Freedom251 › Stock Music Libraries
Incompetech
What Incompetech is
Incompetech provides Kevin MacLeod’s catalog of royalty-free music for videos, streams, live productions, films, games, podcasts, and other audio projects. Its free Creative Commons option requires crediting the music, and the site provides generated credits. The FAQ says monetized YouTube videos, streaming sites, and live productions may use tracks when the creator is credited. A Standard License is offered for projects where attribution is unwanted or impossible, including radio or TV ads, corporate presentations, and on-hold music; its price is not shown. Users may sing over tracks, cut or splice them, compress or lengthen them, or add instruments, provided their contributions are distinguished in the credits. Catalog details include titles, duration, instruments, genre, BPM, description, mood, ISRC, and collection. Downloads are identified as MP3; some tracks may also offer WAV downloads for an extra charge. The maker says the main site download includes over 100 GB of music and related files such as alternate takes, stems, MIDI files, and sheet music. The site has music search and a movable mini-player, and publishes catalog data as JSON.
Who it suits
Incompetech suits creators looking for music for video, streaming, live, film, game, podcast, or audio projects. Its free option works for users who can credit the music; the Standard License is for projects where attribution is not wanted or possible.
What it does well
- Free Creative Commons use requires credit.
- Tracks may be edited with contributions credited.
- Catalog entries include genre, BPM, and mood.
- Catalog data is published as JSON.
What to know first
- Standard License price is not shown.
- Some WAV downloads cost extra.
- Recordings are copyrighted.
- Sheet music is rarely available.
Limits
The free Creative Commons plan costs nothing and requires crediting the music using the site's generated credits. The Standard License price is not shown; some WAV downloads may cost extra.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Commons — Free | Credit the music · Use the site’s generated credits | Free |
| Standard License | For projects where attribution is unwanted or impossible · PayPal payment · Price not shown on the page | On request |
As incompetech.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Incompetech royalty-free music website.
- Search the catalog for music.
- Choose the Creative Commons option and use the site's generated credits, or consider the Standard License if attribution is unwanted or impossible.
- Download available MP3 files; some tracks may have WAV downloads for an extra charge.
Verdict
Incompetech offers a free credited-use option and a Standard License for projects that cannot use attribution. Check the crediting requirements and track download details for your intended use.
Questions
Is Incompetech free?
Its Creative Commons plan is free and requires crediting the music using the site's generated credits.
Can I use the music in monetized videos?
The FAQ says music can be used in monetized YouTube videos, streaming sites, and live productions if the creator is credited.
What is the Standard License for?
It is for projects where attribution is unwanted or impossible, including radio or TV ads, corporate presentations, and on-hold music. Its price is not shown.
What formats are available?
The agent page identifies MP3 downloads. Some tracks may have WAV downloads for an extra charge.
Can I edit the tracks?
You may sing over, chop, splice, compress, lengthen, or add instruments. Credits must distinguish your contributions.
Does Incompetech offer sound effects or AI-generated music?
No. The listed facts say SFX are not included and the music is not AI-generated.
Facts from Incompetech's own pages
- Additional assets
- The maker says the main site download includes over 100 GB of music and related downloads, including alternate takes, stems, MIDI files, and sheet music. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Audio formats
- The agent page identifies MP3 download files and says some tracks may have WAV downloads for an extra charge. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Catalog metadata
- The catalog data includes track titles, duration, instruments, genre, BPM, description, mood, ISRC, and collection. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- The FAQ says music can be used in monetized YouTube videos, streaming sites, and live productions if the creator is credited. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Copyright limits
- The FAQ says the recordings are copyrighted, and that sheet music is rarely available. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Users may sing over, chop, splice, compress, lengthen, or add instruments, and must distinguish their contributions in the credits. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Free license
- The Creative Commons option is free and requires crediting the music. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker publishes catalog data as JSON and says scripts relying on the site’s data should continue to work. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The FAQ describes use in videos, streams, live productions, films, games, podcasts, and audio productions, subject to its crediting guidance. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Offering
- Incompetech provides Kevin MacLeod’s royalty-free music catalog. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says the site no longer runs Google Ads or site-tracking analytics and has no subscriptions, cookies, or ads. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Search and player
- The maker says the site includes music search and a movable mini-player, and that all pieces appear in search results. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Standard license
- The Standard License is for projects where attribution is unwanted or impossible, including radio or TV ads, corporate presentations, and on-hold music. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The contact page directs music questions to the FAQ and says Kevin MacLeod usually replies to brief emails in a day or two. · incompetech.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where Incompetech stands on Freedom251
- Stock Music Libraries#4 of 60