Overview
If you want your music on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms, you’ll need a digital distributor.
These services deliver your music to platforms, collect royalties, and pay you. Most of the process is simple, but choosing the right distributor depends on how you release music and what you need beyond basic delivery.
This guide compares the main options and helps you choose based on your situation. For a broader picture of DIY music distribution see Choosing Music Distribution Platforms.
How Music Distribution Works
A distributor will:
- Deliver your music to streaming platforms
- Collect royalties
- Pay those royalties to you
- Manage metadata and identifiers
Some also offer:
- Royalty splits
- Publishing administration
- Sync licensing
- YouTube monetisation
Comparison Table (Core Features)
This table focuses on the key differences most artists care about.
| Distributor | Pricing Model | Commission | Annual Fee | Unlimited Releases | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Subscription | 0% | Yes | Yes | Frequent releases |
| TuneCore | Subscription | 0% | Yes | Yes | Long-term artists |
| Ditto Music | Subscription | 0% | Yes | Yes | Budget + flexibility |
| RouteNote | Free / Paid hybrid | 15% (free) | Optional | Yes | Low-risk releases |
| AWAL | Commission | ~15% | No | Yes | More established artists |
| Songtradr | Hybrid | Varies | Optional | Yes | Sync licensing |
| Horus Music | Hybrid | 0% | Yes / per release | Yes | UK-based support |
| LabelGrid | Subscription | 10–15% | Yes | Limited tiers | Labels / promo workflows |
Pricing Comparison (Typical Entry-Level)
Prices change regularly, but this gives a realistic guide.
| Distributor | Entry Cost (Approx) | Ongoing Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | ~$20/year | Annual | Add-ons cost extra |
| TuneCore | ~£13/year | Annual | Scaled tiers |
| Ditto Music | ~£19/year | Annual | Simple pricing |
| RouteNote | Free | None | 15% commission |
| AWAL | Free | Commission | Application required |
| Songtradr | Free–$49/year | Optional | Sync-focused |
| Horus Music | ~£20/year | Annual | Also per-release option |
| LabelGrid | ~$99+/year | Annual | More niche use |
Feature Comparison (What You Actually Get)
| Feature | DistroKid | TuneCore | Ditto | RouteNote | AWAL | Songtradr | Horus | LabelGrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep 100% royalties | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid tier | No | Usually | Yes | No |
| Free option available | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Royalty splits | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube Content ID | Add-on | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sync opportunities | No | No | No | No | Limited | Yes | Limited | No |
| Physical distribution | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Hands-on support | Low | Medium | Medium | Low | Higher | Medium | Higher | Medium |
Breakdown by Category
Subscription-Based (Most Common)
- DistroKid
Fast, widely used, simple. Good default option if you’re releasing regularly. - TuneCore
More structured, slightly more “professional” feel. Strong reporting and publishing features. - Ditto Music
Cost-effective alternative with similar functionality. Often used by independent artists in the UK.
👉 Best if you release multiple tracks per year.
Commission-Based (Low Risk)
- RouteNote
Free tier makes it easy to test releases. Slower, but no upfront cost. - AWAL
More selective. Closer to a label-services company than a basic distributor.
👉 Best if you want to minimise risk or don’t release often.
Hybrid / Specialist Platforms
- Songtradr
Focused on licensing music for film, TV and online content. - Horus Music
UK-based, more personal approach. Also handles physical releases and Vevo. - LabelGrid
Designed for electronic labels. Useful if running promo campaigns and managing releases at scale.
👉 Best if you have a specific goal beyond streaming.
How to Choose (Simple Framework)
If you’re just starting:
- RouteNote (free tier)
If you’re releasing consistently:
- DistroKid or Ditto
If you want a long-term system:
- TuneCore
If you want label-style support:
- AWAL (if accepted)
If you’re targeting sync:
- Songtradr
What Distributors Don’t Do
This is still one of the biggest misunderstandings.
A distributor will not:
- Promote your music
- Get you playlist placements
- Build an audience
- Create momentum
They handle delivery and payments.
Everything else comes from your release strategy.
👉 See: How to Promote a Music Release
Common Mistakes
- Uploading too late (no promotion time)
- Choosing based only on price
- Ignoring metadata consistency
- Releasing without a plan
- Expecting distribution to generate results
Final Thoughts
Getting your music onto Spotify is straightforward.
Choosing the right distributor is about fit:
- How often you release
- What you can afford
- What you actually need
Most platforms will do the job. What matters is what you do after the release goes live.
This article is part of the Music Production Reference Library, organised into volumes covering sound, theory, production, and release.
