When it comes to publishing your music on streaming platforms, there’s a plethora of options to choose from and you can quickly get lost.
Each distributor will claim that they are the best, so I’ve decided to use my experience in the music industry to give you some insights on the various music distributors I’ve used.
Please remember, it’s about what fits your project. Everyone has a different music style, a different release schedule, and a different agenda.
I started releasing my music on streaming platforms in 2018, and I have since worked with various music distributors : Distrokid, Soundcloud, Ditto. They all allow you to keep 100% of your royalties. I’ll also talk about Bandcamp. There are still plenty more out there. I am not affiliated with any of these companies.
Distrokid
Distrokid is, at first, very user-friendly. It’s visually clean and publishing your music is made quite easy.
You can also release covers easily, as they handle the process but it’s a yearly fee.
Distrokid provides you with a nice looking smartlink.
I find the lyrics synchronisation system quite reliable.
On the down side, you can not re-publish a song released previously, and there is simply no customer service to interact with. Also note that a lot of important options, such as Youtube royalties, have an additional cost and it adds up quickly.
Be very careful not to let your credit card expire, because they will take down your music when it expires and will not send you a reminder to update the bank details.
Cost : 24,99 $ /year for 1 artist, upload as many songs as you want
Soundcloud
Soundcloud, let’s be honest, is not the most user-friendly. It’s a bit slow, a bit wonky, but you can re-release material, you can publish as mush music as you want on the platforms of your choice at no additional cost, and the customer service does exist, but it takes weeks to have access to a human being.
A cool feature is the possibility to sell Vynils on demand at no additional cost.
You can also boost your song to be seen by more audience for free.
Cost : 30€/year for multiple artists, upload as many songs as you want
Ditto
Ditto has the best customer service, hands down. You can talk to human beings and get answers in a couple days.
They normally have their own ISRC generating system, but I’ve been able to ask and get my own instead.
I’ve also been able to ask to modify the smartlink so Spotify doesn’t appear, since I’m withdrawing my catalog from that specific platform.
You also have access to Sync, which is interesting.
No additional costs are asked and you can release as many songs as you which, and manage several artists, depending on your plan.
Cost : 19€ /year for 1 artist, upload as many songs as you want
Bandcamp
Bandcamp is different, since you only distribute your music on that specific platform, but it allow people to choose how much they pay to buy your music. That is where you make actual money.
Be careful when it comes to physical goods though, I find that Bandcamp takes a massive cut on physical goods, so I only make CDs and Merch available on Bandcamp Fridays, which are days when Bandcamp does not take its cut.
Bandcamp just recently started collecting the PRO cut, which is new so we’ll see how it goes.
Cost : 0€ /year for various artists, upload as many songs as you want
Right now I’m working with SoundClound, Ditto and Bandcamp, on top of my own website and Patreon.
I’ve let got of Distrokid, too expensive in the end.
Let me know in the comments which music distributor you use!