Is TuneCore worth the price?
TuneCore's pricing is fair, especially for independent artists looking for unlimited distribution.
The 'Professional' tier at $49.99/year offers a strong feature set for its price, making it a good value. The 'Rising Artist' tier at $22.99/year is a solid entry point for those just starting out, offering core distribution without breaking the bank.
It's best for artists who prioritize retaining 100% of their royalties from digital stores and need comprehensive distribution and promotional tools.
Pricing Plans
Professional
$49.99/year
- Official Sales Reports
- Premium Schedule Your Own Release Date
- Unlimited Releases to all Digital Stores
- Spotify Verified Artist Checkmark
- Apple Music for Artists Verification
- Artist Revenue Splits
- Unlimited Releases to all Social Platforms
- Earn money from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube (20% fee)
- Customer Service Response Time: 1 Business Day
- Store Automator
- Daily Trend Reports
- Cover Art Creator
- Use Your Own ISRC
- Access to Exclusive Partnerships
- Promotional Opportunities
- Panels & Expert Advice Sessions
- Custom Label Name
- Use Your Own UPC
- Release Level Country Restrictions
- YouTube Content ID
- YouTube OAC
Breakout Artist
$39.99/year
- Official Sales Reports
- Premium Schedule Your Own Release Date
- Unlimited Releases to all Digital Stores
- Spotify Verified Artist Checkmark
- Apple Music for Artists Verification
- Artist Revenue Splits
- Unlimited Releases to all Social Platforms
- Earn money from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube (20% fee)
- Customer Service Response Time: 2 Business Days
- Store Automator
- Daily Trend Reports
- Cover Art Creator
- Use Your Own ISRC
- Access to Exclusive Partnerships
- Promotional Opportunities
- Panels & Expert Advice Sessions
- Custom Label Name
- Use Your Own UPC
- Release Level Country Restrictions
- YouTube Content ID
- YouTube OAC
Rising Artist
$22.99/year
- Official Sales Reports
- Premium Schedule Your Own Release Date
- Unlimited Releases to all Digital Stores
- Spotify Verified Artist Checkmark
- Apple Music for Artists Verification
- Artist Revenue Splits
- Unlimited Releases to all Social Platforms
- Earn money from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube (20% fee)
- Customer Service Response Time: 3 Business Days
- Store Automator
- Daily Trend Reports
- Cover Art Creator
- Use Your Own ISRC
- Access to Exclusive Partnerships
- Promotional Opportunities
- Panels & Expert Advice Sessions
- Custom Label Name
- Use Your Own UPC
- Release Level Country Restrictions
- YouTube Content ID
- YouTube OAC
Pay Per Release - Single
$22.99/year
- Distribute music across 150+ digital music stores and social media platforms worldwide
Pay Per Release - Album
$39.99/year
- Distribute music across 150+ digital music stores and social media platforms worldwide
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
20% fee on social media platform earnings
Potential extra costs for advanced features
Annual commitment for best pricing
No free tier to test the service
Which Plan Do You Need?
Independent artists seeking unlimited distribution
Musicians prioritizing 100% royalty retention
Artists needing robust promotional tools
How TuneCore Compares to Competitors
Compared to DistroKid, which offers unlimited uploads for $22.99/year, TuneCore's 'Rising Artist' tier is similarly priced but offers more features like daily trend reports and customer service. However, DistroKid retains 0% of social media earnings, unlike TuneCore's 20% fee. CD Baby charges a one-time fee per release but takes a 9% commission, making TuneCore's annual, 100% royalty model more appealing for active artists.
TuneCore Pricing FAQ
How much does TuneCore cost?
TuneCore starts at $1.92/month on the Rising Artist plan. It offers 5 paid tiers ranging from $1.92/month up to $3.33/month.
Does TuneCore have a free plan?
TuneCore does not offer a permanent free plan. Paid plans are required from day one.
What is the cheapest TuneCore paid plan?
The cheapest paid plan for TuneCore is "Rising Artist" at $1.92/month. Key features include: Official Sales Reports, Premium Schedule Your Own Release Date, Unlimited Releases to all Digital Stores.
Is there a cheaper alternative to TuneCore?
Yes. Popular alternatives to TuneCore include Resonate, Lyra Music, Soundcloud, Loudly. Free alternatives include Resonate, Lyra Music, Soundcloud. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to TuneCore
Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.
