CD Baby vs TuneCore
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, and value
Quick Verdict
Feature Comparison
CD Baby
Music distribution since 1998
TuneCore
Keep 100% of your sales revenue
Cost Breakdown by Release Frequency
1 Release per Year
Occasional artist, testing the waters
5 Releases per Year
Regular release schedule
10 Releases per Year
Frequent releases, prolific artist
Pros & Cons
✓ CD Baby Pros
- +One-time payment (no annual fees)
- +Music stays live forever
- +Strong sync licensing opportunities
- +Publishing administration included
- +Excellent customer support
- +Physical distribution available
âš CD Baby Cons
- -9% commission on streaming revenue
- -Slower distribution than competitors
- -Higher upfront costs per release
- -Interface feels outdated
✓ TuneCore Pros
- +Keep 100% of sales revenue
- +Extensive platform coverage (150+ stores)
- +Detailed sales reporting
- +Publishing administration available
- +No commission on royalties
- +Established reputation
âš TuneCore Cons
- -Annual renewal fees per release
- -More expensive for frequent releasers
- -Customer support can be slow
- -No free tier
More Comparisons
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Get Personalized Recommendation →CD Baby vs TuneCore: Detailed Comparison
Choosing between CD Baby and TuneCore depends on your release frequency and priorities. CD Baby uses a per release pricing model, while TuneCore operates on a per release basis.
For occasional artists releasing 1-2 songs per year, CD Baby offers better value at $9.95 per year. However, frequent releasers with 10+ songs annually will find CD Baby more cost-effective at $99.50 per year. Consider your support needs, distribution speed requirements, and publishing administration options when making your decision.