Recommended Free Tools
Neither RouteNote nor DistroKid is the best choice for every independent artist. RouteNote lets you distribute without an upfront fee in exchange for 15% of net revenue, or charge per release for Premium, which pays 100% of streaming and download revenue. DistroKid uses annual subscriptions for unlimited uploads and says it does not take a percentage of store-reported earnings. The better fit depends on your release schedule, expected income, desired features, and how you want to handle your catalog if you stop paying.
How the two services charge
The central difference is what you pay to distribute and how that cost changes over time. RouteNote offers a no-upfront-cost Free option and a per-release Premium option. DistroKid charges an annual subscription, with optional extras that may add costs. Compare the total cost for the years you expect a release to remain available—not just the first upload.
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RouteNote Free and Premium
According to RouteNote’s support article dated March 6, 2026, Free has no upfront charge and pays artists 85% of net revenue. Premium pays 100% of streaming and download revenue, but charges per release and renews annually. The same article lists these prices: $10 for a single, $20 for an EP of 2–6 tracks, $30 for an album of 7–18 tracks, or $45 for an extended album of 19 or more tracks, followed by a $9.99 annual renewal per release. These are company-published figures and may change; check RouteNote’s current cost information before uploading.
RouteNote’s stated 100% share on Premium applies to streaming and download revenue. It should not be read as a promise about every possible ancillary revenue stream. The Free share is 85% of net revenue, not 85% of gross store receipts.
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DistroKid subscription and extras
DistroKid charges an annual subscription for unlimited uploads, with plan features varying by tier. Its cost article directs readers to its live pricing page rather than stating subscription prices in the article, so there is no fixed annual figure to compare here. Check DistroKid’s cost information and the current plan details before signing up.
DistroKid says it does not keep a percentage of store-reported earnings, though banking fees and taxes can affect what reaches you. Its optional Album Extras have separate costs and renewal terms. The Help Center lists Store Maximizer at $7.95 per album per year, cover-song licensing at $12 per cover song per year, and Leave a Legacy at $29 per single or $49 per album of two or more tracks as a nonrecurring charge. Confirm current pricing and the terms for each extra on DistroKid’s Album Extras page.
Which pricing model fits your release plans?
There is no universal break-even point: it depends on the number of releases, how much each earns, and how many years you keep them distributed. For a small catalog with uncertain or modest income, RouteNote Free avoids an upfront release charge but gives up a share of net revenue. If a release earns enough over time, paying RouteNote’s Premium fees may cost less than the revenue share. DistroKid’s annual subscription can suit artists who release frequently, but its recurring cost continues regardless of whether a particular year brings new music or substantial earnings.
- Estimate across the release’s lifetime. For RouteNote Premium, add the initial fee and each annual renewal you expect to pay. For DistroKid, include the subscription for each year you need the service, plus any selected extras.
- Compare against realistic revenue. Estimate RouteNote Free’s 15% share of net revenue—not gross streaming figures—and compare it with Premium’s release fees and DistroKid’s subscription cost.
- Count artists and releases. DistroKid’s plans differ in features and artist slots. RouteNote’s pricing is release-based. Check current plan limits and prices against the way you release music.
- Include the cost of leaving. If you stop paying, catalog availability can change. Consider any continuing fees or release-level extras needed to keep music online.
Features, stores, and analytics
RouteNote says Free and Premium offer the same store selection and access to core features, while Premium includes fuller analytics. DistroKid’s features vary by subscription tier, so a comparison should start with the exact tools you need rather than the service names alone. Its plan feature table is the place to verify what each current tier includes.
Before choosing, check whether the plan supports your required artist count, release scheduling, analytics, and stores. Store lists and plan features can change; confirm that a particular service is available in your account before uploading. If setting a store price matters to you, DistroKid explains the available pricing choices in its guide to setting music prices in stores.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.YouTube and other user-generated content
YouTube monetization is not a single interchangeable feature. RouteNote says selecting YouTube as a store submits eligible music to Content ID, subject to release eligibility and moderation, and says there is no separate charge for that submission. Not every track or video is guaranteed to be claimed or monetized. Review RouteNote’s YouTube monetization guidance and check the terms for the exact use you have in mind.
When comparing any YouTube or user-generated-content option, verify what service is being provided, which platforms it covers, how eligibility is decided, how revenue is handled, and whether channel or rights requirements apply. Do not assume that a distributor’s general store delivery includes every form of video monetization.
What happens to music if you stop paying?
Catalog persistence can affect the true long-term cost. DistroKid says releases may be removed from streaming services if the subscription lapses. Its per-release Leave a Legacy extra can keep a covered release available after cancellation, but it does not replace an active subscription while you are using DistroKid. Read the service’s subscription lapse guidance before relying on a release remaining online.
RouteNote advertises that it does not charge to keep music online, but artists should still review the applicable account and release terms rather than treating availability as guaranteed under every circumstance. For either service, understand the process and conditions for leaving before you build a catalog around it.
A practical way to choose
- List your likely releases. Note how many singles, EPs, albums, and artist profiles you expect to distribute over the next few years.
- Choose the features you actually need. Check plan-specific artist limits, analytics, release scheduling, store coverage, and monetization options against current company documentation.
- Calculate costs over your intended period. Add RouteNote Premium’s release charges and renewals, or RouteNote Free’s revenue share; compare those with DistroKid’s annual subscription and any extras.
- Decide how important catalog persistence is. Check each provider’s cancellation terms and the cost or conditions of keeping releases available if you stop paying.
- Recheck prices and terms before upload. Company prices and plan features can change, and the published RouteNote figures cited above come from a support page dated March 6, 2026.
Verdict: neither service wins for every artist
RouteNote is a sensible option to consider if avoiding upfront distribution costs matters, or if its per-release Premium economics make sense for your expected income and catalog. DistroKid is worth considering if unlimited uploads under an annual plan fit your release volume and the features in the right tier match your workflow. The deciding factors are your full cost over time, the revenue terms, the tools you need, and what happens to your music if you leave—not a blanket claim that one distributor is always superior.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
