vs
DistroKid vs Amuse
Both let you keep 100% of royalties — the real difference is the pricing structure.
Amuse is a legitimate distributor, popular for starting out with zero upfront cost on its free tier. Here's how it actually compares to DistroKid.
| DistroKid | Amuse | |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty share kept by artist | 100% | 100% (on Amuse's plans too) |
| Pricing model | $19.99/year flat, unlimited releases | Free tier available, plus paid tiers for extra features/faster payouts |
| Release volume | Unlimited on the paid plan | Varies by tier — check Amuse's current plan details |
| Splits / collaborator payouts | Built-in Splits feature | Collaborator features vary by tier |
Amuse's free tier is genuinely appealing for a first release with zero risk. Once you're releasing regularly and want predictable unlimited access without tier limits, DistroKid's flat annual fee tends to work out simpler and cheaper.
Ready to release your music?
DistroKid
$18.59 first year
Upload unlimited songs for one flat yearly fee and keep 100% of your royalties. Use our link for 7% off your first year.
Start with DistroKidRouteNote
$0 upfront
Don't want to pay anything upfront? RouteNote lets you distribute for free — they just keep a share of your royalties instead.
Try RouteNote freeFrequently asked questions
Is Amuse actually free?
Amuse offers a free tier, with paid tiers unlocking extra features or faster payouts — check its current plans for specifics, since these change.
Do I keep 100% of my royalties with Amuse?
Yes, Amuse advertises 100% royalties across its plans, same as DistroKid.
Which is better for a first single?
Amuse's free tier is a reasonable zero-risk starting point; DistroKid makes more sense once you're releasing regularly and want unlimited uploads for one flat fee.