Imagine spending hours crafting the perfect video, only to have it taken down due to copyright issues with your background music. For content creators, finding the right legally safe and affordable music can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But here’s the good news: royalty-free music platforms have revolutionized how creators source their soundtracks. Whether you’re a YouTuber, filmmaker, podcast host, or social media content creator, these five best royalty-free music sites offer libraries of high-quality tracks that won’t break the bank or land you in copyright trouble.
Let’s explore the best options that combine quality, affordability, and legal peace of mind.
What is Royalty-free Music?
Picture this: You’re a YouTuber who just spent days editing the perfect travel vlog. You find a fantastic song online, use it in your video, and hit publish. A few days later, you receive a copyright strike, and your video gets demonetized or, worse, taken down completely. This is where royalty-free music comes to the rescue.
Royalty-free music is like buying a lifetime pass to use a song. Instead of paying fees each time you use the track (royalties), you pay once and can use it as many times as you want.
Here’s what this means for you as a creator:
Traditional music licensing:
Royalty-free music:
For example, let’s say you find a perfect track on a royalty-free music platform for your creative projects. You pay for a license (either per track or through a subscription), and now you can use that music in your videos, social media posts, podcasts, and even commercial work. There is no need to track usage or worry about additional payments – you’re covered with that one-time fee. Think of it like buying a song once and having unlimited plays rather than paying each time you press play.
Remember, though: “Royalty-free” doesn’t always mean “free.” Some platforms offer free tracks (like YouTube Audio Library), while others require a one-time payment or subscription. But compared to traditional music licensing, it’s a straightforward and cost-effective solution for creators.
Why Use Royalty-Free Music as a Content Creator?
Finding the right music for your content shouldn’t give you sleepless nights or empty your wallet.
Royalty-free music has emerged as a game-changing solution for creators who want professional sound without professional headaches.
Never worry about copyright claims
Avoid copyright strikes, content takedowns, and potential legal issues. Proper licensing lets you focus on creating content instead of worrying about copyright claims or demonetization.
Save money on music licensing
Rather than paying recurring fees for each use of a song, one-time payments or subscriptions give you unlimited access to entire music libraries. This predictable cost helps you budget effectively, mainly when producing content regularly.
Use one song as many times as you want
Use the same track across multiple platforms and projects without additional fees. Whether it’s YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, podcasts, or client work, your license typically covers all types of content.
Get studio-quality music
Access professionally produced music that elevates your content quality. Many platforms offer tracks created by established musicians and composers, ensuring your content sounds polished and professional.
Find perfect tracks faster
Find the perfect track quickly through mood-based searches, genre filters, and curated playlists. Most platforms organize their libraries intuitively, making finding music that matches your content’s tone and style easy.
5 Best Royalty-free Music Sites in 2025
Here’s a quick sneak peek into the royalty-free music sites:
| Tool Name | Best For | Free Plan Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Beatoven.ai | Custom AI-generated music for creators who want unique tracks | Yes |
| YouTube Audio Library | YouTubers and creators on tight budgets | Yes |
| Epidemic Sound | Professional content creators need high-quality, diverse tracks | No |
| Soundraw | Music artists and creators wanting AI-assisted music generation | Yes |
| SoundCloud | Creators seeking indie music and direct artist collaboration | Yes* |
*Free with attribution requirements, licensing costs vary by artist
Beatoven.ai
Beatoven.ai is a royalty-free AI music generator that helps creators produce unique, customizable background music. It enables you to generate music of your choice through text prompts. You can edit your prompt to create more specific tracks and share them through different channels. It’s particularly popular among filmmakers, podcasters, and game designers who need custom music on demand.
Key features:
Pricing:
YouTube Audio Library
A free, extensive collection of music and sound effects integrated directly into YouTube’s Creator Studio. The platform offers thousands of tracks pre-cleared for YouTube content, making it an ideal choice for creators who primarily publish on YouTube. The library is regularly updated with new content.
Key features:
Pricing:
Epidemic Sound
A professional music licensing platform offering a vast library of high-quality tracks and sound effects. The service stands out for its comprehensive licensing coverage and integration with significant editing software. Perfect for creators who need professional-grade music across multiple platforms.
Key features:
Pricing:
Soundraw
An AI music platform that creates original, studio-quality tracks in minutes. Their innovative technology allows creators to generate unique music using AI trained on in-house produced content.
Key features:
Pricing:
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a music-sharing platform that doubles as a source for royalty-free music. Unlike traditional licensing platforms, SoundCloud connects creators directly with independent artists and producers. The platform’s diverse community means you can find unique tracks across every genre imaginable, from ambient background music to full productions.
Key features:
Pricing:
Did you Find the Best Royalty-free Music Website Yet?
As the royalty-free music landscape evolves, it’s a must to choose platforms that meet your creative needs and prioritize ethical practices and creator rights.
One example is Beatoven.ai, certified by Fairly Trained, recognizing its commitment to using only licensed data in training its AI models.
Unlike platforms that might use copyrighted content for AI training, Beatoven.ai builds its music database, working directly with musicians to create original content. This ethical approach ensures that creators get copyright-safe music while supporting artists somewhat. Their recent certification from Fairly Trained, alongside nine other companies, validates their commitment to responsible AI development and creator privacy.
Remember, choosing the right royalty-free music platform isn’t just about features and pricing – it’s about supporting platforms that respect both creators and artists, ensuring a sustainable future for content creation. By considering factors like licensing terms, music quality, and ethical practices, you can make an informed decision that benefits your content while supporting the creative community.
Ready to explore royalty-free music options?
Consider starting with platforms that prioritize ethical practices and creator rights. Your content deserves music that’s not just high-quality but also ethically sourced and truly copyright-safe.
Start creating music for free with Beatoven.ai
FAQs
What is the best royalty-free music site?
While preferences vary, Beatoven.ai stands out for ethical AI-generated music. YouTube Audio Library is another best free option for creators.
Where do YouTubers get royalty-free music?
Most YouTubers use a combination of YouTube Audio Library for free tracks and premium services like Beatoven.ai for more professional, unique music options.
Can I monetize royalty-free music?
Yes, most royalty-free music platforms allow monetization. Check your license terms – platforms like Beatoven.ai and Epidemic Sound explicitly permit monetization across all content types.
Sreyashi Chatterjee is a SaaS content marketing consultant. When she is not writing or thinking about writing, she is watching Netflix or reading a thriller novel while sipping coffee.