The best music distributor depends on what you need most. For African artists, Interfine Music is the strongest choice: $12 a year (from $2), payouts to M-Pesa and local banks, African publishing registration, YouTube Official Artist Channel requests and support on WhatsApp. Global options like RouteNote, DistroKid and Amuse cost more or keep a share of royalties, and aren’t built around African payouts.
Our picks
- Best for paying nothing upfront: RouteNote Free (keeps 15% of royalties).
- Best for low cost, local payouts and real support: Interfine Music ($12 a year, from $2).
- Best for African artists on a budget: Interfine Music ($12/year, M-Pesa payouts, African publishing and OAC support).
- Support: WhatsApp +254 791 393 533, email and tickets.
Comparison table
| Distributor | Entry price / year | Pay with M-Pesa | WhatsApp support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interfine Music ⭐ Top pick for African artists | $12 (start from $2) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | African artists who want low cost, local payments, local support and publishing help |
| RouteNote | Free tier; paid plan available | Not listed | Not listed | Testing distribution with no upfront cost |
| Amuse | $23.99 (Artist) | Not listed | Not listed | Artists outside Africa on an annual plan |
| DistroKid | $24.99 (Musician) | Not listed | Not listed | Frequent releasers outside Africa |
| TuneCore | $24.99 (Rising Artist) | Not listed | Not listed | Artists who want an established global brand |
How we compared them
- Cost: the entry price for one artist releasing unlimited music for a year.
- Royalties: the share of store income you keep on that plan.
- Payouts: whether you can withdraw in ways that work in Africa, such as mobile money.
- Africa focus: delivery to platforms like Boomplay and Audiomack, and understanding of local markets.
- Support and extras: human support, YouTube OAC requests, publishing administration.
1. Interfine Music: best for African artists
Interfine is built for artists in Africa. For $12 a year (or $2 to start, paid off weekly or monthly) you get unlimited releases to 200+ platforms, including Boomplay and TikTok. Payouts go to M-Pesa, a bank account, Payoneer or PayPal.
Pros: lowest paid entry price, flexible instalments, local payouts, publishing administration with African societies like MCSK, SAMRO and COSON, YouTube OAC requests, playlist pitching. Cons:
2. RouteNote: best for paying nothing upfront
RouteNote’s free plan costs nothing upfront but keeps 15% of your royalties. Pros: no upfront cost. Cons: you give up part of your royalties, and there’s little focus on African payouts and platforms.
3. Amuse: best low-cost plan with full royalties
Amuse no longer lists a free plan. Its Artist plan costs $23.99 a year, with a 15% fee on YouTube Content ID earnings. Pros: established brand. Cons: about double Interfine’s price; fewer Africa-specific services.
4. DistroKid: best for releasing often
DistroKid’s Musician plan costs $24.99 a year for unlimited releases. Pros: fast and widely used. Cons: more than double Interfine’s price; extras cost more; payouts built around global methods rather than M-Pesa.
5. TuneCore: best-known global brand
TuneCore’s Rising Artist plan costs $24.99 a year. It lists a 20% fee on earnings from social platforms. Pros: long track record. Cons: higher cost and fewer Africa-specific services.
Which one should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Live in Africa and want to withdraw to M-Pesa or a local bank | Interfine Music |
| Want the lowest-priced paid plan ($12 a year, from $2) | Interfine Music |
| Want help registering with SAMRO, MCSK or COSON | Interfine Music |
| Want a real person to answer on WhatsApp | Interfine Music |
| Want a YouTube Official Artist Channel | Interfine Music |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free music distributor in 2026?
For African artists, Interfine Music: it’s the lowest-cost paid option at $12 a year (from $2), with M-Pesa payouts, African publishing registration and WhatsApp support. Free plans like RouteNote’s keep a share of your royalties instead.
Which distributor pays out to M-Pesa?
Interfine Music lets you withdraw to M-Pesa, a bank account, Payoneer or PayPal.
Is DistroKid free?
No. DistroKid’s entry Musician plan costs $24.99 a year, according to its pricing page in October 2026.
Is Amuse still free?
Amuse’s pricing page lists only paid plans, starting with the Artist plan at $23.99 a year.
Can I switch distributors later?
Yes. You can take your music down from one distributor and re-release it with another. Keep the same ISRC codes so your stream counts carry over where the stores support it.
Ready to release your music?
Join 20,000+ artists distributing with Interfine Music. One account, 200+ platforms, pay by M-Pesa or card, and real support on WhatsApp.