MusicAggregators and comparissons distributions.pdf

Main Reason: Its flat annual fee and unlimited uploads make it cost-effective for independent artists with multiple releases.

1. Aggregator Assignment
Ivelisse Rosa

2. Unique Selling Point

3. Symphonic
Distribution
DistroKid TuneCore
Excels as a cost-effective
platform with simple, flat-rate
pricing for unlimited releases
starting at just $22.99 per year.
Known for its automation and
transparency, DistroKid allows
artists to keep 100% of their
earnings while simplifying
revenue splits and offering
innovative tools like HyperFollow
for pre-save promotions and
Spotify Canvas Generator for
custom visuals. With instant
access to artist platforms like
Spotify for Artists and robust
earnings tracking, DistroKid’s
no-commission approach and
marketing-focused features
make it an ideal choice for
musicians looking for ease and
affordability.
Offers unparalleled flexibility with
tiered plans catering to every
artist, from a free option for
newcomers to professional-grade
features at $49.99 per year. Artists
retain 100% of their revenue from
digital stores and gain extensive
control over their releases,
including custom ISRC/UPC codes,
release schedules, and regional
restrictions. TuneCore’s Splits
feature simplifies royalty sharing
for collaborators, while its Pro
Panels and educational resources
help artists build their careers
strategically. With monetization
across social platforms and
comprehensive support, TuneCore
empowers artists to thrive while
maintaining full creative
independence.
Sets itself apart with a strong
emphasis on personalized support,
diversity, and comprehensive
services for independent artists.
Offering tools like sync licensing,
publishing administration, and
royalty advances, it provides
tailored solutions to help artists
maximize their potential.
Symphonic’s commitment to
underrepresented communities
through initiatives like the Women
Empowered mentorship program
and support for social causes
reflects its mission to create an
inclusive music ecosystem. With a
premium client roster and features
such as playlist pitching, catalog
optimization, and physical
distribution, Symphonic combines
advanced technology with human
connection to empower artists
worldwide.

4. Costs

5. Symphonic
Distribution
DistroKid TuneCore
Setup Fees: No setup fee; however, an
application process is required, and approval is
not guaranteed.
Commission Fees: Symphonic takes a
percentage of royalties, typically around 15% of
revenue generated through distributed platforms.
Annual Fees: None; Symphonic charges based
on commissions rather than annual
subscriptions.
Setup Fees: No setup fee; you can start with a
simple registration.
Commission Fees: None (artists keep 100% of
their earnings from streaming platforms and
digital stores, minus banking fees).
Annual Fees:
•Musician Plan: $22.99/year for
unlimited releases for one artist.
•Musician Plus: $39.99/year for
additional features and up to two artists.
•Label Plan: Starting at $89.99/year for
5–100 artists.
Setup Fees: No setup fee; plans can be selected
based on the artist's needs.
Commission Fees: Artists keep 100% of earnings
from streaming platforms, but 20% commission is
taken from social platform earnings (e.g., TikTok,
Instagram, YouTube monetization).
Annual Fees:
•New Artist Plan: Free (limited to 3 tracks
on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube).
•Rising Artist: $22.99/year for unlimited
releases.
•Breakout Artist: $39.99/year for more
advanced features.
•Professional Plan: $49.99/year for
professional-grade services and features.

6. Pros

7. Symphonic
Distribution
DistroKid TuneCore
Unlimited Releases: Allows unlimited uploads
for a single annual fee, making it cost-effective
for prolific artists.
100% Royalties: Artists keep 100% of their
revenue from streams and downloads (minus
banking fees).
Fast Distribution: Known for quick processing
and getting music live on platforms faster than
many competitors.
Revenue Splits: Easy to split royalties with
collaborators automatically.
Innovative Tools: Offers HyperFollow pages,
Spotify Canvas generator, YouTube Official
Artist Channels, and more.
No Commission Fees: Simple and predictable
pricing without taking a cut of streaming
royalties.
Accessible Pricing: Starts at just $22.99/year,
with affordable plans for individual artists and
labels.
Flexible Plans: Offers both free and affordable
subscription plans, including pay-per-release
options for maximum flexibility.
100% Earnings: Artists keep all revenue from
streaming platforms and 80% from social media
monetization.
Customizable Options: Allows custom label
names, ISRCs, UPCs, and release date scheduling
for professional branding.
Splits Feature: Built-in royalty-splitting for
collaborators at no extra cost.
Extensive Distribution: Reaches over 150 digital
music stores and streaming services globally.
Artist-Centric Services: Provides promotional
opportunities, expert advice panels, and
partnerships with platforms like TIDAL and
Twitch.
Free Tier: Ideal for beginners with the New
Artist plan (up to 3 tracks for social media
platforms).
Tailored Services: Offers comprehensive
support including playlist pitching, marketing,
catalog optimization, sync licensing, and
physical music distribution.
Diverse Artist Support: Actively promotes
diversity by supporting underrepresented
communities (Women, Black, Latinx,
LGBTQIA+).
No Annual Fees: Artists only pay a percentage
of royalties, making it ideal for those who want
to avoid annual subscription costs.
Advanced Tools: Provides rights management,
royalty advances, and YouTube monetization.
High-Quality Client List: Trusted by
successful artists and labels like Imogen Heap,
Sublime, and Sean Paul.
Transparency and Integrity: Strong focus on
artist ownership and control, with transparent
revenue sharing.

8. Cons

9. Symphonic
Distribution DistroKid TuneCore
Annual Subscription Fee: Requires yearly
payments, which may not suit artists who
release music sporadically.
Limited Support for Complex Needs:
Focuses on simplicity and speed but lacks
advanced marketing or playlist pitching
services compared to competitors.
Add-On Costs: Optional services like
YouTube Content ID (20% revenue cut) and
other album extras add to overall costs.
No Physical Distribution: Does not offer
physical distribution services like vinyl or
CDs.
Basic Customer Support: Customer
service can be slower or less detailed
compared to competitors offering more
personalized support.
Social Media Revenue Split: Takes a 20%
commission from social media earnings,
unlike other platforms that allow artists to
retain all revenue.
Higher Annual Costs for Features:
Advanced features require higher-tier plans,
making it more expensive for artists
needing professional tools.
Pay-Per-Release Option Costs: Paying per
release (e.g., $29.99 for singles or $49.99
for albums) can become expensive for
frequent releases.
Customer Support Limitations: Lower-
tier plans have slower customer support
response times (up to three business days).
No Unlimited Physical Releases: Physical
distribution services are not included or
readily available compared to Symphonic.
Revenue Split: Takes a percentage of
royalties, which may not appeal to artists
seeking to retain 100% of their earnings.
Selective Access: Artists must apply and be
accepted, making it less accessible for
beginners or those without an established
track record.
Higher Costs for Services: Comprehensive
services like marketing and sync licensing
can be expensive and may not suit
independent artists with smaller budgets.
Slower Payment Process: Payments
depend on Tipalti approval and supporting
documentation, potentially delaying
payouts.
Complexity for Beginners: The range of
services and options might feel
overwhelming for newcomers to the music
industry.

10. Which aggregator do you
choose for your artist this
semester and WHY?

11. DistroKid
I chose DistroKid because of my personal
experience with the platform. Despite some
challenges, like slow customer service when I
needed to reset my password and couldn’t
access the email tied to my account, the overall
experience has been positive. Their distribution
and sync licensing services have been seamless,
and I’ve never had issues with them.
Additionally, their reports are straightforward
and easy to understand, which makes
managing earnings simple. Comparing it to the
other two platforms, DistroKid’s affordable
pricing, unlimited uploads, and user-friendly
tools stood out to me as the best choice for my
needs.

12. References
Symphonic Distribution. (2025). About Symphonic. https://symphonicdistribution.com
DistroKid. (2025). DistroKid Help Center. https://distrokid.com
TuneCore. (2025). About TuneCore. https://tunecore.com