The search for the right stock music can feel like a quest for a needle in a haystack.
You’ve got a project, maybe it’s a video or a podcast, and you’re on the hunt for that elusive track to elevate your work. Sure, there are plenty of options out there, but sifting through subpar compositions and generic loops can exhaust even the most patient among us.
How do you separate the wheat from the chaff without wasting valuable hours of your life?
Enter our curated guide, designed to shine a light on the best stock music platforms available today. We’ve done the heavy lifting so you don’t have to, assessing these platforms for not just the quality of their offerings, but also for diversity, user experience, and licensing simplicity.
Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for the perfect score or a marketer in need of a catchy jingle, our list aims to eliminate the guesswork and point you straight toward reliable sources.
So, what makes a stock music site worthy of your attention, and ultimately, your hard-earned money? Is it just a vast library or does the variety of genres play a role?
And let’s not forget about the all-important licensing agreements. Stick around as we delve into these questions, offering you a comprehensive look into stock music sites that meet the bar across multiple criteria.
PremiumBeat by Shutterstock
If you’re searching for high-quality stock music, PremiumBeat by Shutterstock should be on your radar. As a leading platform in the industry, it offers a diverse selection of royalty-free music tracks that cater to various projects and genres.
PremiumBeat boasts an extensive library of handpicked music tracks created by talented composers from around the world. This means you can expect top-notch quality and unique soundscapes tailored to fit different moods and styles. Whether you’re working on a commercial, podcast, or film, there’s a good chance you’ll find the perfect track to enhance your project.
Easy Navigation & Search
Navigating through thousands of tracks can be overwhelming, but PremiumBeat makes it simple with its user-friendly interface and advanced search options. You can filter your search based on genre, mood, tempo, duration, or even instruments used in the track. This way, you can quickly find the ideal soundtrack without wasting time browsing through irrelevant results.
Flexible Licensing Options
Understanding licensing agreements is crucial when using stock music to avoid legal issues. With PremiumBeat, you get two straightforward licensing options: Standard and Premium. The Standard license covers most web-based projects like YouTube videos and podcasts, while the Premium license extends to TV broadcasts and theatrical releases. Both licenses allow for unlimited use of the track in perpetuity.
Competitive Pricing & Discounts
In terms of pricing, PremiumBeat offers single-track purchases as well as discounted packs for multiple tracks. This flexibility allows you to choose the best option based on your budget and project requirements. Additionally, they occasionally run promotions that provide even more savings.
Customer Support
Lastly, if you ever encounter issues or have questions regarding their service or licensing terms, PremiumBeat provides excellent customer support through email or live chat. Their team of experts is ready to assist you and ensure a smooth experience.
AudioJungle
As a part of the renowned Envato Market, AudioJungle boasts an extensive library of royalty-free music and audio tracks. Catering to various needs, this platform is an ideal choice if you’re looking for high-quality stock music for your projects.
AudioJungle offers a wide range of music genres, from cinematic scores to upbeat pop tracks. You can easily find the perfect sound for your project by browsing through categories or using the search feature. Additionally, you can filter results based on criteria like tempo, mood, or instruments used.
Affordable Pricing Options
Understanding the varying budgets of its users, AudioJungle provides flexible pricing options. Most tracks are available for a single-use license fee ranging from $1 to $50. For frequent users or larger projects, they offer a monthly subscription plan called “Envato Elements,” which grants unlimited access to their entire library.
Regularly Updated Content
One noteworthy aspect of AudioJungle is its constantly growing library. Talented musicians and composers from around the world contribute new content regularly. This ensures that you always have fresh and unique options to choose from.
Community-Driven Platform
AudioJungle fosters a strong community where users can interact with creators directly. You can leave comments on tracks or request customizations from composers. This level of interaction helps guarantee that you get the exact sound you need while also supporting independent artists.
Pond5
Pond5 is a versatile platform that offers a wide range of royalty-free music tracks for various creative projects. As a content creator, you’ll appreciate the extensive selection and user-friendly interface that Pond5 provides.
One of the standout features of Pond5 is its massive library. With over 900,000 music tracks and sound effects available, you’re sure to find the perfect piece for your project. The platform caters to diverse genres and styles, making it a go-to choice for filmmakers, video producers, and other creatives.
Searching for the ideal music track can be overwhelming with such an extensive collection. However, Pond5’s advanced search functionality allows you to filter your results by genre, mood, tempo, duration, and more. This makes it easy to narrow down your choices and find exactly what you’re looking for.
Flexible Pricing Options
Understanding that different projects have varying budgets, Pond5 offers flexible pricing options to accommodate your needs. You can purchase individual tracks or opt for a monthly or annual membership plan that grants you access to unlimited downloads from their library. Additionally, Pond5 often runs promotions and discounts to help you save on your purchases.
Collaborative Features
Working on a team project? Pond5 has got you covered with its collaboration tools. You can create shared collections with your team members and easily manage project files together. This feature streamlines communication within teams and ensures everyone stays on the same page throughout the creative process.
Customer Support & Resources
To further enhance your experience as a user, Pond5 provides excellent customer support through live chat and email assistance. They also offer educational resources in their blog section to help you stay informed about industry trends and tips for using their platform effectively.
Artlist
As you explore the world of stock music websites, Artlist stands out as a top choice for many creators. With its extensive library and user-friendly interface, it’s no wonder that this platform has become a go-to resource for filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators alike.
One of the most attractive aspects of Artlist is its unlimited download feature. For a flat annual fee, you gain access to their entire music library without any restrictions on the number of tracks you can use. Plus, once you’ve downloaded a song, it’s yours to use in perpetuity – even if your subscription expires. This means that your investment in an Artlist subscription continues to pay off long after you’ve stopped using their service.
Artlist prides itself on offering a diverse range of high-quality music across various genres and styles. From cinematic scores to upbeat pop tunes, you’re sure to find the perfect soundtrack for your project within their ever-growing library. Additionally, their team carefully curates each track to ensure that only top-notch compositions are included on the platform.
Easy Licensing Process
Navigating music licensing can be overwhelming, but Artlist simplifies this process by offering a straightforward royalty-free license. With their universal license, you’re covered for use across all media platforms (including YouTube monetization) without any additional fees or paperwork. This hassle-free approach allows you to focus on creating content instead of worrying about legalities.
Intuitive Search Features
Finding the right track for your project is easy with Artlist’s user-friendly search features. You can filter results by genre, mood, instrument type, tempo, and more – making it simple to hone in on the perfect piece of music for your needs. Additionally, you can create and save playlists to help organize your favorite tracks and streamline your workflow.
Regularly Updated Library
Artlist continually adds new music to their library, ensuring that you’ll always have fresh options for your projects. This constant influx of new content means that you won’t have to worry about using overplayed tracks or struggling to find something unique and engaging.
Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound, a top choice among the best stock music websites, offers a vast library of high-quality royalty-free music tracks and sound effects. Designed to cater to various content creators’ needs, this platform is an excellent resource for enhancing your videos, podcasts, or other multimedia projects.
With over 35,000 music tracks and 90,000 sound effects available, you’ll never run out of options on Epidemic Sound. The platform’s diverse selection covers a wide range of genres and moods to suit different project styles. Moreover, new tracks are added weekly to keep the library fresh and up-to-date.
Navigating Epidemic Sound is a breeze thanks to its intuitive interface. You can easily search for specific tracks or explore curated playlists based on themes like “action-packed” or “relaxing.” Additionally, you can filter your search results by genre, mood, tempo, or even instruments used in the track.
Flexible Licensing Options
Epidemic Sound offers two main licensing plans: Personal and Commercial. The Personal plan is perfect for individual content creators working on YouTube, Twitch, or podcasts. On the other hand, the Commercial plan caters to businesses looking for music solutions for their marketing campaigns or branded content.
Both plans provide unlimited access to Epidemic Sound’s entire library with no additional fees for usage rights. Plus, you can cancel your subscription anytime without losing the rights to use any downloaded tracks in your existing projects.
Customer Support
Epidemic Sound takes pride in its responsive customer support team that addresses users’ concerns promptly. They also offer valuable resources like video tutorials and FAQs on their website so that you can make the most of their platform with ease.
Musicbed
Musicbed is a top choice among creative professionals looking for high-quality stock music. With an extensive and diverse library of songs, the platform caters to various projects, including films, commercials, and YouTube videos.
One of the key aspects of Musicbed is its carefully curated collections. The platform offers handpicked playlists organized by mood, genre, or theme to help you find the perfect soundtrack for your project with ease. This feature saves you time and effort as you won’t have to sift through countless tracks to find the right fit.
Musicbed takes pride in its roster of talented musicians and composers. Many artists on the platform are exclusive to Musicbed, meaning you won’t find their work on other stock music websites. This exclusivity ensures that your project will have a unique sound that sets it apart from others.
Customizable Licensing Options
Understanding that different projects have varying needs, Musicbed provides customizable licensing options. You can choose from personal, business, or custom licenses depending on your requirements and budget. Additionally, they offer a subscription plan called Membership which grants you unlimited access to their library for a monthly or yearly fee.
User-Friendly Interface
Navigating through thousands of tracks can be overwhelming; however, Musicbed’s user-friendly interface makes this task much more manageable. The platform features intuitive search filters such as mood, genre, instrument, and vocals type so that you can quickly narrow down your options and discover suitable tracks.
Customer Support
Lastly, Musicbed offers excellent customer support to ensure a smooth experience while using their platform. Their knowledgeable team is always ready to assist with any questions or concerns you may have about licensing or finding the right music for your project.
Soundstripe
As you explore the world of stock music websites, Soundstripe emerges as a noteworthy option. This platform offers an extensive library of royalty-free music, making it an ideal choice for content creators who need top-notch tracks for their projects.
Navigating Soundstripe’s vast collection of music is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface. You can easily sort and filter tracks by mood, genre, instrument, and more. Additionally, Soundstripe offers curated playlists that cater to specific themes or industries, such as wedding videos or travel vlogs. This feature saves you time by providing a selection of tracks tailored to your needs.
One major advantage of Soundstripe is its cost-effective subscription plans. With a monthly or yearly subscription, you gain unlimited access to their entire library and can download as many tracks as you need without worrying about additional fees. Plus, all downloaded tracks come with a perpetual license, meaning you can use them in your projects forever.
Frequent Library Updates
Soundstripe continually adds fresh content to its library every week so that users never run out of options. This ensures that you always have access to new and diverse music choices for your projects.
Customer Support
Having reliable customer support is essential when using any online service. Soundstripe prides itself on offering quick and helpful assistance through various channels like live chat and email support.
Collaborations with Talented Artists
Soundstripe collaborates with talented musicians from around the world to create exclusive content that sets it apart from other stock music websites. By working closely with these artists, they ensure high-quality music while supporting the creative community.
Bensound
Bensound is a popular choice for creators seeking high-quality, royalty-free music. With an extensive library of tracks, you’ll find the perfect background tunes for your projects, whether it’s for YouTube videos, podcasts, or corporate presentations.
The platform offers a wide range of genres to suit various moods and themes. From upbeat pop and electronic tracks to soothing acoustic melodies, Bensound has got you covered. You can easily browse through categories such as cinematic, corporate, jazz, or world music to find the ideal match for your project.
Bensound simplifies the licensing process with two main options: Free License and Pro License. The Free License allows you to use selected tracks in your projects without any cost, provided that you credit Bensound.com.
On the other hand, the Pro License offers more flexibility and covers a broader range of uses without requiring attribution.
Affordable Pricing
For those looking for even more options and convenience, Bensound offers an annual subscription plan at a competitive price. With this subscription, you gain unlimited access to their entire music library and enjoy the benefits of the Pro License without worrying about individual track fees.
Easy-to-Use Interface
Navigating Bensound is a breeze thanks to its user-friendly interface. You can quickly search for specific genres or moods using keywords or explore curated playlists featuring their top picks. Moreover, each track comes with a detailed description and tags that will help you understand its suitability for your project.
Regularly Updated Library
Bensound continually adds fresh content to its library, ensuring that you’ll always have access to new tracks that cater to current trends and styles. This constant update makes it an excellent resource for creators who require diverse music options on an ongoing basis.
Storyblocks Audio
Storyblocks Audio, formerly known as Audioblocks, is a top-notch stock music website that offers a vast library of high-quality royalty-free music tracks, sound effects, and loops. As part of the larger Storyblocks platform, which also includes video and image assets, Storyblocks Audio aims to provide creatives with an all-in-one solution for their multimedia projects.
Navigating through the website is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design and intuitive search functionality. You can easily search for music tracks based on various parameters such as genre, mood, instruments used, tempo, and duration. With thousands of tracks available in different styles and genres, you’re sure to find the perfect soundtrack for your project.
Storyblocks Audio offers both subscription-based plans and single purchase options to cater to different user needs. The subscription plans provide unlimited access to their entire library of music tracks and sound effects.
On the other hand, if you need just one or two tracks for a specific project, you can opt for their single purchase option.
High-Quality Music Selection
One notable aspect of Storyblocks Audio is its commitment to offering professional-quality music that meets industry standards. The platform features an extensive selection of exclusive tracks produced by talented composers from around the world. Additionally, all music files are available in high-quality formats such as WAV or MP3.
Royalty-Free Licensing
With Storyblocks Audio’s royalty-free licensing model, you can use any track from their library in your projects without worrying about copyright issues or additional fees. This makes it an ideal choice for content creators who require background music for videos, podcasts, advertisements or any other multimedia project.
Constantly Growing Library
Storyblocks Audio continually updates its library with fresh content every month. This ensures that users always have access to new and diverse music tracks to keep their projects sounding fresh and engaging.
Jamendo Music Licensing
Jamendo Music Licensing is a fantastic platform for finding high-quality stock music for your creative projects. With a vast library of over 240,000 tracks, you’ll have no trouble discovering the perfect soundtrack to complement your videos, podcasts, or other multimedia content.
One notable aspect of Jamendo is its commitment to supporting independent artists. By choosing music from this platform, you’re not only getting exceptional tunes but also contributing to the growth and development of talented musicians worldwide.
Moreover, Jamendo offers various licensing options tailored to suit different needs and budgets. From standard licenses for online use to extended licenses for broadcasting and public performance, you can find the right fit for your project without breaking the bank.
User-Friendly Interface
Navigating Jamendo’s extensive collection is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface. You can easily search for music based on genre, mood, instrument, or even specific keywords related to your project. Plus, with curated playlists and a regularly updated selection of trending tracks, discovering new music has never been more enjoyable.
Flexible Pricing Plans
Jamendo understands that every project is unique and offers flexible pricing plans accordingly. Whether you’re working on a one-time video or require an ongoing subscription for multiple projects throughout the year, there’s an option available that caters to your needs.
Summary
Navigating the labyrinth of stock music sites can be a daunting task, often mired by repetitive tunes and murky licensing terms. However, our curated guide aims to be your compass in this journey, highlighting platforms that stand out for their quality, diversity, and user-friendly experience. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an aspiring YouTuber, or a podcast host, the right track can make a world of difference, and knowing where to find it is half the battle won.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Don’t compromise on your creative vision by settling for mediocre music. The right platform can provide you with tracks that accentuate your project, rather than detract from it. And remember, always scrutinize the licensing agreements—after all, the last thing anyone wants is a legal headache in the midst of a creative endeavor.
