Comparison
TuneCore vs CD Baby: Which Distributor Should You Choose?
TuneCore vs CD Baby compared — one-time vs annual fees, royalties, publishing and the hidden costs of each distribution model.
TuneCore and CD Baby take opposite pricing approaches — one-time per-release fees on CD Baby versus annual renewals on TuneCore. Here's how to decide for your catalog.
CD Baby
- One-time per-release fee
- Sync licensing opportunities
- Publishing administration options
- Physical distribution available
- Percentage on some income
TuneCore
- Annual per-release pricing
- 100% royalty pass-through
- Bundled publishing plans
- Broad store coverage
- Renewal required to keep music live
The Verdict
Choose CD Baby for a release-once catalog with bundled extras, or TuneCore for active, high-frequency releasing. Consider your long-term catalog cost before committing.
How they charge
CD Baby charges a one-time setup fee per release and keeps a cut of royalties for some features. TuneCore charges annual per-release fees and passes royalties through fully.
For a catalog you release once and leave live, CD Baby's one-time model is often cheaper long-term. If you update or re-release frequently, compare renewal costs.
Royalty structures
TuneCore passes 100% of royalties through on most plans. CD Baby takes a percentage of certain income but includes extras like sync licensing and publishing options in its model.
Read the fee schedules — CD Baby's admin fees can offset its one-time pricing.
Which suits which artist
Budget-conscious release-once artists often prefer CD Baby. Artists releasing regularly with multiple updates favour TuneCore's annual subscriptions.
Either way, a distributor that bundles promotion and publishing — like Zaventra Music Group — adds value beyond basic delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to stay forever on CD Baby?
Often yes for static catalogs, since there's no annual renewal. Active artists may prefer TuneCore's subscription model.
Which has better extras?
CD Baby offers sync and physical distribution; TuneCore offers publishing tiers and broad automation. It depends on your needs.
Do both deliver to India?
Both cover major global platforms; verify regional services for your market.