Free stock music websites: Five platforms you can trust without the licensing drama

Business

Top five free stock music websites for creators in 2025

Finding music for your videos shouldn’t eat up half your production time. But if you’ve spent an afternoon clicking through tracks that all sound the same—or worse, getting hit with copyright claims weeks after publishing—you know the frustration is real.

The right free stock music websites can change that. They give you access to quality tracks you can actually use without the licensing headaches or surprise takedowns. Here’s an honest look at five platforms that creators, podcasters, and videographers keep coming back to.

1) StockTune

StockTune works the way you wish every music site would. No account setup. No forms. Just open your browser, find what you need, and download it.

Everything here sits in the public domain, which means you can use any track in your YouTube videos, podcasts, Instagram Reels, or client projects without worry. No royalties to pay. No copyright issues to stress about. Not even attribution required—though plenty of creators choose to credit anyway because they love supporting the work.

The library is massive and genuinely useful. You’ll find cinematic scores for film projects, acoustic loops for brand content, upbeat tracks for social media posts, and moody background pieces for long-form storytelling. It’s all AI-generated, but the quality holds up. You’re not going to confuse it with a Grammy winner, but for most projects, it does exactly what you need.

What makes StockTune stand out is how little friction there is. You search, you listen, you download. That’s it. No wondering if you have the right license. No worrying about platforms like Facebook or Instagram flagging your content later. It’s cleared for everything, and that peace of mind is worth a lot when you’re trying to create without constant interruptions.

Best for: YouTubers, freelancers, small brands, and anyone who wants to grab a track and keep moving.
Pricing: Free
Licensing: Public domain—use it however you want

2) Mixkit

Mixkit has a variety going for it. Pop, lo-fi, cinematic, electronic—there’s enough range here to cover most moods. The site doesn’t ask you to sign up or hand over a credit card, which is refreshing. You just find a track, preview it, and download.

The catch? It’s built for digital use. YouTube, social platforms, online ads—all good. But if you’re working on something that needs physical media rights (think TV broadcasts, DVDs, video games), you’ll need to look elsewhere. For most content creators, though, that’s not a dealbreaker.

The search experience is clean. You won’t get lost in menus or buried in filters. Type in a vibe, browse the results, and you’re done. It’s straightforward in the best way.

Best for: Social media creators and videographers focused on online platforms
Pricing: Free
Licensing: Royalty-free for digital content (restrictions on physical media)

3) Soundstripe

Soundstripe isn’t free, but it’s here because when quality and legal protection matter, it delivers. This is where professionals go when they need tracks from real musicians worldwide—not just stock loops, but compositions from Grammy-winning artists who actually understand how music supports a story.

The platform runs on a subscription model, though you can also license individual tracks. Either way, you get full commercial rights with pre-cleared music licensing, which means you can use it for client work, branded content, or anything else without second-guessing.

It integrates with editing software like Adobe Premiere, so your workflow stays smooth. The AI-powered search is smart enough to help you find the perfect soundtrack quickly, and you can even work with stems if you need more creative control. It’s built for filmmakers, agencies, and podcasters who can’t afford to gamble on unclear rights.

Best for: Brands, agencies, and creators who need guaranteed clearance and top-tier sound
Pricing: Subscription-based or per-track purchase
Licensing: Full commercial use

4) Bensound

Bensound has been around long enough to earn trust. The tracks come from real artists covering genres like acoustic, jazz, electronic, and cinematic. Some are free under Creative Commons (with attribution), while others are available through affordable paid licenses that remove the credit requirement.

It’s a good middle ground. You’re not drowning in options, but the curated library makes it easier to find something that fits. The site itself is simple—no flashy features, just solid music you can rely on.

If you’re a YouTuber or small brand that needs consistent quality without spending much, Bensound is a smart choice. You won’t find collaboration tools or a huge community here, but that’s not really the point. It’s just a solid resource that does what it says.

Best for: Small creators and YouTubers looking for both free and affordable premium options
Pricing: Free with attribution, or paid for extended rights
Licensing: Creative Commons and royalty-free licenses

5) Free Music Archive (FMA)

FMA has a history. It started as a response to broken music licensing systems, and it’s still one of the most respected names in the free music community. The tracks come from independent musicians worldwide, and the licensing info is transparent—you just need to check each track before using it commercially.

The website design feels older compared to newer platforms, but the music itself is worth the extra effort. You’ll find everything from classical piano to synthwave, which makes it ideal for projects that need something distinct. It’s less polished than StockTune or Mixkit, but if you want to support real artists and find sounds that don’t show up everywhere else, it’s a solid option.

Podcasters and educators tend to love FMA because it connects them to a creative community, not just a library. The trade-off is that you need to read the fine print on each track, but for many creators, that’s a fair exchange.

Best for: Podcasters, educators, and creators who value artist-driven content
Pricing: Free
Licensing: Varies by track—check individual licenses

Quick Comparison

Royalty-free tracks that won’t get flagged

Good music shouldn’t come with a side of anxiety. All five platforms here offer royalty-free tracks that won’t get flagged, but StockTune makes the whole process the easiest among free stock music websites. There’s no account creation slowing you down, no confusing license tiers to decode, and nothing blocking you from downloading what you need. The public domain status means you can use tracks anywhere—YouTube, client work, social posts—without reading fine print or second-guessing restrictions.

You find a track, download it, and keep working. No forms to fill out. No copyright strikes weeks later. The license covers Instagram, Facebook, podcasts, commercial projects—wherever you need it.

When you’re deep in editing or racing a deadline, that simplicity matters. StockTune just gets out of your way and lets you focus on the work that actually counts.

Frequently asked questions

What is royalty-free music? 

Royalty-free music means you pay once (or nothing at all) to use a track without ongoing payments each time someone views or hears your content.

Can I use free stock music on YouTube without copyright claims? 

Yes, as long as the platform explicitly clears tracks for YouTube use—StockTune and Mixkit both offer public domain and royalty-free music that won’t trigger copyright issues.

Do I need to credit the artist when using free music? 

It depends on the license—some platforms like StockTune require no attribution, while others like Bensound’s free tier ask for credit.

Can I use royalty-free music for commercial projects? 

Most royalty-free music allows commercial use, but always check the specific license terms since some platforms restrict certain types of projects or media.