Why Does This Question Matter?
Many musicians discover too late that changing their subscription plan on a distribution platform can directly affect songs already live on Spotify, Apple Music, and elsewhere. Before you hit "downgrade" or "cancel," read this article all the way through.
DistroKid: What Happens When You Downgrade or Cancel?
DistroKid runs on an annual subscription model. As long as your subscription is active, your music stays on all platforms. But once it lapses without renewal, the problems begin:
- Canceling your subscription: According to DistroKid's official support page, when a subscription ends without renewal, you're offered a "Leave a Legacy" option (a one-time additional fee) to keep your music live. Without it, your tracks are gradually pulled from all platforms.
- Downgrading your plan: Moving from a higher tier to a lower one leaves your previously uploaded tracks untouched, but you may lose certain perks — such as the number of artists allowed or unlimited albums — depending on what the new plan includes.
- Earnings: Even after your tracks are removed, revenue from the previous period may continue arriving in your account for several months due to each platform's own payment cycles.
Source: DistroKid official support page (support.distrokid.com).
TuneCore: What Happens When You Downgrade or Cancel?
TuneCore operates differently — fees are paid per release or through an annual subscription, depending on the plan you choose:
- Canceling a specific release: If you choose to stop distributing a particular song or album, it's removed from platforms within a few weeks, and its historical data may be lost on certain stores.
- Downgrading your plan: According to TuneCore's official website, moving to a lower tier can mean losing access to advanced analytics, or having your earnings subject to a commission cut on plans that use that model.
- Non-renewal: If you don't renew the fee for a specific release, it gets pulled from platforms once the subscription period ends.
Source: TuneCore official help center (support.tunecore.com).
Practical Steps to Take Before Changing Your Plan
- Save your ISRC and UPC codes: These identifiers are essential if you ever want to redistribute the same releases while preserving their streaming stats.
- Download your earnings reports: Export all sales reports before making any changes — some platforms don't retain historical data after an account is canceled.
- Check your balance: Make sure any outstanding revenue has already been transferred to your bank account before you cancel.
- Read the new plan's terms carefully: Every platform has its own rules around commissions and rights — don't assume they're the same.
- Time your transition carefully: If you're moving to a new distributor, upload your music there first before pulling it from the old one. This prevents any gap in availability for listeners.
Is There an Alternative That Avoids This Problem Entirely?
Yes. Platforms like Mazufa use a different model entirely: distribution is free with a 0% commission, meaning you never pay an annual subscription that needs renewing just to keep your music live. That alone eliminates the anxiety around plan changes and forgotten renewal dates.
The Bottom Line
Changing your subscription plan on DistroKid or TuneCore is not a simple decision — it can mean your music gets pulled from platforms or that you permanently lose important data. The five steps above protect you from the worst outcomes. And if you're thinking about starting fresh, zero-commission free distribution models are well worth a serious look.