CD Baby vs Stem
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, and value
Quick Verdict
Feature Comparison
CD Baby
Music distribution since 1998
Stem
Splits and distribution built for collaboration
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
- +Publishing administration available
- +YouTube Content ID included
- +Wide distribution (150+ platforms)
- +Open to all artists (no application required)
âš CD Baby 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
✓ Stem Pros
- +Automatic revenue splitting
- +Perfect for collaborations
- +Keep 100% of royalties
- +Transparent payments
- +Fast distribution
- +Great for producers
âš Stem Cons
- -Annual fee required
- -Fewer platforms than competitors
- -Limited promotional tools
- -Focused on splits, less on marketing
More Comparisons
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Get Personalized Recommendation →CD Baby vs Stem: Detailed Comparison
Choosing between CD Baby and Stem depends on your release frequency and priorities. CD Baby uses a pay per-release pricing model, while Stem operates on a subscription basis.
For occasional artists releasing 1-2 songs per year, CD Baby offers better value at $9.99 per year. However, frequent releasers with 10+ songs annually will find Stem more cost-effective at $29.99 per year. Consider your support needs, distribution speed requirements, and publishing administration options when making your decision.