Built for artists who treat their catalog like a craft.

VELVETEEN vs CD BABY

Unlimited releases. Zero commission. $1.99/month.

$1.99/ month — that's it.
Get StartedSee the Full Comparison ↓

Pro-grade delivery. AI that knows your catalog. Built for serious artists.

// What you get with Velveteen

Label tools.
Artist price.

Everything CD Baby charges extra for — or doesn't offer at all — comes standard. Real product, built for artists and labels running six-figure catalogs.

// AI A&R

Vee runs your catalog

A tool-aware agent that validates metadata, pushes releases to every DSP, and answers questions about your royalties in plain English.

V
Vee
● Online · Haiku 4.5
Push my new single to Spotify and pitch it editorial.
Validated metadata. Artwork 3000×3000 ✓. LUFS −14 ✓.
SpotifyApple MusicAmazonYouTube
Pitch submitted for editorial consideration →
// ROYALTIES

See every dollar, across every platform

Real-time dashboards break down earnings by DSP, track, and territory. 0% commission — you keep what you earn.

Year to date
$18,420
0% fee
Spotify$11,240
Apple Music$4,128
Amazon · YouTube · 38 more$3,052
// SPLITS

Pay collaborators automatically

Configure splits once. Producers, co-writers, and features get paid direct — no spreadsheets, no chasing.

Royalty splits — auto-paid
3 ways
You · Artist60%
Producer · Mx25%
Co-writer15%
Paid direct to every collaborator
// PITCHING

Pitch editorial on every major DSP

Submit releases for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube editorial — something most distributors don't offer.

Editorial pitch · Spotify
Draft
Reverie (Single)
Releases May 12 · 3:48
GenreAlt Indie · Dreampop
MoodLate-night · Melancholic
CultureCanadian · Vancouver
Submit pitch →

FEATURE COMPARISON

See how Velveteen stacks up against CD Baby, feature by feature.

Feature
Velveteen
CD Baby
Pricing model
$19/yr Basic (unlimited)
Per-release fees
Unlimited releases included
Unlimited releases to 40+ DSPs
Commission on royalties
0%
9% forever
Cost per single
Included in plan
$9.99
Cost per album
Included in plan
$29.99
Custom label name
Pro ($4.99/mo)
Included
DSP pitch submissions
Smartlinks included
VLVTN Pro
Royalty analytics dashboard
Basic
Team management
Label plan
Support
Email + ticket system
Email only

THE REAL COST

Artist releasing 4 singles + 1 album per year, earning $500/year

Velveteen
$19/yr Basic (all DSPs, 0% commission — keep all $500)
CD Baby
$69.95 in fees + $45 commission (9%) = $114.95/yr, keep $455

Velveteen Basic costs $19/yr flat — you keep 100% of your $500. CD Baby costs $114.95/yr and skims 9% off the top forever. That's a $95.95 swing in your favour from year one.

Your music stays live — even if you cancel.
Your ISRCs and UPCs come with you.
No contracts. No lock-in. Cancel anytime.

WHAT ARTISTS SAY

It's been an absolute pleasure working with the Velveteen team, complete night and day experience. Highly recommend for artists looking to take their music to the next level!

Andy Colonico

Andy Colonico

Artist

I built Velveteen because independent artists deserve label-level tools without the label deal. Every feature exists because I needed it myself.

Babbage

Babbage

Artist

The platform makes releasing music effortless — from upload to every streaming platform. I wouldn't use anybody else.

Junyor

Junyor

Artist

FAQ

Common questions about switching from CD Baby to Velveteen.

Does CD Baby take a commission?

Yes. CD Baby takes 9% of all your digital distribution revenue — forever. There's no way to avoid this commission. Velveteen takes 0% commission on all plans.

Is CD Baby's one-time fee actually cheaper?

It depends on how much you release. If you release 4+ singles per year, Velveteen's $1.99/month ($23.88/year) is cheaper than CD Baby's per-release fees ($9.99/single = $39.96 for 4 singles). Plus CD Baby's 9% commission adds up over time.

Can I switch from CD Baby to Velveteen?

Yes. Your existing CD Baby releases can stay live while you start new releases on Velveteen. Your ISRCs and UPCs transfer with you.

How is Velveteen's support compared to CD Baby?

CD Baby's support has declined significantly since their acquisition. Velveteen provides a built-in ticket system with tracked response times, plus email support on all plans and dedicated support for Label subscribers.

YOUR MUSIC. YOUR ROYALTIES.

0% commission40+ DSPsCancel anytime
Get StartedSee All Plans

Distribute to all major DSPs. Keep 100% of your royalties. Cancel anytime.