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Best Stock Music Libraries in 2026
A stock music library can supply music and sound effects for video, audio and other creative projects, with licensing terms shaping how you can use them. Compare catalog size and licensing model, including client work licenses and perpetual usage rights. AI-generated music, stem downloads and included SFX may also matter to your production process. Soundstripe, RouteNote and Bensound are among the entries to consider. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside the assets and rights you need, then compare how each library’s listed options fit your work.
- 60 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Audiio
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebChoose Audiio if you need licensed music and sound effects alongside tools for finding tracks and customizing a score.
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Bensound
Free plan WebBensound offers free attributed tracks and paid library access with distinct licensing terms. Check the use permissions, attribution requirement, and channel allowance for your project.
- 3
HookSounds
Free plan APIWebChoose HookSounds if you need a library of music, effects and intros with options for client work and perpetual usage rights.
- 4
Incompetech
Free plan APIWebIncompetech 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.
- 5
iStock
Free plan APIWebiStock combines a royalty-free visual library with AI editing tools, API access, and free content offerings. The listed annual Basic and Premium plans each cap downloads at 10 per month.
- 6
Musicbed
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebChoose Musicbed if your work needs a large music and sound-effects catalog, licensing organization, and search tools for matching tracks to an edit.
- 7
Soundstripe
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+3Soundstripe offers several ways to find, organize, and use licensed music, effects, and video. Check the license restrictions and daily download caps for the plan before choosing it.
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Free Music Archive
by Free Music ArchiveFree plan WebFMA offers free listening and a catalogue that can also support licensed media projects. Check each work’s license before reuse, since permissions depend on the artist or rights holder’s terms.
- 9
Free To Use
Free plan WebFree To Use offers a no-sign-up route to music for social content, with attribution required under its free license. Commercial and broadcast uses have separate license options and limits.
- 10
RouteNote
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebRouteNote combines store and territory selection with free and paid distribution options. Review the revenue share or renewal terms that apply to a release before choosing a plan.
- 11
Pond5
Free plan APIWebPond5 offers both individual purchases and subscriptions across a broad media catalog, alongside a free collection.
- 12
DanoSongs
Free plan WebDanoSongs provides access to Dan O’Connor’s music across streaming and social platforms.
- 13
Melody Loops
Free plan WebChoose Melody Loops if you need loopable background music, custom track lengths, and licenses that cover repeated use across projects.
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Music for Makers
Free plan WebMusic for Makers combines free commercial-use downloads with a perpetual license and searchable discovery tools.
- 15
West One Music
Free plan MacWebWindowsChoose West One Music if you need production music with per-track licensing, editor panels, or custom music and sonic branding.
- 16
Scott Buckley Music
Free plan WebScott Buckley Music offers production tracks for media projects, with free commercial use when the composer is credited.
- 17
StockMusic.com
Free plan WebStockMusic.com combines a large music and sound-effects catalog with per-item purchases and lifetime usage rights.
- 18
YouTube
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Pick YouTube for free video discovery, channel publishing, and a large set of creator and developer tools. It is also suitable for eligible creators seeking several monetization options.
- 19
Artlist Music
Free trial APIExtensionMac+2Artlist Music combines a curated catalog with stem access, asset tools and options for integrating with Premiere Pro.
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TuneTank
Free plan WebTuneTank combines a music and sound-effects catalog with creator tools, including channel analysis and video clipping.
- 21
Uppbeat
Free plan WebUppbeat offers a broad mix of audio and visual assets, with plan options that vary by content type and channel safelisting.
- 22
Epidemic Sound
Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+3Epidemic Sound combines a large licensed catalog with search, editing, synchronization, integrations, and AI-assisted audio tools.
- 23
TeknoAXE
Free plan WebTeknoAXE offers a broad, categorized music catalog on the web, with licensing stated on the homepage and track pages.
- 24
Foximusic
Free plan WebFoximusic offers free access and one-time per-track licenses with Basic and Standard options at several track counts.
- 25
AKM Music
Free trial WebAKM Music combines downloadable licences with business venue streaming. Check the one-site streaming limit and choose a download or streaming plan based on how the music will be used.
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#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price