Comparison

DistroKid vs BMI Online Services

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DistroKid

This app simplifies music distribution, allowing artists to upload unlimited songs to over 150 streaming platforms. Artists retain 100% of their earnings and can manage their official artist accounts, track stats, and create promotional materials on the go.

Highlights
  • Unlimited music uploads
  • 100% earnings retention
  • Access to official artist accounts
  • Create promo cards
  • Real-time streaming stats
  • Seamless earnings withdrawal
Features
Read full description

DistroKid is the easiest way to get your music on 150+ streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube Music & more. Keep 100% of your earnings and upload as many songs as you want. Over 4 million independent artists worldwide trust DistroKid as their music distribution service. Features: · Enjoy easy, fast, unlimited uploads right from the app · Keep 100% of your earnings · Access your official artist accounts including Spotify for Artists, TikTok Artist Account, YouTube, and more · Create Promo Cards to share your release on socials · Get push notifications when you have earnings to claim and withdraw them seamlessly · Check your streaming stats on the go · Edit your releases anytime Log in with your existing DistroKid account or sign up to share your music with the world. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

BMI Online Services

Manage your BMI songwriter, composer, or music publisher account on the go. View registered songs, track royalties, update your information, and access career advice. Streamlined tools help you manage your catalog and ensure timely payments.

Highlights
  • View royalty distributions and top earning songs
  • Manage catalog of musical works
  • Register live music performances
  • Update contact and direct deposit information
  • Access past royalty statements and tax documents
  • Read career tips and advice articles
Read full description

If you're a BMI songwriter, composer, or music publisher this is the app for you. BMI Online Services provides on-the-go access to your account, with streamlined features and tools to manage all your needs, including viewing your registered songs and earned royalties. With BMI Online Services, you can: * Explore your latest US and International royalty distribution trends and top earning songs in the new interactive Royalty Dashboard (songwriters and composers only) * Manage your catalog of musical works to make sure you're all set to get paid * Register BMI Live music performances, including setlists and bands * Update your contact information and direct deposit to quickly receive your next royalty distribution * View your past royalty statements and tax documents * Learn how to make the most of your music and songwriting career with exclusive tips and advice articles What is BMI? BMI is the largest Performing Rights Organization (PRO) in the U.S. Our mission is to serve our songwriters, composers, and music publishers and grow the value of their creative work. As the bridge between our creative community and the businesses that want to play their music publicly, BMI protects our affiliates' rights and ensures they are fairly compensated for their work. We're also dedicated to helping our affiliates take their careers to the next level by providing the support they need to write their greatest songs. BMI has decades of experience in creating performance, educational and promotional opportunities to help songwriters and composers develop their craft. Founded in 1939 with a unique open-door policy to songwriters and composers of all genres, BMI now represents over 22.4 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and publishers, and continues to nurture new talent and new music. To learn more, visit bmi.com (c) Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) 2025.

Screenshots

DistroKid4 screens
BMI Online Services3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DistroKid at 64% against BMI Online Services's 18%. DistroKid also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.7) and ratings volume (27K vs 50). BMI Online Services's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DistroKid sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. BMI Online Services asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DistroKid holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DistroKid has 27K ratings behind it against 50, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of DistroKid's written reviews are positive against 18% of BMI Online Services's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DistroKid ships an update every 5 weeks, BMI Online Services every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
DistroKid versus BMI Online Services: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDistroKidBMI Online Services
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (27K ratings) — better2.7 (50 ratings)
Positive reviews64.1% of reviews — better17.9% of reviews
Number of ratings27K — better50
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank#16 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB256 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDistroKid Holdings, LLCBroadcast Music, Inc.

Customer experience

DistroKid

All ratings27,208 ratings
Positive97.1%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews1,031 reviews
Positive64.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative31.6%

BMI Online Services

All ratings49 ratings
Positive38.8%
Neutral6.1%
Negative55.1%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive17.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative78.6%

Bugs and requests

DistroKid

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription plan issues
  • Inability to log in or access account
  • Incorrect file uploads
  • Unresponsive customer support

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add draft option for uploads
  • Expand genre options
  • Improve credit management during uploads
  • Reevaluate pricing structure
  • Integrate music video distribution
Show 1 more
  • Provide more detailed earnings reports

BMI Online Services

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

DistroKid

Subscriptions5
  • Musician Plan$24.991 Year
  • Musician Plus$44.991 Year
  • Ultimate - 5$89.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Ultimate - 10$157.991 Year
  • Ultimate - 20$269.991 Year
None

BMI Online Services

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DistroKid free?
DistroKid is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BMI Online Services free?
BMI Online Services is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DistroKid or BMI Online Services?
DistroKid is rated higher. DistroKid averages 4.9 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while BMI Online Services averages 2.7 from 50 ratings.
Do DistroKid or BMI Online Services have ads?
Neither DistroKid nor BMI Online Services shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DistroKid or BMI Online Services?
DistroKid ships an update every 5 weeks, and BMI Online Services every 3 weeks. Most recently, DistroKid was updated on October 31, 2026 and BMI Online Services on October 30, 2026.

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