Imagine this: you are about to release music for the first time as an independent artist. You keep seeing names like DistroKid and CD Baby everywhere. Both can get your songs on streaming platforms and digital stores. But now you are wondering which one you should choose? They do the same main job, but there are some key differences.
Here is a detailed comparison of both music distributors so that you can make an informed decision.
A basic comparison -
DistroKid and CD Baby both help independent artists distribute music, but they work a bit differently. DistroKid has a social feel where artists can create a profile with their genre, influences, social links, and bio. This info gets used in DistroKid’s community tools. On the other hand, CD Baby does not offer artist profiles or a social network. But its site looks better and is easier to navigate when checking your tools and releases. Uploading music is simpler on DistroKid. You fill out everything on one page. CD Baby makes you go through multiple pages, each with detailed steps that can feel overwhelming. It is easier to miss something there.
In 2024, indie distribution is changing fast. DistroKid now includes AI tools and playlist support to help artists promote their music and grow. CD Baby does not offer AI features yet, but it still shines when it comes to physical sales and connecting with fans. Both platforms have strengths, so the best choice depends on your goals.
Affordability -
DistroKid and CD Baby have very different pricing models. DistroKid charges a yearly fee, which lets you upload as many songs or albums as you want. It has three plans: Musician, Musician Plus, and Label. The Musician plan is the cheapest, but it has limits. You cannot set a future release date or see stats for your music. On top of the yearly fee, there are extra costs. If you cancel your DistroKid plan but want your music to stay up, you need to pay for the Leave a Legacy option. That is $29 for singles and $49 for albums. DistroKid also charges extra for things like YouTube and Shazam monetization.
On the other hand, CD Baby works differently. You pay per release, and most services are already included in that price. This setup works better for artists who release music less often. Unlike DistroKid, CD Baby does not charge a legacy fee. Once your music is up, it stays up for good. This makes it more affordable in the long run if you are not releasing tracks often.
Also Read: Explore the Top 10 Music Distribution Companies in Los Angeles
CD Baby also offers a publishing service called CD Baby Pro Publishing, which collects publishing royalties. It costs more than the standard plan. There is also a $5 fee for a UPC code on singles and $20 for albums if you do not already have one. Here is a pricing breakdown:
● Single: $9.95 (Standard) and $29.95 (Pro)
● Album: $29 (Standard) and $69 (Pro)
If you have frequent releases, DistroKid might save you some money. But if you are looking for fewer releases and long-term access, then CD Baby would make more sense for you.
Ways to collect and distribute royalties -
DistroKid and CD Baby both connect reproduction royalties that come from your master recordings. You can keep 100% of your earnings with DistroKid, and CD Baby takes a 9% cut of those royalties. If you choose CD Baby Pro Publishing, they also take 15% of your publishing royalties, though their payout systems are a bit different. DistroKid pays monthly through PayPal or Tipalti. Tipalti lets you choose between direct deposit, wire transfer, or check.
On the other hand, CD Baby pays you every Monday, but once you hit the payout amount between $10 and $10,000, it gets rounded to the nearest dollar. They pay artists through PayPal, Payoneer, check, or direct bank deposit. You still cannot collect all your money just by using one of these services. You need to join a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP to get your full composition royalties. You also need to sign up with a publisher or a publishing admin service.
CD Baby Pro Publishing can handle this for you, but DistroKid does not offer this service. Instead, it recommends using Songtrust to collect your publishing royalties. So, while both platforms cover basic royalty collection, full earnings will require more setup outside of their services.
Distribution times and partners -
CD Baby checks every release before it goes live, which can take a few weeks. DistroKid skips this step and sends your music to platforms right away. That sounds faster, but it comes with risks. This way, you would be on your own without review if there is a copyright issue or file problem. In addition to this, if you are on DistroKid’s cheapest plan, you cannot set a release date. This can cause your song to appear on one platform before the other, making promotion even harder.
Also Read: Switching Music Distributers: How to Do it Without Losing Streams?
Both platforms work with major streaming services and digital stores. However, CD Baby partners with a few more. One major advantage of CD Baby is that it sends your music to SoundExchange for you. This lets you earn sound recording performance royalties, although CD Baby keeps a cut. DistroKid does not handle this step, but you can register with SoundExchange by yourself and keep the full payout. So, CD Baby offers more built-in support, and DistroKid gives you speed and independence.
Sound quality -
Every artist should always use the highest quality audio file they can for their next releases. DistroKid accepts WAV, WMA, M4A, AIFF, FLAC, and MP3 files. You can upload 24-bit WAVs with sample rates up to 96 kHz, as long as the file is under 1 GB. CD Baby accepts WAV, FLAC, and MP3, but strongly recommends against using MP3s. CD Baby also requires all files to be stereo, 16-bit, with a 44.1 kHz sample rate for proper distribution quality.
Artist development resources -
CD Baby and DistroKid both offer helpful tools to artists, but they focus on different things. CD Baby provides more resources for learning and professional growth. It offers affordable automated mastering and can also link you with real audio engineers. The CD Baby Blog called DIY Musician is full of useful advice for artists trying to grow and expand their reach. The platform also partners with Show.co to give you discounts on promotional tools like Spotify audio ads and banner ads on sites like Rolling Stone. CD Baby handles CD and Vinyl production in-house. This makes it easier to offer your music in more formats and reach a wider audience base.
On the other hand, DistroKid leans more into community and digital growth. It has tools that help artists connect and support each other. One such feature is Playlist Spotlight, which shows you clips of two songs from DistroKid artists every week. You can vote for your favorite, and the winner gets featured on a DistroKid-curated Spotify playlist. You can also submit one of your own songs for a chance to be featured. The playlists refresh weekly and give artists regular chances to get heard.
To put it simply, CD Baby helps with education, physical sales, and pro connections. DistroKid focuses on exposure, digital features, and community-driven promotion. Choose one that suits your career goals the best.
