Distributor Commission Rates
| Distributor | Commission | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | 0% | $24.99/year subscription |
| TuneCore | 0% | $29.99/year subscription |
| Ditto Music | 0% | $19/year subscription |
| CD Baby | 9% | $9.99-14.99 one-time fee |
| RouteNote Free | 15% | Free (commission only) |
| RouteNote Premium | 0% | $10/single one-time |
| UnitedMasters Free | 10% | Free (social platforms only) |
| UnitedMasters Select | 10% | $59.99/year |
| AWAL | 15% | Free (selective, by application) |
| Amuse Free | Varies | Free (commission-based) |
How Each Model Works
0% commission (subscription-based). You pay an annual fee ($19-30/year) and keep 100% of all royalties. DistroKid, TuneCore, and Ditto use this model. Your cost is fixed regardless of how much you earn.
Percentage commission. The distributor takes a cut of every dollar you earn. CD Baby's 9% is relatively low; RouteNote Free's 15% and AWAL's 15% are higher. Your cost scales with your success.
Hybrid models. Some distributors charge both fees and commissions. UnitedMasters Select costs $59.99/year AND takes 10% of royalties - the worst of both worlds for most artists.
Which Model Is Cheaper?
The crossover point where subscriptions beat commissions:
What AWAL's 15% Buys
AWAL's 15% cut is higher than most, but they provide services that justify it:
- Dedicated account management
- Editorial playlist pitching with industry relationships
- Sync licensing representation
- Marketing support and strategy
- Pathway to Sony label ecosystem
This isn't pure distribution - it's distribution plus artist services. Whether it's worth 15% depends on how much incremental value those services generate for your career.
The Hidden Costs
Some "0% commission" distributors have add-on fees that function like hidden commissions:
- YouTube Content ID: $4.95/release/year (DistroKid)
- Shazam registration: $0.99/release (DistroKid)
- Keep music up after canceling: $29/single (DistroKid)
A prolific artist using all DistroKid features might effectively pay 5-10% of earnings through add-ons, despite the "100% royalties" headline.
The Bottom Line
For most active artists earning more than $200/year, subscription distributors (DistroKid, TuneCore, Ditto) cost less than commission-based alternatives.
For low-earning or infrequent releases, commission-based free tiers (RouteNote Free) may cost less than subscriptions.
For artists seeking services beyond pure distribution, AWAL's 15% may be worthwhile if you're accepted and actually utilize the support.
Read the full terms before committing. Headline commission rates don't tell the complete story.