2026 distribution comparison
The best music distributor for independent artists.
We benchmarked Verse Tune against DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Ditto, Amuse and UnitedMasters across pricing, royalties, store coverage, payouts and support. Here's the honest scorecard.
| Feature | Best valueVerse Tune | DistroKid | TuneCore | CD Baby | Ditto | Amuse | UnitedMasters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual price (unlimited releases) | $9 | $22.99 | $14.99/single, $29.99/album | $9.95/single | $19/year | Free tier / $24.99 | Free / $59.99 |
| Royalty retention | 100% | 100% | 100% | 91% | 100% | 100% (paid) / 85% (free) | 100% (paid) / 90% (free) |
| Stores & platforms | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ | 40+ | 20+ |
| Delivery speed | 24–48 hours | 1–7 days | 2–5 days | 2–14 days | 2–7 days | 3–14 days | 1–7 days |
| Monthly payouts | |||||||
| Minimum payout | $10 | $0 | $0 | $10 | $20 | $20 | $0 |
| Free ISRC & UPC codes | |||||||
| Spotify editorial pitching | |||||||
| Pre-save & smart links | |||||||
| Real-time analytics | |||||||
| 24/7 human support | |||||||
| No hidden upsells |
Comparison data reflects publicly listed plans as of June 2026 and is provided for general guidance. Competitor names belong to their respective owners.
Why artists pick Verse Tune
One flat $9/year
Unlimited singles, EPs and albums. No per-release fees, no royalty cut, no surprise upsells at checkout.
24–48 hour delivery
Faster to Spotify and Apple Music than DistroKid, TuneCore and CD Baby — so you can pitch editorial sooner.
100% of your royalties
We never touch your earnings. Monthly payouts with a $10 minimum, direct to PayPal or wire.
Built-in pre-save & smart links
Capture fans before release day. Included free — most competitors charge extra or don't offer it at all.
Real-time analytics
Streams, saves and revenue across every DSP in one dashboard, refreshed daily.
24/7 human support
Real people answering tickets every day of the year — not bots and not a 5-day queue.
Ready to switch to a fairer distributor?
Move your catalog to Verse Tune in minutes. Keep your streams, keep your royalties, ship your next release in 24 hours.