Getting on streaming platforms isn’t hard — picking the right one is. Some promise exposure, others royalties, and a few claim to do it all. But what really matters? Pricing, reach, marketing tools, payout speed, and ease of use. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice.
As explained by Bandsintown, transparency, audience reach, and available marketing tools are essential factors when selecting a music distribution platform.
Pricing Models: Subscription or Pay-Per-Release?
Pricing is the first thing artists check. Some music distribution services charge yearly fees, others take a cut of your revenue.
- Flat-fee plans: DistroKid, Ditto, and TuneCore charge annual fees and you keep 100% of your royalties.
- Commission-based options: CD Baby and RouteNote Free take a percentage of your revenue, so you pay as you earn.
- Best balance: MusicAlligator offers pay-per-release pricing, you invest only when you release new music and keep 100% of your earnings.
If you release multiple tracks a year, flat-fee might be cost effective. If you release music occasionally, pay-per-release saves you money.
Where Will Your Music Be Available?
Your music distribution service should get your music in every major store — Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok, YouTube, Deezer.
- DistroKid and TuneCore get you on 150+ platforms, great for global reach.
- MusicAlligator goes beyond the basics, distributes to both mainstream and niche platforms, so independent artists get discovered.
Why does this matter? A niche platform might bring you superfans, leading to better engagement and sales than just being lost in the massive catalogs of Spotify or Apple Music.
Marketing & Promotion: Do They Help?
Getting music on streaming platforms is easy — getting people to listen is the hard part. Some music distribution services offer promotional tools, but not all are created equal.
- DistroKid’s HyperFollow creates simple landing pages.
- Ditto Music provides Pre-Save links and chart registration. MusicAlligator goes above and beyond with playlist pitching, analytics and custom promo tools, so you stand out in a crowded market.
If you’re serious about growth, go with a platform that actively promotes your music, not just drops it in stores.
Royalties: How Long Do You Wait?
- DistroKid, TuneCore and RouteNote Premium pay monthly.
- Amuse offers Early Access payouts, but MusicAlligator provides fast, seamless royalty processing with clear earnings breakdowns.
Waiting months for streaming royalties? Not ideal. A good music distributor ensures fast, consistent payments with no hidden delays.
User Experience & Extra Perks
A messy dashboard can turn simple music uploads into a nightmare.
MusicAlligator has a clean interface, multi-artist support and easy ISRC/EAN code generation — perfect for independent artists and labels.
Other platforms overload users with features you don’t need, while MusicAlligator keeps it simple and efficient.
Final Thoughts: Which One is Best?
If you want a low cost solution, a commission-based model like RouteNote Free works — but at the cost of your earnings.
For serious artists who want control, smart pricing and real promotional support, MusicAlligator is the one. You pay only when you release music, keep 100% of your royalties and get high-level marketing tools that boost your reach without hidden fees.
Choosing a music distribution service is a big deal — pick the one that works for your career, not just your wallet.
*As always, we appreciate our guests but their views do not necessarily match those of our site or editors.
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