Overview
CD Baby is one of the oldest distribution services, offering a one-time payment model with no annual renewal fees. While they take a 9% commission, you never have to pay again to keep your music live.
Pros
- +Publishing administration available
- +YouTube Content ID included
- +Wide distribution (150+ platforms)
- +Open to all artists (no application required)
Cons
- -High commission on YouTube/Social Video (30%)
- -Sync commission is very high (40%)
- -Customer support reports of long wait times and bot reliance
- -9% commission on revenue
- -Limited or slow customer support
Pricing Details
. Standard single is $9.99; Album is $14.99. 'CDB Boost' ($39.99/release) is required for mechanical royalty collection and sync.
Key Features
Supported Platforms (6)
Best For Genres
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CD Baby pioneered indie music distribution and remains a solid choice for artists who don't want ongoing fees. The 9% commission is offset by the one-time payment structure - pay once, and your music stays live forever. This makes it ideal for artists releasing 1-3 songs per year. However, the interface feels dated compared to newer competitors, and distribution is slower (3-5 days). Customer support has improved but can still have long wait times. The "CD Baby Boost" ($39.99/release) is required for mechanical royalty collection, which adds up. Best for occasional releasers who value simplicity and don't want to worry about annual renewals.