What are the Best DistroKid Alternatives?

What Should Artists Look For in a Music Distribution Service?

Choosing a distributor isn’t only about getting your music online. Although this is the main goal, the right music distributor should support your release strategy, and give you the tools you need to grow in your career. Here are some key things every artist should consider:

- Available Music Stores & Platforms - Most distributors cover a whole array of stores including all the big players like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and TikTok. However it is still necessary to check and make sure you are covered. This can be vastly different across the world so check where your fanbase listens from and make sure that store is available to distribute your music.

- Value for Money - Each music distributor works differently, some use a subscription model, while others charge per release. Make sure you look for any hidden costs that might not be obvious at first.

‍- Promotional Tools & Additional Services - Some distributors offer additional services like publishing, sync licensing, playlist pitching and promotional tools to help with your artist marketing strategies. Things like SmartLinks and Spotify canvas generators can greatly help you level up your music promotion.

- Artist Support - An avenue of support between you and your distributor can not only be useful but super important in preventing and fixing any potential issues. Certain services don’t offer regular support, meaning you can feel a bit in the dark when you have a problem.

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Best DistroKid Alternatives

With the music industry evolving rapidly, artists now have a plethora of music distribution options that can massively impact their reach and success. So let's dive straight in and explore some of the best DistroKid alternatives in the game today.

1. Ditto Music

Ditto offers an all-in-one solution for music distribution for independent artists and labels. With a focus on supporting and empowering artists they offer global distribution to all major streaming platforms plus provide additional services like sync licensing, label services, and useful artist tools.

Pros

• Unlimited releases for Spotify, Apple Music, & over 100 platforms
• Keep 100% of your royalties
• Loads of artist promotional tools like all-in-one SmartLinks
• Dedicated artist support portal‍
• Additional services on offer such as publishing, sync, and music promotion

2. TuneCore

After launching almost 20 years ago, TuneCore continues to provide music distribution services for up and coming artists, whilst providing additional support and marketing tools for its users depending on their account tier.

Pros

• Unlimited releases depending on your subscription tier
• Artists keep 100% of their royalties
• Additional services available for your release

Cons

• Pricing can get high depending on your account tier
• Not as cost effective for artists releasing only a few songs per year

3. CD Baby

CD Baby is a long running independent music distributor with a strong focus on education and artist support. Its no subscription service offers a great option for artists not releasing often.

Pros

• One time fee with no annual subscription
• Long established distributor with strong reputation
• Offers physical distribution options

Cons

• More expensive per release than subscription services
• Slower release times than some distributors

4. Amuse

Amuse is a mobile-first distribution platform built for artists as a simple way to release music. It combines free distribution options with paid add-on services to support grassroots artists with their releases.

Pros

• Free plan offers basic distribution at no cost
• Simple to use interface
• Paid tier ‘Boost’ adds extra features

Cons

• Free plan can be slow and missing most essential features
• Smaller platform reach compared to some distributors

5. UnitedMasters

UnitedMasters acts more like an artist services platform than a traditional distributor. Alongside music distribution, it focuses heavily on audience data and opportunities for artists to connect with major brands and partners.

Pros

• Strong connections with brands (NBA, ESPN, TikTok)
• Mobile app available
• Useful tools like fan messaging and live opportunities

Cons

• Free plan charges a royalty cut
• Brand opportunities are highly competitive and selective

6. LANDR

Sitting on the line between music creation and distribution. Landr is known for its AI-powered mastering tools but the platform also offers distribution and useful creative services for producers.

Pros

• Great for producers who want an all-in-one ecosystem
• Artists keep 100% of their royalties
• Built in AI mastering tools

Cons

• Best features locked behind more expensive bundles
• Tailored more for producers than traditional artists

7. AWAL

AWAL works with independent artists who are already building momentum, offering a more selective approach to distribution. They provide a hands-on service and assist artists in their career development.

Pros

• Access to playlist pitching
• Transparent royalty splits with artists keeping rights
• Strong credibility within the industry

Cons

• Application only
• Process may be slower compared to other distributors

How to Choose the Right Music Distributor

Depending on what stage you're at in your career, the needs for your music distribution can vary. Whether you are just starting out or have released tracks before, we’ve broken down what you should be prioritising today when selecting your next music distributor.

New and Beginner Artists Releasing Music 

It's all about being cost-effective, reliable, and fast. At the start, distribution should feel frictionless, and your focus should be on creating. Having a simple user interface, not breaking the bank, and ensuring your release runs on time is a great place to start.

Independent Artists Releasing Regularly

Now, if you are in the flow of releasing music a little more frequently, you may be looking for a little bit more. You might need help with royalty splits for collaborators or you might want to build more professional campaigns for your releases. Whether it's marketing and pre-save tools or pitching your music for playlists, these add-ons can be really beneficial, easy to use, and save you a lot of time.

Managing Multiple Artists & Releases

If you need to easily and effectively manage more than one artist, then you need to be looking for distributors capable of doing this. Not all music distributors are able to do this so multi-artist dashboards and bulk release tools are certainly handy features to look out for on top of everything else.

Artists Looking for More Than Just Distribution

No matter what stage you're at, all artists should be looking for more out of their music distribution. There is more on offer than ever, with publishing and sync licensing among the services that are available to you through the right distributor.

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What is the Best DistroKid Alternative?

Artists looking for an alternative to DistroKid want more support, flexibility, and long-term added value. The best DistroKid alternative that offers you the best combined service is without doubt Ditto Music. Ditto provides global distribution to more major streaming platforms that anyone else, alongside affordable, transparent pricing, valuable support and access to publishing and sync licensing opportunities for their artists. Ditto proudly flies the flag for independent musicians and helps musicians build sustainable careers with an all-in-one service. Sign up to Ditto Music now!

How to Switch from DistroKid to Ditto Music

1. Find all metadata and original files associated with the music you’d like to move.

- Artist name and track titles

- Original artwork & audio files

- ISRC codes

2. Issue a takedown request to your current distributor.

- There is usually a ‘takedown request’ button located in your current distributor account.

3. Re-upload your music to Ditto.

- Only once your current distributor has processed the take down of your release.

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TIP: Remember to use the exact same ISRC codes, artist names, and track titles you made a note of earlier, as well as the original audio files and artwork.

Every year the music industry continues to evolve and there are more artists than ever looking to get their music out there. Choosing the music distributor that will assist you in growing your audience and building a brand as an artist is essential. Look out for the added extras and services available to push your music further and further with every release. 

Let us know what you look for in a music distributor in the comments!

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