The Core Difference: What Each Platform Sells
These three distributors make money differently, which shapes everything about their value proposition.
DistroKid charges a flat annual fee for unlimited uploads. The base plan is cheap ($24.99/year), but essential features like YouTube Content ID, Shazam registration, and keeping music live after cancellation cost extra. Their business model: get you in cheap, monetize through add-ons.
TuneCore uses tiered subscriptions. The Rising plan ($22.99/year) covers distribution basics, while Breakout ($39.99/year) adds Content ID and advanced analytics. TuneCore's parent company Believe positioned them as a stepping stone to label services. Their business model: all-inclusive subscriptions with clear upgrade paths.
UnitedMasters is the outlier. They're not just a distributor, they're a sync licensing company that also distributes music. Founded by former Interscope chief Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters built partnerships with the NFL, NBA, Bose, and ESPN before focusing on distribution infrastructure. Their business model: attract artists with brand deal promises, monetize through premium tiers.
Pricing Comparison
UnitedMasters restructured their pricing in 2024, creating three distinct tiers with significant differences in store access.
| Plan | Annual Cost | Royalty Split | Store Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedMasters DEBUT | Free | 90% | TikTok, Instagram, Facebook only |
| UnitedMasters DEBUT+ | $19.99 | 100% | 50+ stores including Spotify, Apple Music |
| UnitedMasters SELECT | $59.99 | 100% | 50+ stores + brand deal opportunities |
Feature Comparison
Beyond pricing, these platforms differ significantly in what they include versus charge extra for.
| Feature | UnitedMasters DEBUT+ | UnitedMasters SELECT | DistroKid | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited releases | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify/Apple Music | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube Content ID | Not available | Not available | +$4.95/single/year | Included (Breakout) |
| Brand deal access | No | Yes | No | No |
| Sync licensing opportunities | Limited | Full access | No | No |
| Analytics | Basic | Advanced | Basic (paid upgrades) | Advanced (Breakout) |
| Royalty splits | Yes | Yes | +$10/song/year | Included |
| Customer support | Standard | Priority | Limited email | Email + chat |
| Music stays after cancel | Unknown | Unknown | +$29/single | No |
DistroKid wins on raw store count (150+ versus UnitedMasters' 50+), though the major platforms that drive 95% of streams are covered by all three. TuneCore's Breakout plan includes the most features for its price point without add-on fees.
The Brand Deal Proposition
UnitedMasters' differentiation is their sync licensing pipeline. They've secured partnerships that competitors cannot match.
The NFL partnership, extended through 2027, gives UnitedMasters SELECT artists potential placement in game broadcasts, commercials, and league content. Similar deals exist with the NBA, ESPN, Bose, Pepsi, and Coca-Cola. According to UnitedMasters, they've created "thousands of sync opportunities" across these brand relationships.
The Verdict: When UnitedMasters Makes Sense
UnitedMasters is not a general-purpose DistroKid or TuneCore competitor. It's a specialized platform for artists who believe their music fits commercial sync contexts.
UnitedMasters is worth considering if:
- You make music that brands would actually use (instrumental, energetic, clean)
- You treat the $59.99 SELECT fee as a marketing expense, not a distribution cost
- You're active in submitting to brand opportunities when they open
- Landing one sync deal would justify years of subscription costs
UnitedMasters is probably the wrong choice if:
- Your music doesn't fit brand contexts (explicit, niche genres, experimental)
- You need YouTube Content ID (UnitedMasters doesn't offer it)
- You release frequently and want maximum store coverage
- You'd resent paying $59.99/year without landing brand placements
For most indie artists focused on streaming growth rather than sync licensing, TuneCore Breakout ($39.99/year) offers the cleanest value with Content ID included. DistroKid ($24.99/year + add-ons) works for high-volume releasers comfortable with a la carte pricing.
UnitedMasters SELECT ($59.99/year) is a bet on sync opportunities that may or may not materialize. For the right artist with the right music, that bet could pay off enormously. For everyone else, it's a premium for access to a lottery you're unlikely to win.