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Music distribution used to be an incredibly complex and convoluted part of the music industry that simply wasn’t available to many.

In fact, there’s no telling how many artists and groups were stopped from achieving great things or reaching the masses with their music because they couldn’t get the approval of someone at a record label or they never grabbed the attention of anyone working at a distributor.

Now, things have changed for the better, and there’s no reason not to have your work distributed to hundreds of streaming and sales platforms all around the world. There are more options than anyone could need, and instead of fending off bands and Singers, as they simply can’t take on more work, music distribution companies are now fighting for your business. They’ve made it simple to sign up and partner with them, and as long as you follow their rules, take your time to get all the information right and pay whatever they ask, that new EP, album, or single that may launch you into superstardom could be everywhere in a relatively short period of time.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about music distribution as well as several of the best options out there right now.

What Is Music Distribution?

What does a music distributor do?

Hugh McIntyre

While there is a lot of metadata, business relationships, and certainly technological processes that are involved, when it’s whittled down to a basic definition, music distribution is:

The process by which music is shared to platforms where the public can access it.

Decades ago, that was only record stores. Now, there are hundreds of social media platforms, streaming sites, and MP3 download stores that need music, and they’re all important. This is what music distribution companies focus on today, but the general idea remains the same.

The basic answer to this question is generally the same no matter when it’s asked, but what it actually entails looks very different depending on the year in which someone puts forth the query. At its most basic, music distribution is the process by which music is distributed to the digital storefronts, streaming music platforms, social media sites, and brick-and-mortar stores where the public can access those pieces of work.

These days, the whole process is handled by a number of third-party companies, who act as middlemen between artists, their teams, and their labels and those storefronts and streaming platforms mentioned above.

Back in the day, music distribution was a difficult, expensive, and drawn-out process that involved teams of dozens of people and a lot of organization, whether it was in regard to the biggest acts on the planet or an upstart new band.

Years ago, music distribution was the process by which CDs, vinyl, and even cassette tapes made it from a manufacturer to stores. For decades, people could only hear the tunes they loved by requesting them on their local radio station or buying them at a record store, so physical formats ruled.

This meant that every title–whether it be a brand new release from a globe-touring rock band, a repressing of a popular album by a Pop Singer from years back, or maybe even the LP that might make a local act famous–had to be in stores across the country and around the world. To skimp on distribution meant to lose out on potential sales and on forging relationships with listeners in many territories.

Currently, music distribution is still all about putting an artists’ work where fans and potential fans can find it and pay for it, though both the methods by which professionals do so and the places where that art can be accessed are both very different.

Now, music distribution is much, much, much easier for all involved parties. Sure, there are still CD stores and the major record labels still have networks and music companies they work with to ensure the bestselling titles can be picked up at places like Target, Walmart, and the few remaining independent music locations, but the focus now is almost entirely on streaming and digital purchases.

Music distribution these days involves a streamlined process that a number of competitors (which will be detailed later on) have mastered. The entire effort does still take time, but now, far less time is required for tunes to make their way to streaming giants and online storefronts. Sometimes it’s near-instant, while in other cases it may take a few weeks…but it’s certainly more streamlined and likely much faster than music distribution was even a few years ago.

Also, there are no longer any gatekeepers stopping anyone from putting their work in front of the entire world. Any release can be distributed, no matter how great or terrible, how popular or unknown the name behind it may be. If a band or an artist has the necessary funds and a computer, they can get their music distributed.

For years now, the music industry has been moving toward a more democratic way of doing things, with music distribution helping ensure everyone has at least a shot at becoming the next great star (or at least putting their work out into the world).

What Do Music Distribution Companies Do?

There are certain services that any band or Singer can expect when they partner with a distributor, but then there are additional products or offerings that one company may include in their packages, while others keep things simple. These extras and add-ons differentiate one option from another, and we’ll get into that later on.

First and foremost, music distribution services will, as their names suggest, distribute your music. They will take it from you and deliver it to the biggest and most highly-trafficked streaming and sales platforms. These days, it’s rare for any of the major players in this space to not distribute your latest single or album to listening and buying options all around the world, though, in the early days, segregating market by market, country by country wasn’t strange, especially when it was all about physical product.

Music distribution companies will ensure your song is featured on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and beyond. There are perhaps hundreds of options in as many countries, and most distributors will send your tunes to several dozen outlets, and you probably don’t have to worry about those that are missed.

The same can be said for platforms that encourage users to buy songs instead of streaming (or some do both), such as iTunes, Amazon, and many others…though the number of options is dwindling as the world veers further and further away from purchasing and deeper and deeper into streaming territory. Music distributors almost never make their clients choose one or the other, and typically signing up and agreeing to work with a company means you’re totally covered.

How do I distribute my own music?

Hugh McIntyre

In a word…you can’t. None of the most popular streaming music platforms or MP3 download stores allow artists to upload their work without going through a middleman of some sort. Sorry!

There are still a very small number of sites that let you post your own work–such as Bandcamp–but if you want to be featured on all of the majors–Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and countless others–you’re going to have to pick a music distribution company to work with.

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Additional Music Distribution Services

In addition to actually placing your music out there where millions (billions, really) of people can access the songs you worked so hard on, many distributors offer services beyond just putting singles and EPs out into the world, and musicians should make sure to find out what their chosen company may supply.

More recently, many of the top music distribution companies have also added social media platforms to their list of outlets served. As music has become more popular and integrated into sites like TikTok and Instagram, more and more artists want to ensure their work is available to anyone who may want to use it for any reason.

Now, most companies in this space at least give customers the option of distributing their songs and albums to Instagram (for use in both Instagram Stories and on regular posts for someone’s main feed) as well as TikTok, where many previously unknown tunes have become global hits thanks to fun dance routines or comical posts. Not all firms offer these services, but as time goes on, it’s likely that it will become a common option, as it is in demand by many musicians and once one competitor does so, it becomes nearly necessary for them all to do the same to keep up.

Many music distribution companies have started to act like record label hybrids, offering much more than simply ensuring music is available. Depending on the option, some also deliver data, platforms that allow artists to dig into insights to learn everything from where their listeners are to what tunes they enjoy the most, royalty collection, revenue splitting (which allows artists to tell the company who gets credit for what and how the incoming money should be divvied up), publishing, licensing, sync placements, and so much more.

The goal for some ambitious music distribution companies these days is to provide everything an up-and-coming musician may need to build a career and reach fans all around the world in a plethora of fashions. There is one thing that separates these firms from record labels, and it’s a detail that should matter greatly to the creators involved–these music distribution companies don’t own the rights to the music they handle. They may take a cut of revenues or an upfront fee, but the people who made the songs and albums don’t need to sign away the rights to that art, and that’s huge.

Which music distribution is free?

Hugh McIntyre

Sorry to break it to you, but no major music distribution companies are entirely free. If they didn’t have a way to make money from the music they’re distributing, how would they stay in business?

How these music distribution companies earn money from what they share with streaming platforms and download stores differs from option to option, and what is most appealing to you and your band may be the opposite of what another musical act wants.

Most music distribution companies make money by:

  • Charing an upfront fee to distribute music
  • Taking a percentage of the revenue earned by the music they distribute
  • Some combination of the two

Some other music distribution companies also charge an annual fee, or there may be money that must be paid at sign up, but that’s not a common practice any longer. Beware of the fine print though, as a handful of music distribution companies require artists to pay a certain amount every year in order to keep their work on streaming sites and more, and that’s not always immediately made clear.

How Much Does It Cost to Distribute Music?

As with anything in the open market, the cost of music distribution changes from one company to the next. The options out there make money by either charging a flat fee or by taking some percentage of royalties earned by the music they distribute, or perhaps some mix of the two.

If they’re looking for an upfront fee, you may be able to expect to pay less for one song than for a full project, and the prices aren’t too steep. Singles will typically run you between $10 and $20, while EPs and albums may rise toward $40 or a little more.

Some companies forgo an initial upfront fee so they can take a portion of all money made when fans stream or purchase songs or complete projects. These percentages are usually around 15%, though that’s not always the case.

It’s also worth mentioning that some music distribution companies also ask for certain fees to keep your music on services around the world. Depending on the option and the length of the release, you may be forced to pay another sum of between $10 and $50 every year to ensure people can continue to listen to and buy your work.

While music distribution certainly comes at a price, this is not usually something that bankrupts most artists. In fact, many times bands and singers can pay more for an hour of studio time than to share their work with the entire world. Considering what you get for these relatively small payments, most music distribution companies offer a fairly good deal.

Do You Need a Distributor For Your Music?

Yes. There’s no way around this. In today’s world, you absolutely need to have your music on streaming platforms, YouTube, social media, and digital storefronts. You may want to see your latest CD in brick-and-mortar locations as well, but that’s usually reserved for those who have hit a certain level of success (not saying you won’t be there one day).

Early on in the days of iTunes, selling MP3s, and certainly of streaming, there were some music distribution companies that allowed individual artists to upload their work to be sold and streamed, but that is no longer the case. If you want to see your tunes on platforms like Amazon, Spotify, and TikTok, you’re going to need to go through a third-party music distribution service. But why?

There are several reasons why music distribution companies are a must:

1. Volume

To say that there is a lot of music on streaming sites like Spotify is an incredible understatement. According to Variety, as of late 2022, around 100,000 songs are uploaded to the streaming giant every day. That stat is just for one outlet, so the real sum may be even higher now that some time has passed.

Whenever any company is dealing with that kind of volume, it’s necessary for processes to be implemented and followed perfectly to avoid issues. If things were relaxed just a bit, allowing individual acts to run their own distribution, things could become chaotic in no time.

2. Metadata

When a song or album is uploaded to a streaming site or download store, much more is shared than just music. There is a lot of metadata included with these sounds, and it is vital that all of it is entered right and that it is correct. The metadata includes who wrote the tune, produced it, perhaps even mixed and engineered it, and there is usually information regarding a record label or distributor. All of these names come in handy when revenues begin pouring in.

The metadata helps the music distribution companies know who to pay and how much when songs and albums begin generating money via streams or sales. These days, how that cash is split is almost always a bit complicated, as there can be many different parties involved with a single, and they could all receive a different share of the funds, depending on who did what.

Music distribution companies ensure that all artists fill this information out before the music is submitted, and they all have similar methods for doing so. This process ensures the actual streamers and storefronts don’t have to do that work themselves.

3. Hassle

Processes can be put in place and metadata may be filled in before anyone has streamed a song, but when there are millions of artists uploading 100,000 songs per day, there are bound to be problems. Can you imagine how many support emails a platform like Spotify would receive every day from musicians confused as to how the system works, wondering when they’ll receive their payments, or having issues sharing their music? It would slow down the company–and all of its competitors, who would likely have the same problem–and they’d need to hire huge support staffs.

Instead, they allow music distribution companies to deal with this hassle, allowing them to focus on running these complicated, massively popular services.

If you don’t sign up to work with a music distributor, your art simply won’t be playable on many top-tier platforms, and it will be restricted to just a few sites, and thus you’ll miss out on sharing your work with millions. It’s just not possible to become a successful artist in today’s music economy without music distribution.

The Best Music Distributors

There are many, many companies out there that will happily distribute your music to the hundreds of social media sites, digital download storefronts, and streaming platforms on the internet…but which ones are the best?

It depends entirely on what services you are looking for, how much music you’ll be uploading, and what you’re willing to spend (as well as what you’re expecting to earn from your work). There is no clear-cut answer as to which music distribution company is the top choice, but there are a handful of heavily-trafficked, successful ones that are worth considering.

Here’s a look at 10 of the most popular options out there for music distribution (data pulled from Ari’s Take).

Amuse

Distribution Fee:

  • Basic – Free
  • Pro – $60/year

Commission: 0%

Amuse started as a simple music distribution company, but soon it grew into something of a label/distribution hybrid. Now, if an artist is distributed through Amuse and their releases begin performing well online (which the company can track), they are oftentimes offered a 50/50 label deal of sorts.

AWAL

Distribution Fee: $0

Commission: 15%

Like Amuse, AWAL also uses its data-tracking technology to notice the moment an artist’s music is racking up streams and sales on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and others. Once the alarms go off (there aren’t real alarms, we assume), those acts are usually approached about a deal of some sort. AWAL is an extension of the Kobalt Music Group, so it’s usually in a musician’s best interest to work with them whenever possible. It is also on the forefront of what’s happening in music tech, which benefits those names signed to the company.

CDBaby

Distribution Fee:

  • Singles = $9.95
  • Albums = $29

Commission: 9%

CDBaby stands out as a company that has been distributing music for indie acts longer than almost any other competitor in the business, and it has always been on the side of those just getting started. In fact, it was instrumental in helping countless bands and Singers put their CDs (yes, actual CDs) in stores, and now it’s doing the same for even more acts online. While it may be the most seasoned of the bunch, CDBaby is also one of the most expensive options out there.

DistroKid

Distribution Fee: Unlimited releases for –

  • 1 artist = $19.99/year
  • 2 artists = $35.99/year
  • 5 artists = $79.99/year
  • 10 artists = $139.99/year

Commission: 0%

DistroKid changed the music distribution game when it offered unlimited releases for a specific price. Now, that’s something that many of its competitors have implemented as well, and it’s a very popular option for independent record labels and collectives. In fact, this feature may be the very thing that helped the company become one of the most popular distributors in the music industry.

Ditto

Distribution Fee: Unlimited releases for –

  • 1 artist = $19/year
  • 2 artists = $29/year
  • 5 artists = $69/year
  • 10 artists = $119/year
  • 15 artists = $159/year
  • 20 artists = $199/year
  • 30 artists = $249/year
  • 40 artists = $299/year

Commission: 0%

The lack of commission sounds great, and the prices aren’t too bad either, but according to a deep dive into the many players in the music distribution space published by Ari’s Take, Ditto Music’s reputation is…not ideal. Actually, it’s very bad. While that may be the case, Ditto Music remains a popular option in this industry, and thus it belongs in this article…as does a warning to proceed with caution.

LANDR

Distribution Fee:

  • Unlimited releases: $89/year & 0% commission
  • $20/year plan:
    • Singles = $5 9% commission
    • EPs/Albums = $19 & 9% commission
  • Free plan:
    • Singles = $9
    • EPs/Albums = $29 & 15% commission

Commission: 0% – 15%

In some respects, LANDR is ahead of the competition, while in other fields, the company is really missing out. The firm distributes to far-flung markets like China and it can help get your music on TikTok, which now creates more hits than YouTube, but the pricing is a little confusing, and it may end up being more than you need.

Songtradr

Distribution Fee: Unlimited releases for –

  • 1 artist = $20/year
  • 2 artists = $63.70/year
  • 5 artists = $93.10/year
  • 10 artists = $137.20/year
  • 15 artists = $181.30/year
  • 20 artists = $225.40/year
  • 30 artists = $303.80/year
  • 40 artists = $382.20/year
  • 100 artists = $803.60/year

Commission: 0% with subscription, 10% without

One of the most important features that separates Songtradr from all the other music distribution companies out there is its focus on syncs and licensing. Working with this option means there’s a shot that your music will be pitched for various shows, movies, and other media, which could potentially mean more money in your pocket. Of course, the chances that anything will happen in this vein are still slim, but it never hurts to have someone working for you!

Soundrop

Distribution Fee: $0

Commission: 15%

Soundrop is a popular music distribution company, but it’s really best to consider for those artists who focus on covers. Yes, that’s right–it’s a firm that specializes in covers and the musicians and bands who love to record and release them. That’s quite the niche, so Soundrop isn’t one of the biggest players in the space, but if that description fits what you and your bandmates do, this is absolutely one to check out.

Symphonic

Distribution Fee: Unlimited releases for one artist = $19.99/year

Commission:

  • Starter plan – 0%
  • Partner plan – 15%

Symphonic Distribution isn’t open to everyone, but for those who are eligible and wanted by the company, they should look into this option seriously! Symphonic Distribution is picky when it comes to the artists it wants to work with, and not everyone is a fit. In fact, the talents distributed by the firm are chosen by those who are employed by it, so there is a bit of an auditioning process, and those who are more established usually take precedence.

Tunecore

Distribution Fee: Unlimited releases for –

  • 1 artist = $14.99/year & 0% commission
  • 1 artist % additional features = $29.99/year & 0% commission
  • Multiple artists & additional features = $49.99/year & 0% commission

Commission: 0% – 20%

One of the most respected and popular music distribution companies in the industry, TuneCore is easy to work with and it has the process down to a science, one which you can easily understand. The firm works on a flat fee model, though you need to watch out, as the first year is cheaper than each 12-month period after that.

Looking for more information about copyrights and music? Check out our guide to the Music Modernization Act.

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