DistroKid rip off: The Friendly Distributor or Just Another Rip-Off Machine?

In the music world, artists look for the best ways to share their music. DistroKid is a service that lets artists upload songs for a yearly fee. But is DistroKid really good for artists, or is it just taking advantage of them? Let’s look at what people say about this popular service.

Pros and Cons of DistroKid

The Good

DistroKid is cheap, at just $20 a year. You can upload all your songs to over 150 places like Spotify and Apple Music¹. This is great for artists who want to keep more of their money. Plus, DistroKid lets artists keep all their earnings, which many DIY musicians like¹.

Key Takeaways

• DistroKid offers unlimited song uploads for a flat annual fee of $20
• Artists can keep 100% of their royalties with DistroKid
• DistroKid distributes to over 150 digital music platforms
• Affordable pricing model makes DistroKid attractive for independent artists
• Potential issues with customer support and hidden fees

DistroKid rip off Allegations

The Bad

Despite being cheap and good for artists, DistroKid has faced many complaints. Some say the customer support is slow and hard to deal with². Others worry about hidden fees that can cut into their earnings¹.

Scams targeting musicians are also a problem, and DistroKid is not immune. Some artists have been tricked into giving up money for fake deals². It’s important to be careful and do your research before choosing a service.

Comparing DistroKid to Competitors

DistroKid vs CD Baby

DistroKid and CD Baby are often compared. CD Baby charges a one-time fee for each song or album, but takes 91% of earnings¹. DistroKid’s yearly fee lets you upload all you want and keeps 100% of your earnings¹. This makes DistroKid better for artists who release a lot of music.

Hidden Fees and Pricing Issues

Many artists say DistroKid has hidden fees and pricing problems. They claim DistroKid charges extra or takes money from their earnings without telling them¹. This lack of clear pricing has made some question if DistroKid is really good for artists.

Customer Support and Royalty Withdrawal

Customer support is another issue with DistroKid. Some artists find it hard to get help or fix problems with their accounts². This can be a big problem, especially for those who rely on their music for money.

The TuneCore Alternative

TuneCore vs DistroKid

Many artists choose TuneCore instead of DistroKid. TuneCore costs a bit more, at $19.99 a year, but is known for clear pricing and good customer support¹. It also lets artists keep all their earnings, which is a big plus for those looking for a fair deal.

Making the Switch: DistroKid to TuneCore

Switching from DistroKid to TuneCore can be tough, but it might be worth it. TuneCore offers better support, clear prices, and more control over earnings. Artists should think carefully about what they need and choose the best option for their music and money.

Conclusion

DistroKid’s promise of affordable music sharing has attracted many artists, but it’s faced many complaints. It’s important for artists to research and compare services before choosing. By doing their homework, artists can find the best way to share their music and get the recognition they deserve.

Pros and Cons of DistroKid

The Good

DistroKid is a top choice for indie artists looking to distribute their music. It offers unlimited uploads to big names like Spotify and Apple Music for just $20 a year³. This is way cheaper than CD Baby and Tunecore, which charge around $10 per song³. Plus, artists get to keep all their royalties, unlike other platforms that take a cut³.

DistroKid also gives out free UPC codes, a perk that others charge for³. Songs get on Spotify and other big platforms in just 1-3 days, much faster than CD Baby’s two weeks³. It’s also teamed up with TikTok, making it easy for artists to share their music on the platform³.

For artists who release music often, DistroKid’s annual fee is a big plus. It helps artists get noticed by Spotify’s algorithm, which favors regular releases³. DistroKid also now pays out earnings from YouTube Red, which can be a big deal for some artists³.

But, DistroKid’s quick distribution might not match Spotify’s advice to submit songs two weeks early for playlist consideration³. Some users have also reported delays in getting their earnings from DistroKid, though it’s usually manageable³.

DistroKid rip off Allegations

The Bad

DistroKid is known for being easy to use, but it has its critics. Some artists and industry experts say its website looks amateurish⁴. They also dislike its upselling methods, which feel impersonal⁴.

The song landing page is another issue, with some finding it unattractive and distracting⁴. The annual fees might be a problem for artists who don’t release music often⁴.

But the biggest concern is DistroKid’s alleged exploitation of Spotify’s rules⁵. Artists say they’ve faced unfair penalties, including double strikes on the same song⁵. This could lead to a ban unless they pay a $10 fee through DistroKid⁵.

This problem seems unique to DistroKid users, unlike other distribution services⁵. An indie music label has even sued DistroKid, seeking class-action status⁶. The lawsuit claims hundreds or thousands of DistroKid users could face wrongful takedown notices⁶.

Comparing DistroKid to Competitors

DistroKid vs CD Baby

DistroKid and CD Baby are top choices for artists looking to distribute their music. They both help artists get their music on big streaming platforms. But, there are some key differences⁷.

DistroKid starts at $22.99 a year, letting you upload as much as you want⁷. CD Baby, however, charges about $9.99 per song⁷. This makes DistroKid great for artists who release music often, without extra costs⁷.

DistroKid also gives away free UPC codes, a service CD Baby charges for⁷. Plus, DistroKid keeps all your royalties, while CD Baby takes 9%⁷.

DistroKid gets your music on platforms in 2-5 days, faster than CD Baby’s 1-2 weeks⁷. Both send music to over 150 stores. But, DistroKid offers YouTube Content ID and VEVO video distribution for a fee, not in CD Baby’s basic plan⁷.

DistroKid’s customer support might be harder to reach, but CD Baby is known for its good support⁷. CD Baby also offers publishing royalty collection and CD manufacturing, not available in DistroKid’s basic plan⁷.

In short, DistroKid’s pricing, speed, and extra features like free UPC codes are big pluses for frequent releases⁷. CD Baby might be better for artists who release less often and value personal support and publishing services⁷.

DistroKid has become a big name in the music world, with 33% of all new music distributions⁸. Major and indie labels often sign new artists who use DistroKid⁸. Spotify even bought a piece of DistroKid, showing its market strength⁸.

Jeff Price, TuneCore’s founder, calls DistroKid the best music distribution company, beating CD Baby and TuneCore⁸. With its great features, prices, and recognition, DistroKid is a top player in music distribution⁸⁷.

Hidden Fees and Pricing Issues

DistroKid is known for its simple and affordable music distribution. Yet, some artists worry about hidden fees and pricing problems⁹. The platform’s pricing can get confusing with upsells and extra fees for features like VEVO video distribution for $99 a year⁹.

DistroKid has three plans: Musician for $22.99 a year, Musician Plus for $39.99 a year, and Ultimate for $89.99+ a year for labels¹⁰. The Musician plan lets you upload unlimited songs for a flat fee. But, extra features like more discovery platforms and YouTube Content ID cost extra¹⁰. These add-ons can raise the total cost, depending on what you need⁹.

It’s key to look closely at DistroKid’s pricing and all costs before signing up⁹. Comparing DistroKid with other services like TuneCore and CD Baby can help artists choose wisely¹⁰.

Knowing about DistroKid’s hidden fees and pricing issues helps artists choose the right platform⁹. By comparing features, costs, and royalty rates, artists can find the best fit for their music career¹⁰.

Customer Support and Royalty Withdrawal

DistroKid’s customer support and royalty withdrawal have mixed reviews. Most users like the platform’s ease and cost. But, some say there are delays in getting their money³.

DistroKid is known for its low price. For $20 a year, you can upload unlimited songs to big platforms³. Yet, some users wait at least two months for their earnings³.

Despite payout delays, DistroKid is respected. It’s praised by industry pros like Derek Sivers. It’s also quick to get songs on platforms like Spotify, often in 1-3 days³.

On customer reviews, DistroKid scores well. Most users like its customer support and music distribution. Though, there’s room for improvement in royalty payouts and platform availability¹¹.

In summary, DistroKid’s customer service and royalty withdrawal get mixed feedback. Most users are happy with its ease and cost, despite some delays³. Artists should research and compare to find the best fit for their needs⁹³¹¹.

The TuneCore Alternative

DistroKid and TuneCore are top choices for music distribution. Both services let you upload songs without limits and keep all your royalties. Yet, they differ in ways that might influence your choice¹².

TuneCore vs DistroKid

Pricing is a big difference. TuneCore now costs less than DistroKid, at $19.99 a year for unlimited releases¹². But DistroKid is faster, getting your music out in 2-5 days, while TuneCore takes 6-8 days¹².

DistroKid also offers extra features like mastering and VEVO video distribution for more money. TuneCore doesn’t have these options¹². On the other hand, TuneCore’s customer support is said to be better than DistroKid’s automated system¹².

Choosing between DistroKid and TuneCore depends on what you need as an artist. It’s best to pick one and focus on making great music¹³.

Both DistroKid and TuneCore have lots to offer artists for music distribution¹². Your choice should match your needs and preferences as a musician¹³.

Making the Switch: DistroKid to TuneCore

Thinking about moving from DistroKid to TuneCore? It might seem tough, but it’s doable. Both services have good features and prices, making your choice a bit tricky¹⁴.

DistroKid’s Musician Plan costs $19.99 USD a year. Their Musician Plus and Label Plans are $35.99 and $79.99 USD, respectively¹⁴. TuneCore has different prices, but the exact costs aren’t mentioned¹⁴. Both platforms charge an annual fee for their services¹⁴.

Cost savings are a big factor. DistroKid gives a 7% discount, while TuneCore offers 20% off through links¹⁴. Both services send your music to big names like Spotify and Apple Music, making sure your music gets heard¹⁴.

Switching platforms is possible, but it’s not always the best idea. The second source says it can be slow and might not be worth it¹⁵. Yet, if you’re starting fresh, TuneCore might be better because of its lower annual fee and good features¹⁵.

Choosing between DistroKid and TuneCore depends on what you need and want. Think about the benefits and drawbacks of each before deciding what’s best for your music career¹⁴¹⁵.

¹⁴¹⁵

Conclusion

Choosing between DistroKid and TuneCore for music distribution can be tough. But, both platforms are good for independent artists. DistroKid has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 32,000 reviews. People like its easy use, fast service, and fair prices.

It’s also great because artists can keep all their royalties. This makes it a good choice for artists at any stage of their career.

But, there are some downsides. Some users have had issues with customer service and payment problems. Also, DistroKid’s advice on Spotify’s rules might not be the best for artists.

TuneCore, on the other hand, is known for being open and artist-focused. It’s seen as a solid option for those wanting a reliable partner.

So, picking a platform like DistroKid or TuneCore depends on what you need. The key is to pick one that fits your goals. Then, focus on making and sharing your music.

This will help you succeed more than anything else. By making a smart choice and focusing on your music, you can reach your dreams.

Source Links

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4. How a musician falsely accused of fraud got his music back on Spotify and iTunes
5. Warning to Artists: The Spotify-Distrokid Scandal and Its Threat to Independent Music
6. DistroKid faces potential class-action lawsuit over how it handles takedown requests – Music Business Worldwide
7. CD Baby vs. DistroKid (2024 Comparison) | Two Story Melody
8. DistroKid Review – Tunecore vs Distrokid and More! – J.Scalco
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10. Distrokid Tunecore Cdbaby Prices Costs Hidden Fees – Demfire Creation
11. DistroKid is rated “Excellent” with 4.6 / 5 on Trustpilot
12. DistroKid vs. TuneCore in 2023: An Honest Breakdown
13. Switch from distrokid to?
14. TuneCore vs DistroKid In 2024 [Must Read Before Using]
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