The best DistroKid alternatives depend on what you want beyond getting songs onto streaming services: some distributors focus on unlimited releases, others add mastering, radio plugging, physical CDs and vinyl, or label-style support for artists with momentum. Eleven distributors follow, and the right one is the one that matches how often you release and what help you need.
DistroKid made music distribution feel simple, but simple isn't always what an artist needs. Maybe you want CDs for the merch table, someone pitching your songs to radio, or a partner who'll invest in a release.
The eleven distributors below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. While you're planning a release, my guide to Instagram hashtags for artists will help the launch posts travel further.
DistroKid alternatives at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free, so check the provider's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amuse | Music distributor | Artists who want label services later | Not stated |
| AWAL | Artist services company | Artists ready for a label-style partner | Not stated |
| CD Baby | Music distributor | Physical CDs and vinyl alongside streaming | Not stated |
| Ditto Music | Distributor | Unlimited releases on one account | Yes |
| Horus Music | Distributor and promotion agency | UK artists wanting radio plugging too | Yes |
| iMusician | Music distributor | European artists who want personal support | Not stated |
| LANDR | Creative platform for musicians | Producers who also want mastering and samples | Not stated |
| Record Union | Music distributor | Teams managing releases and royalties together | Not stated |
| Soundrop | Music distributor | Cover songs and quick releases | Yes |
| TuneCore | Music distributor | Keeping 100% of your rights | Not stated |
| UnitedMasters | Music distributor and brand deals | Sync and brand deal opportunities | Not stated |
Eleven distributors to compare
Amuse
Best for: Independent artists who want self-service distribution now, with tailored artist and label services if their releases start to grow.
AWAL
Best for: Artists with momentum who want a partner offering more than uploads, and are happy to submit their music for consideration first.
CD Baby
Best for: Musicians who still sell CDs and vinyl at gigs and want digital distribution, cover song licensing and physical products in one place.
Ditto Music
Best for: Prolific artists who release often and want unlimited distribution with a free account to start, run from one upload area.
Horus Music
Best for: UK-based artists who want distribution plus extras such as playlist pitching, radio plugging and digital PR from the same team.
iMusician
Best for: European artists who want a long-running independent distributor that sells their music online across the main stores and streaming services.
LANDR
Best for: Producers who want distribution sitting next to mastering, samples, plugins and collaboration tools in one creative platform.
Record Union
Best for: Small teams and solo artists who want releases, royalties, stats and team members managed in one place across 20+ platforms.
Soundrop
Best for: Creators who release covers and quick singles and want a free account that handles distribution, splits and licensing.
TuneCore
Best for: Artists who want unlimited distribution to 150+ stores, real-time audience data and career tools while keeping all of their rights.
UnitedMasters
Best for: Independent artists who want distribution to 150+ platforms plus access to sync and brand deal opportunities alongside their releases.
Match the distributor to your plans
- Releasing often on one account: Ditto Music or TuneCore.
- Selling CDs and vinyl at gigs: CD Baby.
- Mastering and samples in the same place: LANDR.
- UK radio plugging and digital PR: Horus Music.
- Covers and quick singles: Soundrop.
- A label-style partner as you grow: AWAL, Amuse or UnitedMasters.
Keep your ISRCs when you move
The US ISRC Agency says each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording, independent of the format it appears on. In other words, the code belongs to the recording, not to the distributor that issued it.
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That's the detail artists miss when they switch. Reuse the same ISRC for each track when you upload it to the new service, rather than letting it create fresh codes, so your existing streams and data stay attached to the song.
Unlimited plans versus pay-per-release
Some distributors let you release as much as you like on one plan, which suits artists who drop singles every few weeks. Others work release by release, which can suit someone who puts out one or two projects a year.
Look at the small print on splits, takedowns and what happens if you stop renewing. Those details decide whether your catalogue stays live when life gets busy.
Before a release goes to a distributor there is stem splitting, mastering and tagging to get through, and our list of AI tools for musicians sets out tools for those jobs.
Ask these before you upload
- Do I keep 100% of my rights and royalties?
- What happens to my releases if I stop paying?
- Can I reuse my existing ISRC and UPC codes?
- Does it pay out splits to collaborators?
- Which stores and platforms does it reach?
- Is there real support if a release goes wrong?
Signs it's time to switch
- You want CDs or vinyl. Pick a distributor that makes them.
- You need promotion help. Look for radio plugging or playlist pitching.
- You release constantly. An unlimited plan makes sense.
- You want a partner, not a portal. Try label-style services.
Do you make music distribution services? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on switching distributor
Move one release first, not your whole catalogue. Upload it with the same ISRCs, wait until it's live everywhere, and only then take the old version down, so there's never a gap for your listeners.
Choose for the next two years of your career, not the last two. If you're about to tour, physical products matter; if you're building a fanbase online, data and promotion tools matter more. My guide to uploading music to YouTube Music explains one of the places your releases will land.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to DistroKid?
It depends on your plans. Some distributors suit artists who release often, others suit those who want physical products, radio help or a label-style partner.
Can I move my music from DistroKid to another distributor?
Yes. Upload the same tracks to the new distributor using the same ISRC codes, wait until they're live, then remove the old versions.
What is an ISRC?
The US ISRC Agency describes an ISRC as a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording, whatever format it appears on.
Do I lose my streams if I change distributor?
You shouldn't, if you keep the same ISRC for each track. New codes can split the history of a song across two listings.
Is there a free music distributor?
Some distributors offer a free account or free tier for certain releases. Check the provider's own page, because terms change often.
Do distributors take a share of royalties?
Some let you keep all of your royalties on their standard plans, while others take a share. Read each provider's terms before you upload.
