TuneCore vs Amuse [An Honest Comparison]

Let's start with TuneCore first.

TuneCore offers a solid range of pricing plans to make sure they are covering much of an indie artists needs. For instance, here’s a breakdown of their plans:

• New Artist Plan (Free): Release unlimited singles to social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

• Rising Artist Plan ($14.99/year): Unlimited distribution to streaming services and stores, plus social platforms.

• Breakout Artist Plan ($29.99/year): Includes all Rising Artist features, plus annual sync and YouTube monetization.

• Professional Plan ($49.99/year): All Breakout Artist features, with premium sales reports and exclusive artist support.

Now, let's compare it against the Amuse pricing plans.

Amuse offers three main plans, including a completely free option too.

• Free Plan: Allows you to release unlimited music with no upfront cost, but with limited features and slower payout schedules.

• Boost Plan (€24.99/year): Faster royalty payouts, priority support, and other premium features.

• Pro Plan (€59.99/year): Advanced features like direct monetization, custom release dates, and comprehensive analytics.

Who Is The Winner?

TuneCore’s tiered pricing provides various options for artists at different career stages, while Amuse’s free plan is a budget-friendly option for new artists. Amuse’s Boost and Pro plans offer additional features at a competitive prices. Honestly, both are solid options from a wide perspective but when you get into the weeds, your decision should be quite clear.

For example, if you're a beginner artist and budget is a concern for you, and you know that you'd like to upload your music to Spotify and you also want to get your music uploaded to Apple Music and on popular social sites like TikTok, then Amuse should your decision. However, if you're looking for mid-tier option that is both budget friendly and feature rich, then TuneCore could be best for you.

2. Royalties - TuneCore vs Amuse

Let's jump into TuneCore first.

TuneCore pays out 100% of your music royalties and they'll drop the money directly in your bank via wire transfer or into your paypal account. Payment withdrawals also might depend on your location tool. You can also withdraw your payments whenever you would like.

Now, how does Amuse pay you your royalties?

Amuse’s Free plan includes quarterly royalty payments, while the Boost and Pro plans offer monthly payouts. Payments are typically made via PayPal or bank transfer. Yes, they will also give you 100% of your royalties. 

Who Is The Winner?

Both TuneCore and Amuse make sure that you will receive 100% of your royalties. So, if this is a concern for you then you will be well taken care of with either distributor. This is a very different case if we compare something like TuneCore vs CD Baby where CD Baby will retain some of your music royalties.

In general, TuneCore’s weekly payouts might appeal more to those wanting quicker access to their earnings, whereas Amuse’s free plan offers quarterly payouts with the option for faster payouts through their paid plans. So the question really is: how fast do you want your money? 

To be honest, when it comes to my own artist project, Charles Cleyn, I'm not very concerned about collecting my money quickly because I'd prefer it to stack up before I make a withdrawal. So, keep that in mind.

3. Features - TuneCore vs Amuse

Let's jump into TuneCore first.

TuneCore provides a comprehensive set of features, including:

• Detailed sales and streaming reports

• YouTube Sound Recording revenue collection

• Sync licensing opportunities

• Global distribution to over 150 digital stores

• Publishing administration services

• Social media promotion tools

On the other side, Amuse offers a range of artist-friendly features such as:

• Unlimited music distribution

• Royalty splits for collaborations

• Advanced analytics and performance tracking

• Direct monetization and sync opportunities (Pro plan)

• Priority support (Boost and Pro plans)

• Access to the Amuse App for easy music management

Who Is The Winner?

Both distributors offer a rich set of features, but TuneCore stands out with its extensive global reach and detailed reporting tools. Amuse’s user-friendly app and royalty split feature are particularly beneficial for collaborative projects. I can see TuneCore being really beneficial to you if you're an artist who is looking to become established and to have your music be distributed globally. On the other hand, Amuse is perfect for artists looking for simple distribution but not a wide set of features beyond that.

4. Customer Service - TuneCore vs Amuse

Although customer service is not a requirement for distributors to have, I wanted to add it in here because I think it's important that you have the support you need, especially if this is your first release. I remember my first release with TuneCore, I distributed my single called Sorry, I had a lot of questions with regards to ISRC codes and getting my Spotify pre save campaigns running. The TuneCore support team was very responsive in helping me answer my questions.

So what does TuneCore offer in terms of customer support? 

They offer support via a detailed help center, email support, and a live chat option. Their response times are generally fast, in my experience, and they provide extensive guides and FAQs for common queries.

Amuse also provides support, although, it's less extensive than TuneCore. Their customer service is through a help center and email. However, you can pay for priority support if you subscribe to theri Boost and Pro plans.

Who Is The Winner?

TuneCore has a slight advantage in customer service due to the availability of live chat support, while Amuse’s priority support for paid plans ensures that higher-tier users get quick assistance. If you're thinking of going for Amuse Boost plan anyway, than you'll be in safe hands here with their paid customer support.

5. Streaming Platforms - TuneCore vs Amuse

When it comes to most distribution services today, I haven't come across any that will not deliver your music to the popular streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, etc. The distribution platforms will differentiate themselves to the very specific platforms that might be availabe on some and not others.

TuneCore distributes your music to over 150 digital stores and streaming services, including major platforms such as:

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• Amazon Music

• Google Play/YouTube Music

• Deezer

• Tidal

• TikTok

• Instagram/Facebook

If you're looking for a specific platform, for example, a streaming site in a small country, then be sure to browse the TuneCore website to see if they offer the streaming platform you'd like.

Amuse also covers all the essential streaming platforms, including:

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube Music

• Tidal

• Amazon Music

• Deezer

• TikTok

• Instagram/Facebook

Be sure to browse the Amuse website if you're looking for something specific besides the popular streaming platrofms.

Who Is The Winner?

Both TuneCore and Amuse distribute to all major streaming services, ensuring that your music reaches a wide audience. There is no clear winner here, as both cover the essential platforms comprehensively.

Final Thoughts On TuneCore Vs Amuse

Choosing between TuneCore and Amuse depends on your specific needs and career goals as an artist. For instance, I might prefer TuneCore because it suits my needs better for me as an artist who wants to have global admin publishing but also support with payment splits too. You might be in a totally different ball park. For instance, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with additional features available through paid plans, Amuse could be better for you

At the end of the day, both of these platforms offer excellent services to help you get your music out in the world and find success the music industry. Consider your priorities, such as royalty payout frequency, available features, and customer support, and choose the distributor that aligns best with your needs and goals as an artist. If that platform is TuneCore for you, feel free to take advantage of my 20% discount when you sign up.