Royalty delays, takedown policies, and hidden yearly fees that eat into earnings. I analyze the terms that affect independent artists and their music businesses.
Side-by-side comparison of consumer fairness scores across major music distribution platforms.
| Platform | Score | Grade | Key Gotcha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A
Amuse
Best in Category
|
65 | B- | Free tier limitations, slow payouts | View Review → |
|
CD
CD Baby
|
58 | C+ | One-time fee but takes commission | View Review → |
|
TC
TuneCore
|
52 | C | Per-release fees add up, royalty delays | View Review → |
|
DK
DistroKid
Lowest in Category
|
45 | C- | Music removed if subscription lapses | View Review → |
Several platforms remove your music from stores if you stop paying annual fees. Your catalog can disappear overnight, losing streams and playlist placements.
Most platforms hold royalties for 2-3 months after they're earned. Combined with streaming service delays, you might wait 6+ months to see money from plays.
YouTube Content ID systems can flag your own uploads as copyright violations. Resolving these claims is time-consuming and can affect your channel standing.
Basic tiers often restrict access to detailed streaming data. Understanding where your listeners are and which playlists drive streams may require premium upgrades.
Some platforms require exclusive distribution rights, preventing you from using multiple distributors or self-distributing to certain stores.
Click through for complete analysis of each platform's terms of service.
If you've had music wrongly taken down, royalties withheld, or are dealing with Content ID disputes, we have resources to help you understand your rights.
Need help understanding your rights or resolving a platform dispute?