DistroKid is a digital music distribution service that helps independent musicians and record labels upload and distribute their music to streaming platforms and online music stores. The platform enables artists to release their songs on services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other digital music retailers. DistroKid typically charges an annual subscription fee and allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties from music sales and streams.
DistroKid receives a generally positive reception from users, particularly independent artists who appreciate its streamlined release process and quick distribution times, often within 24-48 hours. Reviewers highlight the platform's user-friendly interface and the value of unlimited uploads, making it an attractive option for those releasing music frequently.
Many find the annual fee justifiable compared to per-release pricing from competitors. However, some customers express concerns about the quality of customer service, noting that responses to payment issues can be slow and automated replies may not adequately address their problems. While the core distribution service is reliable, a few users feel that certain add-on features are overpriced or should be included as standard.
Summary generated with AI from recent reviews
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Publishing Houses.
| Company | Overall | Legit | Trend | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | — | 67 out of 100 | — | 0 |
| 2.2 out of 5 (poor) | 100 out of 100 | +24% | 211 | |
| 4.0 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | −20% | 100 | |
| 4.9 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | — | 61 | |
| 2.3 out of 5 (poor) | 100 out of 100 | — | 31 |
12 reviews of Distrokid. Filter by what matters to you.
7 months ago
DistroKid has been my go-to for music distribution for over two years now. The upload process is straightforward and they get my tracks to all major platforms quickly. The annual fee structure works w... See more
7 months ago
The platform itself works well for getting music distributed, but when I had a payment issue it took weeks to get a proper response from support. The automated responses weren't helpful and getting to... See more
7 months ago
Music gets distributed within 24-48 hours usually, which is impressive. Had an issue with incorrect metadata once and they fixed it promptly. The analytics dashboard gives good insights into where my... See more
7 months ago
Been using DistroKid for about 18 months and it's been solid overall. The YouTube Content ID feature has helped me monetize covers and catch unauthorized uses of my music. Setup was easy and the educa... See more
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
DistroKid is a music distribution service that helps independent artists upload and distribute their music to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and others. They handle the technical process of getting your music onto digital stores and streaming services worldwide. The service is designed for musicians who want to maintain ownership of their music while reaching global audiences.
DistroKid offers several pricing tiers starting with the Musician plan at $22.99 per year for unlimited uploads. Higher tiers like Musician Plus ($35.99/year) and Label ($79.99/year) include additional features like customizable label names, YouTube Content ID, and priority customer support.
Most streaming platforms receive your music within 1-2 days of upload, but it can take up to a week for your music to go live. Some platforms like Spotify and Apple Music typically process releases faster, while others may take the full week. DistroKid recommends uploading at least 3-5 days before your desired release date.
Yes, DistroKid allows you to keep 100% of your royalties from streaming and sales. Unlike some other distributors, they don't take a percentage of your earnings. You pay an annual fee for the service and keep all revenue generated by your music.
Yes, DistroKid offers cover song licensing through their partnership with Easy Song Licensing. You'll need to pay additional licensing fees (typically $12-15 per song) to legally distribute cover versions. This service handles the mechanical licensing required to distribute cover songs commercially.
If you don't renew your annual subscription, DistroKid will remove your music from all streaming platforms and digital stores. To keep your music live permanently, you can pay a one-time "Leave a Legacy" fee of $29 per album, which ensures your music stays online even if you stop paying the annual fee.
You can contact DistroKid support through their help desk system by logging into your account and submitting a support ticket. They also have an extensive FAQ section and help articles on their website. Response times vary depending on your subscription level, with higher-tier plans receiving priority support.
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DistroKid has been my go-to for music distribution for over two years now. The upload process is straightforward and they get my tracks to all major platforms quickly. The annual fee structure works well for my release schedule since I put out music regularly. Only minor complaint is that customer support can be slow to respond sometimes.
The platform itself works well for getting music distributed, but when I had a payment issue it took weeks to get a proper response from support. The automated responses weren't helpful and getting to a real person was frustrating. Once resolved, everything worked fine though.
Music gets distributed within 24-48 hours usually, which is impressive. Had an issue with incorrect metadata once and they fixed it promptly. The analytics dashboard gives good insights into where my music is performing best.
Been using DistroKid for about 18 months and it's been solid overall. The YouTube Content ID feature has helped me monetize covers and catch unauthorized uses of my music. Setup was easy and the educational resources they provide are actually useful. Sometimes wish there were more detailed analytics, but can't complain too much for the price.
Super user-friendly interface. Got my first single live on Spotify in under 24 hours.
DistroKid has streamlined my entire release process. The ability to schedule releases in advance is fantastic for planning marketing campaigns. The earnings reports are clear and payments come through on time. Really appreciate that they don't take a percentage of royalties like some other services do.
No frills, just gets the job done. The additional services like playlist pitching seem hit or miss, but the core distribution is reliable. Would recommend for beginners who want something straightforward.
The basic distribution service works fine, but some of the add-on features feel overpriced for what you get. The Leave a Legacy option is essential but should really be included in the base price. Interface is clean and easy to use though, which I appreciate as someone who's not super tech-savvy.
Perfect for what I need. Upload once and it goes everywhere.
As someone who releases a lot of music, the unlimited upload model is perfect. Much better than paying per release like other distributors. The automatic splits feature for collaborations is also really handy.
Does what it says on the tin. Distribution is reliable and covers all the platforms I need. The pricing is fair compared to competitors. My only gripe is that some features that should be standard cost extra, and the website can be a bit buggy sometimes.
If you're releasing music consistently, this is definitely the way to go. The annual fee pays for itself quickly compared to per-release pricing elsewhere. The collaboration tools work well for my band, and we can all access the same dashboard to track our releases.
Yes, DistroKid distributes your music to social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Music. This allows users to include your songs in their videos and stories. The social media distribution is included with all DistroKid plans at no additional cost.
DistroKid accepts WAV and FLAC files with a minimum quality of 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD quality) and recommends 24-bit/96kHz for best results. MP3 files are not accepted for distribution. Cover artwork must be at least 1400x1400 pixels in JPG or PNG format, with 3000x3000 pixels being the recommended size.
You can make certain changes like updating your artist bio, social media links, and some metadata through your DistroKid account. However, major changes like artist names or song titles may require taking down and re-uploading your release. Some changes may take time to reflect across all platforms and could affect your streaming statistics.
DistroKid is a digital music distribution service that helps independent musicians and record labels upload and distribute their music to streaming platforms and online music stores. The platform enables artists to release their songs on services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other digital music retailers. DistroKid typically charges an annual subscription fee and allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties from music sales and streams.
