Your music.
Forever.
$3 a month. All distribution features included. No hidden fees.
- $3/mo (monthly billing)
- Music stays live forever
- Beatport included
- Content ID included
- Cloud storage included
- UK-based support
- $24.99/yr + add-ons
- $29-49 Legacy per release
- $9.99/mo Beatport
- $4.95-14.95/yr + 20%
Key Differences Between Kinjari and DistroKid
Understanding the true cost of music distribution means looking beyond the base subscription price.
All-Inclusive Distribution
All distribution features in one price. Beatport. Content ID. Every platform. No add-ons. No upgrades. Just $3.
Permanent Distribution
Your music stays live. Forever. No extra fees. No takedowns. Even if you cancel. (Unless you ask us to, of course.)
Flexible Monthly Billing
Pay monthly. Cancel anytime. No annual lock-in. No commitment required.
The Real Cost Comparison: DistroKid vs Kinjari
When you factor in all the add-ons DistroKid charges for, the "100% royalties" advantage disappears. Here's the math.
Real-World Scenario: Active Independent Artist
Let's compare an artist earning $100/month in royalties with typical needs (Content ID, Beatport access, wanting music to stay live forever):
Kinjari - Total Monthly Cost
DistroKid - Total Monthly Cost
Understanding "100% Royalties"
While DistroKid markets "100% royalties," this refers only to the royalty split, not total costs. When you include optional add-ons like Beatport ($120/year), Content ID ($50-150/year + 20% YouTube revenue), Store Maximizer, and Leave a Legacy fees for permanent distribution, the total cost can exceed Kinjari's transparent 90/10 split for many active artists.
Complete Feature Comparison
See exactly what you get with each platform - no fine print surprises.
| Feature | Kinjari | DistroKid |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $3/month | $24.99/year |
| Billing | Monthly (cancel anytime) | Annual only (upfront payment) |
| Unlimited Releases | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Music Stays Live After Cancel | ✓ Free forever | ✗ Removed ($29-49 per release to keep) |
| Beatport Distribution | ✓ Included free | $9.99/month extra |
| YouTube Content ID | ✓ Included (standard 10% commission) | $4.95-14.95/yr + 20% revenue |
| Store Maximizer (Auto-delivery to new stores) | ✓ Automatic | $7.95/year per release |
| Professional Biolinks | ✓ Included (4 templates, analytics) | Basic only |
| Cloud Storage & File Sharing | ✓ Included (20GB+, expiring links) | Ultimate plan only ($90/yr) |
| Customer Support | ✓ UK-based team (24hr response) | Standard support |
| Royalty Split | 90% (you) / 10% (us) | 100%* |
| Withdrawal Minimum | $5 | Higher thresholds |
| Artist Aliases | ✓ Unlimited | Limited (higher tiers for more) |
How to Switch from DistroKid to Kinjari
Migrating is straightforward and won't interrupt your music.
Create Your Kinjari Account
Sign up for Kinjari and choose your $3/month plan. No credit card required for the initial setup - start exploring the platform risk-free.
Upload Your New Releases to Kinjari
Start releasing new music through Kinjari immediately. Get familiar with our distribution process while your existing catalog remains on DistroKid.
Migrate Your Back Catalog (Optional)
Want to move existing releases? You have two options:
- • Full migration: Remove releases from DistroKid and re-release through Kinjari. There will be a brief gap while platforms process the change, but your music will return with all new streams counting toward the same recordings.
- • Keep existing catalog: Pay DistroKid's Leave a Legacy fee for your back catalog if you prefer, then release all new music through Kinjari going forward.
Cancel DistroKid When Ready
Once you're fully migrated or comfortable with Kinjari handling new releases, cancel your DistroKid subscription. Remember: with Kinjari, you'll never have to make this decision again - your music stays live forever.
Need Help Migrating?
Our UK support team can walk you through the migration process and answer any questions about switching distributors. Email us for personalized guidance.
Common Questions About Switching
Everything you need to know about leaving DistroKid for Kinjari
What's the best alternative to DistroKid in 2026?
Kinjari is a top DistroKid alternative, especially for artists tired of hidden fees and takedown threats. At $3/month with no add-ons, your music stays live forever even if you cancel, Beatport and Content ID are included, cloud storage is included (DistroKid only includes this on their $90/year Ultimate plan), and you get real human support. Artists earning typical streaming income often save money compared to DistroKid once you factor in all the extra fees.
Will I lose my streams and playlists when switching?
If you're moving existing releases from DistroKid to Kinjari, there will be a brief period where the release is taken down from DistroKid and re-delivered through Kinjari. Stream counts and playlist placements are tied to the ISRC code, so as long as you use the same ISRC, most statistics will be preserved. However, some playlists may need to be re-added. For this reason, many artists choose to keep their back catalog on DistroKid (with Leave a Legacy) and release all new music through Kinjari.
Is Kinjari actually cheaper than DistroKid when you consider the 10% commission?
For most active artists, yes. DistroKid's add-ons (Beatport at $120/year, Content ID at $50-150/year + 20% YouTube cut, Store Maximizer, Leave a Legacy fees) add up quickly. An artist earning $100/month pays Kinjari $13/month total ($3 + $10 commission). The same artist on DistroKid pays $2.08 base + $9.99 Beatport + Content ID fees + 20% YouTube revenue + Store Maximizer costs - often totaling $20-25/month, plus the $580+ Leave a Legacy fee if they want to keep music live after cancellation. The total cost comparison favors Kinjari for artists who use these features.
Does Kinjari distribute to all the same platforms as DistroKid?
Yes, Kinjari distributes to 100+ platforms including all major services: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and many more. We also include Beatport at no extra cost, which DistroKid charges $9.99/month for.
What's the catch with Kinjari's pricing?
There isn't one. We're transparent: $3/month plus 10% commission on royalties. All distribution features are included - Beatport, Content ID, biolinks, unlimited releases, unlimited artist aliases, and your music stays live forever even if you cancel. No surprise fees, no per-release charges, no takedown threats. We believe honest pricing builds better relationships with artists.
Can I use both DistroKid and Kinjari at the same time?
Yes, many artists do this during migration. Keep your back catalog on DistroKid while releasing new music through Kinjari. Just make sure you're not distributing the same release through both platforms simultaneously, as this creates duplicate entries on streaming services.
How does Kinjari's YouTube Content ID compare to DistroKid's?
Kinjari includes YouTube Content ID protection at no extra cost - covered under our standard 10% commission. DistroKid charges $4.95-$14.95 per year per release AND takes 20% of all YouTube monetization on top of their base fee. For an artist with 10 releases earning $50/month from YouTube, that's $50/year in fees plus $10/month (20%) to DistroKid, whereas with Kinjari it's included in your standard commission with no additional charges.
What if I'm not earning much royalty income yet?
If you're earning less than $30/month in royalties, DistroKid's base plan ($2.08/month) might seem cheaper than Kinjari's $3/month. But remember: the moment you want Beatport (add $9.99/month), Content ID (add $4.95+/year + 20%), or any other feature, DistroKid becomes more expensive. Plus, with Kinjari you're building toward a future where your music stays live forever at no extra cost - invaluable as your catalog grows.
Ready for Honest, Transparent Music Distribution?
No takedown threats. No surprise fees. No chatbot runaround. Just straightforward distribution that respects artists.
Join thousands of independent artists choosing transparent pricing