Distrokid is a music distributor that from their marketing looks very cheap. However, they have a lot of hidden fees that they choose not to tell people from the beginning. Additionally, for every new artist name you want on your account they will also charge you to add more.

In reality if you take in all these extra costs into account the service is expensive in comparison to others.

Shazam & iPhone Siri: $0.99 per song/year

Make it easy for people to identify this single if they hear it playing on radio/tv, in stores, restaurants, parties, etc.

Store Maximizer: $7.95 per album/year

DistroKid will automatically deliver this single to new online stores and streaming services as we add them. Which is often. We’ll give you notice before adding.

YouTube Money: $4.95 per single/year, $14.95 per album/year, + 20% of YouTube ad revenue (Run by another company and no control)

Get notified & paid if your music is ever used in any YouTube videos. We’ll add this single to YouTube’s Content ID database, and continually scan for matches. When your music is detected in any YouTube video, you’ll be notified—and ad revenue will automatically go to you, instead of to the person who uploaded the video.

Leave a Legacy: $29.00 per single, $49.00 per album of 2+ tracks (nonrecurring fee)

DistroKid will never delete your release from stores due to a lapsed DistroKid membership, even if you die. You can always choose to delete it any time—or not. You will continue to accrue 100% of royalties, as normal, forever. Leave your legacy for future generations.