Artyfile Yearly plan or one-time fee?
Two models, compared fairly.
TuneCore distributes on an annual plan. Artyfile charges once per release. This page lays out TuneCore’s published conditions as of October 2026 next to ours, so you can pick the model that fits how you release.
What does TuneCore cost, and what is the alternative?
TuneCore’s Unlimited plans cost $24.99, $44.99 or $54.99 per year; pay-per-release is $24.99 per single and $44.99 per album in year one, renewing annually. TuneCore takes no commission on music revenue. Artyfile charges €9.90 per track or €39 per album once, with no renewal, and takes 15% only on revenue it generates. Which is cheaper depends on how much you release and how much you earn.
Updated: October 2026
TuneCore pricing in October 2026
| TuneCore option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Artist (Unlimited) | $24.99 per year | Unlimited releases to 150+ stores, YouTube Content ID, splits |
| Breakout Artist (Unlimited) | $44.99 per year | Adds Store Automator, Cover Art Creator, faster support |
| Professional (Unlimited) | $54.99 per year | Multiple artists (each extra primary artist $14.99 per year), custom label name |
| Single (pay-per-release) | $24.99 per year | Renews annually |
| Album (pay-per-release) | $44.99 first year | Renews at $56.49 each following year |
According to TuneCore’s help center, both the Unlimited plans and pay-per-release renew automatically every year; the fee covers keeping your music in stores. There is no free plan: TuneCore discontinued its free New Artist plan in June 2025.
- ✓Music revenue: TuneCore states it pays out “with no commission on your music revenue.”
- ✓Social platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube): a 20% fee on earnings, per the pricing page.
- ✓Publishing administration (optional): $75 one-time per writer plus a 20% commission on royalties collected, and 50% on sync-related earnings, per the help center.
What happens when a TuneCore plan is not renewed
TuneCore documents this clearly in its help article on renewing Unlimited plans:
- 01
Reminders
You get emails 28 days and 2 days before the renewal date. Plans auto-renew from your saved payment method or TuneCore balance.
- 02
Grace period
If the renewal fails, reminders follow every 7 days for 35 days. During that time you cannot upload new releases.
- 03
Takedown
After 42 days the account is downgraded and releases are taken down from all stores. If you actively cancel the renewal, there is no grace period — music is removed on the day the plan expires.
- 04
Going live again
After renewing, you contact TuneCore support with the UPCs you want reinstated.
This is the core structural difference. With an annual model, keeping your catalogue online is an ongoing cost. With Artyfile there is no renewal date: your release stays online without any yearly fee, and there is no takedown for non-payment.
Five years, side by side
Example: one album with 10 tracks and two singles, all released in year one and kept online for five years. Fees only, before any commission.
| Artyfile | TuneCore Rising Artist | TuneCore pay-per-release | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | €58.80 | $24.99 | $94.97 |
| Years 2–5 | €0 | $99.96 | $425.88 |
| Total after 5 years | €58.80 | $124.95 | $520.85 |
| Commission on music revenue | 15% of revenue Artyfile generates | 0% | 0% |
Pay-per-release: album $44.99 + 4 × $56.49, singles 5 × $24.99 each. The Rising Artist plan covers unlimited releases, so it gets relatively cheaper the more you put out.
Honest note: TuneCore’s 0% commission is a real advantage. If your streams earn well, the 15% Artyfile keeps can exceed a yearly plan fee. Run your own numbers with the Spotify royalty calculator.
What Artyfile offers on top of distribution
- ✓100% of your masters, non-exclusive ownership. Only streaming distribution runs exclusively through Artyfile while a track is active. Songwriting and publishing stay entirely with you. More on owning your masters.
- ✓Artyfile Stream: our Hi-Fi platform pays €0.03–€0.20 per stream.
- ✓Sync marketplace: your tracks can be licensed for film, TV and advertising (average license €96.90); you keep 85%. See sync.
- ✓Fan Limited Editions (optional): up to 20 numbered 1% shares per track at €69.90 each. You receive 85% upfront — up to €1,188.30 per track — and always keep at least 80%.
- ✓Worldwide distribution to 150+ platforms including Spotify and Apple Music, if you choose it.
- ✓Curated: a person reviews every application; AI-generated music is not accepted.
Which model fits you?
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You release many tracks every year | TuneCore Unlimited — one yearly price, unlimited releases |
| You manage several artists | TuneCore Professional |
| High streaming income on the big platforms | TuneCore — 0% commission on music revenue |
| You want to release without applying first | TuneCore — self-service, no application |
| A few releases a year, catalogue should stay online for good | Artyfile — one-time fee, no renewal |
| Sync, per-stream payouts and fan co-ownership matter to you | Artyfile |
If you decide to move, plan it so your releases are not offline in between: see how to switch distributors. For a broader view, compare the best music distributors or read about distribution without a subscription.
TuneCore alternative — questions
How much does TuneCore cost per year?
As of October 2026: Rising Artist $24.99, Breakout Artist $44.99 and Professional $54.99 per year. Pay-per-release costs $24.99 per single per year and $44.99 per album in year one, then $56.49 per year.
Does TuneCore take a commission?
Not on music revenue — TuneCore says it pays out with no commission. It charges a 20% fee on social platform earnings, and its optional publishing administration takes 20% of royalties collected (50% on sync-related earnings).
What happens to my music if I stop paying TuneCore?
Per TuneCore’s help center, releases are taken down from all stores 42 days after a missed renewal, or on the expiry date if you cancel the renewal. They can be reinstated after renewing.
Is there a free TuneCore plan?
No. TuneCore discontinued its free New Artist plan in June 2025; distribution requires an Unlimited plan or a paid release.
Is Artyfile cheaper than TuneCore?
On fees, usually yes for artists who release a few tracks and keep them online for years — €9.90 once vs a yearly charge. But Artyfile takes 15% of the revenue it generates and TuneCore takes 0% on music revenue, so prolific or high-earning artists can pay less with TuneCore.
Do I keep my rights at TuneCore and at Artyfile?
Yes. TuneCore states you keep 100% of your rights. At Artyfile you keep 100% of your master rights and all of your songwriting and publishing.
Keep reading
DistroKid alternative
DistroKid’s plans, what happens when you stop paying, and when a one-time fee is the better deal.
Switch distributor safely
Seven steps to move your releases without losing play counts, playlists or a single day online.
Pricing: €9.90 once
Every cost of releasing with Artyfile on one page, plus a 5-year comparison with subscription distributors.
One fee. No renewal date.
Send a track for free A&R review. If it is accepted, you pay €9.90 once and your music stays online without a yearly plan.