Is RouteNote or DistroKid better?

DistroKid is better if you release often. RouteNote is better for one or two songs you don’t want to pay for upfront.

RouteNote has two plans. Its Free vs Premium breakdown says Free costs nothing and you keep 85% of streaming and download money. Premium lets you keep 100%, for $10 per single, $20 per EP or $30 per album, then $9.99 per release every year after the first.

DistroKid charges one yearly fee for unlimited uploads and keeps none of your royalties. DistroKid’s pricing page lists the Musician plan at $24.99 a year.

The math tips fast. Three singles on RouteNote Premium cost $30 the first year and $29.97 a year after that. DistroKid’s Musician plan covers those three, plus a fourth, for $24.99. RouteNote Free’s 15% cut only costs more than that fee once your songs earn about $166 a year.

Payouts differ too. RouteNote holds your money until you’re owed at least $50. DistroKid’s minimum is $6.

YouTube is a point for RouteNote: both of its plans include Content ID where eligible. At DistroKid, Content ID comes with the Social Media Pack extra, $4.95 per single a year, and DistroKid keeps 20% of what it collects.

RouteNote says eligible releases can move between plans. Our free distribution roundup compares RouteNote Free with ONErpm. If you pick DistroKid, read why DistroKid charged you $40 before your renewal date.