Choosing a music distributor comes down to three questions: release frequency, expected annual revenue, and which features you genuinely need. Artists earning under $200 per year typically pay less with a commission model, since RouteNote's 15% on $150 is only $22.50 versus a $25 subscription. Above roughly $200 per year, subscriptions cost less, and the gap widens fast.

The Decision Framework

The Decision Tree

Use this flow to narrow your options:

Step 1: Filter by release frequency

Infrequent (1-2/year): CD Baby, RouteNote, or Amuse
Regular (3-12/year): DistroKid, TuneCore, Ditto
Heavy (12+/year): DistroKid, TuneCore, or selective distributors

Step 2: Filter by revenue expectations

Low/uncertain revenue: RouteNote Free, UnitedMasters, or lowest-cost subscription
Growing revenue: Subscription models (DistroKid, TuneCore)
Established revenue: Premium subscriptions or selective distributors (AWAL, Symphonic Partner)

Step 3: Check deal-breaker features

Need Content ID included? TuneCore, CD Baby, Ditto (DistroKid charges extra)
Need physical distribution? CD Baby (unique among major independents)
Need music to persist if you stop paying? CD Baby (one-time fee model)
Need fastest possible turnaround? DistroKid

Step 4: Evaluate support reputation Read recent reviews (last 6 months) on Trustpilot, Reddit, or music forums. Support quality changes over time. DistroKid's 2024 support team changes, for example, significantly affected user experience.

Distributor Quick Reference

Based on the framework:

Profile	Best Fit	Why
First-time releaser, zero budget	RouteNote Free	No upfront cost, full distribution, 15% commission
Hobbyist, 1-2 releases/year	CD Baby	One-time fee, no renewals, music stays up forever
Active indie, 4-12 releases/year	TuneCore Breakout	$44.99/year, Content ID included, clean pricing
Prolific releaser, speed priority	DistroKid	$24.99/year unlimited, fastest delivery
Established artist, wants services	AWAL	Marketing, sync, playlist support - if accepted
Label or multi-artist operation	DistroKid Ultimate or Symphonic	Multi-artist management, label features

Red Flags to Avoid

When evaluating any distributor, watch for:

Hidden renewal fees. Some platforms keep music live only while you maintain subscription. Others remove your catalog automatically if you cancel. Understand the terms before uploading.

Unclear takedown processes. If you want to remove music or switch distributors, how easy is it? Some platforms make this straightforward; others create friction.

Ownership claims. Legitimate distributors never take ownership of your masters or publishing. If terms mention rights transfers, run.

Guaranteed playlist placement. No distributor can guarantee editorial playlist placement. Those promises are either lies or describe paid-playlist schemes that violate platform terms.

Suspiciously low pricing. Free distribution with no commission suggests either very limited service, data monetization, or a business model you don't understand.

Making the Final Call

After filtering, you'll likely have 2-3 viable options. At that point, differences are marginal. Pick one based on:

Brand affinity: Which company do you trust more?
Interface preference: Try their dashboards if possible
Existing catalog: If you already have music on a platform, staying reduces migration hassle

Distribution is infrastructure, not identity. The perfect choice doesn't exist. A good-enough choice that lets you release music and get paid is all you need.

You can always switch later. ISRCs transfer, streams can be preserved with proper migration, and no decision is permanent. Start releasing, learn what matters to you specifically, and adjust as needed.