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Resources

Links and tools worth knowing. Updated when something good comes along.

Getting music onto Spotify and Apple Music is relatively easy. Choosing the right distributor isn't. Some are simple upload services; others offer marketing, funding and hands-on artist services. Some are genuinely independent, while others are owned by the major music groups. Know who you're dealing with — and what you actually need.

  • Amuse

    SWEDEN / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Distribution for self-releasing artists, with a separate Artist & Label Services team for artists gaining momentum and looking for funding, strategy and hands-on support. Stockholm-based, with teams in London and New York; artists retain control of their masters.

  • AWAL

    GLOBAL · SONY MUSIC

    Selective distribution and artist services for independent artists who already have something happening and want more than basic digital delivery. Originally part of Kobalt; now owned by Sony Music and closely connected to The Orchard.

  • Bandcamp

    GLOBAL · SONGTRADR

    Not a conventional streaming distributor, but still essential. Direct-to-fan sales of downloads, vinyl, CDs and merchandise, allowing artists and labels to build a commercial relationship directly with listeners. Now owned by Songtradr.

  • Believe

    FRANCE / GLOBAL · PRIVATELY OWNED

    Major independent music company operating across distribution, artist services, labels and publishing. Its distribution ladder runs from TuneCore for self-releasing artists through Label & Artist Solutions and premium Artist Services for artists and labels needing progressively more support. Particularly strong internationally and expanded Label & Artist Solutions into the US in 2026.

  • CD Baby

    USA / GLOBAL · VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP / UMG

    One of the original independent-artist distributors, offering pay-per-release digital distribution rather than an annual subscription model. Founded independently, later became part of Downtown and is now ultimately part of Universal Music Group following Virgin Music Group's acquisition of Downtown.

  • DistroKid

    USA / GLOBAL · PRIVATELY OWNED

    High-volume DIY digital distribution built around annual subscriptions and unlimited releases. Best understood as efficient distribution infrastructure rather than a hands-on artist-development company.

  • Ditto Music

    UK / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    UK-founded independent distributor offering self-service distribution alongside publishing, promotion and more selective artist and label services. Useful for artists wanting an independent company with options beyond straightforward delivery.

  • Horus Music

    UK / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Independent UK distributor offering inexpensive self-service distribution alongside invite-only Artist & Label Services for artists with established momentum. Particularly active internationally, including specialist services for India and South Asia.

  • IDOL

    FRANCE / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Paris-based independent digital distributor and artist/label-services company. Selective rather than DIY, working with established independent artists and labels on distribution, audience development and long-term release strategy.

  • LANDR

    CANADA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Music-creation platform combining mastering, collaboration and promotional tools with digital distribution. More self-service than artist services, but useful for independent artists wanting several release tools in one place.

  • ONErpm

    USA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    One of the more interesting bridges between DIY distribution and a modern music company. Offers self-service distribution alongside selective marketing, project management, financing, publishing and rights management, with a substantial international operation across 26 countries.

  • RouteNote

    UK / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Self-service digital distribution with both free revenue-share and paid models. A lower-barrier option for artists primarily looking for worldwide digital delivery rather than a hands-on artist-services relationship.

  • Stem

    USA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Distribution and financial infrastructure built around professional independent artists and their teams, with particular emphasis on collaboration, royalty splits, payments and financial transparency. More relevant once an artist has a functioning team and business around their releases.

  • Symphonic

    USA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Independent distribution and artist-services company working with artists, managers and labels. Starter provides self-service distribution; the selective Partner tier adds dedicated support, DSP marketing, catalogue management, rights services and other tools for established artists and labels.

  • Too Lost

    USA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    New York-based independent music and technology company providing distribution, publishing, rights management and catalogue infrastructure to artists, labels and other rights holders. Particularly worth knowing for managers and small labels managing larger catalogues or multiple artists.

  • TuneCore

    USA / GLOBAL · BELIEVE

    One of the major DIY distribution platforms for self-releasing artists, with distribution, publishing administration and promotional tools. Headquartered in Brooklyn and owned by Believe, giving developing artists a potential route into Believe's higher-touch services as they grow.

  • UnitedMasters

    USA / GLOBAL · PRIVATELY OWNED

    Distribution platform built specifically around independent artists, with self-service plans plus an invite-only Partner tier offering dedicated artist relations, marketing, playlist pitching, advances and brand opportunities. Artists retain ownership of their masters.

For Established Artists & Labels

These aren't generally DIY upload services. They're worth knowing because they're part of the next layer of independent distribution — the companies artists, managers and labels may encounter once there is a meaningful catalogue, audience or business to support.

  • Secretly Distribution

    USA / UK / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT

    Completely independent digital and physical distributor working with established independent labels and artists. Offers hands-on marketing, development, technology and investment support alongside global distribution, with offices in the US and UK.

  • Redeye

    USA / GLOBAL · INDEPENDENT MUSIC DISTRIBUTION

    Independent-focused worldwide physical and digital distribution, marketing, manufacturing and label services, with teams across North America, Europe and Australia. Particularly relevant to labels and artists for whom physical retail still matters.

  • ADA

    GLOBAL · WARNER MUSIC GROUP

    Warner Music Group's independent distribution and label-services arm. Works with established independent artists and labels rather than functioning as an open DIY distributor.

  • The Orchard

    GLOBAL · SONY MUSIC

    Sony Music's global distribution and artist/label-services company. Works with independent labels and established artists across distribution, marketing, rights management and related services rather than offering an open DIY upload service.

  • Virgin Music Group

    GLOBAL · UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP

    UMG's global independent artist and label-services operation. Its expanded group now encompasses substantial distribution and services infrastructure including Ingrooves and the acquired Downtown businesses. Primarily relevant to established artists, labels and music companies rather than DIY releases.

  • FUGA

    NETHERLANDS / GLOBAL · VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP / UMG

    B2B music distribution and technology platform built for labels, distributors and music companies rather than individual DIY artists. Founded in Amsterdam, later acquired by Downtown and now part of Virgin Music Group following UMG's acquisition of Downtown.