I see the search for the right soundtrack as a necessity, not a luxury, for today’s video content creators. The right audio can elevate a project from simply good to truly memorable, but spending hours digging through overused music libraries or worrying about copyright claims isn’t ideal. That’s why many creators rely on royalty-free stock music software and websites.
I believe the best royalty-free music sites make it easier to match high-quality audio with visuals, without legal headaches or inflated costs. These platforms offer expansive music libraries suited for different moods, genres, and use cases, without hidden fees or restrictive licensing terms.
Whether you’re a vlogger aiming for viral reach, a filmmaker shaping a narrative, or a podcaster setting the tone for conversations, I’m here to help you find the right platform. I analyzed more than 25 royalty-free music tools using G2 Review Data to identify the six best royalty-free music sites to try in 2026.
*The software list is arranged alphabetically. These tools offer free trials, free forever options, or freemium models.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about royalty-free music sites, this comparison table will help you with all the important aspects:
| Best royalty-free music sites | G2 Rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Epidemic Sound | 4.3/5 ⭐ | 30-day free trial | $9.99/ month billed annually |
| Filmstro | 4.8/5 ⭐ | Free plan available | $11.91/month billed annually |
| JumpStory | 4.3/5 ⭐ | 7-day free trial | $25.00 with a one-time purchase |
| Lickd | 4.2/5 ⭐ | 7-day free trial | $29.99/month billed annually |
| Snapmuse | 4.7/5 ⭐ | 30-day free trial | $1.49/user/month billed annually |
| Storyblocks | 4.6/5 ⭐ | Free plan available | $15/month billed annually |
*All pricing details mentioned in the article are based on publicly available data at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Finding the right background music can make or break a video, podcast, or social post, especially when copyright issues are always looming. As creators publish more content across platforms, the demand for safe, high-quality audio keeps rising. In fact, the royalty-free music market grew from $1.52 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $2.03 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.91%.
What stood out to me while exploring this space is that “royalty-free” doesn’t have to mean generic or low quality. Several platforms offer well-produced tracks across genres, moods, and use cases, even on free or affordable plans.
In this list, I’ve rounded up the six best royalty-free music sites based on real-world usability, music quality, licensing clarity, and how creator-friendly their free options truly are. I’ll break down what each platform does best, where it falls short, and which type of creator it’s most suitable for, so you can confidently pick the right soundtrack without worrying about copyright strikes.
To build this list, I started with G2 data where available and supplemented it with reputable user reviews and creator feedback to shortlist well-known and consistently rated royalty-free music platforms.
From there, I reviewed each platform’s music library, licensing terms, and recent user feedback to confirm that these sites deliver real value and to understand where each one stands out, whether that’s music quality, genre variety, ease of discovery, or clarity around commercial usage rights.
The goal was simple: to see whether these royalty-free music sites live up to their claims, what each one is best suited for, and whether there’s a free plan or trial you can use with minimal risk. Since this is a creator-focused, free-leaning list, I paid close attention to what you can access without paying, including free track limits, attribution requirements, download restrictions, and any licensing conditions that might require an upgrade.
The screenshots featured in this article may be a mix of those taken from the vendor’s G2 page or from publicly available materials.
The royalty-free music list below contains real user reviews from the Stock Music category page on G2. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free plan or free trial are also considered free.
To qualify for inclusion in the Stock Music category, a product must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Epidemic Sound offers a vast catalog of music and sound effects that helps me find the right audio for almost any type of content. I can filter tracks by genre, mood, or theme, upload a reference song to discover similar tunes, and even get recommendations based on specific frames within my video.
What stood out to me most is Epidemic Sound’s direct licensing model, it lets me publish content confidently without worrying about copyright claims or licensing hassles.
| Pros of Epidemic Sound | Cons of Epidemic Sound |
| Strong AI recommendations that speed up editing workflows | Search and discovery can feel overwhelming due to library's size |
| Tracks feel curated and professional, not stock-like | Filters aren’t always precise, especially for sound effects |
| Excellent customer support and a responsive team | Subscription cancellation removes future usage rights |
“Epidemic Sound is like the Spotify for blanket music. The team catalogs the music available in many different buckets for searching, which is helpful when looking for that perfect track. I love being able to search by multiple parameters - vibe, length, genre, lyric, or instrumental - all help to narrow that search. The price is right - you can't do better for the catalog of music they are offering.”
- Epidemic Sound review, Benjamin F.
“Twice in my two years using Epidemic Sound, our channel had major copyright claims from YouTube for songs I used from Epidemic. Over 20 songs were claimed in one day, and another time, Epidemic Sound sent an email saying they had lost the copyright for some songs they had. This issue created strikes on my channel and major issues for me. But they haven't done anything so far or even emailed me back.”
- Epidemic Sound review, Christian S.
Head-to-head: Epidemic Sound and iStock. Learn the key differences between Epidemic Sound and iStock.
Filmstro is a soundtrack creation tool built for filmmakers and content creators who want greater control over how music fits their visuals. It combines a curated royalty-free music library with a web app that lets users dynamically adjust music elements, such as intensity and momentum, to match the mood and pacing of their videos. By allowing creators to edit music in a way that feels similar to video editing, Filmstro makes it easier to produce custom soundtracks that align closely with on-screen action.
| Pros of Filmstro | Cons of Filmstro |
| Royalty-free tracks are safe for monetization | The music library is smaller than the large stock platforms |
| Saves time by quickly syncing music to video | Slight learning curve due to advanced features |
| Easy to use, even for non-musicians | Search and filtering could be improved |
"Great range of high-quality tracks that you can adjust without needing to know how to play an instrument".
- Filmstro review, Mark D.
"If I had to say something, there was a slight learning curve, but I'll put that down to it having a lot of features/flexibility (which is well worth following a tutorial or two to get up to speed)".
- Filmstro review, Ray M.
JumpStory is a stock image platform focused on delivering authentic, real-life visuals that help brands connect with audiences on a human level. It offers unlimited access to photos, illustrations, icons, and exclusive visual formats that capture genuine emotions, lifestyles, travel, and everyday moments. Alongside its content library, JumpStory includes built-in tools such as AI-powered image matching, one-click background removal, an image editor, and a personal assistant to speed up creative workflows.
With a simple international license and integrations for tools like PowerPoint and Word, JumpStory gives marketers, designers, and entrepreneurs a single place to find, edit, and use impactful visuals.
| Pros of JumpStory | Cons and cons of JumpStory |
| Unique, authentic images and videos that don’t look stock-like | Music library is limited compared to dedicated music platforms |
| Clear licensing that reduces copyright concerns | Minor workflow issues and occasional bugs |
| Responsive and helpful customer support | Search functionality can be inconsistent at times |
"I was lucky enough to get a lifetime deal, which means I get away from the hooks of their competitors. Its vast array of photos that just don’t look like stock pictures is probably one of the biggest selling points. I also really like the AI that they are incorporating, which really helps them stand out from the crowd".
- JumpStory review, Alex C.
"Offer people free trials and then charge them when they forget to cancel. Oh, and never remind them about it :)".
- JumpStory review, Kristijan A.
Lickd is a music licensing platform built for creators who want to use popular mainstream songs without risking copyright claims or losing ad revenue. It allows users to legally license tracks from major music labels for use in online videos, alongside access to a large library of high-quality, claims-free stock music. By combining mainstream music licensing with affordable stock tracks in one place, Lickd makes it easier for creators to use the music they want while staying fully compliant with platform copyright rules.
| Pros of Lickd | Cons of Lickd |
| Easy-to-use platform for licensing commercial music | No subscription or flexible payment plans |
| Large selection of popular and commercial songs | Requires extra steps like uploading videos as unlisted for claim clearance |
| No need to contact copyright holders directly | Primarily focused on YouTube, with limited support for other platforms |
"I love how easy it is to search for commercial music for the videos that I create. I work as an instructional designer, and when I create certain how-to videos, I always need to add music to help with the retention of the video. I am always worried about copyright laws and Lickd makes it super easy to add music that fits perfectly".
- Lickd review, Christen L.
"The price of this app is very high. I wish Lickd offered payment plans, meaning subscription plans, so you would not have to pay per song".
- Lickd review, Ved R.
Snapmuse is a royalty-free music platform created for content creators, filmmakers, gamers, and social media professionals. It offers an ever-growing library of original tracks produced by an in-house team of musicians, songwriters, and sound engineers. All music on Snapmuse is 100% royalty-free, with no restrictions or future claims, making it safe for use across YouTube, social media, games, and films.
With tracks curated by mood, genre, and use case, Snapmuse makes it easy to discover, download, and use music that fits creative projects without licensing concerns.
| Pros of Snapmuse | Cons of Snapmuse |
| Wide range of genres suitable for YouTube and client projects | Commercial use pricing can be higher for larger projects |
| An interactive platform that makes music discovery easy | Platform UX could be more engaging and polished |
| Affordable for individual creators and personal projects | Customer support and refund policies need more clarity |
"The music quality is premium and offers a wide range of genres and a big music library".
- Snapmuse review, Dhiraj G.
"Nothing much to dislike, keep doing the good work and keep adding more royalty-free music to the library, improve the UX of the platform, could create a more engaging experience".
- Snapmuse review, Vishal M.
Storyblocks is a royalty-free media asset marketplace offering stock images, audio, video, and templates. The platform stands out in the crowded market with over 75,000 stock audio options, including content from award-winning musicians and the Storyblocks Label. Storyblocks provides unlimited downloads, YouTube Content ID support, and more.
I appreciate how Storyblocks sources music from composers who are well-versed in creating captivating chords, delivering clear, high notes paired with deep, resonant bass.
| Pros of Storyblocks | Cons of Storyblocks |
| High-quality, professional stock content | New content additions can feel limited |
| Large library of videos for diverse projects | Smaller library compared to larger stock platforms |
| Easy-to-use and intuitive interface | Search functionality can be inefficient |
“As a filmmaker, I appreciate how Storyblocks understands the 'high production values' look of depth-of-field footage. As a soundtrack person, Storyblocks only uses music from composers who understand the value of clear treble, resonant 'traffic lights' bass, and engaging melodies and chord sequences. As an effects person, I know that Storyblocks simply delivers every time. Whatever I need, it's as if you anticipated it and had three versions ready for me to choose from.”
- Storyblocks review, Tom M.
“I would like to see an improvement in music selection. I know it's hard for music creators, but I often feel like the tracks are a middle with no beginning and no ending. However, I am very picky when it comes to tracks. Tom Waits did one commercial, and I created it. It won at Cannes.”
- Storyblocks review, William L.
Looking for alternative options? Check out the top 10 Storyblocks alternatives.
Not exactly. “Royalty-free” means you don’t pay ongoing royalties per use, not that the music costs nothing. Most platforms require a subscription or a one-time license fee.
For example, Epidemic Sound, Storyblocks, and Snapmuse operate on subscription models, while Lickd focuses on licensing popular tracks individually. Once licensed, you can use the music within the platform’s terms without recurring payments.
Yes, most royalty-free music can be used commercially, but you must check the license terms.
Platforms like Epidemic Sound, Storyblocks, and Snapmuse explicitly allow commercial use for YouTube, social media, ads, and client projects. Lickd also enables commercial use, including branded content, but pricing and permissions depend on the specific track and platform.
Yes, reputable royalty-free music sites are legal and copyright-safe when you follow their license terms.
For example, Epidemic Sound uses a direct licensing model that helps creators avoid copyright claims on platforms like YouTube. Storyblocks and Snapmuse also provide clear licenses covering online and commercial use. Issues typically arise only when music is used outside the allowed scope.
Royalty-free music sites are simpler, faster, and more affordable than traditional licensing.
Traditional licensing often involves negotiations, usage-based fees, and ongoing royalties. In contrast, platforms like Epidemic Sound and Storyblocks offer predictable pricing and immediate access to large libraries, making them ideal for creators who publish frequently.
Key factors to compare include:
For example, Filmstro stands out for customizable soundtracks, while Snapmuse focuses on easy discovery and creator-friendly licensing.
It depends on how often you create content.
Frequent creators usually get more value from subscriptions.
Trust often comes from license clarity and claim protection.
Epidemic Sound is widely trusted for its direct-license approach. Storyblocks has a strong reputation due to its large, well-curated library. Lickd is trusted for legally licensing recognizable tracks that would otherwise be difficult to use.
Yes, advanced filtering is a core feature of most royalty-free music sites.
Epidemic Sound, Filmstro, and Snapmuse allow filtering by mood, genre, tempo, and use case (vlogs, ads, cinematic, etc.), which makes it easier to find the right track quickly.
I believe the right royalty-free soundtrack can elevate a video and bring it to life. Each site I’ve covered offers its own strengths and trade-offs, making them better suited for different creative needs. Whether you’re looking for a diverse music library, an easy-to-use interface, flexible pricing, or high-quality audio, there’s an option that can work for you, once you’re clear on your priorities.
I also recommend carefully reviewing licensing terms and usage rights to avoid legal issues down the line. With that in mind, choosing a royalty-free music platform that aligns with your budget and creative goals becomes much easier.
Need licensed footage or animations as well? Check out the top stock footage solutions that provide licensed videos for visual supplements.
This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information
Edited by Monishka Agrawal
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