Is DistroKid the Best Music Distributor?

The music industry is continually evolving, with more artists seeking efficient ways to get their music to a broader audience. One popular choice for music distribution has been DistroKid. In this comprehensive DistroKid review, we will examine its features, benefits and try to answer one crucial question: how much does DistroKid pay per stream? By doing so, we aim to provide a clear picture of whether DistroKid is the right fit for you.

What is DistroKid?

DistroKid is a digital music distribution service that allows musicians to upload their music to various streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and budget-friendly pricing, especially for independent artists looking to make their music available worldwide.

Features and Benefits of DistroKid

DistroKid offers numerous features that cater to the needs of modern-day musicians. Some of the most notable ones include:

• Unlimited uploads: Artists can upload as much music as they want for a flat annual fee.
• Fast distribution: DistroKid promises quick distribution to all major digital streaming platforms.
• License and monetization: Artists keep 100% of their royalties and maintain full ownership of their music.
• Team collaboration: Easily split earnings with team members and collaborators.
• Automatic revenue splitting: Allowing you to allocate specific percentages of earnings to collaborators, producers, and others.

How Much Does DistroKid Pay Per Stream?

One of the most common questions among musicians is how much they can expect to earn per stream. It’s important to note that DistroKid itself does not set the payment rates. Instead, the rates are determined by the individual streaming platforms. Generally, these rates can vary widely:

• Spotify: Approximately $0.003 to $0.005 per stream.
• Apple Music: Around $0.007 to $0.01 per stream.
• Amazon Music: Typically, $0.004 per stream.
• YouTube: Roughly $0.00069 per stream (from YouTube ads and subscription revenue).

These rates are averages and can fluctuate based on various factors such as location, subscription tier of the listener, and other market conditions.

Comparing DistroKid with Other Distributors

While DistroKid is a well-known name in the music distribution industry, there are other services out there, such as TuneCore, CD Baby, and others. Here’s a brief comparison:

• DistroKid: Unlimited uploads for a flat annual fee, fast distribution, and the artist keeps 100% of earnings.
• TuneCore: Charges per album or single but offers more detailed accounting and provisions for the artist’s needs.
• CD Baby: One-time fees per album or single with long-term retention of music rights by the artist.
• SoundOn: Utilizes comprehensive marketing tools and partnerships, allowing artists to promote their music effectively.

Each of these platforms has its unique strengths and caters to different artist needs. It's important to compare features, pricing, and rights management to determine which service best fits your requirements.

Final Thoughts

DistroKid’s affordability and user-friendly platform make it an excellent choice for many independent artists. However, understanding how streaming payouts work and knowing that these rates are set by the streaming services themselves is crucial. If you are considering distributing your music, explore what different platforms like SoundOn have to offer. Each service has its unique benefits, and your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs and goals as an artist.

Ready to take your music career to the next level? Register as a SoundOn artist today and leverage the power of TikTok, SoundOn’s advanced marketing tools, and global distribution service to reach a broader audience. Sign up here!