Finding the perfect tune for your next video can be a daunting task. The right, free, music for youtube videos, can enhance your message, while the wrong choice can completely misalign the tone and impact of your content. In the vast landscape of YouTube channels, music is ubiquitous in almost every video. However, for creators on a tight budget, sourcing high-quality royalty-free, music for youtube videos presents a significant challenge.

Before delving into alternative sources, it's essential to understand what royalty-free music entails. While YouTube offers a full, royalty free background music and youtube audio library here, its widespread use can result in a generic sound across many videos.

Royalty Free Music vs Copyright Free Music

Royalty-free music offers a licensing model where you make a one-time purchase of a digital asset and retain the right to use it across multiple projects without incurring additional royalty fees. This arrangement provides flexibility and cost-effectiveness, allowing creators to utilize the same music track in various productions without continuous financial obligations.

On the other hand, copyright-free music refers to music tracks and video clips that are void of copyright restrictions. These music tracks are either acquired by a third party or have entered the public domain due to an expired license. Consequently, they are freely available for download and utilization by anyone. However, it's worth noting that copyright-free music tracks themselves are relatively uncommon to come by.

What Exactly is Royalty-Free Music?

Royalty-free music encompasses a licensing model that permits purchasers to utilize the music across various applications after a single payment, without the obligation to pay royalties to the owner for subsequent use.

As for free background music and royalty-free music, certain artists and audio providers offer music for free use without an upfront fee. However, it's essential to note that while the music may be free to use, the copyright remains with the artist. The specific type of license governing the free background music and best royalty free music used is determined by the artist, and for further clarification on licenses, refer to the subsequent sections of this blog.

15 Best Sites to Find & Download Royalty-Free Music for YouTube

Now that you're familiar with the fundamentals of royalty-free music, I'll introduce you to some excellent websites offering free license of such music. Additionally, I'll provide tips on how to effectively search for the best royalty free music on sites and download and utilize the best royalty free music on sites for in your videos.

Selecting high-quality royalty-free music for your YouTube videos can set the right tone for your audience, mask any imperfections in your background audio, and foster a deeper engagement with your personalized content and ads together.

While YouTube offers a free audio library, its widespread use among creators can reauslt to a Similar sound across videos. To diversify your music selection, I've compiled a list of 15 alternative platforms where you can access royalty-free music at no cost. These sites have been thoroughly researched and tested to ensure their reliability and suitability for YouTube content creators.

Explore the Best Royalty-Free Music Sites for YouTube Videos below:

1. Audionautix

   Commercial Use: Allowed.

   Attribution Required: Yes, credit the site with 'music by audionautix.com'.

   Paid Options: No.

Audionautix provides music suitable for commercial use with attribution required. Users must credit the site with 'music by audionautix.com' and include a backlink if applicable. The platform offers free music options exclusively, with no paid alternatives available.

Upon visiting Audionautix, users will notice a prominent 'YouTube Friendly' button, indicating that the music is safe from copyright claims, particularly relevant for both YouTube creators and content creators. The entire music collection on Audionautix is created by Jason Shaw, offering a diverse range of tracks.

Navigation on the site allows users to begin their music search by selecting from three main categories: genre, mood, and tempo. With 28 genres, 37 moods, and options for fast, medium, and slow tempos, users can easily filter through the extensive collection to find tracks that meet their specific criteria. While not every combination may yield results, choosing two out of the three search parameters simplifies the process.

2. Bensound

 Commercial Use: Allowed.

 Attribution Required: Yes, include "Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music” or "Music: Song title - Bensound.com" in your video description.

 Paid Options: Yes, licensing starts at about $28 USD.

Bensound prominently features its most popular music on the homepage and tailored ads, with each track accompanied by a brief description offering insights into its style and mood. This allows users to quickly determine if a track aligns with their needs before listening. For instance, a track titled 'A New Beginning' might seem ambiguous, but its description as 'punk rock' with an 'epic/achievement' vibe clarifies its genre and mood.

Users can further refine their music selection by choosing from eight genres, including cinematic, electronica, and corporate/pop, via the menu at the top of the page. Additionally, a search bar facilitates specific song searches, and users can opt to display popular or new songs first.

All music available on Bensound is created by Benjamin TISSOT, a seasoned composer based in France with over a decade of experience in music production.

3. dig.ccMixter

Commercial Use: Depends, check licenses.

Attribution Required: Yes, credit the musicians.

Paid Options: Yes, personal licenses are $22 USD.

At dig.ccMixter, musicians share their creations for use by creators like you, offering unlimited access to a vast library of music with contributions from over 45,000 artists.

To begin your search on dig.ccMixter, clicking on 'tag search' is recommended. Tags are organized into three categories: genre, instrument, and style, allowing you to select multiple tags from each category to refine your search (e.g., selecting 'classical' for genre and both 'bass' and 'cello' for instruments).

By default, search results include tracks that match at least one of your selected tags, but you can opt to view results that match all selected tags by clicking 'match all'.

On the right side of the screen, a 'filters' button enables further refinement of results by license, allowing you to browse only music free for commercial use if desired. Additionally, you can specify preferences such as instrumental-only tracks.

For tracks not filtered as 'free for commercial use', it's necessary to review the individual licenses to determine commercial use permissions.

4. Free Music Archive

Commercial Use: Depends on the song.

Attribution Required: Depends on the song.

Paid Options: No, everything is free.

Navigating Free Music Archive for suitable audio tracks for your videos can be a rewarding yet nuanced process due to the diverse array of licenses available. While the platform boasts an extensive selection, users should exercise caution as certain licenses may restrict usage in YouTube videos, particularly those with a 'ND / No Derivatives' clause. Familiarizing yourself with all the music tracks and licensing details is essential before downloading any content from Free Music Archive.

To streamline your search for YouTube-compatible music on Free Music Archive, begin by accessing the 'Curators' section from the top menu and select 'Music for Video'. This feature simplifies the browsing experience by presenting music specifically suited for video projects, eliminating the need to sift through ineligible tracks.

By default, the displayed content may not permit commercial use. To filter results to include tracks suitable for commercial use, simply navigate to the side menu and enable the 'allows for commercial use' option. Additionally, users can refine their search by selecting a preferred genre and specifying preferences for instrumental tracks.

5. Free Stock Music

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: No.

Paid Options: No.

To begin exploring Free Stock Music's vast collection here, simply select a genre from the 'Free Music' drop-down menu. With options ranging from Pop to Hip Hop and Corporate, there's a diverse selection to suit various preferences.

Unlike some other platforms, Free Stock Music does not offer extensive customization options for refining search results. While users can search for specific keywords such as 'happy', there are limited filters based on factors like instrument or mood. As a result, browsing involves scrolling through search results or the chosen genre until a suitable track is found.

To facilitate the browsing process, Free Stock Music provides detailed descriptions for each song, offering insights into instruments used and the overall mood of music track. These descriptions can be invaluable in identifying tracks that align with specific project requirements.

It's worth noting that accessing Free Stock Music's songs requires creating a free account on the platform.

6. Incompetech

Commercial Use: YouTube monetization allowed, other commercial uses may be restricted.

Attribution Required: Yes, put the attribution in your video description.

Paid Options: Yes, licensing 1 piece of music costs $30.

Yes, if crediting Incompetech isn't feasible or desired, you have the option to purchase a license instead, priced at $30 per piece of music.

Incompetech offers three browsing options: Full Search, Full List, and View Collections. While Full Search is suitable for most users, Full List presents songs alphabetically, and View Collections allows browsing through curated collections like 'Comedic' (although not all songs are included in collections).

Within Full Search, users can filter music by feel, tempo, genre, and length. For instance depending on your settings, you can set 'Feels' to 'Grooving' or 'Length' to '3:00-3:29'. Additionally, the search bar enables searches by instrument or song title.

Expanding All reveals descriptions and a 'listen now' button for all songs without redirecting to new pages, streamlining the browsing experience.

For convenience, users can download all music at once by selecting 'download all the music on this site at once'.

7. Josh Woodward

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: Yes, attribution goes in your description box.

Paid Options: Yes, single-song license for $30.

Josh Woodward, a singer-songwriter, generously permits the free use of all his music, although he appreciates donations. Upon visiting Josh's website, you'll find an immediate list of available music (though not exhaustive, given the site hosts over 200 songs). Filters on the right-hand side allow you to customize the displayed content by Playlist, Genre, Album, Tags, Tempo, and Length.

Playlists are curated song bundles themed around categories like 'fun and fast' or 'popular in videos'. There are nine genres available, ranging from 'dark acoustic' to 'Americana'. The albums section showcases Josh's released albums. You can also utilize the search bar to find songs by title or lyrics. At the top of the page, there's a player for previewing songs. You can toggle between the vocal songs and instrumental versions using this player.

8. TeknoAXE

 Commercial Use: Allowed.

 Attribution Required: Yes.

 Paid Options: No.

TeknoAXE offers free download of a wide selection of music, all covered under a CC4.0 license, permitting sharing and adaptation as long as proper attribution is provided.

Their music is organized into four main categories: electronic dance music, rock and metal music, orchestra and soundtrack, and miscellaneous, each with its own sub-categories.

Upon selecting a sub-category, you'll find thumbnails for each song. Clicking on a thumbnail takes you to the song's page, where you can listen before deciding to download.

With numerous options available, finding the perfect royalty-free music for your own YouTube videos and content, whether it's for a montage, intro sequence, or vlog or background music for youtube videos, can elevate the quality of your videos to new heights.

9. PacDV

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: Yes, credit them in your video description.

Paid Options: No.

While PacDV is primarily known for its sound effects, it also offers a selection of other free music for youtube videos and tracks. To access the free music for youtube section, simply click on "Music" in the menu located under Sound Effects on the left side of the website. It's important to note that "Free Music" under resources is a separate site.

Unlike some other platforms, PacDV doesn't provide filtering options or a search function to narrow down your music choices. However, they do include a column in the list of music for "moods/emotions," giving you an idea of the emotional tone of each song before clicking through to their individual pages.

10. Partners In Rhyme

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: Yes, credit them in your video description.

Paid Options: Yes, at $100 or more per song.

Yes, while Partners In Rhyme primarily offers paid music, they also provide a selection of free music specifically curated for use on platforms like their YouTube channel or in projects such as podcasts. However, it's worth noting that purchasing a license for the free songs to bypass attribution requirements isn't an option. Their paid music, priced at $100 or more per song, may be beyond the budget of many YouTubers.

Although Partners In Rhyme's free music selection doesn't feature a search function or filtering options, you can listen to each song by clicking the play button next to its title. To download a song, simply right-click and choose 'save file' or 'save target as'. This accessibility makes it easier for content creators to find suitable audio tracks for their projects.

11. Purple Planet Music

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: Yes, put ‘Music: http://www.purple-planet.com’ in your video description.

Paid Options: Yes, buy a license for $5.

Purple Planet Music operates with a team of three individuals, two of whom are responsible for composing, performing, recording, and producing all the music available on their site, while the third serves as the studio manager.

When you visit the Purple Planet Music website, you'll also find music in a range of categories listed under 'Royalty Free Music'. These categories are organized more by mood than genre, offering options like 'cute', 'sneaky', and 'reflective'. Additionally, recognizing the diverse needs of creators, they provide categories such as 'dark backgrounds' for those working on film projects.

Once you've selected a category, you'll find a comprehensive list of songs. While there isn't an option to narrow down your results, the manageable number of songs in each category makes it easy to browse through descriptions and listen to samples to find the perfect song to fit for your project.

12. Sounds Crate

Commercial Use: Allowed.

Attribution Required: No.

Paid Options: Yes, upgrade to a Pro account for $49 per year.

Sounds Crate offers a diverse range of music and sound effects. When you navigate to the music section, you'll encounter thumbnails representing various themes like action music, corporate music, and hip hop. Each category page allows you to preview and download all the songs it contains.

For users accessing Sounds Crate for free, there's a limit of unlimited downloads of 5 downloads per day. Additionally, while they encourage a $10 annual donation from free users, it's entirely optional.

13. Moby Gratis

Commercial Use: Never allowed. You cannot make money from the project you use this music in any way, including using music for YouTube monetization or through a service like Patreon.

Attribution Required? Yes. Put this in your videos description: Music: [Track Name] by Moby courtesy of Mobygratis.com

Paid Options? No.

Moby Gratis is a unique platform offering music from the renowned artist Moby, known for his Grammy-nominated and VMA-winning work, as well as collaborations with major artists like David Bowie and Daft Punk.

While Moby's catalog is accessible to independent filmmakers, it comes with specific usage guidelines. Commercial use of the music is strictly prohibited, meaning you cannot monetize projects featuring this music on platforms like your YouTube channel or through services like Patreon.

To access the full music library, users need to create an account, with approval typically taking about 24 hours. Despite the limitations, Moby Gratis offers a substantial collection of music for non-commercial projects, providing filmmakers with an opportunity to incorporate high-quality music into their works.

14. Musopen

Commercial Use? Depends on the song.

Attribution Required? Depends on the song

Paid Options? No.

Musopen offers a diverse collection of music, ranging from public domain works to those protected by Creative Commons licenses. Music in the public domain is completely free for anyone to use, as it lacks copyright restrictions. However, Musopen advises caution, as they do not verify user uploads, potentially leading to inaccuracies regarding copyright status.

Creative Commons license vary in their conditions, with some restricting commercial use or requiring attribution. Notably, licenses marked "No Derivatives" prevent the use of songs in videos. It's crucial for video creators to be mindful of these conditions when selecting music.

To access Musopen's music library, users can search by keyword on the main page or browse through royalty-free music recordings. Additionally, Musopen offers sheet music for youtube videos, which may be useful for those with musical abilities looking to record their own music for youtube videos.

The Music Discovery Tool allows users to refine their search by instrument and license type, ensuring they access music that aligns with their intended usage, whether in the public domain or under specific Creative Commons licenses.

FAQ's 

1. Can I Use 30 Seconds of A Copyrighted Song?

While there's a common belief that using less than 30 seconds of a song falls under the "fair use" provision, it's important to understand that this may not always hold true. Copyright law is multifaceted, and assumptions about its application can be risky. To ensure legal compliance and protect your business, it's essential to source music from legitimate platforms like Wave.video. This approach mitigates the risk of copyright infringement and safeguards your business interests within the bounds of the law.

2. What is Public Domain Music?

This pertains to music that is not protected by copyright. Such songs can be utilized without payment or explicit permission from the artist. However, the availability of such musics is limited, and it may not always align with your intended use.

3. Can I use royalty-free music for any purpose?

It's important to understand both the Creative Commons license and public domain usage rights when utilizing royalty free music track. These concepts will guide you in using your royalty-free music tracks appropriately, whether for non-commercial or commercial purposes. protect against spam fraud, age appropriate if relevant deliver and maintain, google track outages and protect youtube homepage and tailored recommendations a customized youtube videos.

Moreover, most websites offering "free" music provide usage rights information, outlining what actions are permissible. Typically, the primary requirement when using royalty-free music is to provide credits, regardless of whether it's for a commercial or non-commercial video.

Conclusion:

Now equipped with knowledge about where to find the best royalty free music and how to select the right piece, you're better prepared to find the right music to enhance your projects. Alternatively, for a more bespoke approach to video creation, consider hiring a freelance composer to craft original, royalty-free music tailored to your needs. Like any aspect of video editing, mastering the art of choosing the perfect music takes practice and experience.

What are your preferred websites for royalty-free music? Do they use cookies and data you have any strategies for managing your privacy settings discovering the ideal piece of video recommendations a customized amount of royalty free music sites have for your videos? Feel free to share your insights in the comments section below!

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