How much does TuneCore charge?
TuneCore’s unlimited plans start at $24.99/year, the same as DistroKid’s entry plan. You can also pay $24.99/year per single, or $44.99 for an album, then $56.49 each following year.
Last verified 1 November 2026 · Feebite Editorial · Independent fees calculator
Source: tunecore.com
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.1/5
Best for: Independent artists who want straightforward music distribution and value keeping 100% of royalties.
Not ideal for: Musicians releasing very frequently who want the absolute simplest all-in-one pricing without comparing plans first.
Fees & Pricing — The Full Picture
TuneCore is one of the better-known music distribution platforms for DIY artists. Its pricing is relatively easy to understand at a high level, but you still need to pay attention to which route you take: pay per release or use its lower-cost subscription entry point.
The biggest selling point is simple: TuneCore says you keep 100% of royalties. That is a meaningful advantage compared with distributors that take a percentage cut of earnings. But “keep 100%” does not mean “free” — you are still paying upfront distribution fees.
Core pricing
| Plan / Release Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Artist | $24.99/year | Unlimited releases to 150+ stores |
| Breakout Artist | $44.99/year | Adds Store Automator and Cover Art Creator |
| Professional | $54.99/year | Adds multiple artists and a custom label name |
| Single (pay per release) | $24.99/year | Renews each year you keep it live |
| Album (pay per release) | $44.99/year | Then $56.49 each following year |
| Social platforms | 20% fee | On TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube earnings |
| Additional artist profile | $14.99 | Listed in TuneCore’s plan comparison |
| Royalties kept by artist | 100% | According to TuneCore’s core positioning |
If you are comparing platforms, the real question is not just “what is the cheapest sticker price?” but “which pricing model matches my release habits?”
What the pricing means in practice
If you release only one song, a $24.99/year single costs the same as the Rising Artist plan, so the plan is usually the better choice. It covers your next release at no extra cost.
TuneCore’s old $14.99/year plan is no longer on its pricing page, and its New Artist Plan was discontinued on 18 June 2025. Compare Rising Artist with DistroKid Musician, which is the same price.
Is TuneCore cheap?
“Cheap” is not the best word. TuneCore is better described as transparent and established. You are paying real upfront fees, but in exchange you get a known music-distribution platform and the ability to keep 100% of royalties.
That makes the value proposition strongest for artists who:
- already earn at least some streaming or download revenue,
- release music consistently enough to justify setup costs,
- prefer paying upfront rather than giving away a revenue share.
If you are just experimenting with your first track and have no audience yet, the upfront fee can feel a little harder to justify than with some budget-first competitors.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Music distribution |
| Pricing | Plans $24.99–$54.99/year; singles $24.99/year; albums from $44.99/year |
| Free plan | No |
| Founded | 2000s-era established distributor |
| HQ | United States |
| Best feature | Artists keep 100% of royalties |
| Worst limitation | Upfront costs can be less appealing for very casual or low-volume artists |
How It Compares
TuneCore sits in the “established distributor with upfront pricing” camp. It is not the only option, and some alternatives may suit different release styles better.
| Name | Fee | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Annual subscription model | Artists releasing lots of singles across the year | Often simpler for high-volume output, but compare feature add-ons carefully |
| CD Baby | Per-release pricing | Artists who prefer one-time release-based payment structure | Familiar alternative if you dislike subscriptions, though the economics differ |
TuneCore’s edge is not that it is always the cheapest. Its edge is the mix of a recognizable brand, clear release pricing, and the headline promise that artists keep 100% of royalties.
Pros
- Keeps 100% of royalties, which is still one of the most important factors for serious independent artists.
- Clear headline pricing: unlimited plans from $24.99/year.
- Offers both pay-per-release and unlimited plans, giving users more than one pricing path.
- Strong brand recognition in music distribution, which can reassure first-time DIY artists.
- Works well for musicians who want a dedicated distributor rather than a broader creator platform with unrelated extras.
Cons
- Not free to start, so hobbyists may hesitate at the upfront cost.
- Pricing structure can require comparison between release-based and subscription-based options rather than one obvious default.
- “Keep 100% of royalties” sounds great, but you still need enough streams or sales to justify the fees.
- Artists with heavy release schedules may find some subscription-first competitors easier to model annually.
Who Should Use TuneCore
Perfect for: Independent artists, bands, and self-releasing musicians who want a mainstream distribution service with visible upfront pricing and the ability to keep 100% of royalties.
Skip it if: You release music casually, want the lowest possible barrier to entry, or prefer a platform where frequent releases fit neatly into one simple annual plan without much comparison shopping.
How to Get Started
- Decide whether you want pay-per-release pricing or an unlimited plan from $24.99/year.
- Prepare your release assets, including audio, cover art, and metadata.
- Upload your single or album through TuneCore and review the distribution details carefully.
- Confirm pricing before checkout, then track your release and royalty reporting from your account dashboard.
Sources checked (November 2026)
- TuneCore pricing: plan prices, pay-per-release prices and the social platform fee
- Updates to New Artist Plans: New Artist Plan discontinued
- Checked on 1 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does TuneCore charge for a single or album?
TuneCore’s unlimited plans cost $24.99/year (Rising Artist), $44.99/year (Breakout Artist) and $54.99/year (Professional). You can also pay per release: $24.99/year for a single, or $44.99 for an album, then $56.49 each following year.
Does TuneCore let artists keep 100% of royalties?
Yes. TuneCore’s headline value proposition is that artists keep 100% of royalties. That can make it attractive versus distributors that take a commission, but you still need to account for the annual fees such as $24.99 for a plan or a single, or $44.99 for an album first year.
Is TuneCore worth it for independent artists?
For many independent artists, yes — especially if you want a known distributor and care about keeping 100% of royalties. TuneCore looks strongest for musicians who are serious about releases and can justify annual fees from $24.99, rather than complete beginners testing music distribution for the first time.
This review was last updated November 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check TuneCore's website for the latest information.