Choosing the Best Digital Music Distributor in 2024: 7 Pro Tips

Are you looking to distribute your music to Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, and other streaming platforms? If so, you need to ensure you choose the best digital music distributor or music aggregator for your project’s needs. However, with so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start. In this blog post from GuitarRec Online Recording Studio, we provide you with seven practical tips to help you choose the best digital music distributor for your music project in 2024 and relevant information to manage your career effectively in the independent music industry.

What is a Digital Music Distributor?

Before diving into the tips, it’s important to understand what a digital music distributor or music aggregator is. In simple terms, a digital distributor is a platform that allows artists and record labels to send their music to digital stores and streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music. Digital music distributors often offer additional tools and services to help artists promote their music and manage their music careers.

You might also be interested in our article with a step-by-step basic guide on how to upload a song to Spotify.

What Does a Music Aggregator Do and Not Do?

Currently, in 2024, the best digital distributors offer more options and services beyond simply distributing our songs online. These services can include publishing contracts, promotion, CD manufacturing, or social media management. The table below shows what a digital distributor typically does or does not do.

While a music distributor can do a lot in terms of platform connections and royalty administration, it cannot do everything your project needs. It’s important to have a strong marketing strategy and create quality songs and content to promote your music on Spotify and other platforms while growing organically.

Tips for Choosing the Best Music Distributor in 2024

Below is a list of basic tips we believe you should consider before choosing a music aggregator in 2024 to distribute your songs.

1. Research Costs and Revenue Shares: Some music digital distributors charge flat fees per release depending on the percentage they keep, while others only charge commissions on sales. Currently, the subscription method of an annual payment is becoming popular, which has its pros and cons. For example, what happens to your music if you stop paying the subscription?
2. Ensure Your Music Will Always Be Online on platforms or whether it will be removed after the subscription period. It’s common in the music industry to leave projects aside over time, but you wouldn’t want your music to be removed. Some platforms call this “leave a legacy.” Make sure to clarify this point.
3. Check Customer Service Quality and Language: It’s important to choose a digital music distributor with good customer service (preferably in your language), as issues often arise after distribution, requiring changes or error resolution.
4. Consider the Special Features of Each Distributor: Each aggregator has its unique features and additional services, such as music promotion, mastering services, online music production, samples, CD/vinyl production, or project management. Also, check if the distributor offers a “split” feature for automatic earnings distribution among multiple users, producers, or artists.
5. Review Licensing Policies: Ensure that the distributor you’re considering has clear and transparent licensing policies. Usually, contracts are non-exclusive, allowing multiple aggregators for different songs. Switching aggregators is also commonly allowed without extra fees or penalties.
6. Watch Out for Extra Fees: Options like YouTube Content ID (automatic music detection), distribution to new platforms or networks, “leave a legacy” to keep your music online post-subscription, pre-saves, or scheduling exact release dates may incur additional costs. Make sure you’re aware of these prices before deciding.
7. Research Available Distribution Channels: Not all distributors distribute to the same digital stores, and some specialize in electronic music. Choose one that distributes to the digital stores important to you and check reviews from other artists.

Some of the Best Music Distributors in 2024

Here are some of the most popular music aggregators and their main features and advantages:

1. DistroKid: Currently one of the most popular and accessible online digital distributors. Offers affordable subscription rates, distribution to over 150 digital stores, a music promotion tool, and an easy-to-use interface. However, extras like Content ID or maintaining your music after the subscription ends can be costly.
2. TuneCore: TuneCore has been in the game for a long time, offering distribution to over 150 digital stores, including Spotify and Apple Music. It also provides additional services like publishing and music promotion tools. Based in the USA (NY), it has traditionally been one of the most expensive options, but in 2024 they introduced new, more affordable plans and a competitive subscription mode.
3. CD Baby: Another veteran in digital music distribution. Offers distribution to digital stores and streaming platforms. It also allows physical distribution, like CDs and vinyl. Competitive pricing and a community of artists and industry experts help artists grow their careers. However, as of 2024, it still limits distribution quality to 44kHz and 16 bits.
4. La Cúpula Music: A company based in Barcelona with all the features of a good digital aggregator, including support in Spanish and English, and numerous extras for managing your music project, such as vinyl/CD production, design, and music promotion.
5. Imusician Digital: Another option to consider. This Swiss company provides good support in Spanish, although they switched to an annual subscription model in 2023. Here’s a 15% discount on Imusician if you register using this link. Definitely a good choice to consider.
6. OneRpm: Founded in Brazil, this company is gaining more followers. Its distribution model is clear: in exchange for 15% of streaming revenues, they offer free music distribution. They also provide publishing and promotion management for selected projects and include the “split” function for revenue sharing among multiple users. Undoubtedly one of the best free music distributors currently available. (Updated: In 2024, OneRpm is transitioning from free to annual subscription plans for certain distribution features, while maintaining existing accounts as they were).

Other top music distributors for streaming platforms to consider in 2024:

• Amuse
• Landr
• Symphonic Distribution
• Indiefy
• Ditto Music
• Soundcloud (not an aggregator but similar to YouTube; you can upload your music directly).
• Bandcamp (possibly the most important direct music sales platform for independent projects).

You might also be interested: How to Add Lyrics to Spotify Songs. Some aggregators offer this feature, but you can also add your song lyrics to Spotify yourself by following our tutorial.

Additional Tips for Launching Music with a Distributor or Aggregator

In addition to choosing a music aggregator, you should focus on other important aspects during the launch of your music project, such as:

1. Have a solid marketing strategy: Distributing your music online is just the first step after composing a song and producing it. To succeed, you need a solid marketing strategy, lots of patience, and good planning for social media promotion and building a real fan community.
2. Use social media: Social media is an invaluable tool to reach a wider audience and build a fan community. Once your music is distributed, make sure to have a strong presence on major social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use these platforms to promote your music and interact with your fans.
3. Create quality content: It’s not just about having a good song; it’s also about having a good sound that’s well-recorded and produced. While you might not initially need one of the best studio microphones or professional collaboration, as you progress, competitive recordings will become almost indispensable.
4. Image matters: Ensure you have high-quality photos and promotional videos, and make sure all the content you share is high-quality and consistent with your personal brand or project image.
5. Perform live and connect with other artists: Performing live and networking with other artists and professionals in the music industry will help you gain visibility and grow your music career. Attend music events and festivals, join online groups and communities, and do as much networking in your local music scene as possible.
6. Collaborate with other artists: Collaboration is undoubtedly one of the most popular methods today to grow on Spotify or other streaming platforms. You can invite another artist to sing a part of the song or compose a track together. Remember that to combine monthly listeners, both artists must be listed as main artists when distributing the song through your chosen aggregator.

Conclusions on Digital Music Distribution

Choose your digital music distributor without fear. The decision is not permanent or exclusive, nor is it a make-or-break factor for your project’s success. It’s not like signing a record or management contract. Carefully consider the tips and advice mentioned in this article and choose the aggregator that best fits your preferences and needs. Then focus on promoting your music well and enjoy the process. There’s nothing better for a creator than seeing their work published. Enjoy the journey!