As video creators, we all know the struggle of finding that perfect song to elevate your content without losing monetization. Fear not, because I've been there, browsed all the options, and emerged victorious (with a killer playlist to boot). Today, let's unpack my top 4 royalty-free music services of 2024: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Soundstripe, and Audiio.
Music Selection: How Much is Enough?
First things first, the tunes! Here's the lowdown:
Epidemic Sound boasts a whopping 40,000-track library – basically endless scrolling for music inspiration.
Artlist follows closely with a library of 30,000 songs, keeping the variety high.
Soundstripe and Audiio come in with around 9,000 and 6,000 tracks respectively. While still decent, you might feel a little limited. Imagine having only a handful of artists per genre – not ideal!
Beyond the Music: Sound Effects that Pack a Punch
Because let's be honest, sound effects can make or break a scene. Here's how they fare:
Artlist takes the cake for the most user-friendly sound effect browsing experience. Think easy filters and clear categories.
Epidemic Sound and Soundstripe offer decent functionality, but lack the elegance of Artlist's UI.
Audiio has the fewest sound effects, which might leave your sound design a bit flat.
User Interface: Making Music Easy on the Eyes
A smooth interface makes finding the right track a breeze. Here's the vibe:
Artlist wins for its sleek and modern design. Browsing feels effortless, like second-guessing your choice of camera system. (Still waiting for Canon to catch up to Sony).
Epidemic Sound offers some cool features like individual song elements (called stems) for ultimate editing flexibility, plus a handy mobile app. But heads up, their recent UI update might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Soundstripe has stems too, but their website can feel a bit cluttered compared to Artlist's clean look.
Audiio keeps things basic, which might be fine, but limits your browsing options.
Unique Features: Where They Really Shine
This is where things get exciting! Each service brings something special:
Epidemic Sound has the biggest library, the best similar songs feature, and track stems for ultimate editing control.
Artlist integrates with stock footage and templates (for an extra fee), a one-stop shop for all your creative needs. They also have the best user interface (imo).
Soundstripe boasts an AI search feature that can read your mind, well, almost. Describe the music you need, and they'll find it! Plus, they have a mobile app for on-the-go browsing.
Audiio stands out with its "link match" tool, where you can find similar songs from sources like Spotify. Plus, they offer a lifetime subscription option, perfect if you hate monthly payments.
Pricing: How Much Does it Cost to Soundtrack Your next Video?
All these services offer subscription plans, with options for both single-channel creator and commercial users (freelancers, multi-channel YouTubers, companies etc.). Check out the graphic above for a detailed pricing breakdown. But here's a hot tip: Epidemic Sound is the only one with a free trial, so you can try before you buy!
So, Which Service is Your Perfect Match?
It depends on your creative flow:
Need a massive music library and ultimate editing control? Epidemic Sound is your jam.
Prioritize a sleek UI and potential cost savings? Check out Artlist (but only if stems aren't a dealbreaker).
Love the idea of AI search and a lifetime subscription? Audiio might be your match (but consider the lifetime option only, as their monthly subscription plans are absurdly expensive for what you get).
What did you think of my breakdown of the best royalty free music sites for creators in 2024? Leave a comment below!
Happy creating. See you 'round the Underground.
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