If you’ve spent any time researching how to release your music independently, chances are you’ve heard of DistroKid. With its low starting price and aggressive social media marketing, it’s become one of the most popular choices for independent artists looking to get their music onto Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond.
But after years of using DistroKid myself, I’ve taken a closer look at the real long-term costs involved, and the results were surprising. What initially appears to be the most affordable option can quickly turn into one of the most expensive, especially once you start adding the tools and features most artists actually need.
That’s why I recently made the switch to LANDR Distribution. In this article, I’ll break down exactly why.
Check a full breakdown of the info presented in this article in the video below:
DistroKid vs LANDR: What Are You Really Paying For?
To understand the true cost of each platform, we’re going to look at a few different scenarios:
- Releasing a single
- Releasing an album
- Releasing 5 singles and 3 albums over a 5-year period
This isn’t about throwing one track into the void and hoping for the best. Most of us are in this for the long haul, so it makes sense to look at the big picture.
Base Pricing & Included Features
Let’s start with the basic plans.
DistroKid
- Base Plan: $22.99/year
- Add-Ons (per track or album):
- Leave a Legacy (keeps your music up if you cancel): $29 per single / $49 per album
- YouTube Content ID: $4.95 per track/year (plus 20% of ad revenue)
- Shazam Discovery: $0.99 per track/year
- Future DSP Delivery (TikTok Music, new platforms): $7.95 per track/year
While the base price looks appealing, most essential features are locked behind recurring add-ons.
LANDR Distribution Pro
- Flat Fee: $44.99/year
Includes everything indie artists typically need:
- Unlimited releases
- Your music stays online, even if you cancel
- YouTube Content ID
- Shazam & music discovery features
- Future DSP deliveries (no extra charges)
No hidden costs. No tiered features.
Real-World Example: Releasing a Single
Let’s say you’re releasing just one track.
LANDR
- $44.99 (includes all features)
DistroKid
- $22.99 (base)
- $29 (Leave a Legacy)
- $4.95 (YouTube Content ID)
- $0.99 (Shazam)
- $7.95 (Future DSPs)
Total: $65.88 for one single.
And without that Leave a Legacy fee? Your song will be removed from streaming platforms the moment you cancel your subscription.
Long-Term Cost: 5 Years, 5 Singles, 3 Albums
Here’s where the difference really becomes clear.
LANDR (5 Years)
- $44.99/year × 5 = $224.95
DistroKid (with all equivalent add-ons)
- Base Plan: $114.95
- Leave a Legacy: $292
- YouTube Content ID: $348 + 20% of YouTube ad revenue
- Shazam Discovery: $173.25
- Future DSP Deliveries: $310
Total: $1,237.25
That’s over five times the cost of LANDR without accounting for lost YouTube ad revenue. With the difference in price, you could easily afford a high-quality microphone, interface, or a suite of plugins.
Worried About Switching? LANDR Has You Covered
One concern I had when moving away from DistroKid was what would happen to my existing releases specifically, playlist placements and play counts.
LANDR solves this with a free release importer that makes the transition painless.
How it works:
- Paste your existing Spotify or Apple Music release URL
- Upload your audio and enter any missing metadata
- Submit
- Once your new version is live, take down the old one
Your play counts and playlist placements stay intact.
Try it here:
🟦 https://app.landr.com/releases/list?importRelease
Final Thoughts
DistroKid is marketed as the budget-friendly option, and to be fair, it can be if you only release one track a year and don’t need extras. But the moment you want to future-proof your music, monetize through YouTube, or simply keep your tracks online after cancelling, the costs add up fast.
With LANDR Distribution Pro, what you see is what you get. One flat annual fee, no hidden charges, and the features most independent artists will actually use all included.
I’m currently in the process of moving my entire back catalogue over to LANDR and, based on the experience so far, I’d strongly recommend it for anyone tired of surprise fees and inconsistent service.
Sound good? Save 20% off of LANDR Studio by signing up via our unique link: LANDR Studio