music out to their listeners. With the advent of digital music distribution services, independent artists can now easily distribute their music to a global audience, without the need for a record label or a physical distribution network.

Digital music distributors services are essentially platforms that allow musicians to distribute their music to various digital music stores and streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. These services offer a wide range of features and pricing plans, making it essential for artists to carefully consider their options when choosing a distribution service.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key factors that musicians should consider when choosing a digital music distribution service.

Distribution Locations

The first thing to consider when choosing a digital music distributor is the distribution network. The distribution network refers to the platforms and stores that the service can distribute your music to. The more extensive the network, the more opportunities you have to reach a global audience.

Some distribution services only offer distribution to a few select platforms, while others offer distribution to a vast network of stores and streaming services. It’s important to choose a service that can distribute your music to as many platforms as possible, to increase your exposure and reach.

Pricing

Pricing is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a digital music distribution service. The pricing plans of these services vary widely, and it’s important to choose a plan that suits your budget and needs.

Some services charge a one-time fee per release, while others charge an annual fee or a percentage of your revenue. Some services also offer different pricing plans with different features, so it’s important to compare the plans and choose the one that offers the best value for money.

Royalty Rates

The royalty rates offered by digital music distributor are also an important consideration. The royalty rates refer to the percentage of revenue that you’ll receive from the platforms and stores where your music is distributed.

Some services offer higher royalty rates than others, and it’s important to choose a service that offers competitive rates to ensure that you receive a fair share of the revenue generated by your music.

Features and Tools

The features and tools offered by digital music distributor can also be a deciding factor when choosing a service. Some services offer advanced features such as playlist pitching, social media promotion, and analytics tracking, while others offer more basic features.

It’s important to choose a service that offers the features and tools that you need to promote your music and reach your target audience. For example, if you’re an independent artist with a small fan base, you may need a service that offers social media promotion and playlist pitching to help you reach a larger audience.

Customer Support

Customer support is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a digital music distribution service. You’ll want to choose a service that offers reliable and responsive customer support to help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Some services offer email support only, while others offer phone support, live chat support, or a combination of these options. It’s important to choose a service that offers the level of support that you need to ensure that your music is distributed successfully.

Reputation and User Reviews

Finally, it’s important to consider the reputation and user reviews of the digital music distribution service. You’ll want to choose a service that has a good reputation in the industry and positive user reviews.

Research the service online, read reviews from other users, and check out their social media pages to get a sense of their reputation and the quality of their service. Choosing a reputable service can help ensure that your music is distributed successfully and that you receive the support that you need.

Popular Music Distributors

DistroKid

DistroKid is a popular music distributor that has gained popularity among independent artists. The company was founded in 2013 by Philip Kaplan, a tech entrepreneur who previously co-founded AdBrite, a successful online advertising platform. DistroKid’s mission is to help independent musicians and labels distribute their music to various streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Deezer, among others.

One of the major advantages of using DistroKid is that it allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties. DistroKid does not charge any commission on the sales made by the artist, unlike other distribution companies that take a percentage of the artist’s revenue. Additionally, DistroKid allows artists to distribute unlimited songs and albums at a flat rate of $19.99 per year. This is a great deal for independent artists who produce a lot of music.

Another advantage of using DistroKid is that it provides a range of additional features, including YouTube monetization, Shazam and Instagram integration, and the ability to release music under multiple artist names. DistroKid also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media.

One of the downsides of using DistroKid is that it does not offer physical distribution services, which may be a disadvantage for artists who want to distribute their music on vinyl or CD. Additionally, DistroKid does not provide any mastering or mixing services, which may be a disadvantage for artists who do not have the resources to hire professional mastering and mixing engineers.

RouteNote

RouteNote is another popular music distributor that has gained popularity among independent artists. The company was founded in 2007 by Steven Finch, a musician and tech entrepreneur. RouteNote’s mission is to help independent musicians and labels distribute their music to various streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music, among others.

One of the advantages of using RouteNote is that it allows artists to distribute their music for free. RouteNote does not charge any upfront fees to distribute music to streaming services. Instead, RouteNote takes a commission on the artist’s revenue. RouteNote offers two commission models: the first model allows artists to keep 85% of their revenue, while the second model allows artists to keep 100% of their revenue in exchange for a yearly fee of $30.

Another advantage of using RouteNote is that it offers a range of additional features, including YouTube monetization, Shazam and Instagram integration, and the ability to release music under multiple artist names. RouteNote also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media.

One of the downsides of using RouteNote is that it can be more expensive than other distribution companies for artists who generate a lot of revenue. Since RouteNote takes a commission on the artist’s revenue, artists who generate a lot of revenue may end up paying more in commission fees than they would with other distribution companies that charge a flat fee.

LANDR

LANDR is a music distributor that was founded in 2014 by Pascal Pilon, a tech entrepreneur. LANDR’s mission is to help independent musicians and labels distribute their music to various streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music, among others. LANDR is unique in that it also offers AI-powered mastering and distribution services. This means that artists can use LANDR’s AI-powered mastering software to master their tracks before distributing them to streaming services.

One of the advantages of using LANDR is that it offers a range of additional services, including AI-powered mastering, distribution, and promotion. LANDR’s mastering service uses AI algorithms to analyze and enhance the sound of the track, resulting in a professional sound quality. LANDR also offers promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media.

Another advantage of using LANDR is that it offers physical distribution services. This means that artists can distribute their music on vinyl, CD, and other physical formats in addition to streaming services. LANDR also offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan that allows artists to distribute up to two tracks per year, as well as paid plans that offer additional features and distribution options.

One of the downsides of using LANDR is that it can be more expensive than other distribution companies, particularly for artists who want to use its mastering services. Additionally, some artists may prefer to use human mastering engineers rather than AI-powered mastering software.

Other Music Distributors

In addition to DistroKid, RouteNote, and LANDR, there are several other music distribution companies that artists can choose from. Some of these companies include CD Baby, TuneCore, Symphonic Distribution, and Ditto Music, among others.

CD Baby is a popular music distributor that has been around since 1998. The company offers distribution services for both digital and physical formats, including vinyl, CD, and cassette. CD Baby also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media. CD Baby takes a commission on the artist’s revenue, but the commission rate is lower than some other distribution companies.

TuneCore is another popular music distributor that has been around since 2005. The company offers distribution services for digital formats only, including streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. TuneCore also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media. TuneCore charges a flat fee for distribution services, with pricing based on the number of tracks and albums being distributed.

Symphonic Distribution is a music distributor that offers distribution services for both digital and physical formats, including vinyl, CD, and cassette. The company also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media. Symphonic Distribution takes a commission on the artist’s revenue, but the commission rate is lower than some other distribution companies.

Ditto Music is a music distributor that offers distribution services for digital formats only, including streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The company also offers a range of promotional tools, such as a feature that allows artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and a service that promotes new releases on social media. Ditto Music charges a flat fee for distribution services, with pricing based on the number of tracks and albums being distributed.

Comparison of Music Distributors

When comparing music distribution companies, there are several factors that artists should consider, including pricing, additional services, promotional tools, and revenue sharing.

In terms of pricing, DistroKid and RouteNote are two of the most affordable music distributors, with DistroKid charging a flat fee of $19 per year for unlimited distribution and RouteNote offering a free plan with 85% revenue share. However, LANDR and some other distribution companies can be more expensive, particularly for artists who want to use additional services such as mastering.

In terms of additional services, LANDR stands out with its AI-powered mastering service, physical distribution options, and promotional tools. Other distribution companies, such as CD Baby and Symphonic Distribution, also offer physical distribution options, while TuneCore and Ditto Music focus solely on digital distribution.

When it comes to promotional tools, most music distribution companies offer features that allow artists to pitch their music to playlist curators and promote their new releases on social media. However, LANDR and CD Baby stand out with their additional promotional tools, such as playlist placement services and email marketing campaigns.

Revenue sharing is also an important factor for artists to consider. Most music distribution companies take a commission on the artist’s revenue, with rates varying from company to company. DistroKid, RouteNote, and CD Baby offer some of the highest revenue shares, while LANDR and Symphonic Distribution take a higher commission.

Conclusion

Overall, choosing a music distributor depends on the artist’s individual needs and preferences. For artists who prioritize affordability and unlimited distribution options, DistroKid and RouteNote are great choices. LANDR offers a unique combination of AI-powered mastering and distribution services, making it a good option for artists looking for a one-stop-shop. CD Baby and Symphonic Distribution offer additional physical distribution options and promotional tools, while TuneCore and Ditto Music specialize in digital distribution.

Regardless of which music distributor an artist chooses, it’s important to remember that distribution is just one aspect of a successful music career. Artists should also focus on creating high-quality music, building a strong fan base, and engaging with their audience through social media and live performances. With the right combination of hard work, talent, and smart distribution choices, any artist can achieve success in the music industry.

Additional Reading

Do you use orchestral strings instruments in your mixes? Read our article about the 6 Steps for Success in Music Streaming. You can also learn the fundamentals of taxes as a musician here.

Here are tips about how to run a successful record label.

Breve Music Studios publishes music to Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and more. Follow our pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

Listen to our ensembles: Breve Orchestra, Breve Music Ensemble, Breve Low Brass Ensemble, Breve Woodwind Ensemble, and Jermaine Harris on Spotify.