DistroKid vs TuneCore
DistroKid and TuneCore both sell yearly plans with unlimited releases, but they count different things. DistroKid prices by artist headcount, from one artist on Musician at EUR 23.99 a year up to a hundred on Ultimate. TuneCore prices by feature tier, starting with Rising Artist at $24.99 a year, and also lets you pay once per single or album instead. Free tiers and trials are absent from both price lists. The vendors each list a United States base, yet TuneCore's terms are issued with Believe and governed by Luxembourg law.
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Choose DistroKid ifyou release often under one or two names and want a flat yearly fee with unlimited uploads. You also run a label-style roster, since Ultimate covers one to a hundred artists in a single plan.
Choose TuneCore ifyou want to pay per single or album rather than commit to a subscription, or you want support response promised in writing by plan. You also accept that extra artist profiles are billed separately.
DistroKid and TuneCore side by side
| DistroKid | TuneCore | |
|---|---|---|
| Our music distribution services rank | #9 of 11 | #10 of 11 |
| Established in | United States | United States |
| List price, 7 November 2026 | Billed annually: Musician EUR 23.99 (1 artist), Musician Plus EUR 42.99 (2), Ultimate EUR 81.99 (1 to 100); no free plan shown | Rising Artist $24.99, Breakout $44.99, Professional $54.99 a year, or $24.99 per single and $44.99 per album |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Self-hostable | — | — |
| Built for | Prolific solo artists who release often and want low yearly cost | Artists who want distribution plus publishing and advance options from one vendor |
| Not for | Teams needing one plan across several artists without upgrading | Buyers who want a flat price with no renewal step-ups |
Both are reviewed in full in our music distribution services ranking: DistroKid and TuneCore.
Where they differ
DistroKid 1 · TuneCore 2 · open 3- 01
Entry plans at EUR 23.99 and $24.99
DistroKid's Musician plan costs EUR 23.99 billed annually (shown as EUR 2 a month) and covers one artist or band. TuneCore's Rising Artist plan costs $24.99 a year with distribution to 150+ digital stores, YouTube Content ID and revenue splits with collaborators. The two figures sit in different currencies, and TuneCore's page shows a dollar sign with no currency code, so we do not convert them. On the numbers shown, the entry tiers are close to level.
Depends on the buyer
- 02
From two artists to a hundred
DistroKid Musician Plus is EUR 42.99 a year for two artists or bands, and Ultimate is EUR 81.99 a year for anywhere from 1 to 100. TuneCore's Professional plan at $54.99 a year manages multiple artists, but no number is given there. Its comparison table also lists $14.99 per additional artist profile, not tied to a plan. For a roster, DistroKid's cap and cost are easier to read. Check the sign-up currency before you compare.
Edge: DistroKid
- 03
One single without a yearly commitment
TuneCore offers a pay-per-release route: a Single at $24.99 per release and an Album at $44.99, both to all 150+ digital stores. An album then renews at $56.49 each following year, which is a step up from the first payment. DistroKid's pricing page shows only three annual plans and a Get Started button on each. Anyone releasing once or twice a year can price TuneCore's route against a subscription. Plan yearly figures, not just the first payment.
Edge: TuneCore
- 04
What each plan switches on
Every DistroKid plan includes unlimited uploads and the line Keep 100% of earnings. Musician Plus adds label name customisation, daily streaming stats, release and pre-order dates and custom iTunes pricing, while Ultimate adds 1,000 GB of instant sharing and advanced analytics. TuneCore ties Store Automator and Cover Art Creator to Breakout at $44.99, and custom label name plus the TuneCore Direct Advance to Professional. Both gate their useful extras behind upgrades. Read the upgrade ladder against your actual needs.
Depends on the buyer
- 05
Response times and fees outside the plan price
TuneCore promises 3-business-day support on Rising Artist, 2 days on Breakout and 1-day priority support on Professional. DistroKid's pricing page names no support terms, and nothing on that page covers it. Our earlier notes record that TuneCore takes 20% of earnings from social platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, and that DistroKid's agreement lets it end the term if a card charge is declined. Both are real weak points. Count both items when you total the yearly cost.
Edge: TuneCore
- 06
Who runs the service and under which law
DistroKid's terms name DistroKid LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, with services hosted and operated in the United States and governed by United States and New York law. TuneCore's terms say TuneCore, Inc. operates the site, while the Believe site is controlled from France and Luxembourg. The terms are governed by Luxembourg law, and no registered address is stated. TuneCore's about page returned a 404, so no owner is shown. Check the governing law if a dispute matters to you.
Depends on the buyer
When neither fits
If you want a European-based service or a distributor with a different cost model, look at iMusician or Ditto Music. Both appear in our music distribution category and are worth pricing against these two for your release count.
DistroKid or TuneCore: questions
3 answersDoes either one let me try before paying?
Neither price list mentions a free plan or a free trial. DistroKid shows only a Get Started button on each plan. TuneCore likewise lists paid plans and per-release prices only.
What happens to an album's price in year two at TuneCore?
An album costs $44.99 per release at first and renews at $56.49 each following year. A single is listed at $24.99 per release. The unlimited yearly plans are a separate route, so compare them if you release often.
Which of the two covers more artists in one plan?
DistroKid's Ultimate plan covers 1 to 100 artists or bands for EUR 81.99 a year. TuneCore's Professional plan manages multiple artists, though no number is given. Its table also lists $14.99 for each additional artist profile.
Sources
Checked 7 November 2026- DistroKid pricing page: three annual plans in EUR by artist count, unlimited uploads, tier extras, no free tier or trial listed.
- DistroKid terms: Delaware LLC named as operator, US hosting, United States and New York governing law.
- TuneCore pricing page: yearly plan prices in dollars, per-release prices, album renewal, support days, $14.99 extra artist profile.
- TuneCore terms: TuneCore, Inc. as site operator, Believe in France and Luxembourg, Luxembourg governing law.