Why Free Music Websites Matter for Creators
Music has the power to make or break your video. Whether you’re sharing a vlog, gaming stream, tutorial, or TikTok clip, the soundtrack sets the mood and keeps viewers engaged. A perfectly chosen track can boost watch time, trigger emotion, and even make your video more memorable.
But here’s the problem: using copyrighted music without permission can ruin your channel. Strikes, muted videos, demonetization, and legal takedowns happen every day to creators who don’t source music responsibly.
That’s why free music websites are a game-changer. They give creators safe, royalty-free tracks they can use without fear – often for free.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best free music websites for 2025, including their features, pros, cons, and tips for choosing the right one. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to find copyright-safe songs for your YouTube videos, TikToks, or brand projects.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a Free Music Website
- Top 5 Free Music Websites for Creators:
- Free Music Website Comparison Table
- Tips for Using Free Music Safely
- FAQs about Free Music Websites
- Final Thoughts
What to Look for in a Free Music Website
Before diving into the best options, it’s important to know what separates a great free music website from an average one. Not all free sources are created equal, and using the wrong one could leave you with low-quality audio – or worse, copyright problems.
Here’s what creators should look for:
🎵 Music Variety
A good platform should offer a wide selection of genres, moods, and tempos. Whether you’re editing a cinematic travel vlog, a chill study video, or a high-energy gaming stream, you want tracks that match your style.
✅ Clear Licensing
Complicated licenses can trip up even experienced creators. Look for platforms that make their usage rights obvious – can you monetize? Do you need to credit? Can you use the music in brand deals?
⚡ Ease of Use
Time is everything when editing. A well-designed site with playlists, mood filters, and a clean interface saves hours compared to clunky archives.
🎚️ Professional Quality
“Free” shouldn’t mean low quality. The best free music websites deliver polished, production-ready audio that makes your content sound professional.
💸 True Free Access
Watch out for hidden restrictions. Some sites advertise free music but limit downloads or lock tracks behind subscriptions.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore the best free music websites for YouTube creators, and see how they stack up in our side-by-side comparison scorecard.
Top 5 Free Music Websites for YouTube Video Creators
Here are the five best free music sites trusted by video creators worldwide and where many YouTubers get their music 🎵
1. Thematic
Best for: YouTube & TikTok creators who want trending, copyright-safe songs.
Thematic isn’t just another royalty-free library – it’s built by creators, for creators. Unlike production music archives, Thematic offers songs from real artists, giving your videos a modern and authentic feel.
🔑 Key Features:
- Curated playlists (by vibe, genre, or video type)
- Easy attribution and licensing
- Safe for monetization on YouTube & TikTok
- Community-driven with discovery opportunities
✅ Pros:
- High-quality songs from real music artists
- Easy-to-understand licensing
- Free to use with credit
- Helps artists get discovered by new fans
👎 Cons:
- Free plan has download limits (expandable by engagement or subscription)
- Requires sign-up
📋 How to Use Thematic:
- Sign up for a free account with Google or email.
- Browse curated playlists or filter by mood, genre, or keyword.
- Download your chosen song.
- Paste the auto-generated credit link into your video description.
2. YouTube Audio Library
Best for: Beginners looking for native YouTube-safe tracks.
If you want zero hassle, the YouTube Audio Library is the easiest option. Accessible directly in YouTube Studio, it’s a simple way to add free background music or sound effects.
✅ Pros:
- No copyright risk on YouTube
- Large selection of background tracks
- Completely free
👎 Cons:
- Generic, often overused songs
- Limited variety compared to other platforms
- Some tracks still require attribution
📋 How to Use YouTube Audio Library:
- Log into YouTube Studio.
- Navigate to “Audio Library.”
- Filter by genre, mood, or instrument.
- Download directly to your computer.
3. Free Music Archive (FMA)
Best for: Indie or experimental creators.
FMA is a community-driven archive of Creative Commons music. While the interface is dated, its variety is unmatched.
✅ Pros:
- Huge catalog across all genres
- Many unique, indie tracks
- Free to download
👎 Cons:
- Most songs require attribution
- Licensing terms can be confusing
- Outdated interface makes browsing harder
📋 How to Use Free Music Archive:
- Search or filter tracks by genre or mood.
- Check the license (some allow commercial use, others don’t).
- Download and credit if required.
4. Incompetech
Best for: Simple background music for projects.
Created by composer Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech has been a go-to for creators for years. While its design is dated, it remains a reliable source of royalty-free tracks.
✅ Pros:
- Hundreds of tracks across genres
- Simple licensing terms
- Trusted by many creators
👎 Cons:
- Requires attribution
- Music isn’t updated often
- Limited search functionality
📋 How to Use Free Music Archive:
- Browse the catalog by genre.
- Download your chosen song.
- Add attribution in your video description.
5. Bensound
Best for: Vlogs, corporate videos, and polished projects.
Bensound offers a smaller but professional collection of free royalty-free tracks.
✅ Pros:
- Polished, professional-quality audio
- Easy to browse by mood/genre
- Clear licensing
👎 Cons:
- Limited free selection
- Free tracks require credit
- Many popular songs are overused
📋 How to Use Free Music Archive:
- Visit Bensound.com.
- Filter by style or mood.
- Download free tracks (with credit) or upgrade for premium use.
Free Music Website Comparison
| Website | Best For | Cost | License Type | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic | YouTube & TikTok creators | Free (credit required) | Royalty-free, monetized-safe | Built for creators, curated playlists, easy crediting |
| YouTube Audio Library | Beginners | Free | Public domain & attribution | Native to YouTube, reliable but limited in style/quality |
| Free Music Archive (FMA) | Indie/experimental content | Free | Creative Commons / varied | Massive archive, but inconsistent licensing and quality |
| Incompetech | Simple background music for projects | Free (with credit) | Creative Commons / royalty-free | Long-time staple, but dated UI and limited track diversity |
| Bensound | Corporate videos & casual vloggers | Free (with credit) | Royalty-free / CC | Friendly UX, but restrictive free use terms |
🏆 Why Thematic Wins:
- Specifically built for YouTube and TikTok creators who want trending, aesthetic music
- Every song is cleared for monetization (no copyright claims)
- Curated, trending playlists by vibe, genre, and video type
- Auto-attribution makes compliance effortless
- Free to use, no complex licensing jargon
Thematic is more than a music library – it’s a creator-powered ecosystem.
Tips for Using Free Music in Your YouTube Videos
Using royalty-free music is a great move – but to get the most out of it (and stay strike-free), keep these pro tips in mind:
✅ Always Read the License
Even “free” music can come with conditions. Some of the music on these free music websites, while others may restrict use in sponsored content or across certain video platforms. Always check the license details before you publish to avoid copyright flags or monetization issues.
🎯 Match the Music to Your Video’s Vibe
The right track should enhance your content, not distract from it. Whether you’re sharing a chill day-in-the-life vlog or a high-energy tutorial, your soundtrack should match the tone and keep your audience engaged and grow your channel.
👉 Bonus tip: by choosing trending music (not production), you can become a music tastemaker by introducing your audience to great new songs from up-and-coming music artists.
✂️ Edit Your Track for Flow
Trim the song. Loop it. Lower the volume under voiceover. Don’t be afraid to customize your music to fit your video’s pace and emotional beats. Great editing = a better viewer experience.
FAQs About Free Music Websites
We know music licensing can be confusing, especially when it comes to free tracks and YouTube monetization. To make things easier, here are answers to some of the most common questions creators ask about using free music safely and effectively.
Can I use free music on YouTube and still monetize my videos?
Yes, but only if the music is royalty-free and cleared for monetization. Sites like Thematic guarantee monetization-safe tracks.
Do I always need to credit the artist?
Most free tracks require attribution, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Always check the license.
What’s the difference between royalty-free and copyright-free music?
- Royalty-free: You can use the track without paying ongoing royalties, but the music is still copyrighted.
- Copyright-free: Rare. Usually means the track is in the public domain.
Which free music website is best for beginners?
YouTube Audio Library is easiest, but Thematic gives better quality songs for creators who want to stand out.
Are free music websites safe for sponsored videos?
Depends on the license. Thematic and Bensound allow use in branded content, while some Creative Commons tracks may restrict it.
Final Thoughts
Music is more than background noise – it’s a creative tool that helps shape your brand, vibe, and storytelling. Choosing the right free music website ensures your videos sound professional, stand out from the crowd, and stay copyright-safe.
If you want trending songs that feel authentic and monetization-safe, Thematic is our top pick. But it’s worth exploring the others to see what fits your creative style.
👉 Start with Thematic or try any of these free music websites today, and elevate your next video with the perfect soundtrack.
Looking for more creator tools and resources? Visit Thematic’s Creator Toolkit for additional resources on creating content – including starting a YouTube channel, thumbnail and channel art templates, best practices, and of course, great royalty free songs to use in your videos for free with Thematic.
