12 Best Sites for Free Royalty-Free Music in 2026 (No Copyright Strikes)
Compare 12 free royalty-free music sites for video creators. Covers licensing, attribution requirements, and which platform works best for YouTube, social media, and commercial projects.
Last updated: February 5, 2026
• YouTube Audio Library is the safest bet for YouTube creators — zero risk of copyright strikes.
• Pixabay and Uppbeat offer high-quality tracks perfect for vlogs and social media.
• "Royalty-Free" doesn't mean "free to use" — always check the specific license before publishing.
• Attribution requirements vary: some sites need credit, others don't. We break it down for all 12.
Music makes or breaks a video. It sets the tone, drives the pacing, and keeps viewers engaged. But for content creators, finding high-quality music that won't trigger a copyright strike is a constant headache.
Get it wrong, and your video could be demonetized, muted, or taken down completely. That's why finding reliable sources for free royalty-free music is essential in 2026.
Royalty-free music refers to tracks that you can use without paying ongoing royalties to the artist or rights holder every time the music is played. However, it doesn't always mean "free of charge"—you typically pay a one-time license fee. The sites in this guide, however, offer tracks that are both royalty-free AND free to download.
Top 12 Sites for Free Royalty-Free Music
We've tested and verified these 12 platforms to help you find the perfect soundtrack for your next project.
| Platform | Best For | Attribution? |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Audio Library | YouTube Creators | Sometimes |
| Pixabay Music | Vlogs & Social | No |
| Uppbeat | Influencers | Yes (Free tier) |
| Free Music Archive | Indie Projects | Yes (Usually) |
| Bensound | Corporate/Commercial | Yes |
| Mixkit | Commercial Projects | No |
| Freesound | Sound Effects & Foley | Yes (Usually) |
| Musopen | Classical Music | No (Public Domain) |
| ccMixter | Remixes & Electronic | Yes |
| Incompetech | YouTube Videos | Yes |
| Silverman Sound | Polished Background | Yes (CC BY 4.0) |
| Purple Planet | Mood-Based Scoring | Yes |
1. YouTube Audio Library
If you're creating content for YouTube, the YouTube Audio Library is your safest option. It's built directly into YouTube Studio and offers thousands of tracks and sound effects that are pre-cleared for use.
Pros: Zero risk of copyright strikes on YouTube; search by genre, mood, and duration.
Cons: Extremely popular, so you'll hear these tracks everywhere.
2. Pixabay Music
Pixabay is famous for stock photos, but their music library is equally impressive. They offer high-quality tracks that are completely free to use without attribution (though it's appreciated).
Pros: No attribution required; clean, modern interface.
Cons: Library is smaller than some paid competitors.
3. Uppbeat
Uppbeat is designed specifically for creators. It offers a "freemium" model where free users get a limited number of downloads per month. The quality rivals paid services like Epidemic Sound.
Pros: Premium quality music; clear whitelisting for channels.
Cons: Limited downloads on free plan.
4. Free Music Archive (FMA)
Free Music Archive is one of the best sources for unique, indie, and experimental tracks. It's not your typical "corporate background music." Be sure to check the specific Creative Commons license for each track.
Pros: Unique, authentic sounds; huge variety.
Cons: Interface is a bit dated; licensing varies by track.
5. Bensound
Bensound offers a curated collection of tracks that are perfect for explainer videos, commercials, and corporate presentations. The free license requires attribution, but you can pay to remove it.
Pros: Very high production value; easy to browse.
Cons: Strict "No Audiobook/Podcast" rules for free tier.
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6. Mixkit
Created by Envato, Mixkit provides free stock music, video clips, and sound effects. The license is simple and generous, allowing for commercial use without attribution.
Pros: Integrated with stock video and templates; simple license.
Cons: Smaller library than AudioJungle (Envato's paid site).
7. Freesound
Freesound is the go-to place for sound effects, foley, and ambient textures. While it has some music, it's best used for those specific audio details that bring a scene to life.
Pros: Hard to beat for SFX and atmosphere.
Cons: Not great for full songs; requires account to download.
8. Musopen
Need classical music? Musopen is a non-profit dedicated to providing copyright-free music for education. It's the best source for Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach recordings that are in the public domain.
Pros: Excellent for classical and educational content.
Cons: Niche focus (classical only).
9. ccMixter
ccMixter is a community site where musicians upload stems and samples for remixes. It's great for finding instrumental hip-hop and electronic tracks. Attribution is usually required.
Pros: Collaborative community vibe; unique remixes.
Cons: Site navigation is old-school.
10. Incompetech
Kevin MacLeod's Incompetech is a staple of the YouTube community. His tracks have been used in millions of videos. The site lets you search by "feel" and requires attribution for free use.
Pros: The classic sound of YouTube; highly searchable.
Cons: You will recognize these songs everywhere.
11. Silverman Sound
Silverman Sound offers high-quality, exclusive tracks produced by Shane Ivers. It's a smaller, curated library that offers a very distinct, polished sound.
Pros: Distinct style; simple CC BY 4.0 license.
Cons: Single composer means less variety.
12. Purple Planet
Purple Planet offers a collection of tracks written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey. They have a "mood-based" search that is very intuitive for editors.
Pros: Great for setting specific moods (horror, upbeat, etc.).
Cons: Free downloads are MP3 only (WAV requires payment).
Which Site Should You Choose?
- For YouTube monetization: Stick to YouTube Audio Library or Uppbeat (whitelisted).
- For corporate videos: Use Bensound or Mixkit for a polished, safe sound.
- For creative/indie projects: Dig through Free Music Archive or ccMixter.
- For background ambiance: Check out Pixabay or Purple Planet.
For more video assets, check out our guide to best free B-roll websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is royalty-free music completely free?
Can I monetize videos with free music?
What happens if I get a copyright strike?
Do I have to credit the artist?
Is "copyright-free" the same as "royalty-free"?
Can I use this music on Instagram and TikTok?
What is the best format for audio?
How do I prove I have a license?
Conclusion
Great audio is just as important as great video. With these 12 sources, you can find the perfect soundtrack for any project without spending a dime. Just remember to read the license, give credit where it's due, and keep creating.
By the way - once you've polished your video with the perfect track, don't let a clunky player ruin the experience for your website visitors. Swarmify SmartVideo provides distraction-free, buffer-free hosting that keeps eyes on your content, not on ads.