Is DistroKid a Publisher and What’s the Cost?

As an independent artist looking to distribute your music online, you may have come across DistroKid. It's one of the platforms available for getting your music onto various streaming services, but there are often questions about its role. Is DistroKid a publisher, and what does it cost to use their services?

Understanding Music Distribution vs. Music Publishing

First, it's important to clarify the difference between music distribution and music publishing. Music distribution focuses on getting your music onto digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Essentially, distributors handle the logistics of making sure your music is available for streaming and download.

On the other hand, music publishing deals with the management and monetization of the rights to your music. This includes licensing, royalties, synchronization rights (for TV, movies, commercials), and more. Publishers work to ensure you get paid every time your music is used in various contexts.

Is DistroKid a Publisher?

DistroKid is not a music publisher. It is a distribution service that helps artists upload and distribute their music to various digital platforms. While DistroKid offers many useful features, including Spotify pre-save links and a simple user interface, it does not provide traditional publishing services.

DistroKid can, however, help you collect some types of royalties that result from your music being streamed. But for comprehensive publishing services, you would need to partner with a music publisher or a dedicated publishing administration service.

DistroKid Cost Breakdown

So, how much does DistroKid cost? DistroKid offers various plans, tailored to different needs:

• Musician Plan: At $19.99 per year, this plan allows you to upload an unlimited number of songs and albums. This is ideal for artists who produce a moderate amount of music each year.
• Musician Plus Plan: Priced at $35.99 per year, this package provides additional features such as customizable label names, release date settings, and daily sales stats.
• Label Plan: Starting at $79.99 per year, this plan supports multiple artists (from 5 to 100, depending on the tier) and includes all the features of the lower-tier plans plus some administrative controls useful for managing multiple acts.

It’s also important to consider other potential fees. DistroKid does not charge per release, but there are optional add-ons, such as the Store Maximizer (which automatically adds your music to new stores as they come online) and Shazam & iPhone Siri optimization. These can add to the overall cost if chosen.

Comparing Distribution Platforms

When deciding whether or not to use DistroKid, it's worthwhile to compare it to other distribution services. Competitors include Tunecore, CD Baby, and Amuse, among others. Each platform has its unique pricing model and range of services, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your specific needs.

One distribution platform worth highlighting is SoundOn. Not only does SoundOn help distribute your music globally through digital streaming platforms, but it’s also integrated with TikTok, giving artists a strong platform for promoting their music and growing their fanbases. SoundOn provides artists with a range of resources and exclusive partnerships that are designed to elevate their music careers.

Maximizing Your Music’s Potential

To maximize your music’s potential, you should consider using both a distribution service and a publishing service. By doing so, you ensure that your music is widely available and that you are collecting all possible royalties from its use. While DistroKid handles distribution effectively, pairing it with a publisher or a service like SoundOn can provide you with a more comprehensive approach to managing your music career.

Conclusion

In summary, DistroKid is a robust distribution service but not a publisher. If you’re looking to get your music on streaming platforms efficiently, DistroKid is a good option at a reasonable annual cost. For a more holistic approach, combine DistroKid’s distribution capabilities with a service that offers publishing, or consider platforms like SoundOn that provide extensive support and promotional features. Ensuring you have both distribution and publishing properly managed will help you maximize your music's reach and profitability.