TuneCore vs. Venice: What’s the Difference?

For independent artists, navigating the music industry can feel like a solo journey. From choosing a distribution platform to managing royalties, every decision you make directly impacts your career. Two well-known platforms that help artists get their music out to the world are TuneCore and Venice. While both offer distribution services, the artist experience with each is fundamentally different.

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In this article, we’ll compare TuneCore and Venice in a few key areas—distribution, support, and overall value to artists. Spoiler: Venice takes a people-first approach, providing personalized guidance that makes all the difference for independent artists. Here's why Venice is the better choice.

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TuneCore: A Transactional Approach to Distribution

TuneCore has been around since 2005 and was one of the first platforms to help independent artists distribute their music to major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Artists using TuneCore can get their tracks onto major platforms.

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TuneCore operates on an annual subscription model, charging artists a fee to distribute their music each year. Once you've distributed your music on their site, the relationship ends. For an artist just starting out, this might seem fine. But as your career grows, the need for personalized support and guidance becomes clear, and that’s where TuneCore falls short as a company.

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Venice: A Human Approach to Distribution

Venice was created with a different mindset. While TuneCore provides a service, Venice offers a partnership. We're not just a distribution platform; we’re a community of industry professionals who understand what it takes to build a successful career as an independent artist.

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At Venice, we don’t see artists as just another account number. We know that every artist’s journey is unique, and we tailor our approach to help you succeed. Venice isn’t just about getting your music onto Spotify or Apple Music—it’s about ensuring your releases are optimized, your brand is built, and your fans are engaged. We help you make the right moves at the right time so you don’t just get heard, you get noticed.

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Unlimited Distribution: Why Venice Makes It Easier

One of the key differences between Venice and TuneCore is how we handle distribution. While TuneCore charges an annual fee for each release, Venice offers unlimited distribution through our Pro Membership. This means you can release as much music as you want without worrying about additional costs every time you hit "upload."

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This model provides freedom for independent artists, especially in today’s fast-paced music industry, where frequent releases can keep momentum with listeners and social platforms. Venice’s unlimited distribution lets you focus on your music and your audience without worrying about added costs or budget constraints as your catalog grows.

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Concierge-Level Support: You’re Not Just a Ticket at Venice

This is where Venice truly sets itself apart. In today’s digital world, it's easy to feel like just another number when working with big companies. TuneCore offers customer support, but many artists have found it to be impersonal and bureaucratic—leaving them with long wait times or generic responses for distribution or publishing administration.

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At Venice, we take pride in offering concierge-level customer service. You’re not just submitting a ticket when you reach out—you’re connecting with a team that knows your name, your music, and your goals. We understand that when you have an issue, it’s not just a technical problem; it’s your career on the line. Whether you’re troubleshooting a release, planning a campaign, or looking for advice on engaging your fans, we’re here to help with real, human expertise.

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This support goes beyond customer service—it’s career guidance. When you join Venice, you gain access to a dedicated team ready to offer personalized advice on your releases, marketing strategies, and ways to grow your audience. We're not just here to fix problems; we're here to help you achieve your long-term goals.

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Building a Career, Not Just Distributing Music

TuneCore's platform is great for getting your music out there, but what happens next? At Venice, we believe distribution is just the beginning of the journey. We don’t just drop your tracks on streaming services and call it a day. We work with you to ensure your releases are timed strategically and optimized for maximum impact.

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This holistic approach helps you build momentum. Whether you’re releasing your first single or gearing up for an album, Venice helps you plan every step of the process. From deciding on the best release strategy to promoting your music across social platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, our team works with you to ensure your music isn’t just heard but also seen, shared, and remembered.

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No Hidden Fees with Venice

Both TuneCore and Venice allow artists to keep 100% of their royalties, but with Venice, there are no hidden fees. TuneCore’s annual fees increase as your catalog grows, which can become costly for artists who are consistently releasing new music. In contrast, Venice’s Pro Membership offers transparent pricing, so you can release music as often as you want without worrying about added costs each year.

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And because we're focused on artist success, we make sure you can easily track and manage your earnings. Our user-friendly dashboard gives you full visibility into where your revenue is coming from, whether it's from Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. With Venice, you stay in control of your revenue without the extra stress of calculating rising distribution costs.

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A Process Built for Independent Artists

Another major difference between TuneCore and Venice is how the platforms are built. TuneCore often feels like a transactional service—you log in, upload your music, and wait for the results. For some artists, this might be enough, but for those who are looking for more guidance and support, it can feel isolating.

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At Venice, we’ve designed a collaborative process built around artist success. You’re never left wondering how to optimize a release or when to drop your next single. Our team is hands-on, helping you make decisions that are right for your career. From ensuring your metadata is correct to strategizing how to engage with fans across social platforms, Venice offers an intuitive process that’s easy to navigate and designed to help artists grow.

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Final Thoughts: Why Venice Wins

Choosing the right distribution platform is a crucial decision for any artist. While TuneCore provides basic tools for distribution, Venice offers something much more valuable: personalized support, unlimited releases, and a partnership that goes beyond just getting your music on streaming services.

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When you work with Venice, you’re joining a community that genuinely cares about your music business success. Whether you’re releasing your first single or building up to your next album, Venice is here to help you every step of the way. With concierge-level support, transparent pricing, collecting revenue, and a people-first approach, Venice is the clear choice for independent artists looking to take control of their careers and revenue.