Asylum vs DistroKid
vs TuneCore.
All three get your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL and 150+ stores while you keep 100% of your royalties. Here is how an independent music distribution label compares with the two biggest self-serve distributors — honestly, including where they beat us.
| Feature | Asylum Entertainment | DistroKid | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $9.99 / year (1 release) | $22.99 / year (unlimited) | $14.99 / year per single |
| Unlimited releases | $29.99 / year (Pro) | Yes, on every plan | $49.99 / year (Rising Artist) |
| Royalties kept by the artist | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Released under a label name | Asylum Entertainment | Your own name only | Your own name only |
| Human A&R review before release | Every release | Automated | Automated |
| Roster accounts & royalty splits | Label tier ($79.99/yr) | Paid add-on | Higher tiers |
| Pre-save pages & fan email capture | Included | HyperFollow | Paid add-on |
| Release-day fan emails | Automatic | ||
| Stores served | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ |
| Payout minimum | $50 via PayPal | No minimum | $1 |
| Music stays up if you cancel | Removed on cancel | Removed unless Legacy add-on | Some plans |
Competitor pricing and features as publicly listed in 2026; check their sites for current terms. DistroKid and TuneCore are trademarks of their respective owners.
Who should pick Asylum
- Artists who want their release to carry a real label name on Spotify and Apple Music instead of "self-released".
- Artists who want a human to check metadata, credits and artwork before it goes to stores — fewer rejections, fewer takedowns.
- Collectives and small imprints that need roster accounts with automatic royalty splits included, not sold as an add-on.
- Anyone who wants pre-save pages, fan email capture and release-day emails sent for them.
Where DistroKid or TuneCore may fit better
- You release dozens of tracks a month and want zero review time — DistroKid's instant automated pipeline is faster than any human A&R.
- You need a $1 or no-minimum payout. Asylum pays out via PayPal once your balance reaches $50.
- You want to publish strictly under your own artist/label name with no third-party label credit.
Common questions
Is Asylum Entertainment a DistroKid alternative?
Yes. Asylum Entertainment is an independent music distribution label that, like DistroKid, charges a flat yearly fee and lets artists keep 100% of their streaming royalties. The difference is that Asylum releases your music under the Asylum Entertainment label name, with a human A&R review on every release, built-in pre-save pages and release-day fan emails.
Is Asylum Entertainment cheaper than TuneCore?
For most independent artists, yes. Asylum's Starter plan is $9.99 per year for one release and the Pro plan is $29.99 per year for unlimited releases. TuneCore charges per release on its entry plan and $49.99 per year for unlimited singles and albums.
Do I keep my masters and royalties with Asylum?
Yes. You keep full ownership of your masters and 100% of the royalties your music earns. Asylum never takes a commission — only the flat annual subscription fee.
Which is better for a label or collective: Asylum, DistroKid or TuneCore?
Asylum's Label tier ($79.99/year) includes unlimited sub-artist accounts and per-release royalty splits with each artist seeing their own share on their own dashboard. DistroKid and TuneCore offer label features as separate paid add-ons or higher tiers.