When searching for the best free music websites, it can be overwhelming with so many options out there. But some sites truly stand out by offering a wide variety of music styles and genres that fit different projects.
Free music websites have completely transformed the creative landscape for content makers and musicians worldwide. These platforms help creators easily find and download royalty free music for YouTube videos, films, podcasts, and more.
7 Best Websites for Youtube Video Creators
Looking for free music with clear licenses, free previews, or the option to listen online before downloading? Here are our top picks for websites offering royalty free music, perfect for all your video and content projects.
- Hai Music
- Free Music Archive
- Public Domain
- YouTube Audio Library
- SoundCloud
- The Internet Archive
- Bandcamp
Ready to explore top-quality free music websites for your projects? Here’s where to find the best free music available:
1. Hai Music
The first pick is our top favorite!
When you’re ready to level up your videos, Hai Music provides everything you need to legally use studio-quality music. To find the perfect track quickly and easily, with no hassle or filler, explore our full music library. This site assists to streamline your search, including filters for genre, mood, and instruments. You can browse a wide range of genres, moods, and instruments.
Hai Music curates editor’s picks matched to your video’s theme, saving time and inspiring creativity with original music worldwide.
If you’d like to sample some of the high-quality music, here are a few standout tracks worth checking out. Some tracks are perfect for action scenes, while others are ideal for chill music backgrounds or groovy vibes.
2. Free Music Archive
Next up is the Free Music Archive, a trusted site that’s been around for many years. A community radio station, WFMU in New Jersey, started it over ten years ago. It lets creators download free music. The Free Music Archive recently added premium tracks for purchase, but most of the original collection remains free.
The archive has both copyright music and copyright-free music, still it’s important to check the license before using any song. If you want more variety and studio-quality music, paid sites like Hai Music might be better.
3. Public Domain
Any song or musical work published in 1929 or earlier is in the Publish Domain in the USA. Since those copyrights have expired or were never protected by copyright, making them freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute without permission or licensing fees. Much of this music tends to be quite old, which may not fit modern tastes or the specific style needed for contemporary projects.
Additionally, because these works are accessible to everyone, they can lead to a lack of originality as the same tracks often appear repeatedly across various media. Furthermore, public domain collections may lack clear licensing information and user-friendly platforms, making it challenging to find high-quality, ready-to-use tracks.
4. YouTube Audio Library
YouTube has its own Audio Library that creators can use to add music to their videos. YouTube also promotes its own YouTube channel as a resource for discovering new tracks. It’s not the biggest collection, with just over 1,400 songs, but it has basic search options like genres and mood. Mostly, you’ll need to browse and listen to tracks one by one.
For new YouTubers, this is a simple and easy way to find music, especially if you’re editing in YouTube Studio. Tracks from the library are commonly used in plays, streams, and other YouTube content. It’s popular for lets play and gameplay videos because the tracks are royalty-free and easy to use. As you get more experienced, you might want to explore larger music libraries for more options.
5. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is one of the streaming platforms for discovering new music, supported by a vast community of musicians and beat makers eager to share their latest projects. The platform allows artists to showcase their music and share the story and heart behind their creations.
However, from a music licensing perspective, especially for videos, SoundCloud is not primarily designed to provide royalty free music. While many creators offer their tracks for free listening and sometimes downloading, it’s important to understand that the music remains the property of the artists. To use any music from SoundCloud in your YouTube videos, commercials, or other projects, you must contact the creator directly to negotiate licensing agreements and royalty terms.
For those seeking truly royalty free music and copyright free music that can be safely used in YouTube videos, it’s best to rely on dedicated free music platforms like Hai Music. In addition, these sites offer clear music licensing terms and a wide selection of free music, sound effects, and original music from musicians worldwide. As a result, creators can more easily find, download, and monetize their projects legally and hassle-free.
6. The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive, founded in 1996, is a non-profit organization that preserves a vast collection of free digital content from the early internet era. Best known for the Wayback Machine, it lets users explore archived snapshots of websites over time. Beyond websites, the archive also provides a valuable resource for discovering free music, videos, books, and other media from the internet’s past. Today, people worldwide rely on the Internet Archive for open, global access to its ever-growing digital library.
While it may require some exploration, the Internet Archive hosts valuable collections of music that, although sometimes dated, offer rare and unique sounds and tracks from early internet history. The difference between these rare tracks and those found on more mainstream platforms is the distinctiveness and historical value they provide. Beyond music, the Internet Archive provides a wealth of images, videos, and other digital assets, making it a treasure trove for creators who enjoy digging for free resources.
7. Bandcamp
Like SoundCloud, Bandcamp is a platform for emerging artists, performers, and bands who want to share their music with a wider audience. Bandcamp helps artists showcase their music and share their story, allowing them to connect with fans and build a supportive community.
Unlike specialized music licensing platforms such as Hai Music, Bandcamp is not primarily designed for sync licensing or assisting creators in finding music. If you wish to use any music from Bandcamp in your projects, you will need to contact the artists directly to negotiate licensing terms.
Music Licensing and Copyright Music
Understanding music licensing and copyright is crucial for any creator who wants to use music safely and legally in their projects.
Explore Unlimited Royalty Free Music For Your Videos
Some platforms offer both copyright music and copyright-free options, giving creators flexibility depending on their needs. Royalty free music and copyright free music are designed to make this process simple—allowing you to download and use tracks without worrying about ongoing royalties or copyright claims. However, it’s important to remember that not all free music is licensed the same way.
Before you add a track to your video or other content, always review the terms and conditions provided by the website. Since some platforms may require you to give credit to the musician, while others might have restrictions on commercial use or social media sharing. By choosing reputable royalty free music websites, you can ensure your content is protected and avoid any copyright issues down the line.
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