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DistroKid vs Record Union

Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, and value

Quick Verdict

Best for 1 release/year
Record Union
$10.00/year
Best for 5 releases/year
DistroKid
$19.99/year
Best for 10 releases/year
DistroKid
$19.99/year

Feature Comparison

DistroKid

Unlimited uploads for one low price

Pricing Model
subscription
$20/year
Revenue Split
0% - Keep 100%
Platforms
150+
Distribution Speed
1-2 days
Support Quality
N/A
Publishing Admin
N/A
PitchPlus Rating
8.5/10

Record Union

Pricing Model
pay per-release
$10/release
Revenue Split
0% taken
Platforms
150+
Distribution Speed
moderate
Support Quality
good
Publishing Admin
✗ Not Available
PitchPlus Rating
6.4/10

Cost Breakdown by Release Frequency

1 Release per Year

Occasional artist, testing the waters

DistroKid
$19.99
Record Union
$10.00
✓ Better value

5 Releases per Year

Regular release schedule

DistroKid
$19.99
✓ Better value
Record Union
$50.00

10 Releases per Year

Frequent releases, prolific artist

DistroKid
$19.99
✓ Better value
Record Union
$100.00

Pros & Cons

✓ DistroKid Pros

  • +Unlimited uploads for one low price
  • +Fast distribution (1-2 days)
  • +Keep 100% of your royalties
  • +YouTube Content ID included
  • +Automatic revenue splitting for collaborations
  • +No hidden fees

âš  DistroKid Cons

  • -Annual fee required to keep music live
  • -Basic customer support
  • -Limited promotional tools
  • -No label services or A&R support

✓ Record Union Pros

  • +Keep 100% of your royalties
  • +YouTube Content ID included
  • +Wide distribution (150+ platforms)
  • +Quality customer support
  • +Open to all artists (no application required)

âš  Record Union Cons

  • -Annual renewal fees per release make it expensive for large catalogs compared to flat-fee models
  • -No native publishing administration service
  • -A&R recruitment model can lead to spammy promotion tactics by users
  • -High payment threshold ($25)

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DistroKid vs Record Union: Detailed Comparison

Choosing between DistroKid and Record Union depends on your release frequency and priorities. DistroKid uses a subscription pricing model, while Record Union operates on a pay per-release basis.

For occasional artists releasing 1-2 songs per year, Record Union offers better value at $10.00 per year. However, frequent releasers with 10+ songs annually will find DistroKid more cost-effective at $19.99 per year. Consider your support needs, distribution speed requirements, and publishing administration options when making your decision.