What distribution company should you use to release your music in 2023?

Are you looking to start releasing your music to the world? It can seem daunting with the amount of distribution services that are on offer in 2023, but in this article, we will go over a selection of the best.

Gone are the days of the need to use a record label. It has never been easier to reach a global audience. Here are six services that you can use to distribute your music.

DistroKid

DistroKid is a popular music distribution service that allows artists to upload their music to various digital platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. With DistroKid, artists can keep 100% of their royalties and maintain control over their music. The service offers a variety of plans, including a basic plan that costs only $19.99 per year and allows artists to upload unlimited music. Personally, I have used Distrokid for years, and it's the best one if you are wanting to release music on a consistent basis.

Here are some of the features of using DistroKid for distributing your music:

1. Wide Distribution Network: DistroKid distributes music to over 150 digital stores and streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, and Google Play.
2. Easy Sign-up Process: DistroKid offers an easy-to-use sign-up process, which allows artists to create their accounts, upload their music, and distribute it within minutes.
3. No Annual Fees: DistroKid does not charge any annual fees for distributing music. Instead, artists only pay a yearly fee for unlimited uploads and distribution.
4. Revenue Collection: DistroKid collects revenue from various digital stores and streaming services and pays the artists directly. The artists can access their sales and streaming data through DistroKid's dashboard.
5. Fast Distribution: DistroKid offers fast distribution, which means that your music can be available on platforms within hours of submission.
6. YouTube Content ID: DistroKid offers YouTube Content ID, which allows artists to earn revenue from their music when it is used in YouTube videos.
7. Additional Features: DistroKid offers additional features such as customizable release dates, automatic splits for multiple collaborators, and integration with social media platforms.
8. Customer Support: DistroKid offers customer support via email, and they also provide resources and FAQs to help artists navigate the distribution process.

Sign up to Distrokid with this link and get 7% off!

TuneCore

TuneCore is another music distribution service that allows artists to distribute their music to a variety of digital platforms. With TuneCore, artists can keep 100% of their royalties and have access to a variety of tools and resources, including analytics and marketing support. The service offers a variety of plans, including a basic plan that costs just $9.99 per year and allows artists to distribute a single release to digital platforms.

Here are some of the features of using TuneCore for distributing your music:

1. Wide Distribution Network: TuneCore distributes music to over 150 digital stores and streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, and Google Play.
2. Easy Sign-up Process: TuneCore offers an easy-to-use sign-up process, which allows artists to create their accounts, upload their music, and distribute it within minutes.
3. Revenue Collection: TuneCore collects revenue from various digital stores and streaming services and pays the artists directly. The artists can access their sales and streaming data through TuneCore's dashboard.
4. No Annual Fees: Unlike some other music distribution services, TuneCore does not charge any annual fees for distributing music. Artists only pay a one-time fee for each release they distribute.
5. Publishing Administration: TuneCore also offers publishing administration services, which allow artists to collect their songwriter and publisher royalties from various sources, including streaming services and sync licensing.
6. Pre-Order Sales: TuneCore allows artists to offer their music for pre-order on select platforms, which can help generate buzz and increase sales before the official release date.
7. Customer Support: TuneCore offers customer support via phone and email, and they also provide resources and FAQs to help artists navigate the distribution process.

Overall, TuneCore is a great option for independent artists who want to distribute their music to a wide audience without the support of a record label.

Check them out here

CD Baby

CD Baby is a music distribution service that has been around since the early days of digital music. With CD Baby, artists can distribute their music to a variety of digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The service also offers physical distribution options for artists who want to release their music on CD or vinyl. CD Baby offers a variety of plans, including a standard plan that costs $9.95 per single and $29 per album.

Some of the key features of using CD Baby for music distribution are:

1. Wide range of platforms: CD Baby distributes music to over 150 platforms, including major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, as well as online stores like iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.

2. Physical distribution: CD Baby also offers physical distribution options, allowing artists to distribute their music on CDs, vinyl, and other physical formats.

3. Easy-to-use platform: The CD Baby platform is user-friendly, allowing artists to upload their music, artwork, and metadata, and distribute their music in just a few clicks.

4. Quick distribution: CD Baby has a fast turnaround time for distributing music, with releases often appearing on major platforms within 24-48 hours.

5. Royalty collection: CD Baby helps artists collect and manage their music royalties across different platforms and territories.

6. Additional services: CD Baby offers additional services, such as music promotion, sync licensing, and website hosting, to help artists promote and grow their careers.

Marketing and promotion tools: CD Baby offers various marketing and promotion tools, such as email marketing, social media promotion, and playlist promotion, to help artists increase their exposure and reach new audiences.

Check them out here

Ditto Music

Ditto Music is a music distribution service that offers a range of services, including music distribution, marketing, and promotion. With Ditto Music, artists can distribute their music to a variety of digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The service also offers a range of marketing and promotion tools to help artists reach their target audience. Ditto Music offers a variety of plans, including a basic plan that costs just $19 per year and allows artists to distribute unlimited music.

Some of the key features of using Ditto Music for music distribution are:

1. Cost-effective pricing: Ditto Music offers a range of affordable pricing plans, allowing artists to choose the best option for their needs and budget.

2. Wide range of platforms: Ditto Music distributes music to over 200 platforms, including major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, as well as online stores like iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.

3. Flexible release options: Ditto Music offers flexible release options, allowing artists to release their music on a specific date or on a pre-order basis, as well as offering single and album releases.

4. Easy-to-use platform: The Ditto Music platform is user-friendly, allowing artists to upload their music, artwork, and metadata, and distribute their music in just a few clicks.

5. Quick distribution: Ditto Music has a fast turnaround time for distributing music, with releases often appearing on major platforms within 24-48 hours.

6. Royalty collection: Ditto Music helps artists collect and manage their music royalties across different platforms and territories.

Additional services: Ditto Music offers additional services, such as playlist pitching, social media marketing, and PR support, to help artists promote and grow their careers.

Check them out here.

AWAL

AWAL is a music distribution service that is geared towards independent artists. With AWAL, artists can distribute their music to a variety of digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The service also offers a range of marketing and promotion tools to help artists reach their target audience. AWAL offers a variety of plans, including a basic plan that costs just $9.99 per year and allows artists to distribute a single release to digital platforms.

Some of the key features of using AWAL for music distribution are:

1. Royalty collection: AWAL helps independent artists collect and manage their music royalties across different platforms and territories.

2. Access to major streaming services: AWAL distributes music to major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer, as well as other platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

3. Global distribution: AWAL has a global distribution network, allowing independent artists to reach audiences in over 200 territories worldwide.

4. Promotional support: AWAL offers promotional support to independent artists, including playlist pitching, social media marketing, and PR support.

5. Transparent reporting: AWAL provides transparent reporting and analytics to independent artists, giving them insights into their music's performance and audience engagement.

6. No upfront fees: AWAL operates on a revenue-sharing model, taking a percentage of an artist's earnings from music sales and streams, rather than charging upfront fees.

7. Additional label services: AWAL offers additional label services, such as marketing and branding, distribution strategy, and creative services, to help independent artists build their careers.

Check them out here.

Emubands

EmuBands is a digital music distribution service that allows independent musicians and record labels to distribute their music to major online stores and streaming platforms. Some of the key features of using EmuBands for music distribution are:

Cost-effective pricing: EmuBands offers a one-time fee per release, without taking any ongoing commission or percentage of your sales.

1. Wide range of platforms: EmuBands distributes music to over 250 online platforms, including major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer, as well as online stores like iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.

2. Easy-to-use platform: The EmuBands platform is user-friendly, allowing you to upload your music and album art, select your preferred release date, and distribute your music in just a few clicks.

3. Quick distribution: EmuBands has a fast turnaround time for distributing music, with releases often appearing on major platforms within 24-48 hours.

4. Detailed reporting: EmuBands provides detailed reporting on your music's performance, including sales and streaming data, and information on where your music is being played.

5. Additional services: EmuBands also offers additional services, such as mastering, artwork design, and music promotion, to help you take your music career to the next level.

Check them out here.

In conclusion, these are just a few of the many music distribution services available to artists today. Each service has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs. With the right music distribution service, you can reach a global audience and get your music heard across multiple platforms.