Should You Sign Up for DistroKid or CD Baby?

For independent musicians, choosing the right music distribution platform is crucial for reaching new fans and growing their career. Two popular platforms, DistroKid and CD Baby, offer unique features and benefits. In this article, we'll compare the DistroKid sign-up process and services with CD Baby to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your music in 2024.

Getting Started: DistroKid Sign Up Process

Signing up for DistroKid is a straightforward process. Users need to create an account by providing their email address, creating a password, and selecting a membership plan. DistroKid offers a single artist plan as well as more expensive plans that allow for multiple artists or bands. One key advantage of DistroKid is its annual subscription model, allowing users to upload unlimited songs and albums for a flat yearly fee.

Once you've signed up, uploading music to DistroKid is simple. You'll need to provide information about the song or album, including track titles, release date, and genre. DistroKid also allows you to manage your releases, set pricing, and even create pre-save links for streaming services.

CD Baby Sign Up Process

CD Baby's sign-up process is somewhat similar to DistroKid's, with a few key differences. To get started, you'll need to create an account and choose between their two pricing tiers: Standard or Pro. The Standard tier covers basic distribution to major streaming services and digital stores, while the Pro tier includes additional services like publishing administration and royalty collection.

When uploading music to CD Baby, you'll need to provide detailed information about your release, including track metadata, ISRC codes, and artwork. Unlike DistroKid, CD Baby charges a one-time fee per release and takes a small percentage of royalties. This pay-per-release model can be advantageous for artists who release music less frequently.

Distribution Reach and Services

Both DistroKid and CD Baby offer extensive distribution to major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. However, there are some differences in the additional services they provide.

DistroKid is known for its user-friendly interface and efficient upload process. One of its standout features is "DistroKid HyperFollow," which allows fans to pre-save your music on Spotify, ensuring they listen as soon as it's released. Additionally, DistroKid offers helpful promotional tools, such as video generators and customizable mini-videos for social media platforms like TikTok.

CD Baby, on the other hand, provides a broader range of services, including physical distribution options for CDs and vinyl, sync licensing opportunities, and a direct-to-fan sales platform. The CD Baby Pro tier also includes comprehensive publishing administration, ensuring you collect all potential royalties from your music across various platforms.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing is a significant factor when choosing between DistroKid and CD Baby. As mentioned earlier, DistroKid operates on an annual subscription model. For individual artists, plans start at $19.99 per year, allowing unlimited uploads. For those managing multiple artists, plans range from $35.99 to $79.99 per year.

CD Baby's pricing is based on a per-release fee. For the Standard tier, the cost is $9.95 per single and $29 per album. The Pro tier, which includes publishing administration, is priced at $29.95 per single and $69 per album. CD Baby also collects a 9% commission on digital sales.

Customer Support and User Experience

Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses regarding customer support and user experience. DistroKid is praised for its intuitive interface and speedy upload process, but some users have reported difficulty reaching customer support promptly. DistroKid provides email support but lacks live chat or phone support options.

CD Baby, on the other hand, offers more comprehensive customer support, including phone, email, and chat options. Their user interface may not be as modern or intuitive as DistroKid’s, but the extensive support options can be beneficial for artists who may need more assistance.

Final Thoughts

When choosing between DistroKid and CD Baby, consider your specific needs as an artist. If you plan to release music frequently and want an easy-to-use platform with a flat annual fee, signing up for DistroKid might be the best option. On the other hand, if you prefer a pay-per-release model and require additional services like physical distribution and publishing administration, CD Baby could be the better choice.

Regardless of which platform you choose, both DistroKid and CD Baby can help you distribute your music to a global audience and grow your fan base. If you're looking for an alternative that provides a comprehensive distribution and marketing service, consider SoundOn. With exclusive partnerships and a strong focus on emerging artists, it might just be the platform you need to take your music career to the next level!