Best Pay-Per-Release Music Distribution Platforms for Independent Artists

Pay-per-release distribution works exactly as it sounds: you pay a one-time fee for each song, EP, or album you want to make available on streaming platforms. Unlike subscription models that charge monthly or yearly fees for unlimited releases, pay-per-release platforms let you distribute music only when you're ready to publish something new.

This model is especially useful for independent artists who don't release music frequently. For instance, if you release one or two singles per year, pay-per-release often proves more affordable than subscription plans. It is also ideal for those who prefer to maintain complete control over their distribution costs or simply value flexibility more than anything else.

Read our article comparing pay-per-release vs. subscription models to find out which option is best for you.

To find the right pay-per-release distributor, you should evaluate five crucial factors.

1. Pricing transparency should be your first consideration. The best distributors clearly display their per-release fees upfront without obscuring any additional charges or surprise costs. Watch out for distributors that advertise low upfront pieces but require you to pay recurring fees to keep your music online, since these "hidden" costs can exceed transparent pricing over time.

2. Royalties and commission structure directly affects your earnings. Some platforms charge higher upfront fees but let you keep 100% of your royalties, while others offer lower initial costs but take ongoing commission percentages. Calculate the long-term impact based on your expected streaming numbers and revenue goals.

3. Extra features can significantly enhance your release's success. If your goal is to reach more listeners, look for platforms offering promotional tools, music smart links, editorial playlist pitching services, YouTube Content ID, and detailed analytics. If you do not intend to promote your release, it makes more sense to look for the most affordable option.

4. The global reach of a distributor determines how widely your music is available, both in terms of platforms and countries. To make sure your music gets the widest possible exposure, take time to review each distributor’s catalog of streaming and download services.

5. Additional considerations include customer support quality, platform reliability, and the distributor's reputation within the music industry.

Now that we’ve addressed the most important points to consider, let’s compare six music distributors and their pay-per-release offers.

iMusician stands out for offering two pay-per-release options—Starter and Rockstar—and three subscription plans, giving artists complete flexibility to choose a distribution model that works best for their release schedule, budget, and needs.

Starter is ideal for artists who want to release music to 200+ platforms with complete flexibility, control over their expenses, and no strings attached. A simple one-time fee for each single, EP, or album makes uploading music easy. A 10% commission on royalties applies, while post-release costs are kept at zero. Once online, your music will remain available on streaming platforms permanently, and you can create a release page to promote your new project.

Rockstar is iMusician’s commission-free pay-per-release option and is the best choice for established artists who prioritize their earnings as much as their independence. Once uploaded, your release stays online permanently, and you get to keep 100% of your royalties forever. You also gain access to valuable promotional tools, including release pages, pre-save campaigns to build momentum, editorial playlist pitching, and YouTube Content ID.

If you decide to release more frequently, you can always upgrade to one of iMusician’s annual subscriptions. This flexibility removes the pressure of choosing the "wrong" model and lets you adapt your distribution strategy as your music career progresses.

CD Baby is known for having pioneered the pay-per-release model and has built a solid reputation among indie artists worldwide. The company has strong relationships with numerous digital service providers, distributing to 150+ streaming platforms.

CD Baby charges $9.99 per single and $14.99 per album, a 9% commission on all streaming and downloading royalties and no additional subscription fees. Beyond online distribution, it offers physical distribution, sync licensing opportunities, YouTube Content ID, and tools for music promotion.

That said, its exclusive focus on pay-per-release may be limiting for artists who are considering switching to a subscription plan in the future. Moreover, it is no longer processing requests for YouTube Official Artist Channels (OACs).

LANDR is best-known for combining audio mastering with global music distribution, allowing artists to upload their music to 150+ streaming platforms. To release one single through its pay-per-release model, artists are charged $7. The cost for uploading one album lies at $15.

LANDR applies a 15% commission on royalties, meaning that artists who use its pay-per-release model do not get to keep 100% of their earnings. It also deducts an administrative fee of up to $0.50 USD every month from your royalties. Finally, LANDR does not give access to YouTube Content ID as part of its pay-per-release plan and does not seem to offer any additional tools and features for music promotion.

RouteNote offers both free and premium pay-per-release distribution to over 400 platforms, making its services accessible to artists at every budget level.

RouteNote’s free plan is useful for those who are just starting out. Artists can upload their tracks for free and use the distributor’s services, with a 15% commission taken from streaming and download revenue.

With RouteNote’s premium pay-per-release tier, artists can upload one single for $10, one EP for $20, or one album for $30, all while keeping 100% of their royalties. This plan grants full access to a wide range of tools, including YouTube Content ID, music smart link campaigns, and pre-save campaigns, among other features.

That said, the premium plan comes with an annual renewal fee of $9.99 per release. If you miss the annual payment for one of your releases, RouteNote will move it to the free plan and apply a 15% commission on your royalties. For artists who care about their earnings, this requirement can become expensive over time.

EmuBands focuses on simple distribution, offering three pay-per-release options and one premium subscription plan for those who prefer a model with unlimited releases.

EmuBands pay-per-release model charges €15 for each track and €30 for each bundle (2-20 tracks). While the Basic plan does not come with any recurring fees, artists on the other two tiers need to pay recurring annual fees (€35/year with Plus, €70/year with Pro) on top of the one-time-payments for each release.

All plans allow artists to keep 100% of their royalties, but the Basic and Plus tiers come with certain limitations. For instance, they do not give access to features like YouTube Content ID, playlist pitching, music smart links, or the option to claim a YouTube OAC. Moreover, EmuBands only distributes to 58 shops and is thus limited in its (global) reach.

In 2025, the pay-per-release music distribution landscape offers independent artists more options than ever before. Choosing the right one comes down to understanding your priorities, budget, and long-term goals.

Start by defining whether you want affordable access to get your music online or maximum earnings potential. If you’re a budget-focused artist, you might want to consider RouteNote's free plan or iMusician's Starter plan. If your earnings are your priority, you might benefit the most from choosing a zero-commission tier like iMusician's Rockstar plan or one of EmuBands’ options that let you keep 100% of royalties permanently.

Your release frequency matters too: pay-per-release works perfectly for 1-4 releases per year, but frequent releasers need to calculate break-even points since subscription models often become more cost-effective unless complete independence is your top priority.

Before you make a decision, be sure to read the fine print carefully to avoid hidden cost traps. For instance, some platforms charge extra for essential services like UPCs or ISRCs. Another example: if you prioritize your earnings, a more expensive yet commission-free tier is typically the better option down the line, even if the upfront fee makes it appear less cost-effective.

Finally, keep in mind that the cost to release a single in 2025 goes far beyond distribution, and that expenses can add up quickly if you're not prepared. This also applies to other releases, such as albums and EPs. In other words, make sure the platform you choose aligns with your release plan, promotional strategy, as well as your long-term budget and goals.