CD Baby review

CD Baby is the main pay-per-release option on this list. A single costs $9.99 and an album or EP costs $14.99, paid once with no subscription or recurring account fee, and each release includes worldwide digital distribution plus social video monetization on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. The trade-off is commission: CD Baby keeps 9% of download and streaming revenue, 9% of SoundExchange royalties, 15% of MLC collections, 30% of social video monetization and 40% of sync placements. Optional add-ons include CDB Boost at $39.99 for sync licensing and royalty collection through SoundExchange and The MLC, and FastForward at $29.99 for priority inspection, delivery and a year of priority support. For an artist who puts out one or two releases and wants them to stay up without a yearly bill, the math can beat a subscription. For artists with growing streams or frequent releases, the 9% share costs more over time than a flat fee.

Who it is for

occasional releasers who do not want a yearly subscription

Price

$9.99 per single, $14.99 per album or EP, one-time.

Single release: $9.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• One-time fees: $9.99 per single and $14.99 per album or EP
• No subscription or recurring account fees
• Social video monetization on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram included with each release
• CDB Boost ($39.99) adds sync licensing, SoundExchange and MLC collection
• FastForward ($29.99) adds priority inspection, delivery and support for a year

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No yearly renewal, so releases do not depend on a subscription
• Strength: Social video monetization is included in the release fee
• Strength: Optional add-ons for publishing and sync without changing plans
• Weakness: Keeps 9% of download and streaming revenue
• Weakness: Keeps 30% of social video monetization and 40% of sync placements
• Weakness: Per-release fees add up for artists who release every month

Key facts

• Single: $9.99 one-time
• Album or EP: $14.99 one-time
• Streaming commission: 9%
• Social video commission: 30%

Where it ranks

CD Baby is No. 5 in our Best Music Distribution Services verdict.