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 80% of Net Revenue directly to your bank account. We retain 20% as a Distribution Fee. 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 20% 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.