For AI music distribution, DistroKid is generally the better choice. TuneCore explicitly blocks "100% AI-generated" content, while DistroKid accepts AI-assisted music with conditions around ownership and originality. Combined with DistroKid's unlimited upload model (versus TuneCore's per-release fees), AI creators typically find DistroKid more accommodating and economical.

This comparison covers both platforms' AI policies, pricing, features, and suitability for AI music creators.

Quick comparison table

Factor	DistroKid	TuneCore
AI music policy	Allowed with conditions	Blocks 100% AI content
Pricing model	$22.99/year unlimited	Per-release fees
Keep royalties	100%	100%
AI detection	Follows platform rules	99.9% accurate detection
Best for AI creators	Yes	No

AI music policies compared

DistroKid's AI policy

According to DistroKid's official documentation, AI music is accepted with specific conditions:

What is allowed:

Music created with AI tools where you own 100% of the rights
AI-assisted production (AI as a tool in your workflow)
Tracks with AI elements combined with human creativity

What is not allowed:

Music that mimics someone else's voice or identity without permission
Mass-generated spam content designed to game algorithms
Tracks that infringe on others' rights

Requirements:

Must tick the AI disclosure box when uploading
Must own commercial rights to all elements
Must follow streaming platform guidelines

Note DistroKid adapts quickly to AI music issues rather than implementing blanket restrictions. Their approach allows AI music while blocking impersonation and spam.

TuneCore's AI policy

TuneCore and its parent company Believe have a stricter stance. According to their AI policy:

What is blocked:

Content that is "100% created by AI"
Fully AI-generated tracks without human creative input

What may be allowed:

AI technology that "enhances human creation"
AI-assisted production with significant human involvement
Tracks where AI is a tool, not the sole creator

Detection:

TuneCore uses detection technology claiming 99.9% accuracy
Analyzes metadata and audio markers for AI patterns
Cross-references against copyrighted materials

Warning If you use Suno, Udio, or similar tools to generate complete tracks with minimal human editing, TuneCore will likely reject your uploads.

Pricing comparison

DistroKid pricing

Plan	Annual Cost	Uploads	Royalty Share
Musician	$22.99/year	Unlimited	100%
Musician Plus	$35.99/year	Unlimited + features	100%
Label	$79.99/year	Unlimited, 2 artists	100%

Key features:

Unlimited uploads included
Additional features (splits, faster delivery) cost extra
Must renew annually to keep music live

TuneCore pricing

Release Type	First Year	Renewal
Single	$9.99	$9.99/year
Album (up to 100 tracks)	$29.99	$49.99/year

Key features:

Per-release pricing adds up quickly
Annual renewals required to keep each release live
Some features included that DistroKid charges extra for

Cost analysis for AI creators

For AI music creators releasing frequently:

Scenario	DistroKid Cost	TuneCore Cost
5 singles/year	$22.99	$49.95 + renewals
12 singles/year	$22.99	$119.88 + renewals
24 singles/year	$22.99	$239.76 + renewals

DistroKid's unlimited model strongly favors creators who release frequently, which is common for AI music workflows.

Feature comparison

Feature	DistroKid	TuneCore
Stores delivered	150+	150+
YouTube Music	Yes	Yes
Spotify	Yes	Yes
Apple Music	Yes	Yes
TikTok/Instagram	Yes	Yes
Splits	Extra fee	Included
YouTube Content ID	Extra fee	Included
Pre-save pages	Included	Included
Analytics	Basic included	Basic included
Sync licensing	Via partners	Via partners

For AI music specifically, the key difference is volume. DistroKid's unlimited model lets you test many AI tracks without accumulating per-release fees.

Practical considerations for AI creators

Why DistroKid works for AI music

Volume-friendly: Generate and release many tracks to find what resonates
Clear AI policy: Explicitly allows AI with conditions
Quick adaptation: Updates policies as AI rules change
AI disclosure: Simple checkbox during upload
Lower rejection risk: Does not ban AI outright

Why TuneCore is problematic for AI music

100% AI ban: Explicitly blocks fully AI-generated content
Detection technology: Claims 99.9% accuracy in identifying AI tracks
Per-release fees: Expensive for high-volume testing
Rejection risk: May reject tracks after upload
Stricter philosophy: Positions AI as enhancement only, not creation

Community experiences

Based on creator reports:

DistroKid experiences:

AI tracks generally accepted when disclosure is checked
Rejections typically for impersonation or spam, not AI use itself
Fast delivery to stores
Responsive to emerging AI issues

TuneCore experiences:

Rejections reported for Suno and Udio tracks
Detection system catches AI-generated audio
Some success with heavily edited AI tracks
Stricter enforcement than stated policies sometimes suggest

Recommendation

Choose DistroKid if:

You create AI-generated music
You plan to release frequently
You want unlimited uploads at fixed cost
You prefer a platform that explicitly accepts AI content
You can handle annual renewal to keep music live

Consider TuneCore if:

You create primarily human-made music with light AI assistance
You release infrequently (a few releases per year)
You need included features like splits and Content ID
Your AI involvement is genuinely supplementary

Strong recommendation for AI creators

For AI music distribution, DistroKid is the clear choice. The combination of explicit AI acceptance, unlimited uploads, and lower cost makes it the standard recommendation. TuneCore's 100% AI ban and per-release pricing create significant friction for AI creators.

If you use Suno, Udio, or similar full-song generation tools, DistroKid should be your default distributor. TuneCore's policies make it unsuitable for most AI music workflows.