Compare
Notes vs TuneCore
TuneCore is a distributor with optional publishing as a separate product. Choose Notes when distribution and publishing administration should be one flat fee.
Best for Notes. Musicians who want DSP delivery and global publishing collection without a second TuneCore product.
Best for TuneCore. Artists who want TuneCore’s store tools and are fine buying publishing as an add-on.
Check what your own catalog is missing
Search your artist name. Notes checks your songs against The MLC, YouTube, SoundExchange, and the societies, and shows which ones went unmatched.
Pricing
What you pay
| Item | Notes | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, then $5 / month (musician). Companies from $100 / month. | Unlimited: Rising $24.99 / year, Breakout $44.99 / year, Professional $54.99 / year. Or $24.99 / year per single, $44.99 / year per album. |
| Distribution royalty cut | None | Paid store distribution keeps ownership. Social platforms list a 20% fee. |
| Publishing administration cut | None | TuneCore Publishing is a separate product. |
| What you buy | Distribution + publishing administration + collection | Distribution; publishing sold separately |
Features
What each product does
| Feature | Notes | TuneCore |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver recordings to DSPs | Yes | Yes |
| Register compositions with PROs and The MLC | Yes | No |
| Collect neighboring rights / SoundExchange | Yes | No |
| Two independent 100% pools per song | Yes | No |
| Flat fee, no royalty percentage on the core plan | Yes | No |
Notes — strengths
- Publishing administration is in the subscription, not a second checkout.
- No percentage of royalties.
- Company plans exist for managers and labels.
Notes — limits
- If you only need one single on stores, a TuneCore pay-per-release year can cost less up front.
- Notes does not copy TuneCore’s Store Automator or cover-art tools.
TuneCore — strengths
- Clear yearly unlimited tiers and pay-per-release options.
- YouTube Content ID is listed on Rising Artist.
- Long-running DSP delivery brand.
TuneCore — limits
- Social-platform distribution lists a 20% fee.
- Per-release plans renew each year to stay live.
- Publishing is not the distribution plan.
Recommendation
Who should use which
Use TuneCore if you want that distributor’s store tools and already have publishing covered. Use Notes if you want one flat subscription for recordings and songs.
Questions
TuneCore and Notes
- How much is TuneCore?
- TuneCore’s public unlimited plans start at $24.99 per year (Rising Artist). Pay-per-release singles are $24.99 per year and albums are $44.99 per year, with a higher album price in later years.
- Does TuneCore include publishing administration?
- TuneCore sells distribution on the pricing page. Publishing is a separate TuneCore product. Notes includes publishing administration in the subscription.
- Does Notes take 20% on TikTok or YouTube?
- No. Notes does not take a percentage of royalties. TuneCore’s public table lists a 20% fee on social-platform distribution.
Public sources