CD Baby vs DistroKid: Which is Better?

The music distribution landscape is filled with numerous platforms, each offering unique benefits and services to independent artists. Among these, CD Baby and DistroKid are two of the most popular choices for musicians looking to get their work heard by a global audience. This article offers a comprehensive comparison of these platforms and also explains how DistroKid works. Let's dive in!

Overview of CD Baby and DistroKid

CD Baby has been around since 1998, making it one of the oldest digital distribution services. It offers a variety of services beyond digital music distribution, including physical distribution, sync licensing, and even publishing administration. CD Baby takes a portion of the sales revenue from artists but does not charge annual fees.

DistroKid entered the music distribution arena in 2013 and has quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and affordability. DistroKid charges an annual fee, allowing artists to upload unlimited tracks for distribution without taking a cut from the sales revenue. This makes it an attractive option for prolific artists and bands producing a large volume of music.

Pricing and Revenue

CD Baby

When you choose CD Baby, you pay a one-time fee for each single or album you want to distribute. Singles cost around $9.95, while albums are priced at approximately $29. Furthermore, CD Baby takes a 9% cut of digital sales.

DistroKid

DistroKid operates on a subscription-based model, charging an annual fee of $19.99 for their basic plan. This fee allows you to upload an unlimited number of tracks. Unlike CD Baby, DistroKid does not take a percentage of sales revenue.

Distribution Services

CD Baby

CD Baby offers extensive distribution options, including both digital and physical formats. They distribute music to major digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and more. Their extensive reach ensures maximum visibility for your music.

DistroKid

DistroKid also distributes music to all major digital platforms. Additionally, they offer several unique features, such as automatic revenue splitting for collaborations and the ability to instantly update metadata across platforms. These features can be particularly helpful for artists seeking efficiency and ease of use.

Additional Features

CD Baby

As mentioned earlier, CD Baby provides various additional services, including sync licensing, physical distribution through their store, music publishing services, and YouTube monetization. These services can be beneficial if you're looking to take a more holistic approach to your music career.

DistroKid

DistroKid focuses primarily on digital distribution but also offers several additional features such as hyperfollow pages for marketing, customizable release dates, and instant Spotify verification. Furthermore, their user-friendly interface and fast upload process make it an ideal choice for artists wanting a streamlined experience.

How Does DistroKid Work?

Understanding how DistroKid works is essential if you're considering it as your music distribution platform of choice.

1. Sign Up

First, you need to create an account on DistroKid. Their sign-up process is straightforward, requiring just a few pieces of personal information and a payment method for the annual fee.

2. Upload Your Music

Once you have an account, you can start uploading your music. Simply click the upload button and fill in the required information about your track, such as the title, artist name, release date, and cover art.

3. Choose Your Distribution Platforms

After entering the details, you can select which digital platforms you want your music to be distributed to. DistroKid supports all major streaming services, ensuring your music reaches as wide an audience as possible.

4. Release and Promote

Once all details are filled in, and platforms are selected, you can set a release date. DistroKid also offers tools to help you promote your music, such as hyperfollow pages and social media integration.

5. Collect Your Earnings

DistroKid provides a dashboard where you can track your earnings from various platforms. Since they don't take a percentage of sales, all revenue generated from your music goes directly to you (minus any fees from the streaming platforms).

Which Platform is Right for You?

The choice between CD Baby and DistroKid ultimately depends on your individual needs and priorities as an artist.

Choose CD Baby If:

• You prefer a one-time payment rather than an annual subscription.
• You're interested in physical as well as digital distribution.
• You want access to additional services like sync licensing and publishing administration.
• You don't mind sharing a small percentage of your revenue.

Choose DistroKid If:

• You produce a high volume of music and prefer an annual subscription model.
• You're focused on digital distribution only.
• You want a simple, fast, and efficient upload process.
• You prefer to keep 100% of your sales revenue.

The SoundOn Advantage

While CD Baby and DistroKid each offer their own benefits, it's worth considering platforms like SoundOn for comprehensive music distribution and promotion services. SoundOn helps you build a successful career, gain new fans, and boost your visibility through exclusive partnerships and a global reach.

SoundOn provides an all-in-one platform for marketing and distribution, empowering artists to grow their presence on digital streaming platforms and social media collaborations, including TikTok. Consider registering as a SoundOn artist to take advantage of these cutting-edge tools and resources, propelling your music career to new heights.