Introduction
In the vast landscape of digital creativity, finding the perfect soundtrack can be the key to elevating your project from good to exceptional. Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, or business owner crafting multimedia content, the right stock music can set the tone, evoke emotions, and enhance the overall impact of your work. This blog post delves into stock music, shedding light on the top 12 stock music sites that stand out in the crowded market.
We'll explore platforms offering diverse musical genres, licensing options, and user-friendly interfaces. Join us on this journey to discover the optimal soundtrack for your creative endeavors as we unravel the unique features of each stock music site, empowering you to make informed choices that resonate with your project's vision. Let's dive into the world of premium soundscapes and find the perfect harmony for your creative journey.
Top 12 Stock Music Sites in 2024
1. Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound is a popular stock media site that provides royalty-free music and sound effects for creators. It was founded in 2009 and has become a popular choice for YouTubers, podcasters, filmmakers, and other content creators.
Key features of Epidemic Sound:
Extensive library: Epidemic Sound has over 40,000 royalty-free music tracks and 90,000 sound effects. It means you're sure to find the perfect track or sound effect for your project.
High quality: Epidemic Sound's library's music and sound effects are high quality and professionally produced.
Royalty-free: Once you have a subscription, you can use any music or sound effects in Epidemic Sound's library in your projects without paying any additional royalties.
Easy to use: Epidemic Sound's website is easy to use and navigate. You can search for music and sound effects by genre, mood, keyword, or duration.
Affordable: Epidemic Sound offers a variety of subscription plans to fit your needs and budget.
Pricing of Epidemic Sound:
Epidemic Sound offers two different subscription plans:
Personal: $7 per month
Commercial: $25 per month
Why is Epidemic Sound a good stock music site?
There are many reasons why Epidemic Sound is a good stock music site. Here are a few of the most important:
Quality: It has an extensive and high-quality music and sound effects library.
Royalty-free: It is royalty-free, so you don't have to worry about paying additional royalties.
Affordable: Epidemic Sound is affordable, with plans to fit every budget.
Epidemic Sound is an excellent option for creators of all levels, from hobbyists to professionals. With its vast library of high-quality music and sound effects, easy-to-use interface, and affordable pricing, Epidemic Sound is an excellent value for money.
2. YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a built-in resource within YouTube Studio offering royalty-free music and sound effects specifically for creators to use in their YouTube videos. It's not a separate website like Epidemic Sound but an integrated tool within the platform. Learn how to download YouTube music from the YouTube Audio Library.
Key Features of YouTube Audio Library:
Free to use: The YouTube Audio Library is free for any YouTube creator with an active channel. No subscriptions or additional fees are involved.
Variety of options: The library houses a decent collection of tracks across various genres, moods, and durations, along with sound effects for different purposes.
Direct integration: Music and sound effects can be easily browsed and selected within YouTube Studio, making the process seamless for video creators.
Attribution required: While free to use, some tracks require attribution in the video description with specific details provided by the library.
Limited commercial use: Tracks are primarily for non-commercial YouTube videos. For commercial projects, using licensed music from outside sources is recommended.
Pricing of YouTube Audio Library:
As mentioned, the YouTube Audio Library is entirely free for YouTube creators to use.
Why is YouTube Audio Library a good stock music site for YouTube creators?
Cost-effective: Being free, it's an excellent option for creators starting or working on budget-conscious projects.
Convenience: Easy integration within YouTube Studio eliminates the need for external platforms or additional software.
Decent selection: While not as extensive as paid libraries, the available tracks cover many styles and needs for most YouTube video types.
Safe for monetization: As long as proper attribution is given, videos using Audio Library tracks won't face copyright issues and can still be monetized.
3. Envato Elements
Envato Elements is a subscription-based creative platform offering a vast library of stock assets, including royalty-free music. While it's not solely dedicated to music, it's a popular choice for creators who need resources beyond audio.
Key features of Envato Elements(Audio):
Massive library: Boasting over 116,000+ royalty-free music tracks, Envato Elements covers various genres, moods, and durations. You'll likely find music for any type of project imaginable.
High quality: All tracks are professionally produced and curated for a high standard, ensuring your projects sound polished.
Unlimited downloads: With your subscription, you can download as many tracks as you like, giving you ultimate flexibility and freedom.
Royalty-free license: Use the music in any commercial or non-commercial project without worrying about additional licensing fees.
Advanced search: Filter and search through the library by genre, mood, keywords, instruments, and more, making it easy to find the perfect track.
Pricing of Envato Elements:
Envato Elements offers a single, all-inclusive subscription plan for $16.50 per month (billed annually) or $19.99 monthly. It gives you access to all the assets in the library, including music, sound effects, photos, videos, fonts, and more.
Why is Envato Elements a good stock music site?
Value for money: The all-inclusive plan offers incredible value, especially if you need more than just music for your projects.
Huge library and variety: You'll never be limited in finding the perfect track, no matter your project's needs.
High quality and professional: The curated selection ensures your projects sound polished and professional.
Royalty-free license and flexibility: Use the music without worry and adapt it to your needs.
Regular updates and future-proof: Always have access to fresh tracks and new resources.
4. Artlist
Artlist is a rising star in the stock music space, offering a curated library of high-quality tracks and a comprehensive suite of features specifically designed for video creators. Think of it as a one-stop shop for all your asset needs, focusing on creativity, affordability, and ease of use.
Key Features of Artlist:
Premium, curated library: Artlist claims to have 400K+ premium assets, which include royalty-free music tracks and sound effects, hand-picked for their exceptional quality and diverse range of genres, moods, and styles.
Exclusive content: Access exclusive music collections and collaborations with renowned artists, unavailable on other platforms. Get your hands on fresh, unique sounds to elevate your projects.
Easy search & filter: Find the perfect track quickly and efficiently with advanced search options based on genre, mood, instrumentation, duration, and even keywords.
Stems & loops: Get hands-on with your music! Many tracks offer access to individual stems and loops, allowing you to customize and remix the music to fit your vision perfectly.
Royalty-free for all projects: Use the music in any project, personal or commercial, without worrying about additional fees or copyright claims.
Pricing of Artlist:
Artlist offers the following subscription plans:
Music & SFX - Social: $14.99 per month
Music & SFX - Pro: $16.58 per month (billed annually)
Why is Artlist a good stock music site?
Creative freedom: With stems and loops available for many tracks, you can personalize the music to match your project's specific tone and style.
Affordable and transparent pricing: No hidden fees or complicated licensing terms. Users can simply choose a plan that fits their needs and enjoy unlimited downloads for the duration of their subscription.
Growing community: Connect with other creators, share projects, and get inspiration through Artlist's active community forum.
5. Adobe Stock Audio
Adobe Stock Audio is the integrated music and sound effects library within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, offering royalty-free audio assets specifically catered to creatives using Adobe software like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. Think of it as a convenient in-house audio resource directly accessible from your Adobe workflow.
Key Features of Adobe Stock Audio:
Seamless integration: Browse, preview, and license tracks directly within Adobe applications, saving you time and effort compared to switching to external platforms.
High-quality library: Over 100,000 royalty-free music tracks and sound effects curated for various genres, moods, and project types, ensuring you'll find the perfect audio complement for your creative vision.
Advanced search & filter: Narrow your search with intuitive options based on genre, mood, tempo, duration, vocals, and even audio partners, making it easy to find the ideal track.
Royalty-free for all projects: Use the audio in any project, personal or commercial, without worrying about additional fees or copyright claims.
Integration with other Adobe services: Adobe Stock Audio integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud services like Premiere Rush and Spark, providing wider accessibility for diverse creative needs.
Pricing of Adobe Stock:
Adobe Stock offers several pricing plans for audio and other assets suitable for different usage and needs. Here are the main options available:
3 Standard Assets/Month: Priced at $29.99/month, this plan offers assets at $9.99 each. It includes standard images, templates, audio, and vectors, allowing rollover of up to 36 unused licenses.
25 Standard Assets/Month: Costs $69.99/month, pricing each asset at $2.79. This plan also includes HD videos at $22.39 each and offers a rollover of up to 300 unused credits.
40 Standard Assets/Month: This plan is $99.99/month, with each asset priced at $2.49 and HD videos at $14.99 each. It allows a rollover of up to 480 unused credits.
750 Standard Assets/Month: For heavy users, this plan costs $249.99/month. Assets are priced at $0.33 each, and HD videos are priced at $9.99 each.
These are one-time purchase options that let you pay as you go. The packs range in size and price from 5 credits for $49.95 to 150 credits for $1,200. Each credit pack has a different savings value, and the credits last for one year from purchase.
Why is Adobe Stock Audio a good stock music site?
Convenience: Effortless access and integration within your existing Adobe workflow eliminates the need for separate platforms and saves valuable time.
Quality and variety: A curated library of high-quality tracks catering to diverse creative needs, ensuring you find the perfect audio fit for your project.
Royalty-free freedom: Use the audio with complete peace of mind in any project, personal or commercial, without copyright hassles.
6. Fliki Stock Music Library
Fliki is a bit different from the other platforms we've discussed so far. It's not solely a stock music site but rather an AI video creation platform that includes a library of royalty-free music alongside other features like text-to-speech, storyboard video editor, and stock image/video library access. Think of it as a one-stop shop for creating audio and video content, with music being one of its components.
Key Features of Fliki:
Text-to-Speech: Convert your script into audio in over 2000 high-quality voices in 75+ languages, quickly adding voiceovers to your videos or creating audio content.
Stock Library: Fliki offers millions of premium music assets, sound effects, images, video clips, stickers, etc.
Royalty-free for all projects: Use all media assets in your projects, personal or commercial, without copyright concerns.
Easy-to-use interface: Fliki's interface is designed for beginners and allows you to add different elements to create your audio and video projects.
Pricing of Fliki:
Fliki offers a free plan with a limited stock music library and other features. Besides, it has the following paid plans:
Standard: $28 per month (unlimited stock music, sound effects, images, videos, text-to-speech, and watermark removal)
Premium: $88 per month (unlimited stock music, sound effects, voice cloning, AI avatars, API access)
Why is Fliki a good stock music solution?
Royalty-free for all projects: Use the music in any personal or commercial project without worrying about copyright fees.
Convenient for multimedia projects: If you need more than just music for your project and want a platform with multiple features like text-to-speech and video creation abilities, Fliki offers a convenient, all-in-one solution.
Free plan with limited music: The free plan allows you to test the platform and access some music for basic projects without spending any money.
Easy-to-use interface: Fliki is beginner-friendly, making creating audio and video content easy even without prior experience.
7. Premium Beat
Premium Beat, owned by Shutterstock, is a well-established and popular platform for royalty-free music and sound effects. Its focus lies on high-quality, professional tracks across various genres and moods, making it a reliable choice for creators of all levels.
Key Features of Premium Beat:
Extensive library: Over 40,000 royalty-free music tracks and sound effects, meticulously curated for diverse project needs. You're sure to find something that fits your vision.
Flexible licensing: Choose from individual track licenses or monthly subscriptions to suit your budget and project requirements.
Easy search & filter: Narrow down your search with intuitive filters based on genre, mood, tempo, duration, instrumentation, and keywords, making it quick and efficient to find the perfect track.
Royalty-free for all projects: Use the music and sound effects in any personal or commercial project without incurring additional royalty fees.
Pricing of Premium Beat:
Premium Beat offers two pricing models:
Single License: Purchase individual tracks for either $49 (Standard License) or $199 (Premium License), depending on the desired level of usage and copyright protection.
Subscription: Pay $64.95 monthly for five tracks, offering a cost-effective solution for users needing multiple monthly tracks.
Why is Premium Beat a good stock music site?
High-quality, professional tracks: You can confidently use Premium Beat's music in your projects without worrying about compromising audio quality.
Stems & loops for customization: You can personalize the music for some tracks to match your project's specific tone and style.
Active community and resources: Get inspiration and support from the Premium Beat community and their valuable resources.
8. Pond5
Pond5 is a renowned platform that provides millions of royalty-free music and sound effects for creators worldwide. Since its inception, Pond5 has become a go-to resource for filmmakers, content creators, and media professionals seeking high-quality audio assets to elevate their projects.
Key features of Pond5:
Extensive library: Pond5 boasts an impressive collection of 1.5 million music tracks and 1.7 million sound effects, ensuring creators can find the perfect audio accompaniment for their projects.
Forever royalty-free: Once you purchase a music track or sound effect from Pond5, you can use it indefinitely without any additional royalties, providing peace of mind for your creative endeavors.
Inclusive license: The purchase of music tracks and sound effects on Pond5 includes the necessary license for usage in your projects, simplifying the legal aspects of incorporating audio assets.
Pricing of Pond5:
Music: $25/month (10 downloads/month)
Music & SFX: $30/month (10 downloads/month)
Why is Pond5 a good option for royalty-free music?
Pond5 stands out as a premier choice for royalty-free music due to several compelling reasons:
Vast selection: With an extensive library of music tracks and sound effects, Pond5 provides creators with diverse audio options to suit various project requirements.
Legal peace of mind: The forever royalty-free licensing model and inclusive license included in purchases ensure that creators can use Pond5's audio assets without concerns about additional fees or legal complications.
Global reach: The worldwide distribution rights offered by Pond5 enable creators to share their projects featuring Pond5's music tracks and sound effects with audiences worldwide.
Pond5 is an excellent resource for creators seeking high-quality audio assets with long-term usability. With its expansive library, perpetual royalty-free licensing, global distribution rights, inclusive licenses, and user-friendly platform, Pond5 offers a valuable solution for enhancing creative projects with top-notch audio accompaniments.
9. Mixkit
Mixkit is a popular free-stock music site that offers a good range of royalty-free music tracks for content creators. Founded in 2020, Mixkit has quickly gained popularity among creators looking for high-quality music without breaking the bank.
Key features of Mixkit:
Diverse library: Mixkit boasts a diverse collection of free music tracks across various genres, ensuring you can find the right track for your project.
High quality: The music tracks on Mixkit are of decent quality and are professionally produced to enhance your content.
Royalty-free: Once you download a music track from Mixkit, you can use it in your projects without worrying about additional royalties or fees.
User-friendly interface: Mixkit's website is user-friendly, making it easy to search for music tracks by genre, mood, or instrument to find the ideal match for your project.
Cost-effective: As a free-stock music site, Mixkit offers all its music tracks at no cost, making it an affordable option for creators on a budget.
Pricing of MixKit:
As mentioned, the MixKit stock music is free for use.
Why is Mixkit a great choice for stock music?
There are several reasons why Mixkit stands out as a top choice for stock music:
Variety: With its diverse library of free music tracks, Mixkit provides ample options for creators to find the perfect sound for their projects.
Cost-effective: Being completely free to use, Mixkit eliminates financial barriers for creators looking to enhance their content with high-quality music.
Ease of use: The user-friendly UI and simple download process allow creators to seamlessly access and incorporate music tracks into their projects.
Mixkit is a decent resource for creators of all levels seeking decent music tracks without the burden of additional costs. With its extensive library, user-friendly platform, and cost-effective approach, Mixkit is valuable for any content creator looking to elevate their projects.
10. Motion Array
Motion Array is a well-known platform that offers a wide range of stock media resources for creators, including royalty-free music, video templates, and more. Established in 2013, Motion Array has become popular among filmmakers, video editors, and content creators seeking high-quality assets to enhance their projects.
Key features of Motion Array:
Royalty-free licensing: With a subscription to Motion Array, users can utilize any music track from the platform in their projects without worrying about additional royalties or fees.
Flexible subscription options: Motion Array offers different plans to accommodate various budgets and project requirements.
Comprehensive library: Motion Array provides access to a vast library of royalty-free music tracks, video templates, stock footage, and more, catering to various creative needs.
Pricing of Motion Array:
Monthly: $29.99/month
Team: $37.50/month (for 2 members billed annually)
Why is Motion Array a top choice for stock music?
Motion Array stands out as a premier destination for stock media resources for several reasons:
Diverse offerings: With its extensive library of music tracks, video templates, and more, Motion Array provides creators with a one-stop solution for all their creative needs.
Quality assurance: The platform ensures that all its assets meet high-quality standards, giving creators access to professional-grade resources for their projects.
Convenience: The user-friendly interface and easy-to-navigate website make it simple for creators to easily find and incorporate the perfect music track into their projects.
Motion Array caters to creators of all levels, offering high-quality resources at competitive prices. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Motion Array makes it an invaluable resource for enhancing your content.
11. Music Vine
Music Vine is a distinguished platform that offers a curated selection of premium music tracks from top composers, songwriters, and beatmakers worldwide.
Key features of Music Vine:
Curated collection: Music Vine showcases over 6,000 tracks created by the world's leading composers, songwriters, and beatmakers, ensuring a diverse range of high-quality music options for creators.
Thematic playlists: The platform offers thematic playlists that cater to specific moods, genres, and project types, making it easier for creators to discover the perfect music track for their projects.
Weighted tags: Music Vine utilizes weighted tags to enhance search results and recommendations, ensuring that users can find music tracks that align with their specific preferences and project requirements with precision.
Pricing of Music Vine:
Pro Lite: $24.99/month (annual commitment)
Pro Standard: $44.99/month (annual commitment)
Why is Music Vine a good choice for premium music tracks?
Music Vine stands out as a premier destination for premium music tracks due to several key factors:
Enhanced search experience: The platform's weighted tags and advanced filtering system ensure that users can easily find music tracks that match their specific criteria and preferences, streamlining the selection process.
Tailored recommendations: By leveraging weighted tags in its algorithms, Music Vine provides personalized recommendations and similar music suggestions that align closely with users' tastes and project needs.
Music Vine is a unique resource for creators seeking good-quality music tracks curated by industry-leading composers. With its curated collection, thematic playlists, weighted tags for enhanced search functionality, advanced filtering system, and commitment to quality assurance, Music Vine offers a premium stock music solution for elevating creative projects.
12. BenSound
BenSound is a decent stock music platform that offers a wide range of music tracks for creators, providing a convenient and reliable source of copyright-safe music for various projects. With a focus on simplicity and accessibility, BenSound has become an emerging stock music site for content creators, YouTubers, and filmmakers seeking high-quality music for their productions.
Key features of BenSound:
Unlimited projects: BenSound's plans offer license coverage for unlimited projects, allowing creators the flexibility to use their music tracks across multiple endeavors without restrictions.
YouTube-friendly: The music available on BenSound is copyright-safe and cleared for use on YouTube, making it a trusted resource for creators looking to enhance their videos with quality music without worrying about copyright issues.
Lifetime license: All plans on BenSound come with a valid license, ensuring that creators can use the music tracks indefinitely in their projects without any time constraints or additional fees.
Pricing of BenSound:
Standard: €9.99/month
Extended: €19.99/month
Premium: €39.99/month
Why is BenSound a reliable choice for music tracks?
BenSound stands out as a reliable option for music tracks due to several key reasons:
Versatile selection: With a diverse library of music tracks spanning various genres and moods, BenSound offers creators a wide range of options to find the perfect sound for their projects.
Peace of mind: The platform's copyright-safe music and lifetime license assure creators can use the music tracks without concerns about copyright infringement or licensing limitations.
Ease of use: BenSound's straightforward licensing terms and user-friendly interface make it easy for creators to seamlessly access and incorporate high-quality music into their projects.
BenSound is a decent resource for creators seeking hassle-free access to quality music tracks with unlimited usage rights.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of the top 12 stock music sites, we hope you've found inspiration and valuable insights to enhance your creative pursuits.
Remember, when creating a story, the right soundtrack is crucial in setting the mood and evoking emotions that will resonate with the audience. Now armed with the knowledge of these top stock music sites, go forth and craft soundscapes that captivate, inspire, and linger in the hearts of your audience.
