TL;DR
Is Velveteen better than TuneCore?
Velveteen is the stronger TuneCore alternative for artists who want full DSP distribution at the entry price plus pitching, catalog operations, and direct-sale pages. TuneCore is a broad distributor with a free social-only option, but Velveteen's $19/year Artist plan includes full DSP delivery and 0% DSP royalty commission.
Label tools.
Artist price.
Everything TuneCore 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 TuneCore, feature by feature.
THE REAL COST
Artist wanting full DSP access
Velveteen Artist gives you all DSPs and keeps 100% of your DSP royalties at $19/yr — TuneCore's Rising tier is $6 more and offers the same distribution reach. TuneCore's free plan only covers social platforms and takes a 20% commission.
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 TuneCore to Velveteen.
Is TuneCore's free plan really free?
TuneCore's free plan only distributes to social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) and takes a 20% commission on your royalties. To get on Spotify, Apple Music, and other DSPs, you need a paid plan starting at $24.99/year.
Is Velveteen cheaper than TuneCore?
For full DSP distribution, Velveteen's Artist annual plan ($19/yr) is cheaper than TuneCore's Rising plan ($24.99/year) and includes 0% commission on DSP royalties. For advanced features like custom labels, Velveteen Pro ($4.99/month) offers significantly more than TuneCore Professional ($54.99/year).
Can I switch from TuneCore to Velveteen?
Yes. Your ISRCs and UPCs transfer with you. You can start releasing on Velveteen immediately while your existing TuneCore releases stay live.
How is Velveteen's support compared to TuneCore?
TuneCore support is often criticized for long wait times and generic responses. Velveteen provides a built-in ticket system where you can track your issue's progress, plus email support on all plans.