# Distributions
The introduction of Distributions marks a significant advancement in DeFi applications, offering a scalable method for one-to-many fund transfers. Distributions allow for the transfer of value to multiple recipients with minimal on-chain data modification, making them infinitely scalable, highly efficient and gas-friendly.
note
There are other on-chain solutions that may seem to solve this problem without using a new token implementation (e.g [Disperse App](https://disperse.app/)). While these solutions can be great for a low amount of recipients, they are not infinitely scalable and can become very expensive as the number of recipients increases. Furthermore, they do not allow for distributing money streaming
### Overview[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#overview)
Distributions function by allowing for the creation of **pools** with a designated **pool admin** who manages **units** for **pool members**. Members of these pools can receive funds either instantly or through continuous streaming, making this method highly efficient and scalable. There are two types of Distributions:
* **Instant Distributions**: They allow one transaction distribution to any number of receivers with a fixed gas cost.
* **Streaming Distributions**: They allow for continuous distribution of funds to receivers through Money Streaming to a Pool.
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* Instant Distribution
* Streaming Distribution
**Instant Distributions** allow one transaction to distribute to any number of receivers with a fixed gas cost.
*Click on the Blue Circle to initiate an Instant Distribution*
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Distribution PoolClick to distribute a tokenMember AMember BMember CMember DMember E
*By creating a Distribution Pool, you can distribute any token instantly*
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#### Definitions[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#definitions)
* **Pool**: A channel for proportional token distribution.
* **Distribution**: The action of allocating specified token amounts to receivers.
* **Units**: Represent the proportion of the distribution each subscriber receives.
* **Pool Admin**: The administrator of the distribution process.
* **Subscribers/Pool Member**: Receivers allocated units and eligible to receive tokens through the Index.
#### Key Features[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#key-features)
* **Pools as Contracts**: Unlike previous approaches, pools in streaming distributions are contracts and can be ERC20 tokens. This allows pool members to transfer units among themselves, which wasn't possible earlier.
* **Roles and Permissions**: A pool admin can grant and revoke units, while any account can act as a **distributor** to execute fund distributions.
* **Distribution Methods**: There are two primary ways to distribute funds:
* **Instant Distribution**: Calculated as `distributionAmount * (poolMemberUnits / poolTotalUnits)`.
* **Streaming Distribution**: Determined by `poolFlowRate * (poolMemberUnits / poolTotalUnits)`.
* **Gas Efficiency**: The cost of executing distributions remains constant, regardless of the number of pool members.
#### High-Level Workflow[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#high-level-workflow)
1. **Pool Creation**: Any account can create a pool and appoint a pool admin. This pool acts as a channel for distributing funds.
2. **Unit Management**: The pool admin assigns units to members, representing their share in future distributions.
3. **Member Connection**: Pool members can connect to or disconnect from the pool, affecting how they access distributed funds.
4. **Distribution Execution**: Distributors can initiate either instant or streaming distributions, which are then divided among pool members based on their unit share.
### Distribution Examples[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#distribution-examples)
#### Streaming Distribution Illustration[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#streaming-distribution-illustration)
This diagram shows a distributor streaming funds to various pool members, each holding different unit amounts. Note: A single transaction can cater to multiple members.
#### Adjusting Unit Counts[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#adjusting-unit-counts)
Here, a distributor modifies unit counts for members. This change instantly alters the distribution rate for all members in one transaction. Batch updates can be done using Tagomi's batch call.
#### Modifying the Flow Rate[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#modifying-the-flow-rate)
This example demonstrates how a change in the distributor's streaming rate affects the total flow rate of the pool, thus instantly impacting each member's rate.
### Advanced Pool Features[](https://docs.superfluid.finance/docs/concepts/overview/distributions#advanced-pool-features)
As pools are also ERC20 tokens, they enable:
* **Transfer of Units**: Pool members can freely transfer their units.
* **Delegated Transfers**: Using the `approve` and `transferFrom` functions, units can be transferred on behalf of a member.
These features add composability and flexibility, expanding the potential use cases for pools in web3.
