How to Upload & Distribute Your Music to Streaming Platforms in 2025

As an independent artist without a record label, getting your tracks where listeners can find them is crucial. This guide will show you how to:

• Upload your music to all major streaming platforms
• Choose between services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby
• Understand different pricing models and what you're really paying for
• Master the technical requirements for streaming-ready tracks
• Promote your release to maximize streams and revenue
• Avoid common mistakes that can hurt your music career

Whether you're preparing your first release or your tenth, you'll learn everything needed to successfully distribute your music to the streaming world where your future fans are waiting.

What Is a Music Distributor and Why Do You Need One?

A music distributor is a service that helps artists put their music on streaming platforms. Think of them as the middleman between you (the artist) and places like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.

Most streaming platforms don't let individual artists upload music directly. Instead, they work with trusted distributors who make sure all the music meets their standards. This is where music distributors come in.

Here's what a good distributor does for you:

• Gets your songs on multiple streaming platforms at once
• Collects your streaming royalties (the money you earn)
• Gives you tracking codes for your music (called UPC and ISRC codes)
• Helps manage your song information (artist name, song title, etc.)
• Provides tools to see how your music is performing
• May offer help with promotion

Without a distributor, your music simply won't appear on most major streaming services. Even if you're an independent artist without a record label, you need distribution to reach listeners.

Read also: Music Publisher vs. Record Label: Key Differences & How They Impact Your Career

What Music Distributors Handle For You

Distributor is your partner in the music industry. They handle the technical side so you can focus on creating music.

Different Types of Music Distributors for Getting Your Music on Streaming Platforms

Not all music distributors work the same way. Here are the main types you'll find:

1. Subscription-Based Distributors

These services charge you a yearly fee. For this price, you can usually upload unlimited songs or albums.

• Examples: DistroKid, LANDR
• Best for: Artists who release music often
• Cost: Usually $20-40 per year
• You keep: 100% of your streaming revenue

2. Pay-Per-Release Distributors

Instead of a yearly fee, you pay once for each song or album you release.

• Examples: CD Baby
• Best for: Artists who release music less frequently
• Cost: About $10-30 per single, $30-70 per album
• You keep: 85-100% of your streaming revenue

3. Free or Revenue-Share Distributors

These services don't charge upfront but take a percentage of what you earn.

• Examples: Amuse, United Masters
• Best for: New artists with limited budgets
• Cost: No upfront fee
• You keep: 80-100% of your streaming revenue (varies by service)

4. Premium/Label Services

These high-end distributors offer extra help with promotion and marketing.

• Examples: AWAL, The Orchard
• Best for: Established artists with growing fan bases
• Cost: Application required, percentage of revenue
• You keep: 70-85% of your streaming revenue
• Extra features: Playlist pitching, marketing help, advance funding

When choosing between these types, think about:

• How often you plan to release music
• Your budget
• What extra services you need
• How much help you want with promotion

The right choice depends on your specific needs as an artist. A songwriter who puts out monthly singles might prefer DistroKid's unlimited uploads, while someone releasing one album a year might save money with CD Baby's one-time fee.

How to Choose the Right Music Distributor to Upload Music to Streaming Services

When picking a music distributor, you need to look at several important factors. Making the right choice can save you money and help get your music to more listeners.

Which Streaming Platforms Do They Reach?

Not all distributors send your music to the same places. Most cover the major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. However, they might differ when it comes to smaller or regional streaming services.

Make a list of platforms that matter most to you. If you have fans in certain countries, check if your distributor reaches the popular services in those regions. For example, if you have listeners in China, you'll want a distributor that connects to services like NetEase or QQ Music.

The major platforms any good distributor should reach include:

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
• YouTube Music
• Pandora
• Deezer
• Tidal
• TikTok (for sound clips)

Some distributors also help get your music on Instagram and Facebook for use in stories and posts. This can be valuable for promotion and visibility.

Pricing: What Will It Cost You?

Cost is often the deciding factor for many independent artists. When comparing prices, look beyond the basic fees and consider:

The true cost depends on your release schedule. If you release one album per year, a per-release fee might be cheaper than an annual subscription. But if you release singles regularly, an unlimited subscription service probably makes more sense.

Some distributors advertise that they take "0% commission," but charge higher upfront fees. Others take a percentage but have lower initial costs. Calculate based on your expected streaming numbers to see which model benefits you more.

Hidden fees can add up quickly. Some services charge extra for:

• Adding more artists to your account
• Changing song information after release
• Registering your music with collection societies
• Splitting payments among band members
• Faster distribution turnaround times

Read the fine print carefully before committing to any service. The cheapest option isn't always the best value if it lacks features you need.

Do They Help With Promotion?

Getting your music on streaming platforms is just the first step. People need to find and listen to your songs too. Some distributors offer promotional tools to help increase your streams.

Basic distributors simply deliver your music to platforms. Premium services might offer additional promotional help such as:

Playlist pitching – They submit your tracks to playlist curators at Spotify, Apple Music, and other services. Getting on editorial playlists can dramatically increase your streams and visibility.

Many artists don't realize that you can't pitch directly to Spotify editorial playlists yourself. You need to use Spotify for Artists, and some distributors have direct relationships with playlist editors that can improve your chances.

Marketing tools – Some services provide tools to create pre-save campaigns, landing pages, or promotional materials for your releases.

TuneCore and CD Baby have marketing arms that offer additional promotional services for an extra fee. These include social media promotion, YouTube monetization, and sync licensing opportunities for film and TV.

Better distributors provide detailed analytics:

• Where your listeners are located
• Which platforms generate the most streams
• Demographic information about your audience
• Which songs perform best on which platforms

This information helps you decide smarter where to focus your promotional efforts.

Read also: Best Spotify Promotion Services Tailored for Independent Artists

Top Music Distribution Services Compared

With dozens of options available, it helps to understand what the leading music distributors offer. Here's a breakdown of some popular services:

DistroKid

DistroKid pioneered the unlimited distribution model and remains one of the most popular choices for independent artists.

Key features:

• Annual subscription: $19.99/year for unlimited songs
• Keeps 100% of your streaming revenue
• Fast distribution
• Automatic split payments for collaborations
• Lyrics distribution to streaming platforms

DistroKid is known for its speed and simplicity. They focus on doing one thing well: getting your music on platforms quickly. They don't offer much in the way of marketing support, but their pricing makes them popular with prolific artists who release music frequently.

One unique feature is their "Leave a Legacy" option, which ensures your music stays on platforms even if you stop paying the annual fee (for an additional one-time cost per release).

TuneCore

TuneCore has been around since 2006 and recently changed how they charge artists. Now they offer unlimited music plans that work for different types of musicians.

What it costs:

• New Artist: Free! Upload up to 3 tracks to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. You keep 80% of what you earn.
• Rising Artist: $22.99/year for unlimited releases to over 150 platforms. You keep 100% of your streaming money.
• Breakout Artist: $39.99/year includes everything in Rising Artist plus custom release options and faster customer help.
• Professional: $49.99/year for labels and serious artists with better sales reports, custom label names, and extra artist profiles ($14.99 each).

TuneCore shines with its detailed stats and massive reach. They get your music to over 150 digital stores and streaming services worldwide, including smaller platforms that other distributors might miss.

The downside? You have to pay every year to keep your music online. This can get expensive if you have lots of releases, though they do offer discounts if you renew multiple releases at once.

CD Baby

CD Baby lets you pay once and your music stays online forever - no yearly fees!

What it costs:

• Singles: $9.99 (pay once, not yearly)
• Albums: $9.99 (pay once, not yearly)
• Your cut: You keep 91% of your streaming money; CD Baby takes 9%

Cool extras included:

• Free tracking codes (UPC and ISRC)
• Option to make physical CDs and vinyl records
• Opportunities to get your music in movies and TV shows

CD Baby is great if you don't want to worry about paying every year. After your one-time payment, your music stays on all platforms forever. While they take a small 9% cut, they include YouTube monetization and help getting your music in films as part of the basic package.

Ditto Music

Ditto Music offers different plans depending on where you are in your music career.

What it costs:

• Starter plan: $19/year for unlimited releases (one artist)
• Pro plan: $59/year for up to two artists, with extra features
• Label plans: Start at $89/year for up to five artists

The good stuff:

• You keep 100% of your streaming money
• Worldwide distribution to all major platforms
• Label services if you're growing bigger

Ditto works for both new artists and small labels. Higher plans give you faster releases and help with charts. They also help songwriters collect all their royalties through their publishing service.

They recently launched Ditto X, which works more like a record label - they fund and support chosen artists and share the money earned.

Amuse

Amuse offers both free and paid options to fit your budget.

What it costs:

• Free plan: $0 - basic distribution with no upfront cost
• Pro plan: $59.99/year with faster releases and payment splitting

Why people like it:

• You keep 100% of your streaming money on all plans
• Manage everything from your phone with their app
• Opportunity to get advance funding if you're doing well

The free plan is perfect for beginners with no budget, while the Pro plan adds faster service and helpful tools for more established artists.

LANDR

LANDR started as an online mastering service but now offers music distribution too.

What it costs:

• Basic Plan: $23.99/year - unlimited releases, keep all your earnings
• Pro Plan: $44.99/year - faster releases and better support
• Studio Plan: $8.25/month - includes unlimited mastering plus distribution

What makes it special:

• All-in-one platform for mastering, cover art, and distribution
• Access to sound samples and plugins (Studio Plan)
• Professional mastering for your tracks

LANDR is great if you want to handle everything in one place - from polishing your sound to getting it on streaming platforms.

UnitedMasters

UnitedMasters focuses on connecting artists with big brands and promotional opportunities.

What it costs:

• DEBUT: Free - one song per month, you keep 90% of earnings
• DEBUT+: $19.99/year - unlimited monthly releases, keep 100% of earnings
• SELECT: $59.99/year - unlimited releases plus brand partnerships

Cool features:

• Partnerships with major brands like Pepsi and Bose
• TikTok integration to help your music go viral
• Tools to connect directly with your fans
• Advanced stats to track your music's performance

UnitedMasters stands out by helping artists get their music in commercials and media through partnerships with major brands. Their TikTok connection also helps your music reach more listeners on one of today's most important platforms for music discovery.

Getting Your Music Ready for Distribution

Before you upload your music, you need to make sure it meets the technical requirements of streaming platforms. Poor preparation can lead to rejected submissions or poor-quality releases.

Audio Quality Requirements

Streaming services have specific standards for audio quality. Here are the basics:

• File format: WAV files (16-bit, 44.1kHz) are the industry standard
• Master volume: Aim for around -14 LUFS for optimal streaming playback
• No clipping or distortion in your audio files
• Clean starts and ends with proper fade-ins/fade-outs
• Consistent volume levels between songs on an album

Professional mastering can make a huge difference in how your music sounds on streaming platforms. Many distributors offer mastering services for an additional fee, or you can use services like LANDR, eMastered, or work with a professional mastering engineer.

Most distributors will check your files for technical issues before sending them to platforms. If problems are found, you'll need to fix them and resubmit, which can delay your release.

Cover Art and Metadata Essentials

Your cover art and song information (metadata) are just as important as your audio. They affect how easily fans can find and identify your music.

Cover art requirements:

• Square image (typically 3000 x 3000 pixels minimum)
• JPG or PNG format
• No explicit content or major text (especially near edges)
• No URLs, social media handles, or contact information
• Clear, professionally designed imagery that represents your music

Your cover art is your music's visual identity on crowded streaming platforms. It's worth investing in quality design that stands out in both large and thumbnail sizes.

Essential metadata includes:

1. Artist name (exactly as you want it to appear)
2. Track title and album title (if applicable)
3. Release date
4. Genre classification
5. Songwriter and composer information
6. Publishing information
7. Language of lyrics
8. Explicit content flags if needed

Consistency is key with metadata. Use the exact same artist name spelling across all your releases so streaming platforms connect them correctly. Even small differences like "DJ Smith" vs. "D.J. Smith" can create separate artist profiles on some platforms.

Most distributors let you add lyrics to your releases, which will display on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Take advantage of this feature to help listeners connect with your songs.

How to Upload Your Music to Streaming Services Step-by-Step

Once you've chosen a distributor and prepared your music, it's time to upload your release. While exact steps vary between services, the general process is similar across most platforms.

The Upload Process

1. Create an account with your chosen distributor

Sign up and complete your profile details. Most services require:

• Your legal name and artist name
• Contact information
• Payment details for royalty deposits
• Tax information (W-9 for US artists or W-8BEN for international artists)

2. Start a new release

Look for a button like "Create New Release" or "Upload." You'll need to specify whether you're uploading a single, EP, or album.

3. Upload your audio files

Most distributors accept WAV files. Make sure your files are properly named and in the correct order. Many services recommend naming conventions like "01 - Track Title.wav" to ensure proper ordering.

During this step, you'll usually specify which track is the lead single or focus track. This helps with promotional opportunities.

4. Add your cover artwork

Upload your square, high-resolution image. The distributor will check if it meets platform requirements.

5. Enter metadata for each track

Fill in all required fields for each song:

• Track title
• Songwriter/composer credits
• Genre and subgenre
• Mood tags (on some platforms)
• Language
• Explicit content flags if needed
• ISRC codes (if you have them)

Complete accuracy here is crucial. Check and double-check your spelling and information.

6. Add additional assets

Many distributors now let you upload:

• Lyrics
• Artist bio
• Social media links
• Press photos
• Album credits

These enhance your profile across streaming platforms.

7. Choose your release date and distribution outlets

Select when you want your music to be available. Plan at least 2-3 weeks ahead for proper promotion. Some platforms like Spotify require a minimum lead time for editorial playlist consideration.

You'll also select which streaming services should receive your music. Most distributors let you choose individual platforms or select "all available services."

8. Review and pay

Check all details carefully before submitting. Once you've paid any required fees, your music enters the distribution queue.

9. Track the progress

Most distributors provide a status dashboard showing where your music is in the distribution process. It typically takes 1-7 days for approval by the distributor, then another 1-7 days to appear on streaming platforms.

After uploading, claim your artist profiles on major platforms like Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists to access additional promotional tools and analytics.

Release Timing Strategy

The day and time you release your music can affect its initial performance. Consider these strategies:

Friday releases have become the industry standard because they coincide with Spotify playlist updates and give your music the full weekend for listener engagement. However, this means you're competing with major label releases that typically come out on Fridays.

Some independent artists choose mid-week releases (Tuesday or Wednesday) to avoid this competition. This can give your music more visibility when there are fewer new releases fighting for attention.

Plan your release schedule around these factors:

• Allow 3-4 weeks of lead time before your release date
• Schedule social media promotion to build anticipation
• Release singles before albums to generate interest
• Avoid holiday periods unless your music is season-specific
• Consider your target audience's listening habits

Many successful artists release a series of singles before dropping a full album. This creates multiple opportunities for playlist placement and keeps fans engaged over a longer period.

Promoting Your Music to Increase Streams

Getting your music on streaming platforms is just half the battle. You need to promote it effectively to build your listener base.

Getting on Playlists

Playlists drive significant streaming numbers and help listeners discover new music. There are three main types of playlists:

1. Editorial playlists are created by the streaming platforms themselves. These official playlists have the largest followings and impact.

To improve your chances of getting on editorial playlists:

• Use Spotify for Artists to submit unreleased music directly to editors
• Release music at least two weeks in advance to be eligible
• Fill out all metadata completely and accurately
• Include a compelling pitch explaining what makes your track special
• Mention any current momentum or press coverage

2. Algorithmic playlists like Spotify's Discover Weekly and Release Radar are personalized for each listener based on their habits. These are generated automatically, so you can't submit directly.

To improve algorithmic playlist placement:

• Encourage followers to save your music to their libraries
• Build consistent streaming numbers
• Attract listeners who enjoy similar artists
• Use accurate genre tags and metadata

3. User-generated playlists are created by listeners, influencers, blogs, and playlist curators. While they typically have smaller followings than editorial playlists, they can still drive significant traffic to your music.

Finding and pitching to playlist curators takes research but can be very effective. Use platforms like SubmitHub or Playlist Push to connect with curators, or research and reach out directly through social media.

Social Media Promotion Tips

Social media remains one of the most powerful tools for promoting your music. Each platform offers unique opportunities:

Instagram works well for visual content related to your music:

• Share snippets of music videos
• Post studio behind-the-scenes content
• Use Stories to create countdown timers for releases
• Host live Q&A sessions about your new music

TikTok has become a major force in music discovery:

• Create or participate in challenges using your song
• Make short, engaging videos showing the creation process
• Collaborate with TikTok influencers to use your music
• Look for trends you can join using your songs

YouTube remains essential for music promotion:

• Upload official audio with your cover art
• Create music videos or visualizers
• Post performance videos or acoustic versions
• Make "making of" content showing your creative process

Consistency matters more than quantity. It's better to maintain a regular posting schedule on one or two platforms than to spread yourself too thin across many.

When promoting a new release, create a content calendar that spans:

• Pre-release teasers (2-3 weeks before)
• Release day announcements
• Post-release content highlighting listener reactions
• Behind-the-scenes stories about the song's creation

Cross-promotion between platforms helps maximize your reach. For example, share your TikTok videos to Instagram Reels, or post YouTube links to Twitter with key timestamps.

Making Money Through Music Distribution

Understanding how streaming royalties work helps you maximize your earnings and set realistic expectations.

How Streaming Royalties Work

Streaming platforms pay royalties based on complex formulas that consider:

• Total platform revenue in each market
• Your share of total streams
• Listener location (rates vary by country)
• Subscription vs. free tier listeners
• Publishing and mechanical rights

The average per-stream rate varies widely between platforms:

• Spotify: Pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream.
• Apple Music: Offers an average of $0.01 per stream.
• Amazon Music: Provides approximately $0.00402 per stream.
• YouTube Music: Pays around $0.002 per stream.
• Tidal: Offers one of the highest rates, with an average of $0.01284 per stream.

These figures are approximate and can fluctuate based on various factors.

These rates mean you need thousands of streams to generate meaningful income. For example, 100,000 Spotify streams might generate $300-500 in royalties.

Royalty payments typically follow this timeline:

1. Listeners stream your music
2. Platforms calculate royalties (usually monthly)
3. Platforms pay your distributor (30-90 days after the end of the month)
4. Your distributor processes and pays you (varies by service)

This means you might wait 2-4 months to receive payment for streams that happen today.

Common Distribution Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced artists make mistakes that can hurt their releases. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Rushing the release process can lead to errors in your metadata or missing promotional opportunities. Always plan at least 3-4 weeks ahead.

Ignoring the quality of your master recordings will affect how your music sounds on streaming platforms. Invest in proper mastering before distribution.

Using different name variations across releases confuses streaming algorithms and splits your profile. Pick one spelling of your artist name and stick with it consistently.

Missing collection society registrations means leaving money on the table. Register with your local PRO and publishing administrator to collect all royalties.

Neglecting to build pre-release buzz results in fewer initial streams, which can hurt algorithmic recommendations. Start promoting before your release date.

Not claiming artist profiles on streaming platforms limits your promotional tools. Always claim your Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and other platform profiles as soon as possible.

Releasing too frequently or inconsistently can confuse fans and dilute your impact. Develop a strategic release schedule that keeps fans engaged without overwhelming them.

Many artists also make the mistake of switching distributors without a plan. If you change services, make sure your existing music transfers properly to avoid losing streams and playlists.

What's Next for Music Distribution and Streaming Platforms?

The music world keeps changing fast. Here are some new trends worth watching:

New Technology Changing the Game

• AI tools make mastering easier: Services like LANDR use AI to master your songs at lower costs than professional studios.
• Direct fan connections matter more: Platforms like Bandcamp and Patreon let fans support you directly, without going through streaming services.
• Short videos drive discovery: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have become powerful ways for new listeners to find your music.

The Future of Streaming Money

Many artists are pushing for fairer payment models that would reward musicians with loyal fans, not just those with the highest total plays.

The Bottom Line

No matter how technology changes, getting your music where people can hear it remains essential. Choose the right distributor, prepare your releases carefully, and promote your music well.