Which one is better between DistroKid and TuneCore?
For most Nigerian musicians, TuneCore is better for consistent income and long-term career distribution, while DistroKid is often better for cost-efficient, bulk releases. But your choice should depend on how often you release music, how much control you want over royalties, and your overall music strategy.
This article connects directly to the broader income strategy I explain here:
How Musicians Make Money in Nigeria.
Understanding how DistroKid works
DistroKid is known for its low yearly fee and unlimited releases model. For a flat annual subscription, you can upload as many songs and albums as you want without additional per-release fees.
Why many Nigerian artists like DistroKid:
- Unlimited uploads under one annual fee
- Simple interface and easy setup
- Fast distribution to major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music
However, the simplicity comes with trade-offs — mainly in how features like publishing administration and royalty splits are handled compared to TuneCore.
Understanding how TuneCore works
TuneCore operates on a per-release model. You pay a fee for each single or album you upload, and in return you keep 100% of your royalties forever.
Why TuneCore is powerful for Nigerian artists:
- Direct royalty ownership
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Global reach and frequent updates
TuneCore’s model rewards artists who release music consistently and treat their catalog as an ongoing revenue engine.
Cost comparison: DistroKid vs TuneCore for Nigerian musicians
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- DistroKid: One annual fee → unlimited uploads
- TuneCore: Fees per release → keep full royalties
If you’re releasing many singles and projects in a year, DistroKid’s subscription model can look cheaper at first. But if you want full control of your earnings and catalog over time, TuneCore’s licensing structure often pays off in the long run.
This decision depends on your goals; there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
How they both deliver your music
Both DistroKid and TuneCore distribute to all the major streaming platforms, including:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- Audiomack (where applicable)
Which means your music reaches your audience wherever they listen — free or paid users.
Royalty payouts and control
When your music earns money, both platforms collect revenue from streaming services and pay you. However:
- TuneCore gives you direct control of your royalties with better reporting
- DistroKid offers faster uploads and a simpler dashboard
In practice, this means artists with long-term strategies often prefer TuneCore for transparency and earnings control.
Additional features worth knowing
TuneCore offers features like:
- Publishing administration (to collect songwriter and publishing royalties)
- Detailed analytics
- Sync licensing opportunities
DistroKid focuses on simplicity and speed, which is helpful for artists just starting out or those releasing a lot of music quickly.
How distribution affects your streaming revenue
Your distributor does not decide how much each platform pays — that is worked out by the streaming platforms themselves. What your distributor does is ensure you receive your royalties accurately and on time.
Streaming payouts are influenced by audience location, subscription type, and engagement, which I explained here:
Music streaming royalties explained for Nigerian artists.
Which one is better for Nigerian artists?
Here’s the simple guide:
- Choose DistroKid if you plan to release a lot of music in a year and want minimal fees up front.
- Choose TuneCore if you are serious about long-term control, detailed revenue reporting, and keeping 100% of your royalties without additional splits.
For many Nigerian artists, TuneCore becomes the better choice once they start seeing real streams and want full ownership of their earnings.
Independent artists vs label artists
If you’re signed to a label, distribution may be handled for you — and sometimes for free. But as an independent Nigerian artist, choosing the right distribution platform is one of the biggest moves you make in your career.
This connects to how income splits work between independent and signed artists, explained here:
Independent artists vs label artists on streaming income.
Common mistakes Nigerian musicians make with distribution
Some pitfalls I see often include:
- Choosing based on price alone
- Not understanding royalties reporting
- Forgetting publishing rights revenue
- Releasing without a plan
A distribution plan should be part of your music income strategy, not an afterthought.
Final thoughts
Neither DistroKid nor TuneCore is “bad.” They serve different purposes. For many Nigerian musicians, DistroKid is great for fast, cost-efficient uploads, while TuneCore shines for long-term control and earnings transparency.
Your choice should match your career stage, goals, and release strategy — not popularity alone.
Need help choosing or distributing your music?
If you’re a Nigerian artist looking to distribute your music professionally — whether you lean toward TuneCore, CD Baby, or RouteNote — contact us at Taculia Records for guidance and support. We help artists choose the right distribution platform and avoid costly mistakes so you can focus on your art, not logistics.
