Octiive vs. CD Baby

CD Baby’s legacy is undeniable, but its 9% commission and extra service fees mean artists sacrifice a chunk of their hard-earned royalties. Octiive charges less upfront, keeps pricing transparent, and lets you hold onto all of your revenue. If you want modern distribution without the middleman cut, Octiive is the better pick.

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Overview

CD Baby has been around for decades and is known as one of the pioneers of independent music distribution. Octiive is a newer platform that’s quickly becoming a favorite for cost-conscious and globally minded artists. Here’s how they compare.

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Pricing & Fees

• Octiive: $9 per single, $19 per album, or monthly/annual unlimited plans. UPC/ISRC codes included at no cost.
  
  
• CD Baby: Pay-per-release model, starting at $9.95 per single and $29.95 per album, plus 9% commission on all royalties. Extras like publishing or sync licensing cost more.
  
  

Why Octiive wins: No commission, lower per-release cost, and no surprise fees. Over time, CD Baby’s 9% cut adds up significantly.

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Royalties & Revenue

• Octiive: Artists on unlimited plans keep 100% of royalties.
  
  
• CD Baby: Takes 9% of distribution royalties, plus additional fees for services like publishing.
  
  

Why Octiive wins: Independent artists keep more of what they earn, without sharing a cut.

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Store Reach

• Octiive: 260+ DSPs and 140+ countries.
  
  
• CD Baby: Solid reach (around 150 DSPs) but not as extensive as Octiive.
  
  

Why Octiive wins: Broader international distribution at no extra cost.

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Verdict

CD Baby’s legacy makes it a trusted name, but its commission model and extra fees weigh it down. For artists who want to maximize earnings and reach, Octiive is the smarter, more affordable choice.

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