In thist post, you will discover the best sites where you can download music for free in 2024.
Legal music refers to music obtained through legal means, such as purchasing or streaming music from authorized sources. This can include purchasing CDs or digital downloads from reputable retailers, subscribing to music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, or downloading music from licensed websites.
Further, the legality can vary for different uses. For example, music on streaming platforms or in consumable media like CDs or cassettes is only meant for personal consumption purposes, and any redistribution, broadcasting, or copies of the music on any other media will be considered illegal.
Many content creators may need royalty-free music on their content to monetize it without worrying about copyright strikes. Royalty-free music can be obtained by purchasing or for free as well. So let’s discuss the several types of free legal music that you can find online. Here are some examples:
- Creative Commons music
Creative Commons licenses allow creators to share their work while retaining copyright ownership. This means that some musicians offer their music under Creative Commons licenses, allowing you to use it for free if you follow certain conditions.
- Free music from artists and labels
Many artists and independent record labels offer free music downloads as a promotional tool. This is a great way to discover new artists and music you might not have heard otherwise.
- Free trials from music streaming services
Many streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, offer free trials for new users. You can listen to their music library for free during the trial period. However, their use is only limited to music consumption.
- Live concert recordings
Some bands and artists allow their fans to record and share live concert recordings. These recordings are often available for free download on Archive.org and Live Music Archive.
It’s important to note that while these types of music are free and legal to download and use, it’s always a good idea to check the terms and conditions of use to make sure you are using the music in compliance with the licenses and agreements. Now let’s get to the main topic of discussion and talk about websites that legally allow you to download music for free.
17 Websites To Download Music For FREE 2024
1. Soundcloud
SoundCloud is a music and podcast streaming platform offering various tracks from established and independent artists.
While not all of the music on SoundCloud is free, a significant amount of free legal music is available for download. One of the key features of SoundCloud is that it allows artists to upload their music and share it with listeners. That means a vast selection of music is available on the platform, including many tracks that may not be available elsewhere.
You can browse the “Creative Commons” section for free legal music on SoundCloud. This section features tracks licensed under Creative Commons, meaning they can be used and shared freely as long as the original artist is credited. You can also search for tracks by genre, popularity, or other criteria to find their desired music.
Key Features:
- User-generated content
One of SoundCloud’s unique features is allowing artists to upload and share their music with listeners. This means that you can discover new and emerging artists, and artists can gain exposure and build a following.
- Social features
SoundCloud allows you to follow your favorite artists and create playlists of your favorite tracks. You can also like, repost, and comment on tracks, which helps build community on the platform.
- Downloadable tracks
Many artists make their music available for download on SoundCloud for free or a small fee. That makes adding music to your collections and listening to it offline easy.
- Mobile app
The platform has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, which makes it easy to discover and listen to music on the go. It’s available on iOS and Android, and its web version works well.
- Integration with other platforms
SoundCloud can be integrated with other platforms, such as social media and DJ software. For example, DJs can use SoundCloud to discover new music and build playlists, which can then be imported into their DJ software.
While SoundCloud offers a wide range of free music, there are a few cons to remember. One of the main drawbacks of SoundCloud is that it can be difficult to find high-quality, legal music among the vast selection of tracks available on the platform.
Some of the music on SoundCloud may not be licensed for free use or may have restrictive licensing terms that make it difficult to use the music in commercial projects.
2. Hypeddit
Hypeddit is a music promotion platform designed for independent musicians that allow artists to upload their music, share it on social media, and collect feedback from fans.
The platform offers various tools to help artists promote their music, including a download gate feature, which allows artists to exchange music downloads for social media follows, likes, or email addresses. That gives producers/artists an incentive to make their music free or royalty-free in exchange for social media likes/engagement.
Key Features:
- Download Gate
The download gate feature allows artists to offer a free music download in exchange for a listener’s email address, which helps build their email list for future marketing efforts.
- Analytics
Using the analytics tools, as a creator, you can get detailed information about each track’s performance, including the number of downloads, plays, and shares and demographic information about the listeners.
- Samples/Loop packs
While Hypeddit may not be the best platform for finding free music, many producers/artists offer sample packs for music genres and loud links for sharing music on any online page. That can help you as a producer or creator.
While it does offer a download gate feature for artists to provide a free download of their music in exchange for an email address, this is not the same as accessing a library of free music. Therefore, if you are looking for a platform for free music, Hypeddit may not be the best fit for your needs.
However, for independent musicians looking for comprehensive tools to promote and distribute their music, Hypeddit offers a range of valuable features.
3. Jamendo
Jamendo is a platform that offers a wide selection of music from independent artists. It was founded in 2005 and is based in Luxembourg.
The platform allows independent musicians to showcase their music and connect with fans. Jamendo offers music for free streaming and downloading and various licensing options for commercial use. The platform is also available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian.
You can browse its music library by genre, mood, and popularity, create custom playlists, or follow other users’ playlists. The platform also features a radio station that plays various music from various genres.
Key Features:
- A vast music library
Jamendo has a large selection of music from independent artists worldwide, spanning various genres, moods, and styles. Plus, many of the songs on Jamendo can be streamed and downloaded for free, making it an accessible platform for music discovery.
- Licensing options
The platform offers various licensing options for commercial use, including royalty-free music for businesses, YouTube creators, and other content creators.
- Customizable playlists
You can create custom playlists on Jamendo and share them with others. You can also follow other users’ playlists for new music recommendations. In addition, there are playlists for Metal music, beatmakers, rock, chill, etc.
- Radio station
Jamendo has a radio station that plays a mix of various genres, providing a way to discover new music. In addition, it is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
- Artist tools and services
Independent artists get various tools and services, including music distribution, promotional tools, and access to licensing opportunities on the website.
- Spotlight
The spotlight page on the Jamendo is a feature that highlights a curated selection of music and artists from the platform’s library. The page features a rotating selection of music and artists, showcasing various genres, moods, and styles.
It is designed to help you discover new music and artists on Jamendo and provide exposure for independent musicians. The page also features interviews with selected artists, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process and inspiration.
While Jamendo offers many positive features and benefits, it also has some potential drawbacks to keep in mind. As a user, you may find that Jamendo’s library has a limited selection of mainstream music, as it mainly consists of independent artists.
Additionally, while the platform has some quality control measures in place, the quality and consistency of the music may vary due to the self-curation of the library by independent artists.
Furthermore, some advanced features and tools may only be available to paid users or require a subscription, limiting the options for free users. Finally, while Jamendo is available globally, some music may be restricted in certain regions due to licensing or legal issues, which could limit your access to certain content.
4. JoyStock
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Joystock is a platform that provides professional, royalty-free music to video makers, content creators, and YouTubers.
They have a vast collection of free high-quality music created and curated by their team to meet the ever-changing needs of the stock music market. The site claims to provide one of the safest music licensing services on the market, and its music is free to use with no exchange required.
Key Features:
- Fast and Easy
Joystock is designed to make accessing high-quality music files as fast and easy as possible. Unlike other music licensing platforms, you don’t need to create an account to access the music on Joystock. All you need to do is visit the website, browse the catalog of available tracks, and download the files you need.This streamlined process can save you time and hassle, making finding the right music for your project easier.
- Royalty-Free
All music tracks available on Joystock are royalty-free, meaning that once you download them, you can use them without paying additional fees. This is particularly useful for content creators working on a tight budget, as they can access high-quality music without worying about licensing costs.
Additionally, because the music is royalty-free, you don’t need to worry about keeping track of usage or renewing licenses over time.
- 100% Safe
One of the most significant advantages of using Joystock is that it is 100% safe. All of the tracks available on the platform are produced in-house so that you can be sure that you have the legal rights to use the music without worrying about copyright issues or legal consequences.
When you download a track from Joystock, you can use it confidently, knowing you are not infringing on anyone’s intellectual property rights.
- Licensing Agreements
The platform offers three types of licenses – Free, Standard, and Extended – so you can use the music in various multimedia projects, subject to terms and conditions. Free license for non-monetized projects, Standard for monetization, and Extended for unlimited use.
Proper credits and licensing fees must be paid. Custom licenses are also available. The licenses don’t cover public performance rights.
One potential disadvantage of Joystock is that the catalog of available tracks may be limited compared to larger music licensing platforms. This means that you may be unable to find the exact track they are looking for or need to spend more time searching for the right music.
Additionally, the lack of public performance rights in their licenses means that the music cannot be used for live performances, which may be a downside for some users.
5. Premium Beat
PremiumBeat is a website that provides high-quality royalty-free music and sound effects for various creative projects, including films, videos, podcasts, and advertisements.
The website offers a vast library of music tracks and sound effects in various genres and styles, all of which can be licensed for use in commercial or personal projects. Shutterstock, a global provider of digital media assets, owns the platform.
Its music library is curated by a team of professional musicians and producers to ensure that all the tracks meet high-quality standards and suitability for use in various projects.
You can search and browse the music library by genre, mood, tempo, and other criteria and preview tracks before licensing them for use in their projects. The website also provides helpful resources and tutorials on music licensing, audio production, and other related topics to help you maximize your creative projects.
Key Features:
- High-quality music library
PremiumBeat provides a vast library of high-quality royalty-free music tracks and sound effects suitable for various creative projects.
- User-friendly interface
The website has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to search and browse for music tracks by genre, mood, tempo, and other criteria.
- Licensing options
You get flexible licensing options for its music tracks, including standard and extended licenses for commercial and personal projects.
- Curated library
A team of professional musicians and producers curates the music library to ensure that all tracks are high quality and suitable for various creative projects.
- Helpful resources
The website also provides helpful resources and tutorials on music licensing, audio production, and other related topics to help you maximize your creative projects.
- Customizable music
PremiumBeat also provides customizable music tracks that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of a project, such as adjusting the music’s length, tempo, and instrumentation.
- Customer support
A dedicated customer support team is available on the platform to help you with any questions or issues regarding the website or licensing of music tracks.
One potential downside of using the platform is that it can be relatively expensive compared to other royalty-free music websites, especially for extended licenses allowing commercial use of the music tracks.
Additionally, while the music library is curated to ensure high quality, it may not have the same breadth or diversity of music styles and genres as other music libraries. Finally, some of you may prefer directly purchasing and downloading music tracks without a licensing process, which is the only option available on PremiumBeat.
6. BeatStars
BeatStars is a digital marketplace for buying and selling beats, loops, and other music production resources.
While some content is available for purchase, a lot of the content is also available for free. On BeatStars, music producers and beat makers can create and sell their original instrumentals, beats, and sound kits to artists and creators who need music for their projects.
You can browse the website to find beats and other resources that match their style and needs and purchase a license to use the music in their projects.
Key Features:
- Free Beats
BeatStars offers a selection of free beats and instrumentals you can download and use in your music projects. These free beats are typically available for personal use only and may come with certain restrictions or licensing requirements.
- Search Filters
In the search function on the website/app, you can filter your results by genre, mood, instrument, and more. That makes finding free beats that fit a specific style or sound easier.
- Producer Profiles
You can browse producer profiles on BeatStars to discover new music and find free beats from up-and-coming producers. Producers often use their profiles to showcase their work and offer free music downloads to attract new fans and customers.
- Licensing Information
It’s important to note that even when downloading free beats on BeatStars, you should check the licensing information to ensure you are using the music legally and in compliance with the producer’s terms.
- Collaboration Tools
BeatStars offers collaboration tools that allow content creators to work with producers and other creatives on music projects. This can include sharing beats, stems, other files, and messaging and communication tools.
While BeatStars is a popular platform for buying and selling beats and instrumentals, there are some potential drawbacks to using the platform. One of the biggest concerns is the quality control of the music available on the platform. Because anyone can upload their beats and instrumentals, there is a wide range of quality and skill levels among the producers.
Finding high-quality music that fits your specific needs can make it difficult. Additionally, some of you may find the licensing options and fees on BeatStars confusing or restrictive, particularly for commercial use.
Finally, while BeatStars does offer some free beats and instrumentals, the majority of the content on the platform is available for purchase, which may be a barrier for some users.
7. Pixabay
Pixabay also offers a collection of royalty-free music and sound effects that can be used for free in personal and commercial projects.
The music and sound effects are provided by a community of musicians and sound designers who upload their work to the platform. To access the music and sound effects on Pixabay, you can search for a keyword or browse through the different categories. The website also provides filters to help you find the exact type of music or sound effect they need.
Key Features:
- Diverse collection
Pixabay has diverse music and sound effects with various genres, moods, and styles. That includes everything from upbeat pop music to atmospheric soundscapes to relaxing lo-fi beats.
- Search Filters
With this platform’s music and sound effects library, you can access a variety of search filters to assist in finding your desired audio content. These filters allow you to sort by mood, genre, duration, and other options, which helps you to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for.
- High-quality
The music and sound effects on Pixabay are of high quality and have been created by a community of talented musicians and sound designers.
- Easy to download
It’s easy to download music and sound effects from Pixabay. Click the download button next to the audio file you want, and it will be saved to your device.
- Commercial use
Content on the platform can be used for personal and commercial projects, making it a great resource for creators looking for audio content for their businesses or brands.
While Pixabay is a great resource for free images, music, and sound effects, it has a few potential downsides. One possible downside is that since the content is free and available to everyone, it can be overused and appear in many different projects, reducing your work’s uniqueness.
Additionally, while Pixabay’s licensing terms are generally permissive, there are some restrictions on certain uses, so it’s important to read the license agreement carefully before using any content.
Finally, while Pixabay does have a vast collection of images, music, and sound effects, it may not have everything you need for your specific project, so you may need to look elsewhere or consider purchasing content from a paid source.
8. MixKit
MixKit is a website offering free, high-quality video clips, music, sound effects, and templates for creative projects such as video editing, podcasting, and music production.
MixKit’s collection of assets is curated by a team of professionals, and the site is updated regularly with new content. MixKit’s assets are royalty-free, meaning you can use them in your projects without paying royalties or fees. However, you are required to credit MixKit and the individual creators of the assets if they use them in their projects.
It is a great resource for creators looking to enhance their projects with high-quality media assets without breaking the bank.
Key Features:
- Preview Feature
You can listen to the audio in the collection before downloading it, which allows you to listen to all the different options. In addition, the audio previews have tags that describe them —for For example, “Ambient,” “Acoustic,” “Mysterious,” etc.
- Categories
MixKit uses mood, genre, and tag classifiers to categorize and organize its media assets, making finding the assets you need for your creative projects easier. Moods include “upbeat,” “calm,” or “melancholy,”etc. genres include “hip-hop,” “rock,” “electronic,” etc., and so on.
- Search
The search feature is prominently displayed on the MixKit website, and you can enter search terms such as keywords, genres, moods, and file types to narrow your search results. The results are displayed as a thumbnail grid showing the media assets’ title, file type, and duration.
You can hover over each thumbnail for more information about the asset, including its tags, creator, and download options.
- A vast collection of royalty-free music tracks
MixKit offers various music genres and styles, including electronic, acoustic, hip-hop, pop, and more, which can be used in creative projects without licensing fees or royalties.
- Easily accessible music
MixKit also offers high-quality audio files, including both MP3 and WAV formats, ensuring that you have access to professional-grade audio assets that can enhance the quality of your projects.
- Diverse content
The music tracks on the website are created by talented musicians and producers, ensuring that you can access a diverse range of original and high-quality music tracks that can add value to their projects.
One potential drawback of MixKit is that while it offers a vast collection of free media assets, the selection may not be as extensive as other paid stock media websites. Additionally, MixKit’s assets may not always meet the specific needs of a project or the desired level of quality, as individual contributors with varying levels of expertise often create them.
Another limitation is that while MixKit’s audio quality is good, some may find the sounds less creative or well-composed. Finally, MixKit does not offer customization options or advanced editing tools, so you may need to use other software or tools to modify the assets to meet your needs.
9. FiftySounds
FiftySounds offers a collection of stock music and sound effects that can be used for various purposes, such as film, video, animation, podcast, and game production.
The website provides a range of genres, including ambient, cinematic, electronic, rock, and world music, among others. The music available on FiftySounds is royalty-free, meaning you can use it without paying ongoing fees for each use. Its user-friendly website is available in multiple languages, including French, Portuguese, Japanese, etc.
Key Features:
- Loops/samples collection
FiftySounds organizes its loops and samples by genre and instrument, offering keyboard recordings, guitar samples, synth loops, one-shots, and more. They are particularly useful for music producers and sound designers, as they are organized by scales, such as C minor, C Major, D minor, D Major, etc.
- Licensing
The website gives a licensing document that mentions all the terms and conditions in which you can or cannot use its sounds, which future-proofs your creative projects against legal disputes.
- Music Categories
You get various music categories: pop, corporate, children, ambient, cinematic, classical, electronic, and world music. The pop category features upbeat and catchy music suitable for various projects, such as commercials and YouTube videos.
In contrast, the corporate category evokes professionalism and reliability through clean and uplifting melodies. Children’s music has playful melodies and sing-along choruses, while ambient music creates a relaxing and immersive soundscape using minimalistic arrangements and sound effects. Cinematic music evokes emotions and intensity through epic melodies and orchestral instruments.
Electronic music features repetitive rhythms and experimental textures using synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. Lastly, world music celebrates diversity and multiculturalism through exotic instruments, intricate melodies, and complex rhythms influenced by different cultural traditions and musical styles worldwide.
- Well-designed website
FiftySounds has a user-friendly website allowing easy navigation and search of its extensive music library. The website features categories that enable you to find music genres that match their needs quickly. You can also use keywords to search for specific tracks or browse tracks by mood, instrument, or tempo.
- Audio previews
Audio preview options allow you to listen to a short excerpt of each track before purchasing. These audio previews are available in both high-quality WAV and MP3 formats, giving you a good idea of the sound quality and style of the music.
While FiftySounds offers a variety of high-quality royalty-free music and sound effects, there are a few potential downsides to using the website. Firstly, the website doesn’t offer as much customization as other music libraries, as the tracks cannot be edited or remixed to the same extent.
Next, the website has no search function, which may make finding the perfect track for a specific project time-consuming, especially if you have specific requirements or preferences.
10. YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a collection of music and sound effects that can be used in videos uploaded to YouTube.
The library contains a wide variety of genres and styles of music, as well as sound effects that can be used to enhance the audio in a video. To access the YouTube Audio Library, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Once signed in, you can navigate to the YouTube Studio and click on the “Audio Library” tab in the left-hand menu.
You can browse the library by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and attribution. All music and sound effects in the YouTube Audio Library are free, even for commercial projects. However, some tracks may require attribution to the original creator, so it’s important to read the details for each track before using it in your video.
Key Features:
- Free to use
All the music and sound effects in the library are free to use, even for commercial projects. This makes it a great resource for creators who don’t want to spend much on licensing fees.
- Large collection
The library contains music and sound effects, with thousands of tracks in various genres and styles. Whether you need background music for a vlog or sound effects for a short film, you can likely find something suitable in the library.
- Easy to search and filter
There are sounds organized by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and attribution, making it easy to find the perfect track for your video. You can also use the search bar to find specific keywords or phrases.
- Attribution requirements
While most of the tracks in the library are free to use without attribution, some may require you to credit the original creator. This information is displayed on each track’s details page, so you can easily determine if attribution is necessary.
- High-quality audio
All of the tracks in the library are of high quality, with bitrates ranging from 128 kbps to 320 kbps. This ensures that your video will sound great and be pleasant to listen to.
- User-friendly interface
The library is integrated directly into YouTube’s Studio interface, making it easy to access and use while working on your videos. In addition, all sounds are collected in a single table-like format, in which you can preview the track and all metadata and download the track.
While the YouTube Audio Library is a great resource for creators, it does have some limitations. Firstly, since the library is freely available to anyone, there’s a chance that the same tracks may be used in multiple videos, which could diminish the uniqueness of your content.
Next, while the library is periodically updated with new tracks, it may not be updated as frequently as other music licensing services. This means you may not have access to the latest music trends or styles.
Lastly, regarding sound effects, it may not have everything you need. If you require specific sound effects or foley work, you may need to look elsewhere or create the effects yourself.
11. Amazon
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Amazon offers a wide range of royalty-free music options, so you can browse and stream ad-free music or purchase CDs and MP3s from Amazon Music.
The platform has a dedicated section for royalty-free music, including corporate, cinematic, background, and other genres. This makes it easy for content creators, YouTubers, and businesses to find suitable music for their projects without worrying about copyright issues. So, if you’re looking for high-quality and affordable music, Amazon is a great place to start.
Key Features:
- Amazon Music Unlimited
For those who want access to even more music, Amazon offers a paid subscription service called Amazon Music Unlimited. Most free songs are available on this platform.
- CD, Vinyl, and MP3 purchases
Amazon also offers a wide selection of CDs, Vinyl, and MP3s. Many of these options are affordable, and some even come with free digital versions of the songs. However, most free music is based on MP3 formats.
- Other features
The Amazon Prime music interface also allows you to play similar music, share music links, shuffle the tracks in the album/collection, or add the song to your playlists. However, you need to create an Amazon account to access them.
While Amazon’s free music offerings provide various options for finding high-quality and affordable music, there are some cons to consider. Firstly, ad-supported music streaming can disrupt the listening experience, especially if the ads are frequent and repetitive.
Next, the music available for free streaming may not always be the latest releases or popular songs. Lastly, while Amazon offers a section for royalty-free music, it may not have the same level of variety and quality as other paid royalty-free music libraries.
12. Musopen
Musopen provides access to a large library of classical music recordings in the public domain and, therefore, is available for royalty-free use.
You can use these recordings in your projects, such as videos, podcasts, or other creative works, without paying any licensing fees or royalties. In addition to recordings, Musopen also provides a sheet music library with free downloads of public domain scores and parts, which can be useful for creating your arrangements or compositions.
Key Features:
- Educational resources
You can also find educational resources for music students and teachers on its site, including music lessons, exercises, and tutorials. These resources are designed to help you learn more about music theory and practice and can be especially helpful for those new to classical music.
- Multiple Genres
There are a variety of categories on the platform, including Romantic, Happy, Sad, Dramatic, and more. These categories allow you to browse and search for music that fits a particular mood or style.
- Open Goldberg Variations
Musopen’s Open Goldberg Variations project involved recording a new, public-domain version of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations. This project was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and produced a high-quality recording of the piece, now available for free on Musopen’s website.
- Large library
The platform features many artists, including performers, composers, and arrangers, like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc. Up-and-coming musicians also perform some recordings in their music library, while well-known classical musicians and ensembles perform others.
The site also features recordings from different periods, genres, and styles, ensuring a diverse range of music to explore.
While Musopen offers a wealth of valuable resources for classical music enthusiasts, there are a few potential downsides to using the site. Firstly, because Musopen focuses exclusively on classical music, it may not be the best resource for those looking for other types of music.
For example, if you’re looking for contemporary or popular music, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere.
Another potential downside is that Musopen’s music library is limited to public-domain recordings and sheet music. This means that you may not be able to find every piece of music you’re looking for on the site, especially if you’re looking for more recent compositions.
13. Free Music Archive
The Free Music Archive (FMA) is an online platform that provides access to a vast collection of free and royalty-free music.
It was launched in 2009 by the WFMU radio station in New Jersey and continues to be run by the radio station with the support of Tribe of Noise, a music-for-business service company. FMA allows you to find and download original songs for personal use or in various media projects such as videos, podcasts, films, and games.
The platform collaborates with netlabels and curators to boost support for FMA artists. FMA also offers an easy-to-use interface with advanced search and filtering options to help you find the music you need. The platform is an excellent resource for anyone looking for legal and high-quality music for their projects.
Key Features:
- Genre-based discovery
The Free Music Archive offers various genres to explore, including blues, jazz, country, rock, and classical. You can browse genres using the website’s advanced search and filtering options.
In addition to music, FMA also provides access to spoken word recordings, such as poetry, comedy, and radio theater. With its extensive collection of high-quality audio files, the FMA is an excellent platform for anyone seeking legal and diverse music for their projects.
- Chart-based discovery
You can access a weekly chart featuring its top-rated music. The chart is regularly updated to keep up with the latest trends and popular songs, and you can conveniently listen to the music directly on the platform.
- Search and filtering system
The platform provides an advanced search and filtering system, making finding the music you need quick and easy. With the help of The Echo Nest, the FMA’s library of 40,000 free and legal music files has been analyzed and made easily accessible. This enables you to search for music using various criteria, including genre, mood, and tempo.
- Create page
FMA offers a “Create” page that gives you access to QnAs based on the type of content you create, whether you create podcasts, Films, Radio shows, etc. You can have a lot of questions answered for you on this page.
While the Free Music Archive has many great features, it does have some limitations. One potential issue is the limited selection of music, as the FMA only offers music licensed under Creative Commons or other similar licenses. You may be unable to find specific songs or artists they seek. Additionally, some of you may find the interface somewhat outdated or clunky, making it difficult to navigate the site.
14. Chosic
Chosic provides free background music for various types of content, including YouTube videos, podcasts, and presentations.
The website has a large collection of royalty-free music you can use without attribution or payment. It was founded in 2017 by music enthusiasts who wanted to make it easier for content creators to find high-quality music for their projects without worrying about copyright issues.
The website offers over 1,000 tracks in various genres, including ambient, acoustic, cinematic, electronic, hip-hop, and more.
Key Features:
- Advanced Search System
Chosic has a powerful search system that allows you to filter music by genre, mood, and tempo. That makes finding the perfect music for your project easier and your time.
- Audio Preview
When you browse the Chosic music library, you’ll see a play button next to each track. Clicking on the play button will play the entire track for you. This preview gives you a sense of the track’s tempo, mood, and overall sound. If you like the track, you can download it by clicking the download button.
- Playlists
Chosic offers curated playlists of royalty-free music categorized by genre, mood, and theme. Examples of playlists include Indie Folk, Instrument: Accordion, Soft Rock, etc. Playlists help you discover new music and tracks that fit your project needs.
- Additional tools
The platform has tools like Playlist Analyzer, Similar Songs Finder, Random Songs Generator, Music Genre Explorer, etc. that can help you with music marketing and analytics.
While Chosic is a great resource for finding high-quality, royalty-free music for your projects, there are a few potential downsides to consider. Firstly, the website only offers music in MP3 format, which may not be the highest quality for some users.
Next, the website does not provide customer support or assistance, so you may need to look elsewhere for help if you have any questions or issues.
15. GemTracks
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GemTracks is a website that provides free beats and instrumentals for music production and other creative projects.
The site offers various genres, including hip-hop, pop, rock, electronic, and more. You can search for beats by typing in keyword(s) and download the tracks in MP3 or WAV format for free. In addition to its free beats, GemTracks also offers a variety of premium beat packages, including exclusive licenses and additional features.
The site also provides resources and tutorials for music producers and artists, including tips on mixing and mastering, marketing strategies, and more.
Key Features:
- Resources
For music producers and artists, GemTracks offers a range of resources like a lyrics database, musician guide/blog, gears database, record labels database, etc. These resources can be useful for anyone in the music business.
- Audio Description
You can get information about the song’s key, tempo, and duration and an audio preview to listen to the track and see if it fits your project before downloading it.
- Hire Freelancers
Apart from the free audio resources, the website has a page where you can hire professionals to create beats, mix music, write songs, etc. There are various categories and genres that you can select to filter the list of these freelancers.
- Playlist promotions
Gemtracks allows artists to submit their music to playlists for promotional purposes. The website provides a submission service to playlist curators who will potentially add the artist’s music to their playlists.
However, the website does not guarantee placement on any playlist. It also requires you to provide information about their music, such as genre, mood, and tempo, to facilitate submission.
One potential drawback of GemTracks is that while they offer a large selection of free beats and instrumentals, you must fill out a long form and submit some information before downloading the track(s), which can be a hassle for some users.
Further, it’s not a dedicated site for free music and has many other services and products that are not directly related to royalty-free music.
16. Internet Archive
The Internet Archive’s Audio Collection is a vast library of free music and audio recordings.
It includes different content, from alternative news programming to Grateful Dead concerts. The collection also features recordings of Islamic sermons and lessons, among other titles by various Unversities, Torrents, etc.
The archive is regularly updated with new content, and you can search for specific audio files by title, creator, or upload date. The website makes it easy to download or listen to the recordings directly from the site.
Key Features:
- Wide Range of Audio Recordings
The Internet Archive’s Audio Collection has a wide range of audio recordings for free download or streaming. These include live concerts, radio programs, podcasts, audiobooks, etc.
- Searchable Database
With a database that enables you to search for audio files by title, creator, or upload date, the archive makes it convenient to find and access specific recordings they need.
- Multiple Formats
Multiple formats are available for the recordings, including high-quality FLAC and MP3 files that can be played on most devices and software.
- Easy Downloading
Downloading the recordings is effortless on the site, as you can download individual tracks or entire albums with just a few clicks. In addition, the recordings can be listened to directly on the site without downloading anything.
- Regularly Updated
The archive is regularly updated with new recordings, so there is always something new to discover. This makes it a great resource for music lovers, researchers, and anyone interested in audio recordings.
- Creative Commons Licensing
Many of the recordings in the archive are licensed under Creative Commons, meaning you can use and share them for free as long as you give credit to the original creator. This makes it a great resource for creators looking for free music and audio to use in their projects.
While the Internet Archive’s Audio Collection is a fantastic resource for free audio recordings, there are some potential drawbacks. One issue is that the quality of the recordings can be hit or miss, as many of them are user-submitted and may not be of professional quality.
Additionally, since the collection is so vast, it cannot be easy to navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for. Finally, while Creative Commons licensing allows for the free use and distribution of the recordings, there may be restrictions on how the recordings can be used or modified. While the Internet Archive’s Audio Collection is a valuable resource, it’s important to be aware of these potential limitations.
17. Last.fm
Last.fm is a popular online music streaming service that offers free music downloads.
You can find and download tracks, artists, and albums for free from the website. It also provides a vast collection of music from various artists and genres that you can listen to online. You can get recommendations based on the type of music you like, and you can discover new artists and tracks.
In addition, it has a community of music lovers where you can connect with other users, share your favorite music, and discuss your favorite artists
Key Features:
- Direct download
You can download the track by clicking the button without logging in or creating an account on the platform. You can preview the music and click the download icon to access it.
- Save button
For the audio you like, the platform offers a heart icon by which you can save the music for later. That allows you to show Last.fm’s algorithm that you want it to recommend more music like this.
- Music streaming
As a music streaming service, Last.fm lets you listen to your favorite songs online without downloading them. You can stream music from a wide range of artists and genres. This feature provides a convenient and accessible way to enjoy music without interruptions.
- Personalized recommendations
Last.fm has a powerful recommendation algorithm that analyses your listening habits and provides personalized recommendations based on your preferences. This feature helps you discover royalty-free music that aligns with your tastes, making expanding your music library and exploring new genres easier.
While Last.fm is an excellent platform for discovering new music and streaming songs, it has some limitations when finding free music downloads. While some tracks are available for free, the majority of the content on the site requires a paid subscription. While it is a fantastic resource for music lovers, those seeking free music downloads may find it lacking in that department.
Extra:
1. Wikimedia Commons
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Wikimedia Commons is a media repository that is part of the Wikimedia Foundation.
It is a database of freely usable media files, including images, sounds, and videos, that are available to anyone, anywhere in the world, for any purpose, as long as they follow the license terms specified by the creator. Wikimedia Commons hosts a wide range of free music that can be used for various purposes. The music on Wikimedia Commons is licensed under open licenses, such as Creative Commons licenses, which allow anyone to use, share, and modify the music for any purpose as long as they follow the terms of the license.
Several types of music are available on Wikimedia Commons, including classic, folk, and contemporary music. The music files are typically available in several formats, including MP3, OGG, and MIDI, and they can be downloaded and used for free.
Key Features:
- Categorization
Wikimedia Commons uses a comprehensive system of categories and subcategories to organize its media files, including music. This makes it easy to find music on specific topics or genres.
- Search functionality
The search function in Wikimedia Commons allows you to filter results based on several criteria, including media type, license type, and file size. This makes it easy to find the exact type of music you need.
- License information
Each music file on Wikimedia Commons is accompanied by information about its license type, which makes it easy to determine whether it can be used for commercial or non-commercial purposes and whether or not it can be modified.
- Multilingual support & Quality control
Wikimedia Commons supports content in languages, meaning that you can find music from various cultures and regions. In addition, it has a quality control system to ensure that all media files, including music, meet certain standards of quality and relevance.
- User contributions
The platform is community-driven, meaning that people worldwide contribute their music files. This makes the music on Wikimedia Commons a constantly growing and evolving resource.
One potential drawback of Wikimedia Commons is the quality of some media files on the platform. While there are many high-quality files available, there are also many that are low-quality or poorly labeled. Additionally, because the platform is community-driven, there is the potential for inaccurate or misleading information to be shared.
Finally, while the open licensing of the files on Wikimedia Commons is a benefit, it can also lead to confusion over how the files can be used, especially for commercial purposes.
2. Audiomack
Audiomack is a music streaming and discovery platform that allows you to listen to and upload music for free.
It was founded in 2012 by Dave Macli and David Ponte and is based in New York City. Audiomack has over 16 million monthly active users and features music from various genres, including hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and electronic music. You can browse through Audiomack’s extensive music library and listen to any track for free without any subscription or payment required.
Key Features:
- Up-and-coming artists
Audiomack focuses on promoting them and provides a platform for them to upload their music and gain exposure to a wider audience. That makes the chances of finding good royalty-free music even higher.
- Playlists
Audiomack offers a wide range of playlists curated by its editors and user-created playlists. This makes it easy to discover new music and stay updated with your favorite artists. Hence, you can find various playlists of different styles of free music.
- Search functionality
Because of the search bar on the website, you can look for the correct keywords. For example, if you want royalty-free house music, you can search for that.
- Offline Listening
You can download tracks and playlists for offline listening, making it easy to enjoy your favorite music even when you don’t have an internet connection.
- Filters
Audiomack provides filters to search for music by popularity, genre, tags, and verification. The popularity filter allows you to find the most popular tracks on the platform, while the genre filter allows you to search for music by specific genres. The tag filter allows you to search for music based on specific tags, such as mood or vibe. The verification filter ensures that only verified artists are displayed in search results.
- Mobile apps
The streaming platform is also available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, making it easy to access their music on the go.
Note that although Audiomack is a great website with great features and functionalities, we had to include it as a bonus because it doesn’t have a dedicated page for free legal music, lacks a price filter, and could be hard to navigate through its library to find that.
Conclusion
Now that we have discussed several options for obtaining free legal music let’s round up the entire article. If you are a YouTuber, podcaster, or content creator looking for music for your videos, Pixabay, YouTube Audio Library, Premium Beat, Jamendo, Joystock, and Fifty Sounds are good options, as they have a decent library of tracks of varying genres and styles.
Next, if you are a filmmaker, you can find good cinematic music loops on Fifty Sounds, Musopen, and Chosic and various mood options on the abovementioned platforms. Musopen has a great classical music collection that you can easily use as background scores. For rappers and singers looking for free beats to perform on and create songs on, BeatStars and YouTube are good options.
Many of these beats may not allow you to monetize music, though. Further, Wikimedia Commons and Internet Archive can give you a huge library of free audio, but you may have to do a lot of digging on these platforms. As a music producer, if you are looking for free legal loops and samples, FiftySounds is again a good option for that.
You can also explore samples at Free Music Archive (FMA) and Internet Archives. I hope the article was of help. Thank you for reading.
Shaurya Bhatia, is an Indian Music Producer, Composer, Rapper & Performer, who goes by the stage name MC SNUB, and is also 1/2 of the Indian pop music duo, called “babyface”. A certified Audio Engineer & Music Producer, and a practicing musician & rapper for more than 6 years, Shaurya has worked on projects of various genres and has also been a teaching faculty at Spin Gurus DJ Academy.