The Ultimate Guide to Distributing Your Music in China: Top Platforms Compared
China’s music market is booming, and as an independent artist, you don’t want to miss out. But navigating Chinese platforms can feel like decoding a secret language—unless you’ve got the right guide.
We’ve broken down the best platforms to distribute and promote your music in China, from streaming giants like NetEase Cloud Music to TikTok-powered SoundOn. Whether you’re chasing virality on Douyin (TikTok China) or looking for long-term fan engagement, we’ve got the details you need.
Let’s dive in!
1. NetEase Cloud Music – The Indie Darling
NetEase Cloud Music
What it is: A massive streaming platform with a cult-like fanbase, especially for indie and niche genres. Think Spotify, but with more social features (and way more emo comments under songs).
Website: https://music.163.com/
Register at: https://music.163.com/#/login?targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fmusic.163.com%2Fmusician%2Fartist%2Fapply
Distribution service:
Free
What to do (for the artists):
Chinese metadata, ID verification, videos, artwork
Pros:
✅ Deep fan engagement (users love leaving emotional comments)
✅ Strong algorithm for discovery
Cons:
❌ Chinese-only interface (Google Translate is your friend)
❌ Complex verification
2. QQ Music (Tencent) – The Streaming Titan
QQ Music
What it is: China’s biggest music platform, powered by Tencent (the company behind WeChat). If you want mainstream reach, this is it.
Website: https://y.qq.com/
Register at https://y.tencentmusic.com/#/home
https://y.qq.com/tmead/promotion-pc/? ad_tag=ad_musicpromotion_pc_qqwebsite#/
Distribution service:
Free
What to do (for the artists):
Chinese metadata, extensive videos, ID verification
Pros:
✅ Huge audience (thanks to WeChat & QQ integration)
✅ High-quality streaming
Cons:
❌ Hard to access directly as an indie artist
❌ Expensive promotion options
3. MusicInfo – The Budget-Friendly Distributor
Musicinfo
What it is: MusicInfo is UMG's global platform that collects, verifies, and distributes accurate music metadata as the industry's "single source of truth," reducing errors and improving royalty distribution.
Website: https://musicinfo.io/
Register at: https://musicinfo.io/music-distribution
Distribution service:
Star: €29 (~$32) – 1 release, up to 50 tracks
Bronze: €59 (~$64) – 3 releases, 50 tracks each
Gold: €99 (~$105) – 10 releases + 2 h consultation
Platinum: €249 (~$265) – 100 releases + dedicated manager
Diamond: custom pricing for 100+ releases (contact them)
Promotion services:
Playlist Placement: €125(~$132）→ 1 track on NetEase or QQ Music playlist (top-10, 1 month, 100k+ followers)
Social Post: €39（～$41） → 1 localized Weibo/RED post (text + 5 images translated to Chinese)
Video Sharing: €49（～$51） → 1 music video pushed to QQ Video, Bilibili, Douyin, Youku, etc.https://musicinfo.io/music-promotion
What to do (for the artists):
• music files, metadata, artwork, upfront fees, content for promotions
Pros:
✅ No recurring fees
✅ Includes video distribution
Cons:
❌ Unclear revenue share model
❌ New service (less proven track record)
4. Kanjian – The Crowdfunding + Distribution Hybrid
Kanjian Music
What it is: Kanjian Music (看见音乐), founded in Shanghai (2012/2013), is a tech-driven music ecosystem empowering 450,000+ independent musicians globally. It operates Asia’s largest indie music catalog and bridges creators with audiences through three pillars:
KANJIAN.COM: Interactive platform for music sharing and fan engagement;
Planet Distribution: Manages 14.8+ million tracks, distributing to 300+ global channels (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.);
Media & Brokerage: Promotes artists via events, radio, and development programs.
Website: https://en.kanjian.com/
Distribution service:
Free
20% of the revenue generated
Promotion services:
Streaming Growth:$360
Foundational Branding:under$1000-$8000+
Virality & Influence:$10,000-$50,000+
What to do (for the artists):
music files, Chinese metadata, promotional assets
Agree to revenue share
Select promotion package
Pros:
✅ Full-service approach
✅ Local market expertise
Cons:
❌ Expensive promotion packages
❌ Minimum promotion spend required
5. Taihe Music Group – The Free (But Tricky) Option
Taihe Music Group
What it is: Taihe Music Group (TMG), China's largest music service provider, offers full-industry-chain services including artist management, music publishing (with over 20M+ tracks), live events, and digital platforms.
Website: http://en.taihe.com/group
Register at: https://release.showstart.com/login?redirect=%2F
Distribution service:
Free
100% of the music rights and royalty revenues are owned by the musicians.
Promotion services:
Musicians can use it to upload their works to over 200 global streaming and social platforms.
What to do (for the artists):
Audio (WAV or 320 kbps MP3)，Cover art (3000×3000 px)，Metadata + ISRC (Taihe can generate)
Optional: MV (1080p MP4) and bilingual bio
Pros:
✅ Deep cooperation with mainstream domestic platforms, precise traffic entry.
✅ Free entry, transparent division, no hidden fees.
Cons:
❌ Long contract (3 years)
❌ Distribution efficiency on international platforms is lower than that of professional international distributors (such as DistroKid).
6. CD Baby – The Indie Classic
CD Baby
What it is: CD Baby is a pioneering music distribution company founded in 1998, originally as an online CD store for independent artists. It has since evolved into one of the world's largest digital distribution platforms for DIY musicians, enabling them to self-publish music globally without traditional label contracts
Website: https://cdbaby.com/
Register at: https://auth.cdbaby.com/Account/SignUp
Distribution service:
$9.99 per single/album + 9% revenue share
Promotion services:
Free
What to do (for the artists):
• Music files, metadata, artwork, lyrics, ISRCs
Pros:
✅ User-friendly
✅ Sync licensing opportunities
Cons:
❌ Weak China-specific promo
❌ Playlist access limited
7. TuneCore – The No-Revenue-Share Choice
TuneCore
What it is: TuneCore is a digital music distribution and publishing administration platform founded in 2006, enabling independent artists to globally distribute their music to 150+ streaming services (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon) and retain 100% ownership and revenue from sales/streams.
The platform partners with companies like PreSonus and Focusrite for integrated distribution workflows
Website: https://www.tunecore.com/
Register at: https://web.tunecore.com/signup?_gl=1*6tw0qy*_gcl_au*MTQxNzM0NjYyNy4xNzUyNTA2NTE3*FPAU*MTQxNzM0NjYyNy4xNzUyNTA2NTE3
Distribution service:
$49.99/plan$39.99/plan + $22.99/plan yearly,
$22.99/single+&39.99/album yearly (no revenue share)
Promotion services:
“Promotional Opportunities” are listed as part of the Professional ($49.99/year) plan.
These include access to:
– Artist Portal
– Brand Ambassador program
– Store Awareness campaigns
– Twitch partnerships
What to do (for the artists):
• Music files, metadata, artwork, lyrics, ISRCs
Pros：
✅ No revenue share
✅ Simple interface
Cons:
❌ China promo requires extra effort
❌ Playlist pitching is tough
8. RouteNote – The Free (But Limited) Option
RouteNote
What it is: RouteNote distributes music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Facebook, and Instagram. It offers free (revenue share) or premium (upfront fee, keep 100%) plans. For Facebook/Instagram, it uses Content Recognition (similar to YouTube's Content ID) to monetize unauthorized use of your audio.
Website: https://routenote.com/
Register at: https://www.routenote.com/rn/signup_page/design
Distribution service:
Premium: $10-30 per release + annual fees, keeping 100% of royalties
Free: $0 upfront, 85% of royalties
Promotion services:
Included for free: Pre-saves, ISRC/UPC codes, YouTube Content ID, basic analytics.
DIY Promotion: Artists must handle their own marketing (social media, ads, PR, etc.)
An extra service called PUSH Premium is mentioned at $5 / month
What to do (for the artists):
• Music files, metadata, artwork, lyrics, ISRCs
Pros:
✅ $0 upfront option
✅ Global China access
Cons:
❌ Minimal promo support
❌ Need external agencies for China campaigns
9. DistroKid – The Fast & Cheap Choice
DistroKid
What it is: DistroKid is a digital music distributor. For a low annual fee, it lets artists upload unlimited music once, delivering it to stores and streaming platforms (like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, etc.). It collects royalties and provides earnings reports, while artists keep 100%; features include fast releases and optional services like YouTube Content ID monetization.
Website: https://distrokid.com/
Register at: https://distrokid.com/
Distribution service:
Musician: $24.99/year
Musician Plus: $44.99/year
Label: $89.99/year
Promotion services:
Leave a Legacy - $29 (One-time fee)
Shazam & iPhone Siri - Free
YouTube Money - Free
Cover Song Licensing - $12 per song
Store Maximizer - $7.95 per release
What to do (for the artists):
• Music files, metadata, artwork, ISRCs (lyrics optional)
Pros:
✅ No revenue share
✅ Quick distribution
Cons:
❌ Weak China promo tools
❌ Playlist access is limited
10. SoundOn – The TikTok Powerhouse
SoundOn
What it is: SoundOn is a music distribution and marketing platform owned by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. It enables independent artists to upload music directly to TikTok, Resso (ByteDance’s streaming app), and major global platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Website： https://www.soundon.global/?lang=en
Register at: https://www.soundon.global/login?region=BR
Distribution services:
Free: No upfront fees to upload or release music.
Revenue split:
100% to the artist on TikTok and Resso (permanently).
90% to the artist (after year one) on other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Promotion service:
Free promotion on TikTok and professional guidance
What to do (for the artists):
• Music files, metadata, high-quality videos, ISRCs
Pros:
✅ Free promotion on TikTok
✅ Built for short-form video trends
Cons:
❌ Monetization is complex
❌ Requires strong visual content
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Music Distribution Platforms Comparison
🎵 Ready to Conquer China?
Pick your platform, upload your tracks, and start connecting with millions of new fans. And if you want to showcase your music live, book a session on Kiremico and perform for a global audience!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments—we’ll help you navigate the Great Firewall of Music! 🚀
