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Comparison / DistroKid

SongPilot vs DistroKid: Bring Your Catalog, Keep Every Stream

DistroKid is a fast, cheap way to get songs into stores. SongPilot distributes to all major global streaming platforms, download stores, social/video networks, and regional services worldwide too, then mixes, masters, designs the cover, cuts the video and runs the campaign from the same workspace. Move your DistroKid catalog with the same ISRC and UPC codes and every stream comes with you.

Leaving DistroKid without losing a single stream

  • Your streams belong to the codes. Stores attach play counts and playlist history to each song's ISRC and each release's UPC, not to the distributor that delivered them.
  • Redeliver with the same codes. SongPilot looks up your existing codes and sends the releases to stores with them while the DistroKid copies are still live, so the stores match them up.
  • Then take the old copies down. Once the SongPilot versions are live, remove the DistroKid ones. Want to try it first? Run the studio alongside DistroKid and switch later.

Who each one is for

D

DistroKid

Best for: Unlimited uploads to streaming stores for a yearly fee, with royalty splits and pre-save pages

DistroKid suits artists who already have a finished master, a cover and a promo plan, and want the cheapest dependable route into stores. Unlimited uploads on a yearly plan, HyperFollow pre-save pages and automatic royalty splits between collaborators make it a solid pipe for prolific releasers.

  • Your master, artwork and promo are already handled elsewhere and you only need the upload
  • You pay several collaborators and want splits paid out automatically to each of them
  • You release constantly and want the lowest yearly cost per upload
S

SongPilot

Best for: Distribution plus the mix, master, artwork, video and campaign around every release

SongPilot suits artists who want the release done, start to finish. Upload the stems or the bounce and the Producer mixes and masters it, the Visual Director builds the cover, the music video gets storyboarded and cut, and the campaign goes out to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube on schedule. Distribution is one step inside that flow, and your DistroKid catalog moves over with its codes intact.

  • You want off DistroKid without resetting your stream counts
  • You have stems and want a mix and master before the release goes out
  • You want the cover, the music video and the posts made in the same place as the release
Side by Side

SongPilot vs DistroKid, feature by feature

Distribution

Both

DistroKid

✓ Unlimited uploads to the major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and TikTok

SongPilot

✓ All major global streaming platforms, download stores, social/video networks and regional services, including Anghami, Boomplay, JioSaavn and KKBOX, with a release readiness checklist before you submit

Moving an existing catalog

Both

DistroKid

✓ Your releases are already live there

SongPilot

✓ Look up your existing ISRC and UPC codes and redeliver with them, so stream counts and play history stay on every song

Mixing

SongPilot

DistroKid

✗ No mixing from stems

SongPilot

✓ Upload WAV, AIFF or FLAC stems; the Producer labels them, builds the mix and takes revisions in chat

Mastering

Both

DistroKid

✓ Mixea AI mastering

SongPilot

✓ AI mastering with Low, Medium or High loudness, a genre style and a free 30-second before and after preview

Cover art

SongPilot

DistroKid

✗ No AI artwork tools

SongPilot

✓ Generated cover art in a layered design editor, exported as JPG and layered PSD

Video

SongPilot

DistroKid

⚠ Template promo videos, promo cards and a Spotify Canvas maker

SongPilot

✓ AI-storyboarded music videos, lip-sync to your filmed takes, B-roll and exports for every aspect ratio

Social posting

SongPilot

DistroKid

✗ No post scheduling

SongPilot

✓ Campaign timelines that post or schedule to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube after your approval

Royalty splits

DistroKid

DistroKid

✓ Automatic splits paid to collaborators with DistroKid accounts

SongPilot

⚠ Splits recorded on song credits and sent with the release; payouts go to the workspace bank account

Pre-save pages

Different

DistroKid

✓ HyperFollow pre-save and release pages

SongPilot

✓ A public artist page at songpilot.ai/@yourname with full-song streaming, videos and press photos

Pricing

What You'll Pay

DistroKid

Yearly subscriptions with unlimited uploads: Musician $24.99/year (1 artist), Musician Plus $44.99/year (2 artists), Ultimate $89.99/year (up to 100 artists).

SongPilot

  • Starter : $10/month, 500 credits
  • Creator : $39/month, 5,000 credits
  • Pro Label : $99/month, 15,000 credits
  • Enterprise : $299/month, 40,000 credits

Every plan includes distribution, the eight AI specialists, catalog, releases, campaigns and social. A 5% store fee on royalties, and you keep 100% of your rights.

Decision Guide

Which One Is Right for You?

D Choose DistroKid If...

  • Your master, artwork and promo are already handled elsewhere and you only need the upload
  • You pay several collaborators and want splits paid out automatically to each of them
  • You release constantly and want the lowest yearly cost per upload

S Choose SongPilot If...

  • You want off DistroKid without resetting your stream counts
  • You have stems and want a mix and master before the release goes out
  • You want the cover, the music video and the posts made in the same place as the release
  • You want a team of AI specialists working the campaign instead of a list of add-ons
  • You manage a band, an act with a manager, or several artists
Advantages

What Makes SongPilot Different

Key benefits you'll only find here

Catalog transfer that keeps your ISRC and UPC codes, so play history follows the songs

Mixing from stems and mastering inside the same workspace that distributes

Music videos with storyboards, lip-sync and exports for Reels, TikTok and YouTube

Campaigns that post to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube on a schedule you approve

You keep 100% of your rights and masters; royalties paid out to your bank account

SongPilot vs DistroKid: common questions

Will I lose my streams if I move from DistroKid to SongPilot?

No. Stream counts and playlist history are tied to each song's ISRC and each release's UPC. SongPilot redelivers your releases with the same codes while the DistroKid copies are still live, so stores treat them as the same releases and the history stays.

Does SongPilot master my track like Mixea does?

Yes, and it mixes too. Upload stems and the Producer builds the mix, then master it with Low, Medium or High loudness and a genre style. You hear a free 30-second before and after preview with loudness readings before you commit to the full WAV.

Can I use SongPilot and keep DistroKid for now?

Yes. Mixing, mastering, artwork, videos and campaigns all work on music that is distributed elsewhere. Move your catalog when you are ready.

Does SongPilot take a cut of my royalties?

A 5% store fee on streaming and download royalties, and 20% on YouTube Content ID and social platform earnings (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram). The rest is paid out to your bank account, and you keep 100% of the rights to your music.

Summary

The Bottom Line

DistroKid gets the file into stores. SongPilot gets the release out: mix, master, cover, video, posts and distribution in one workspace, with a team of AI specialists doing the work. Your streams ride on your codes, so bringing the catalog over costs you nothing in play history.

Bring your catalog. Keep every stream.

Join the waitlist for early access and move to the platform that distributes your music and promotes it.

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View Pricing Explore Features

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