Choosing a music distributor is one of the first concrete decisions an independent artist makes. The problem is that the market is crowded, the promises all sound the same, and the important details are often hidden in the fine print.
This guide helps you understand what to really look at when evaluating a distributor, with a list of concrete criteria and the right questions to ask yourself.
Why the Choice of Distributor Matters
The distributor is the intermediary between your music and the streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and all the others). Without one, you don't exist on stores.
But it's not just "who puts you online." The distributor affects:
- how much royalties you receive and with what logic
- how quickly your music goes live
- how many stores it reaches
- how much it costs you (and how you're asked to pay)
- what tools you have to manage and promote releases
Criterion 1 — Royalties: What's Your Cut?
The most important point. There are essentially two structures:
100% royalties to the artist: the service is paid for with a fixed subscription (annual or monthly). Everything you earn from streams stays with you, minus unavoidable technical costs (currency conversions, collection fees). It's the most transparent model.
Percentage split: the distributor takes a % of every payment. It might seem "free to enter," but in the long run — especially if your releases get traction — you pay more.
At LightSound, the model is 100% royalties to the artist, with technical costs (exchange rate, collection) but no percentage on royalties.
Criterion 2 — How Many Stores Does It Reach?
More stores = more chances of being found. The main ones are obvious (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer), but there are dozens of regional, niche, and vertical platforms that can make a difference in certain markets.
Check:
- the total number of stores including lesser-known ones
- whether TikTok, Instagram/Facebook, and YouTube Content ID are included
- whether important regional stores are covered (e.g., Anghami for the Middle East, JioSaavn for India)
Criterion 3 — Delivery Timelines
Distributors advertise different speeds. The reality is:
- internal processing (from upload to store delivery) can vary from hours to days
- each store has its own independent processing times
- some stores (Spotify) take an average of 3–5 business days, others can take up to 2 weeks
Practical rule: upload at least 2–3 weeks in advance of your desired release date, regardless of what the distributor says.
Criterion 4 — Cost and Payment Structure
The most common business models:
| Model | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Annual subscription | Pay once a year, distribute (usually) unlimited releases |
| Per-release fee | Pay each time you upload a release |
| Subscription + fee | Base plan + small extras for certain features |
| Royalty split | No upfront cost, but a % on earnings |
There's no single "best" model: it depends on how much you publish and your streaming volume. An artist who publishes frequently does better with an annual subscription. Someone who releases once a year might consider a per-release fee.
Criterion 5 — Included Tools
Beyond basic distribution, evaluate what's included:
- ISRC and UPC codes (free or paid?)
- Pre-save (pre-release link to collect saves before the release date)
- Analytics (stream data, countries, playlists)
- Editorial pitch (submission to curated playlists)
- Collaborator management (splits, credits)
- Support (response time, available channels)
Criterion 6 — Reliability and Reputation
An unreliable distributor can block payments, lose releases, or take weeks to respond to issues. Before choosing:
- look for real reviews from independent artists
- check what happens in case of errors or disputes
- read the terms of service (especially what happens if you want to remove a release or switch distributors)
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing
- How many releases do I publish per year? (affects subscription vs. per-release fee value)
- Do I want to manage a single artist project or multiple artists/labels?
- Do I need pre-save? Editorial pitch? Advanced analytics?
- What quality/price ratio do I want for support?
- Can I remove releases if I change my mind without penalties?
Conclusion
The right distributor isn't the "most famous" one — it's the one that fits your publishing model, is transparent about royalties, and gives you the tools to grow.
LightSound is designed for independent artists and labels who want 100% royalties, distribution to 100+ stores, AI analytics tools, and clean release management. Discover the plans on Pricing.