Quick comparison
DistroKid: $24.99/year (Musician, US)
LANDR: $24/year (Distribution Basic, US)
DistroKid: $44.99/year (Musician Plus, US)
LANDR: $45/year (Distribution Pro, US)
DistroKid: Yes
LANDR: Yes
DistroKid: 100% of standard store earnings
LANDR: 100% of collected recording royalties
DistroKid: Separate optional tools
LANDR: Core strength of LANDR Studio
DistroKid: Releases may be removed unless protected by Leave a Legacy
LANDR: Releases remain live; 15% commission while inactive
Our short answer
DistroKid for focused distribution. LANDR for a wider production stack.
Choose DistroKid if distribution is the main job you need done and you release frequently. Its structure is simple, fast and familiar to independent artists.
Choose LANDR if you also want mastering, production tools or a broader all-in-one workflow. LANDR Distribution is priced very close to DistroKid, but its real advantage appears when you already use LANDR Studio or its mastering ecosystem.
Best for a focused distribution workflow
DistroKid
DistroKid currently lists its Musician plan at $24.99 per year in the US, Musician Plus at $44.99 per year and Ultimate from $89.99 per year. Plans include unlimited uploads, and DistroKid says artists keep 100% of their standard store earnings. Musician Plus adds practical release controls such as customizable release dates, label name and daily streaming statistics.
Referral disclosure: if you sign up through our DistroKid link, you can receive 7% off your first year and Indie Artist Stack may earn a referral reward at no extra cost to you.
Official references: DistroKid pricing and subscription cancellation policy.
Best for distribution inside a larger production ecosystem
LANDR
LANDR currently offers Distribution Basic at $24 per year and Distribution Pro at $45 per year in the US. Unlimited distribution is also included in LANDR Studio subscriptions. LANDR says it pays artists 100% of collected recording royalties while the subscription is active.
LANDR also states that releases remain live after cancellation, but a 15% commission applies to royalties while the distribution subscription is inactive.
Official references: LANDR distribution pricing and how LANDR Distribution works.
The biggest difference: what you are really buying
The headline distribution prices are almost identical. That means price alone is a weak reason to choose between them. DistroKid is focused primarily on distribution, while LANDR can combine distribution with mastering, samples, plugins and other production tools through LANDR Studio.
Distribution only: compare the standalone DistroKid and LANDR Distribution plans directly.
Mastering plus distribution: compare LANDR Studio against DistroKid plus whatever separate mastering service or plugin you would otherwise pay for.
Already using LANDR Studio: check whether your current subscription already includes distribution before paying for a second distributor.
What happens if you stop paying?
This is one of the most important structural differences. DistroKid says releases may be removed if the annual subscription lapses unless a release has the optional Leave a Legacy extra. LANDR says releases remain live after cancellation, but it applies a 15% commission to royalties while the account is inactive. That tradeoff matters more than a small difference in annual pricing.
Which should you choose?
Frequent independent releases: DistroKid is the cleaner default.
You already pay for LANDR Studio: LANDR is usually the more efficient stack because distribution is already integrated into the ecosystem.
You want mastering plus distribution: compare the total LANDR Studio cost against DistroKid plus any separate mastering tools you would otherwise buy.
You care about what happens after cancellation: read both platforms' policies before moving a catalog. Their approaches are materially different.
DistroKid vs LANDR 2026 FAQ
How much do DistroKid and LANDR cost? DistroKid currently lists Musician at $24.99 per year in the US. LANDR currently lists Distribution Basic at $24 per year and Distribution Pro at $45 per year.
Do both services allow unlimited releases? Yes. Their current annual distribution plans include unlimited releases.
Which service includes mastering? LANDR's wider ecosystem is built around mastering and production tools, and unlimited distribution is included in LANDR Studio subscriptions. DistroKid's core membership is focused on distribution rather than a bundled mastering suite.
What happens to LANDR releases if I cancel? LANDR states that releases remain live after cancellation, but it collects a 15% commission on royalties while the distribution subscription is inactive.
What happens to DistroKid releases if I stop renewing? DistroKid says releases are normally removed from stores if the annual membership is not renewed unless the relevant release has Leave a Legacy.
Do artists keep their recording royalties? DistroKid says artists keep 100% of standard store earnings it collects. LANDR says active distribution subscribers receive 100% of collected recording royalties; the 15% inactive-account commission applies after cancellation.
Compare before you subscribe
Neither service is automatically best for every artist.
If distribution is all you need, DistroKid is hard to beat on simplicity. If you want a wider production ecosystem, LANDR can deliver more value from the same subscription relationship.