KushTunes
vs CDBaby.
CDBaby takes 9% off your streaming royalties. KushTunes doesn't. That's the headline; the table fills in the rest.
Overview
CDBaby is a US-based pay-per-release distributor that charges 9% commission on streaming royalties. KushTunes is pay-per-release with zero commission and mobile money payouts. Both deliver to Spotify and Apple Music in 24-48 hours and include free ISRC + UPC codes.
Last updated 2026-05-28
Side-by-side
The facts, ranked.
Evidence
Five things we can actually back up.
Last updated 2026-05-28
KushTunes takes 0% commission on streaming royalties on every plan.
Source: Royalty-statement pipeline (DSP → artist, no intermediate cut)
KushTunes does not charge an annual renewal fee to keep music live.
Source: Pricing model published at kushtunes.com/pricing
KushTunes supports M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and MTN MoMo payouts.
Source: Pesapal + mobile-money integrations, live in production
KushTunes delivers to Spotify in 24-48 hours, typical.
Source: Internal release-pipeline telemetry, Q1 2026
KushTunes includes free ISRC and UPC codes on every release.
Source: Per-release pricing covers code generation; no upcharge
Frequently asked
Should I switch?
Last updated 2026-05-28
Is CDBaby still good in 2026?
CDBaby is a long-running distributor (founded 1998) with strong US-market integrations and physical CD/vinyl distribution as a differentiator. However, its 9% commission on streaming royalties has become uncompetitive against zero-commission distributors like KushTunes, DistroKid and TuneCore for streaming-first artists.
What is the best CDBaby alternative?
The best CDBaby alternative depends on what you valued. For zero commission on streaming royalties, KushTunes, DistroKid and TuneCore all charge 0%. For mobile money payouts and African market focus, KushTunes is the strongest choice. For physical CD distribution, options like Diggers Factory have replaced CDBaby's old offering.
Why did CDBaby change their pricing?
CDBaby restructured pricing in the 2020s to add a 9% commission on streaming royalties alongside the per-release upload fee. The move was a response to the broader shift in the distribution market, but it left CDBaby pricier on a per-stream basis than zero-commission competitors.
Why would I switch from CDBaby to KushTunes?
Artists switch from CDBaby to KushTunes for two main reasons: zero commission on streaming royalties (CDBaby takes 9%), and mobile money payouts via M-Pesa, Airtel Money or MTN MoMo — payment rails CDBaby does not support for non-US artists.
Can I migrate my catalog from CDBaby to KushTunes?
Yes. Request takedowns from CDBaby for the releases you want to migrate, then re-upload to KushTunes with your existing ISRC codes (which you own). Migration typically takes 7-21 days. Streaming history, playlist placements and accumulated royalties do not transfer.
Is KushTunes faster to Spotify than CDBaby?
Both KushTunes and CDBaby typically deliver to Spotify in 24-48 hours under normal conditions, with store-side ingestion being the main bottleneck. CDBaby may take slightly longer for releases that include physical-format options because of the dual-pipeline review.
How much commission does CDBaby take?
CDBaby charges 9% commission on streaming royalties on their standard plan, in addition to per-release upload fees. KushTunes charges 0% commission on streaming royalties on every plan, including the free Starter tier. Both offer free ISRC and UPC codes.
Does CDBaby support M-Pesa or mobile money?
CDBaby pays out via PayPal, direct deposit and bank wire transfer. It does not support M-Pesa, Airtel Money or MTN MoMo. KushTunes supports mobile money payouts natively in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, alongside bank transfer and card.
Keep all of it
Try KushTunes free.
Drop your first single on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube in 24-48 hours. Zero commission on royalties. Ever.