One of the most common questions on Songtools users’ minds is “which music distributor should I be using?” There are so many great options out there, and the market is changing so quickly, that we thought it might be a good idea to lay out current offerings, and how we advise independent artists on how to choose a distributor.

Once you are no longer independent, the choice is out of your hands anyways, so let’s focus on what you should be considering before you “make it”. 

When we think about the decision process, we like to think primarily about your current stage, using our framework below

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Stages of Artist Development

1. The Hacker
2. DIY Artist
3. Professional Artist
4. Star

Let’s also get a lay of the land of the who’s who in music distribution today. We laid out the top six services, and how they differ in terms of pricing and services. The great news is that all services have transitioned to offering artists 100% share of royalties in their most basic price tiers. 

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Music Distributor Comparison Chart

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Now let’s get to how you should be thinking about distribution, based on where you are. 

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1. "Hacker": At this stage, you're experimenting, and while you believe in your music, you're still finding your sound and audience.

When choosing a distributor, you aren’t looking for bells and whistles. You want to prioritize price and simplicity so you can run your experiments quickly without getting into the weeds of all the possibilities. 

Recommended Services: DistroKid

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2. "DIY Artist": You have a clear musical identity and a budding fan base, but the business side is still a mystery.

When selecting a distributor, you want to start improving your sophistication in terms of what you can get out of a distributor (data and services). 

Recommended Services: Ditto or Tunecore

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3. "Professional Artist": Music is your full-time gig. You have a dedicated fan base, and perhaps even a manager or label.

At this stage, you need to get more service. Engage with a distributor that has a track record of great customer service and that offers music promotion opportunities and services. 

Recommended Services: Symphonic

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4. "Star": You're a household name, with an enviable fan following and significant industry clout.

If you’re here, you have a team making these decisions for you. They should be negotiating a custom deal for you that maximizes their support for your release. 

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Regardless of our recommendations and who you ultimately decide to use, remember that distribution agreements are never permanent. Experiment with more than one over time to get a better sense of which fits your needs best.

Remember also, that distributors who claim to pitch you to editorial playlists are usually overwhelmed with the volume they’re handling and aren’t able to properly pitch all tracks. Make sure to alway complement every new release with a Songtools Playlister Club campaign to ensure it gains the initial traction it deserves. 

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