The DistroKid Pricing Model

Unlike many music distribution services that charge per single or per album, DistroKid uses a subscription model. You pay once a year and can upload unlimited music. This makes it incredibly cost-effective for prolific artists. However, choosing the right plan is crucial to avoid paying for features you don't need—or missing out on ones you do.

1. The Musician Plan ($22.99/year)

This is the entry-level plan, designed for solo artists who are just starting their journey.

Key Features:

• Unlimited Uploads: Release as many songs and albums as you want.
• 100% Royalties: DistroKid takes no commission.
• Standard Spotify/Apple Music Support: Your music gets on all major platforms.

Who is it for?

The Musician plan is ideal for hobbyists or new artists who only use one artist name and don't care about specific release dates. If you're happy for your music to go live "as soon as possible" without a coordinated marketing campaign, this is the most affordable way to get on Spotify.

2. The Musician Plus Plan ($39.99/year)

This is the most popular plan and the one we generally recommend for serious independent artists.

Why it's better than the basic plan:

• Two Artist Names: Perfect if you have a side project or a band.
• Custom Release Dates: Essential for coordinated marketing and pitching to official playlists.
• Customizable Label Name: Instead of "DistroKid" appearing in the credits, you can use your own label name.
• Synced Lyrics: Make your lyrics appear in real-time on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify.
• Daily Stats: Get up-to-date data on how your music is performing.

Who is it for?

If you take your music career seriously, the $17 difference per year is worth it just for the custom release dates. Pitching to Spotify Editorial playlists requires your music to be in their system at least 2-3 weeks before it goes live—something that is only possible with this plan.

3. The Label Plan (Starting at $79.99/year)

The Label plan is for people running multiple musical projects or managing other artists.

Key Features:

• Artist Slots: Start with 5 artists and scale up to 100+.
• Instant Spotify Verification: Get that verified checkmark immediately.
• Add Team Members: Allow collaborators or managers to see specific stats.
• Advanced Metadata: More control over how your music is indexed.

Pricing Tiers:

• 5 Artists: $89.99/year
• 10 Artists: $159.99/year
• ...up to 100 Artists for $1,300+/year

Who is it for?

This is designed for producers who release music for many different people, or for small independent labels. If you find yourself wanting to upload music for a 3rd or 4th artist name, you'll have no choice but to upgrade to a Label plan.

Hidden Costs & Optional Add-ons

While the annual fee covers distribution, there are several "upsells" during the upload process:

• YouTube Content ID ($4.95/yr): Earn money when other people use your music in their YouTube videos.
• Leave a Legacy ($29.00 one-time): Ensures your music stays on stores indefinitely, even if you cancel your subscription.
• Store Maximizer ($7.95/yr): Automatically adds your music to new stores as DistroKid partners with them.

Recommendation: Usually, you can skip most of these. However, Leave a Legacy is a good investment for your best albums to ensure they never disappear if life gets in the way of your subscription payments.

Summary Comparison Table