bbn.music vs CD Baby for labels
CD Baby charges once per release and keeps 9%. bbn.music charges flat and pays out 100%. CD Baby's strengths are in the table too.
| Feature | bbn.music | CD Baby |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest entry | Free (97% revenue) or €12/year (100%) | $9.99/single, $14.99/album one-time — no renewal (as of June 2026) |
| Revenue share | 100% on the €12/year tier, 97% on free | 91% — CD Baby keeps 9% |
| Label & multi-artist support | Label plan: unlimited artists & releases, custom pricing | Pay per release; 'Label Services' is an application-based program, not a self-serve plan |
| Royalty splits | Per-song splits, set per track or as a release default | No automated split payouts; split-sheet templates only |
| Split escrow | Automatic escrow holds every share until payout | Not offered |
| Publishing (CWR/GEMA) | Opt-in CWR/GEMA registration, included in the label plan | Publishing & sync available as paid add-ons |
| Contracts | Artist contracts created and signed on-platform | Not offered |
| Team roles | Full member roles on the label plan | Not offered |
| Payouts | SEPA payouts via KYB-verified label wallet | Standard withdrawals |
| Store count | 35+ stores in 195 countries | 150+ stores — CD Baby wins here |
| Add-on fees | Flat pricing; Dolby Atmos & synced lyrics included | Publishing & sync cost extra; 9% revenue share applies |
| EU & GDPR home | Independent, built in Germany, GDPR, EN + DE | US company, founded 1998; part of Universal's Virgin Music Group since February 2026 |
As of June 2026 — competitor pricing and features may change.
When bbn.music is the better fit
Choose bbn.music if your catalogue keeps earning. CD Baby takes 9% of every payout for as long as a release earns; on bbn.music you keep 100% for €12/year, and labels get custom pricing with unlimited artists and releases. The label plan also covers what a pay-per-release distributor leaves out: per-song splits with automatic escrow, on-platform contracts, full member roles, opt-in CWR/GEMA publishing registration, SEPA payouts via a KYB-verified wallet, and white-label storefronts. Independent and built in Germany under GDPR, in English and German. Mail support@bbn.music for label pricing.
When CD Baby fits better
Choose CD Baby if you release occasionally and would rather pay once than yearly. A single costs $9.99 and an album $14.99 (as of June 2026), with no renewal, so your music stays live without a subscription. CD Baby has been around since 1998 and is now part of Universal's Virgin Music Group; it reaches 150+ stores and offers sync licensing as an add-on. At low release volume, 9% can be a fair trade for zero recurring fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is bbn.music a good CD Baby alternative for labels?
Yes. CD Baby sells distribution per release to individual artists; its 'Label Services' track is an application-based program rather than a bookable plan. bbn.music runs a dedicated label plan with unlimited artists and releases, per-song splits with automatic escrow, contracts, team roles, opt-in CWR/GEMA publishing, and SEPA payouts. CD Baby keeps the edge on store reach (150+ vs 35+) and brand history back to 1998; for label pricing, contact support@bbn.music.
Which is cheaper: bbn.music or CD Baby?
It depends on how your catalogue earns. CD Baby charges once per release ($9.99 single, $14.99 album, as of June 2026) and keeps 9% of revenue from then on. bbn.music charges €12/year and pays out 100%, or you stay on the free tier and keep 97%. The more a release earns over time, the more that 9% outweighs the one-time fee.
Does bbn.music charge per release like CD Baby?
No. Artist tiers are flat: free with 97% of revenue, or €12/year with 100%. Labels get unlimited releases for unlimited artists at custom pricing. CD Baby charges once per release and keeps 9%.