TL;DR
Is Velveteen better than CD Baby?
Velveteen is the better CD Baby alternative for artists releasing often or managing a growing catalog. CD Baby's per-release model can be simple for one-off releases, but Velveteen's $19/year Artist plan includes unlimited DSP releases, 0% DSP royalty commission, pitching, analytics, and connected direct-sale pages.
Label tools.
Artist price.
Everything CD Baby charges extra for — or doesn't offer at all — comes standard. Real product, built for artists and labels running six-figure catalogs.
Vee runs your catalog
A tool-aware agent that validates metadata, pushes releases to every DSP, and answers questions about your royalties in plain English.
See every dollar, across every platform
Real-time dashboards break down earnings by DSP, track, and territory. 0% commission — you keep what you earn.
Pay collaborators automatically
Configure splits once. Producers, co-writers, and features get paid direct — no spreadsheets, no chasing.
Pitch editorial on every major DSP
Submit releases for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube editorial — something most distributors don't offer.
FEATURE COMPARISON
See how Velveteen stacks up against CD Baby, feature by feature.
THE REAL COST
Artist releasing 4 singles + 1 album per year, earning $500/year
Velveteen Artist costs $19/yr flat — you keep 100% of your DSP royalties. CD Baby costs $99.95/yr in this scenario and keeps 9% of download and streaming revenue. That's an $80.95 swing in your favour from year one.
WHAT ARTISTS SAY
“It's been an absolute pleasure working with the Velveteen team, complete night and day experience. Highly recommend for artists looking to take their music to the next level!”
“I built Velveteen because independent artists deserve label-level tools without the label deal. Every feature exists because I needed it myself.”
FAQ
Common questions about switching from CD Baby to Velveteen.
Does CD Baby take a commission?
Yes. CD Baby takes 9% of all your digital distribution revenue — forever. There's no way to avoid this commission. Velveteen takes 0% commission on all plans.
Is CD Baby's one-time fee actually cheaper?
It depends on how much you release. If you release 4+ singles per year, Velveteen's $19/year Artist plan is cheaper than CD Baby's per-release fees ($9.99/single = $39.96 for 4 singles). Plus CD Baby's 9% commission adds up over time.
Can I switch from CD Baby to Velveteen?
Yes. Your existing CD Baby releases can stay live while you start new releases on Velveteen. Your ISRCs and UPCs transfer with you.
How is Velveteen's support compared to CD Baby?
CD Baby's support has declined significantly since their acquisition. Velveteen provides a built-in ticket system with tracked response times, plus email support on all plans and dedicated support for Label subscribers.