Western Beats charges zero upfront, no annual fee, no per-release charge. We only earn when you earn — zero upfront cost, ever. If you earn ₹0, we take ₹0. Simple, aligned, honest.
How does Western Beats stack up against DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Ditto Music, and Believe?
| Feature | Best for India Western Beats FREE: ₹0 Forever | DistroKid $22.99/year | TuneCore $14.99/release | CD Baby $9.99/release + 9% | Ditto Music £19/year | Believe 15–25% revenue share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution to 150+ platforms | 150+ (India-first) | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ | 150+ | 100+ |
| Artist royalty share | Direct (T&C) | 100% (after annual fee) | 100% (after per-release fee) | 91% (takes 9%) | 100% (after annual fee) | 70–85% |
| Annual / per-release fee | ₹0, none ever | $22.99/yr, mandatory | $14.99/release, mandatory | $9.99/release + 9% royalties | £19/yr, mandatory | Takes 15–25% revenue share |
| India-First (JioSaavn & Gaana) | ||||||
| Warner Music India Partnership | ||||||
| Go-live time | 72 Hours | 7–10 Days | 7–10 Days | 5–7 Days | 3–5 Days | 5–7 Days |
| ISRC & UPC codes | Free Included | Free Included | Free Included | $5/each | Free Included | Free Included |
| Playlist pitching | ||||||
| Artist support | WhatsApp + Email 24/7 | Ticket system only | Ticket system only | Email only | Email only | Account Manager |
| Keep 100% ownership (T&C apply, masters ownership |
Yes. Distribution costs ₹0 upfront, no annual fee, no per-release charge, ever. Western Beats only earns when you earn. We never charge you a single rupee before you make money. Think of it as a partner who only gets paid when you succeed.
When your music generates streaming royalties, Western Beats pays your royalties directly to your bank account with no upfront costs. We only earn when you earn. Full details in our Terms & Conditions. This aligns our interests completely with yours: the more you earn, the more we both earn.
Absolutely. DistroKid charges $22.99/year (₹1,900+) regardless of whether you earn anything. Western Beats charges ₹0 upfront, our 30% Distribution Fee only applies when royalties are generated. If you earn ₹0, you pay ₹0.
Western Beats wins on every metric: ₹0 upfront (vs $9.99/release + 9% royalties), India-first distribution with JioSaavn & Gaana priority (CD Baby has no India focus), Warner Music India Partnership backing (CD Baby has no equivalent), 72-hour go-live (vs 5–7 days), and free ISRC codes (CD Baby charges $5 each).
You pay nothing. Western Beats only earns when you earn — if your music generates nothing, Western Beats earns nothing. If your music earns ₹0, Western Beats earns ₹0. Zero risk, zero upfront commitment.
No hidden fees. Free means free, no premium tier required for basic features, no charge for ISRC/UPC codes, no take-down fees if you want to remove a release, no fee to update metadata. What you see is exactly what you get.