Royalty-free music means you can use a track without paying royalties every time it plays. You might still need to follow license terms, for example to credit the artist. Copyright-free music usually refers to public domain works. Those works have no active copyright and are free to use without permission.
For YouTubers, podcasters, and video editors, choosing licensed music protects your content from strikes and takedowns. Many free tracks are fine for hobby projects but not for commercial use. This list highlights 10 trusted sites for free, legal downloads. You will find a quick license note, pros and cons, simple steps to download, and what each site is best for.
10 Best Royalty Free Music Download Sites
1. Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive, or FMA, is a long-standing library of tracks curated by musicians, radio hosts, and labels. It began as a place for creative commons and independent music. Over time it became a go-to resource for creators who need a diverse catalog without copyright risk.
The site organizes royalty free sounds by genre, curator, and mood. Each track shows its license clearly. That transparency helps you choose music for YouTube videos, podcasts, and short films with confidence. I use FMA when I need authentic, less commercial-sounding tracks for background beds and short scenes.
License type: Creative Commons and public domain.
Pros & Cons
- Large, diverse catalog
- Clear license labels
- Curated playlists and collections
- Some tracks require attribution
- Site interface feels dated
How to use it
- Visit the site and search by genre or curator.
- Open a track page and read the license details.
- Download and credit the artist if the license requires it.
Best for: YouTube, indie film, and podcasting when you want authentic, varied music for background music no copyright concerns.
2. Bensound
Bensound is the portfolio of composer Benjamin Tissot. The site focuses on produced tracks that fit corporate, cinematic, and acoustic needs. Tracks are mixed and mastered to a consistent level, which makes them usable right away without extra processing.
The licensing is straightforward. Free use is allowed with attribution. If you want to remove credit or use tracks in paid projects, paid licenses are available. I have used Bensound tracks for client intros and explanatory videos because the tracks slot in cleanly under voiceover.
License type: Royalty-free with attribution for free use; paid license available for no-attribution commercial use.
Pros & Cons
- High production quality
- Simple, clear license options
- Works well for corporate and promo videos
- Free tracks require credit
- Smaller free catalog than some archives
How to use it
- Go to Bensound and browse by mood or style.
- Preview tracks in your timeline or editor.
- Download and add the required credit in your description.
Best for: Video intros, corporate videos, and short ads where you need polished music for free music for video editing.
3. Pixabay Music
Pixabay started as a stock image site and later added video and music. Pixabay Music offers a modern, easy to use library of background tracks. The content is aimed at creators who need clean, simple beds for social videos and YouTube content.
The tracks use the Pixabay License. That license allows free commercial use without attribution, making it a top-notch royalty free sounds platform loved by many. Downloads are fast and do not require an account. I turn to Pixabay when I need quick, copyright free music for YouTube videos or short social clips.
License type: Pixabay License, royalty-free for personal and commercial use.
Pros & Cons
- No attribution required
- Fast downloads and modern UI
- Good for social and YouTube projects
- Catalog is smaller than older archives
How to use it
- Visit Pixabay Music and filter by mood or duration.
- Preview tracks directly on the page.
- Download and drop into your editor. No login needed.
Best for: YouTube creators, social videos, and anyone who needs free background music download with no fuss.
4. Incompetech
Incompetech is the catalog of composer Kevin MacLeod. Many creators recognize his music because it is widely used across YouTube and indie projects. The site organizes music by feel and tempo rather than strict genre, which helps when you search by mood.
MacLeod publishes most tracks under Creative Commons with required attribution. Paid licenses are available to remove the need to credit. I use Incompetech when I want a recognizable, flexible track without long mixing sessions.
License type: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 by default; paid license available to remove attribution.
Pros & Cons
- Huge library of useful tracks
- Clear attribution terms
- Many tracks categorized by mood
- Site design feels old
- Attribution required unless licensed
How to use it
- Search by mood or tempo on Incompetech.
- Preview the track and check the license text.
- Download and add the attribution as required.
Best for: Tutorials, podcasts, and indie films where you need trusted, consistent tracks for background music no copyright disputes.
5. Jamendo
Jamendo is a platform for independent artists worldwide. It serves both listeners and creators. Artists upload their work and choose how they want it licensed. That gives you a mix of Creative Commons material and paid commercial licensing options.
The site also offers a dedicated licensing portal for commercial projects. That makes Jamendo useful when you need a safe license for ads or games. I recommend Jamendo when you want independent, less mainstream tracks and a clear path to paid commercial rights if needed.
License type: Creative Commons for personal use. Commercial licenses sold via Jamendo Licensing.
Pros & Cons
- Large selection of indie tracks
- Commercial license options available
- Good for unique sounds
- Commercial use may cost money
- Navigation can be clunky
How to use it
- Browse Jamendo by mood, genre, or popularity.
- Check the license on the track page.
- Download for personal use or purchase a commercial license if needed.
Best for: Indie filmmakers, game developers, and podcasters who may need commercial licenses later.
6. Mixkit
Mixkit is a curated library of free stock music, video clips, and sound effects. It is run by Envato and positioned for creators who want fast, ready-to-use assets. The collection focuses on short-form, modern tracks that suit social content and promotional videos.
The Mixkit License allows free use for personal and commercial projects. Tracks are easy to find and preview. I use Mixkit when I need clean, professional-sounding background tracks for reels and short ads.
License type: Mixkit License, royalty-free for commercial and personal use.
Pros & Cons
- No sign-up needed
- Simple, curated selection
- Good fit for modern short videos
- Catalog smaller than large archives
- Not ideal for long-form scoring
How to use it
- Go to Mixkit and search by mood or style.
- Preview the track and note its length.
- Download and drag into your edit.
Best for: Short-form video, ads, and YouTube intros needing free music for video editing quickly.
7. SoundCloud (Royalty-Free Section)
SoundCloud is primarily a music social network. Many independent artists upload tracks and allow Creative Commons or royalty-free use. The platform can be a treasure trove of unique music, but you must verify each track's license carefully.
Some artists explicitly tag tracks as royalty-free and provide download links. Others require that you message them for permission. I use SoundCloud when I want fresh, less polished sounds or to contact an artist directly for a custom license.
License type: Creative Commons or custom artist licenses. Check each track.
Pros & Cons
- Huge variety and fresh music
- Direct contact with artists
- Potential for exclusive or custom deals
- Must verify license per track
- Search for copyright free music is less precise
How to use it
- Go to SoundCloud, Search for terms like royalty-free music, nocopyright music or Creative Commons.
- Read the track description and license notes.
- Download or message the artist for explicit permission.
Best for: Unique edits, music for YouTube videos that need a specific vibe, and projects where you may contact creators for custom terms.
8. YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a built-in resource inside YouTube Studio. It provides free music and sound effects for creators. Tracks are vetted for use on YouTube, which reduces the risk of copyright claims for uploaded videos.
The library categorizes tracks by mood, genre, and duration. Some tracks require attribution. Others do not. I use the Audio Library when I want a no-risk source for music that will live on YouTube without issues.
License type: Royalty-free. Some tracks require attribution. See YouTube Audio Library policy for details.
Pros & Cons
- Safe for YouTube uploads
- Organized and searchable inside Creator Studio
- Downloadable and free
- Mostly instrumental tracks
- Variety smaller than large public archives
How to use it
- Open YouTube Studio and click Audio Library.
- Filter by mood, genre, or duration.
- Download and include attribution if required.
Best for: YouTubers who want guaranteed, safe music for YouTube videos and background music no copyright issues.
9. ccMixter
ccMixter is a community for remixers and producers who share stems and full tracks under Creative Commons. The site emphasizes reuse and remix culture. You can find both original compositions and remixes suitable for background use.
Tracks often require attribution and sometimes prohibit commercial use. The advanced search allows you to filter for tracks that are free for commercial projects. I use ccMixter for electronic and ambient beds when I need stems or remixable material.
License type: Creative Commons. Check each track for attribution and commercial use terms.
Pros & Cons
- Good for remixable content and stems
- Active creator community
- Advanced search filters for licensing
- Attribution often required
- Library is niche compared to big archives
How to use it
- Search ccMixter and filter by license for commercial use.
- Preview stems or full mixes on the track page.
- Download and add proper credit if required.
Best for: Electronic music, remixes, and podcasts that use layered sound design and background music for video editing.
10. Musopen
Musopen focuses on public domain classical music. It offers recordings, sheet music, and educational materials. The site collects performances of works whose copyrights have expired, and it makes them available without restriction.
For film scoring and historical projects, Musopen is valuable. The recordings are high quality and often performed by orchestras and ensembles. I use Musopen when I need period-appropriate, public domain music for documentaries and educational films.
License type: Public domain and some Creative Commons material.
Pros & Cons
- 100 percent legal public domain tracks
- High-quality classical recordings and sheet music
- Great for documentaries and historical projects
- Focus limited to classical repertoire
- Not suitable for modern pop or electronic needs
How to use it
- Search by composer, instrument, or era on Musopen.
- Preview and confirm public domain status.
- Download recordings or sheet music and use freely.
Best for: Documentaries, film scoring, and educational content that needs public domain music and classical textures.
Comparison Table
| Website | License Type | Commercial Use | Sign-Up Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Music Archive | Creative Commons / Public Domain | Some tracks allow commercial use | No | YouTube, film |
| Bensound | Royalty-Free (attribution) / Paid | Yes with credit; paid for no-credit | No | Corporate videos |
| Pixabay Music | Pixabay License (royalty-free) | Yes | No | YouTube, reels |
| Incompetech | Creative Commons (Attribution) / Paid | Yes with credit | No | Podcasts, film |
| Jamendo | Creative Commons / Commercial licenses | Some free, paid for many commercial uses | Yes | Indie projects |
| Mixkit | Mixkit License (royalty-free) | Yes | No | Short videos |
| SoundCloud | Creative Commons or custom | Some tracks allow commercial use | No | Custom edits |
| YouTube Audio Library | Royalty-free | Yes; some require credit | No | YouTube |
| ccMixter | Creative Commons | Some tracks allow commercial use | No | Podcasts, remixes |
| Musopen | Public Domain / CC | Yes | No | Classical projects |
FAQs
Is royalty-free music the same as copyright-free music?
No. Royalty-free means you do not pay ongoing royalties. Copyright-free usually means the music is public domain and not protected by copyright. Always read the license before you use a track for commercial projects.
Where can I download background music with no copyright for YouTube videos?
Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library, and Mixkit are good choices for background music no copyright claims. They provide tracks that do not trigger copyright strikes when used on YouTube.
What are the best free music archives for editing videos?
Free Music Archive, Incompetech, and Jamendo work well for video editing. They offer diverse libraries and clearly labeled licenses so you can choose tracks safe for your project.
Can I use royalty-free music for commercial projects?
Often yes. Many royalty-free licenses permit commercial use, but some free tracks require attribution or prohibit commercial use. Check the track license before publishing.
What happens if I use copyrighted music by mistake?
You may get a takedown, your video may be muted, or the platform may issue a strike against your account. On YouTube, a copyright claim can lead to revenue being assigned to the rights holder. Always verify licenses first.
Conclusion
Pick a site based on need. Use Pixabay and Mixkit for quick, no-attribution downloads. Choose Bensound or Incompetech when you want polished tracks and you can credit the artist. Use Musopen for public domain classical material. For indie and unique music, Jamendo and SoundCloud offer options and routes to commercial licenses.
For YouTube videos, the safest route is the YouTube Audio Library. For films and commercial campaigns, confirm commercial licenses on Jamendo or buy a license from Bensound. See our video editing tools guide for workflow tips and recommended editors.
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