DISTROBOLT ARTIST GUIDES
Subscription or pay per release: calculate your catalogue costs
Compare the cost of keeping your whole catalogue available over several years. A per-release fee can renew annually; a subscription can renew monthly or yearly. The first upload price alone does not show the long-term total.
Count active releases, not just new uploads
For a simple model, record how many singles and EPs or albums remain active in each year. Keep artist limits, add-ons, tax and revenue commission in separate columns. Confirm renewal dates and whether charges are prorated before applying a spreadsheet to a real invoice.
A three-year example with a growing catalogue
Using the currently registered DistroBolt annual Essential prices, three singles cost 3 × €3.98 = €11.94 for a full year. Suppose you retain those releases, add three singles in year two, then add one EP in year three. The model is €11.94 in year one, €23.88 in year two and €32.86 in year three: €68.68 in total. This simplified example assumes every listed release incurs a full annual fee in that model year, with no midyear changes or price changes.
Compare the same period with Premium
At the registered €69 yearly Premium price, three years cost €207. At €9 monthly, 36 payments cost €324. These are different payment commitments, not different royalty percentages: the standard DistroBolt 10% share remains separate in this comparison. On annual release fees alone, eighteen singles cost €71.64 per year, above €69; seventeen cost €67.66. Eight EPs or albums cost €71.84. Mixed catalogues need their own calculation.
Check the changeover before paying
Premium replaces annual Essential release fees during its active period under the published terms. Do not assume that upgrading refunds earlier charges or that cancelling decides how every existing release is billed afterwards. Ask about your actual renewal dates, activation and existing purchases. Use an approved account email and avoid opening a duplicate subscription.
Sources and review
Reviewed 4 November 2026. Platform requirements and plan terms can change. Examples are planning aids, not a promise of account access, release acceptance or earnings.
Continue your release planning
Ask the DistroBolt team about your release. Send a concise question and release reference; never send account passwords or verification codes.