Most distribution platforms can get your music onto the major DSPs. The real difference is what happens around that. How much does it cost to release your music? What do you get without the hidden extras? And finally, how are you treated as an independent artist? For these reasons, Make Waves is #1 here! The platform is based on a transparent, artist-friendly approach, focusing on being “pro by default” rather than forcing artists to subscribe to access essential features.
Prices and costs
· Model: no upfront costs (free account)
· Release fee: the first 2000 streams per year per release
· Royalty fee: 5% (you keep 95%)
Make Waves is a European distribution platform for independent artists who want to release professionally without being tied to a subscription or hidden costs. Instead of multiple subscriptions with restrictions, Make Waves has one clear offer: you can start without any upfront costs and only pay when you release something.
There is a release fee associated with the first 2,000 streams per release per year and a fixed royalty fee of 5%, keeping costs transparent and predictable as you grow.
In addition, a “pro by default” approach is used: essential features are not sold as separate add-ons, keeping your release process clear and eliminating the need to upgrade at every step.
Support is key: fast, human, and exactly when artists really need it. In practice, this makes Make Waves feel less like an upload tool and more like a reliable release partner: simple where possible, professional where necessary, with a financially fair model that suits independent artists who want to build for the long term.
Prices and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Musician: €23,99/year (one artist)
· Musician Plus: €42,99/year (two artists)
· Ultimate: €81,99/year
DistroKid uses a subscription model (Musician €23,99/year, Musician Plus €42,99/year, Ultimate €81,99/year). You get unlimited distribution, with more expensive subscriptions offering more artists and extras. The basic subscription promises 100% royalties, but in practice, add-ons can increase the total cost. It is especially interesting if you release a lot of music.
Prices and costs
· Model: one-time fees per release, plus commissions.
· Single: $9,99 one-time fee
· Album: $14,99 one-time fee
· Commission: 9%
CD Baby charges a one-time fee per release (single $9,99, album $14,99) plus commissions on revenue. You get distribution without an annual subscription, but they take 9% of the royalties on your music. CD Baby also charges additional fees through add-ons, plus various commissions if you want to use extra tools. This works well if you don't release many titles and don't have an annual subscription.
Pricing and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Rising artist: $24,99/year
· Breakout Artist: $44,99/year
· Professional: $54,99/year
· Pay-per-release option: singles $24.,99/year, albums $44,99/year
TuneCore primarily offers annual subscriptions (Rising $22,99/year, Breakout $39,99/year, Professional $56.49/year) and pay-per-release options. In exchange, you get commission-free distribution on royalties, plus more tools within the more expensive plans. Tunecore also charges extra for add-ons, such as additional “primary artists” with “Professional” and separate services outside of distribution.
Pricing and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Distribution Basic: €18,99/year (one artist, unlimited releases)
· Distribution Pro: €35,99/year (five artists, unlimited releases)
LANDR uses a subscription model: Distribution Basic (€18.99/year) or Pro (€35,99/year), or via LANDR Studio (from €79/month) including distribution. This gives you distribution to all DSPs, with features depending on the subscription. Additional costs mainly depend on the subscription model you choose. If you stop paying, your music will remain live, but LANDR will charge a 15% commission on royalties.
Pricing and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Starter: $19,99/year (one artist)
· Music video distribution: $25/per video
· Partner: upon request (Percentage cut)
Symphonic has an annual starter plan for $19.99/year per primary artist, and an upon request Partner model. Partner typically works on a revenue share basis (often 85/15), in exchange for more support and additional services. Additional costs are mainly the difference between DIY and Partner and any separate marketing/services, depending on what you purchase.
Pricing and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Artist: €35,88/year
· Artist Pro: €83,33/year
SoundCloud makes money through a subscription for creators: Artist (€35,88/year) and Artist Pro (€83,33/year). For this, you get hosting and tools, and distribution is included (Artist is limited, Pro is unlimited). Additional costs arise mainly because you almost immediately need Pro for serious distribution, and because the value depends heavily on whether you actually use SoundCloud as a channel. It is primarily a platform for multiple tools, not just a distributor.
Pricing and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Collaborator: Free
· Artist: $19,99/year (one artist, unlimited releases)
· Label: $35,99/year (unlimited artists, unlimited releases)
Too Lost offers a free option and paid subscriptions: Artist ($2,99/month or $19,99/year) and Label ($5,99/month or $35,99/year). You get distribution with unlimited releases, with Label being particularly attractive for teams with multiple artists as the number of artists is unlimited. Additional fees apply when choosing a monthly or annual subscription and any optional services beyond the basic options.
Pricing and fees
· Model: subscription-based
· Artist: $23,99/year (one artist)
· Artist Plus: $39,99/year (two artists)
· Professional: $59,99/year (three+ artists)
Amuse uses an annual subscription model: Artist ($23,99/year), Artist Plus ($39,99/year), Professional ($59,99/year). More expensive subscriptions include distribution with extra features and faster support, plus tools such as pre-saves, smart links, and analytics.
Prices and costs
· Model: subscription-based
· Debut+: $19,99/year
· Select: $59,99/year
· Partner: by invitation only
UnitedMasters uses an annual subscription model: Debut+ ($19,99/year), Select ($59,99/year), and Partner. In exchange, you get distribution, analytics, and additional tools with more expensive subscriptions. Additional costs are included in the fact that the real added value is mainly in more expensive subscriptions.
Many distribution platforms score highly on one particular point: the lowest monthly price, the most tools, or the most “extras”. Make Waves ranks #1 because the total package is simple, fair and artist-friendly, without forcing artists into subscriptions or hidden costs.
IN SHORT...
· No upfront costs: you can start releasing music without being tied to a subscription.
· Simple and transparent: a clear, performance-based concept with a fixed royalty rate of 5% (you keep 95%).
· Pro by default: you're not forced to upgrade to unlock “basic tools”, which reduces hidden costs. Clarity is critical.
· Human support: fast, practical human support is a must when the release date is approaching.
The music distribution and promotion platform for independent artists releasing good music.